LITERARY AND DEBATING

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 2764, 29 March 1927, Page 4

LITERARY AND DEBATING

THE CAMBRIDGE SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING.

There was a fair attendance Of members at the annual general’meeting in connection with the Cambridge Literary and Debating Society, held last night at St. Andrew’s Hall. Mr C. W. Clark (president) occupied the chair. ; v '• " Annual Report. The hon., secretary (Mrs W. J. Ward) presented the following report:—“The executive of the Literary and Debating Society desire to thank members and all those who helped during the session to add success and interest to the work of the society. The season opened on May 10th, when the society combined with the Workers’ Educational Association in a social gathering, and closed on Monday, November Bth, with a social evening, at which a varied programme was presented. There were also during the session: A debate, “Does Modern Dress Need Reform?”; Shakespearean evening, an evening devoted to ‘ ‘ The Poetry of the Irish Race, ’ ’ a musical .evening, and two plays were read. —“The Choice,” by Sutro, and “Tilly of Bloomsbury.” From a financial point of view the society is in a very satisfactory position. Starting the year with a credit of £3 10/4, we have finisher up with a balance of £9 11/8. The number of financial members last year was 114. Owing to a. great deal of illness during the latter part of the ses- , sion several of the syllabus fixtures had to be abandoned. The society was .unfortunate, at the end of' the season, in losing one of its most .active and helpful niembers, in the. person of the Rev. Mortimer-Jones, who'had. held the. position of president and other executive positions. The society also suffered a great loss in the death of Dr Staplev. Both the doctor and Mrs Staplev were old aAd valued members;” The balance sheet showed that the society had 99 financial adult members, and Iff juniors, a,; tot ah of, 114. The' sup. of £5 5/6 had been received for admission of visitors to meetings. The principal item of expenditure was £5 for hall rent.. New Members. A number of now members werc-'duly elected. ' New Officers. The following new officers were elected: —President, Mr S. R. James; vicopresidents, Messrs E. P. Hillam and H. Rowland; hon secretary, Mrs W. J. Ward (re-elected); hon. treasurer, Mr E. B. Kemsley (re-elected); committee, Mesdames G. G. L. Taylor and H. L. Possennisliie, Miss Brann, Messrs Frank Penn, C. W. Clark, M. Wilkinson, H. L, Possonniskie. Meeting Nights. It was decided to meet as usual on alternate Monday nights/ commencing on May 2nd; meetings to be held at St. Andrew’s Hall, committoe to make arrangements for use of same. , General. A letter was received from Mrs Thorpe, expressing very hearty thanks to the society for its gift to her on the occasion of her departure from" Cambridge: ' it was decided to make search for the society's rules., which had been entered in old minute book, and failing the production of same, the committee to draft a fresh set. A number of suggestions wore made with regard to the mow .season's'Syllabus. Mrs W. J. Ward suggested'-'that: -a play be taken up by members early in the session, and rehearsed, with a view to staging same at the close of the. session. This proposal was favourably received.

It was decided to open the session with-a programme of musical and elocutionary items, the committee to moot jit an early date and draft the full syllabus for the, year ’s operations. ' A hearty vote of thanks was accorded last year’s officers, sopecial reference being made to the excellent serviea rendered by the president (Mr C. W. Clark) and the secretary (Mrs W. «T. Ward). '