SOCIETY FOR IMPERIAL CULTURE HOLDS MEETING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19109, 30 June 1930, Page 10

SOCIETY FOR IMPERIAL CULTURE HOLDS MEETING

Madame Gower-Burns arranged the musical programme which preceded a lecture given by Professor Wall on “The Drama of the Seventeenth Century” to members of the Society for Imperial' Culture on Saturday night. The meeting -was held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall. Palms and grace*, ful grey cocksfoot foliage, with veronica, early sprays of “pussy willow” and tender agupanthus leaves in quaint earthenware pots, with here and there a small vase of vivid marigolds, glcuving fires and deep blue velvet curtains gave a cheery appearance. As the president, Professor Shelley, \vas taking part in the latest production of the Repertory Theatre Company, Dr Hight presided. Quartettes were sung by Madame Gower-Btjrns, Miss Alice Vinsen, Mr Ernest Rogers and Mr James Filer, the first being Edward German’s “London Town” and the second Leslie’s setting of “How Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps,” both being appropriate to the lecturer’s spbject. Mrs M’Lachen’s pianoforte soli, “Waltz in E Minor” (Chopin) and “Deux Alouettes” (Leschetitzky), were much enjoyed. Madame Gower-Burns, who was in splendid voice, sang “Songs My Mother Taught Me” (Anton Dvorak), and Miss Alice Vinsen “Oh, Love, from: Thy Power” (Saint-Saens) Mr E. Rogers sang Campbell Tipton’s “Spirit Flower” and “The Star” as an encore. Mr Filer sang Wagner’s “Star of Eve” from the opera “Tannhauser.” All the singers were accompanied by Mrs M’Lachen. Professor Wall dealt'with his subject in masterly fashion, mentioning among thp great dramatists of the Restoration, William Congreve, whose comedies of manners reflect the tendencies of his day and generation, and others of the Elizabethan era, which saw such a revival in drama and literature.

The Rev C. Malden proposed a vote of thanks to the musicians and to Professor Wall, which . was seconded by Miss Ironsides and carried by acclamation. Supper was handed round. Among the ladies present were:— Mrs H. Young, Mrs M’Kay, Mrs Anderson, Mrs Hight, Mrs Hansen, Mrs A. Harper, Mrs Malden, Madame GowerBurns, Mrs M’Lachen, Mrs J. P. Evans, Mrs Bunz, Mrs Brock, Mrs Rogers, Mrs R. G. M’Laren, Misses Stoddart, Vinsen, Duthie, Ironsides, Marsden, Hutton, Greenwood and Poulson.