FROM RUHLEBEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2779, 25 May 1916, Page 3

FROM RUHLEBEN

LETTERS FROM MR HORACE HUNT PRISONERS' ARTISTIC RECREATION . As far as is known tho only 'Wellington citizen who has been a prisoner of war at Ruhleben, in Germany, since tho outbreak of the war, is Mr. Horaco Hunt, the well-known pianist, and formerly organist and choirmaster of Tho Terrace Congregational Church, but such have been the restrictions on letterwriting that little has been heard of him save for on occasional postcard, which Bald practically nothing. Of late, however, these restrictions have been relaxed a little, and some of Mr. Hunt's relatives and friends have received communications. "What strikes one on. reading the extracts is tho fine spirit in which they are written, showing that whatever the real conditions may be, the Wellington man is not a bit downhearted. One extract reads: "And 60 you've been expecting me among tlio . released! No such luck for little Willie. , He's too w.ell to be exchanged. No. it's .a quiet life at Ruhloben till peace comes for this sinner! ... I'd like to have a khaki suit, and a job where a lot of kiwis abound. .' . . Tho Arts and Science Union, which I nox. grace as a member of the committee, recently acquired the use of a small shed, about !) metres square. I had to do a lot (somehow most of it devolved 011 me) to make the place weather-proof. I turned carpenter, white-washer, roof-tarrer, etc. . Place 16 getting quite tidy now—going to do the walls in grey felt, divided into squares by wooden battens, qnito a Japanesy sort of decorative art. Tho ceiling is white (wash), with tho raftere picked out in black. We liave got a piano in. The shed is used by school in mornings for its music classes, and by us in afternoon and evening for lecture preparation work. Last lecture, "Strindberg," with dramatic illustrations, was a great success."

Mr. Hunt also enclosed tn ono letter » typewritten programme of a concert, in which he lectured on Greig. tho Norwegian composer, so succe.ssfully that it had to be repeated at a later concert. Writing to his father in Auckland, Mr. Hunt said: "Treherne (an Adelaide musician) got away M military unflt. It is the only plea, save beyond military age, which is any (rood. I should say T. was between 35 and 40—very nice, quiet, modest. aud extremely clover. It's pretty boring, here nt times, but there is a bright side—many interesting aud gifted people with whom one comes into daily contact. Tho Arts and Science Union forms such a coterie. Half-a-dozen of us meet nearly every day in tlio. Tjox' of one or 'loft' of another, and exchange ideas, argue, or "row' over what good fare mar bo provided. Of this set one, Leigh Henry, you have already heard. He ifl very gifted and versatile. Hatfield, a scientist, translntcd 'The Master Builder' into English, and it was performed here some months ago. ... Tho Greig evening passed off well, aud had to be repeated. As a matter of fact, ! kept the repetition back three weeks, and then Rave a different lecture, nnd largely new programme. . . . Last parcels from you were sent on December lfi and November a;.arriving' on January 17 and I'ebrunry 20. Letters always coming. Next Monday's fare is 'The Theatre.- Old and New,' by (we of our artist members, tho following Monday a lecture on the drama, Shaiv, Ibse'n, and local illustrations. I believe I mentioned on a postcard that my choir of 22 voices has part songs going well. Leigh Henry has done soma awfully good English settings witli' a little help from Tom Gaett, the tame author we keep in our box. and yours truly. Next week we 6tart rehearsing Mie Holborg and 'Peer Gynt.' suites. Short, an Australian (late pupil of Carreno's) is ncconroanying threo tongs, and taking piano in C Stajor, piano and violin sonata. I nhnll also do small piano group; Don't have time to get. Un any new stuff, but can brush up old things now. Later on hope to have other similar evenings. What heaps I could tell you if I only had the space."