DRAMA LEAGUE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21323, 18 April 1939, Page 4

DRAMA LEAGUE

Officers Elected

A Successful Year

At the annual meeting of the South I Canterbury 'Drama League last night Mrs W. G. Tweedy suggested that the League shot',ld make some special effort to assist the local centennial committee in commemorating the centenary of New Zealand. A Shakes- | perian pageant had been suggested, ! but in view of the fact that she would • be absent at the centennial exhibition i at Wellington, as she wbuld have to tak'» her turn in charge of the South Canterbury exhibit, she did 'not yet k'jow exactly how much time she 'gould have available for the local project. However, if the Drama League ■ could see its way clear to make some effort in the form of drama to help the local centennial committee its heip would be much appreciated. The acting-president, Mr A. E. Lawrence, replied that the League would co-operate in every way to do its part in regard to the centennial celebrations. The matter would be considered by the executive, and whatever they did would be carried out with their characteristic enthusiasm.

An Outstanding Season

In moving the adoption of the annual report (previously published) Mr Lawrence said th. t last season’s festival had been one of the most successful yet held and not simply from the point of view of community drama. Lt had been an ideal community effort and one of the most pleasant festivals during the career of the South Canterbury Drama League. The holding of the festival a little later had been an advantage, and the executive had

been a most enthusiastic and capable body of workers. The financial position was very sound as the year had commenced with a debit balance of £9 Ils lOd and concluded with a credit balance of £29 Os Bd, and there was also £4O in fixed deposit. They also had a splendid library w’hich had been during the year, and they also possessed various assets such as stage properties and fittings.

Headquarters Organisation

In referring to the alterations in connection with the headquarters of the New Zealand Branch of the British Drama League, Mr Lawrence recalled that the expenditure had considerably exceeded revenue and the national executive had steadily drifted out of touch with the areas. The South Canterbury executive prepared an amended constitution providing for administrative control by a resident management committee and a change to provide that area representatives should comprise the annual meetings. However, the new constitution gives the ordinary individual member who paid an annual subscription of 2/6 to a drama club, power to vote, whereas the South Canterbury executive was of the opinion that only delegates officially representing areas should have voting power. The movement would now be controlled by a national council which would meet twice a year, and the headquarters would be controlled by an honorary executive officer. The headquarters library, which incidentally was not so good as the South Canterbury Drama League’s library, was practically all that remained of the expensive headquarters. Tire funds which were raised through various channels would now help to provide the expenses of delegates attending the half-yearly meetings. Headquarters would deal with the question of national festivals and the location of the elimination festivals. One of South Canterbury’s ideas had been that these festivals should be held in various areas. Catholic Club Congratulated Mr Lawrence congratulated the Timaru Catholic Dramatic Club, not only on winning the South Canterbury A grade competition and the South Island elimination festival at Dunedin but also on their splendid performance in the New Zealand final at Hastings, when they h..d met an exceptionally good team. He had been told that comment had been made that judging by the spirit shown by the Timaru Catholic Club it was easy to understand the success of the movement m South Canterbury if the Catholic Club represented that spirit. In conclusion, Mr Lawrence thanked the executive and officers, and particularly the secretary, Mr H. L. Warsaw, for their assistance during his term as acting-president in the absence of Dr. W. H. Unwin. They had been a pleasure to work with, and he could compliment them on their efforts as had been shown by the success attained during the year. The motion was seconded by Mr 3. H. R. Ulrich. Mrs W. G. Tweedy congratulated Mr Lawrence and the executive on the excellent results obtained during the Election of Officea-s The election of officers resulted as follow: President. Dr. W. H. Unwin; vice-presidents, Messrs A. E. Lawrence. W. G. Tweedy. C. F. Claidce. and W. E. Mills; executive, Mesdames R. D. King and T. E. Holdgate, Dr. R. D. King, Messrs G. H. R. Ulrich. Prendergast, D. Unwin; property committee, Mesdames R. D. King. C. F. Clarke Dr. R. D. King, Messrs H. Reid. Prendergast. E. W. D. Unwin, S. A. Odell, W. Griffiths; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. L. Warsaw; auditor, Mr C. G. 13. King.

Rcpoi/tory Work Mi . Inglis, who referred to the lapsr

its activities should be revived as it was a valuable training ground for developing talent. The acting president said that the executive would endeavour to revive the repertory section, and it might be possible to arrange for lectures on drama. In proposing that a vote of appreciation of Mr Lawrence’s services as acting-president should be recorded in the minutes, Mr Ulrich said that as a member of the executive lie could say that Mr Lawrence had been not only a very enthusiastic but a most efficient chairman. The motion was seconded by Mrs W.