SIR TRUBY KING

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 6

SIR TRUBY KING

AN INTERESTING LECTURE.

Sir Truby King delivered a lecture in the Concert Chamber on Thursday evening, its title being “ The Romance, Realities, and Stress of Life in Australia and New Zealand : Psesent and Prospective.” The chamber was crowded, and the lecturer received a most attentive hearing. Sir James Allen introduced the lecturer, and said that his work in Dunedin, in New Zealand, and elsewhere was wel' known to them all. It had left an impression which would not readily pass away. Sir James Allen gave the title of the address Sir Truby King was to deliver, and humorously remarked that he would leave it to the lecturer to tell them how he was going to touch on romance as it affected the realities of to-day. Sir Jame.* said that some of their poets had made ar, attempt to deal with modern developments in relation to romance, and quoted from Kipling's “ Macandrew’s Hymn.” Sir Truby King said he was glad to hear Sir James Allen quoting from “ Macandrew’s Hymn.” He might also quote from Kipling, namely, “Romance is dead, the cave man said.” The cave man thought that romance had passed in his time, but, of. course, that was quite the reverse of the case. The lecturer went on to paint a picture of the future, and said that in their vision nothing might be con sidered improbable. He said that it gave him great pleasure again to address a Dunedin audience. He had come here originally with the intention of staying two years. He had then intended to return Home. He had, however, remained here for 32 years.— (Applause.) Dunedin was greatly endeared to him by every recollection, and he hoped he would still have the pleasure of appearing before Dunedin audiences, although he was considerably past the allotted years of man. The lecturer devoted some time (jiving experiences of his life in Sydney. He said that he was very loyal to New Zealand. He had also travelled in other parts of the world, and he must say that Sydney had the most beautiful harbour in the world, and it was the most attractive place to live in. He had seen Rio de Janeiro and many other places with rival claims, but he considered Sydney was the pearl of cities, both as regards its situation and its limitless attractions. With the aid of pictures the lecturer showed many of the most important steets of Sydney, and with whimsical humour related how he had come to secure z a residence in Buckingham street, much against the advice of his friends, who considered • that the locality—which was also shown—was a rather undesirable one. He gave some particulars of his journeys by aeroplane in Australia, and told how during his visit to England the names of Don Bradman and Amy Johnson, were household words, and how their respective deeds were a common source of conversation. He then entered on the main feature of his lecture, and with the aid of lantern slides, very capably manipulated by Mr Simpson, gave some illuminating pictures—these being accompanied by explanatory comment —of the activities of the Plunket Society. The lecturer was accorded a hearty vote of thanks at the conclusion of his address.