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Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1922, Page 2

In the foregoing connection it is interesting to rend of the excellent results that have been (‘fleeted in London by the consistent representation of .Shakespearean and other similar productions at the lluyal Victoria Theatie —popularly known as “’the Old Vic.” under tile legime of Miss Li'.iam Bayiiss. Indeed, we need not deem the benefit confined to l-oiidon ; for as a stone plunged into a pool will send the waters rippling in ever-widening circles to the farthest bank, so the good influences of the “Old Vic.” have perme.ted throughout the length and breachh of Kngland. Mr fleoffrey Whitworth, i writing in a recent number of “Joh; O’London” magazine, declared that • ..| a time when theatrical depression is at its height, it is refreshing to east a I glance south of the Thames and find that the theatre where alone in London a consistently noble policy has been maintained for the past seven years was never more flourishing. The audiences which have gathered at the 'Old Vic.’ for the current Shakespeare sea, son have surpassed all previous records.” As the writer justly implies, this is not only a triumph for the man, agement, hut also a fine proof of the way in which an educational and artistic combination has been t»!»n fldyan*

tago of by the people, and of the latter’s receptivity for, and appreciation of, good work. But the finest thing of all in connection with the “Old Vic.” and its productions is that while

is essentially the playhouse of a locality,” there is probably no theatre in London which draws its audiences from a wider area, nor one wherein the atinospheie is more “domestic.” As Mr "Whitworth says, “To many a wayworn Londoner the ‘Old Vie’ is more like home than any other place in London.” This is a splendid thing and although there can he no hope—from the very numerical insignificance of our peculation as compared with that of lamdon that it can he paralleled here; there is, on the other hand, no valid reason winit should not he paid that sincerttSi form of flatterv which lies in imitation.

Tub long promised visit of the Minister of Public Health is now scheduled for this week-end. Unfortunately it is like all Ministerial visits to Westland, very brief. It is not quite clear why Ministers go to the expense of moving about the country at all, when then visits are too brief to cover the parts of the Dominion, where they can be most useful in helping development tiie back blocks. It is a long, longtime Since Westland was favored with a visit [torn a Minister of Public Health all I Kducation and brief though his sujouin is to be no doubt tile local bodies available will make the liest use possible of the chance opportunity offered to put forward their claims. The pital Board will no doubt have a very definite programme in regard to immediate requirements, and the School Committee will pi ess its claims also. This is all very satisfactory as far as the town is concerned, but what of the country districts!-' The; Minister should be induced to visit Kanieri where ho will he pressed to rebuild the school dest lire. Between the Education Department and Hoard this urg•m. nfatter has been badly muddled, and the Kanieri School Committee should not fail to make their wants and cq inions plain to the Minister. In South Westland there are matters requiring attention, also, and it is to he hcqiecl the peo| )c will find a way of expressing them. It Is not at all satis--1 iiclory that the visit should he so hu.= riid. The Minister has no personal knowledge of this district, and file opportunity of his visit should he used to better advantage so that lie might realise the requirements of a distiiet wilicli did good work for itself wild! it Controlled its own Kdueatioli Board, but which noW has much to coniplaiii of because of the indifferent treatment it i receiving at the hands of the authorities.