CHAUTAUQUA.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1922, Page 6

CHAUTAUQUA.

NEW PLYMOUTH SEASON. . MUSIC AND LECTURES; • - The fourth Chautauqua at New Plymouth was opened on Saturday afternoon. The afternoon’s programme provided by the Fine Arte Trio wae a delightful one. Miss Dolly Stewart, a finished pianist, gave a number of humorous monologues in artistic style, favorite numbers being “Ain’t You Coinin’ Out My Juliet” (a burlesque on the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet), “Mother’s Maxims,” and “Any Other Time.” Miss Spanswick, lyric soprano, demonstrated her capabilities in an Italian waltz song, other numbers including “Cornin’ Thro’ the Rye” and “There are Fairies at the Bottom of Our Garden.” Mr. Norman Pearce, a gifted Australian elocutionist, was heard in a number of pieces, demonstrating his versatility and knowledge of the art. “The Rhyme of the Remittance Man,” by Robert Service, a poem which Mr. Pearce said was chosen for its beauty of expression, was excellently portrayed. A poem of another kind was an extract from C. J. Dennis’ work, “The Sentimental Bloke” (the engagement) and the elocutionist followed with numerous dramatic and humorous sketches in which there was not a dull moment.

The formal opening of Chautauqua took place in the evening, when the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) extended a welcome to “our kith and kin from across the seas.” No doubt those present would remember with pleasure previous Chautauqua gatherings, and he thought the well-arranged programmes of entertainment and education were of benefit to the community.

In reply Miss Newman referred to the growth of the Chautauqua movement since the last season in New Plymouth, and mentioned that Chautauquas were now established in England and Australia.

Miss Stewart contributed two pianoforte selections and a number of monologues, which found much favor. Her items included “Lisping Lovers,” “April Fool,” “Lonely” and “Shut Up.” Miss Spanswick sang the waltz song from Romeo and Juliet and was heard to advantage in “The Cuckoo,” “Robin Adair” and “Tell Me My Heart.” Mr. Pearce gave some realistic impersonations from Dickens’ selections. He was equally good in two Tommy Atkins’ sketches. The lecturer for the evening was Mr. H. R. Peat, an ex-private of the Canadian army, who devoted his remarks to explaining Canada’s attitude to the 'Empire and her present ideals. It was felt, he said, that others might think Canada was just a little too nationalistic to be British. True there was a distinct tendency in 1914 of # then drifting away from the Motherland, and even the wanted columns in the papers often-.contained the words “no English need apply.” After the visit of the Canadians to England during the war, however, they became enthusiastic Britishers and there was no more feeling of drifting away. He attributed Canada’s difficulty to the large,, proportion of foreign'-population, and he said it was therefore necessary for the Canadians to keep expressing their own ideals, otherwise they would soon be absorbed by the rest of the population. The Americans’ intensive interest in things that were their own appealed to theJcanadian, who now began to realise that what they had termed “boasting” in their neighbors was merely “boosting.” It was necessary for the Canadians to become even greater boosters than the Americans. “No matter what you may hear regarding our nationalism,” said Mr. Peat, “you need never be afraid that any other flag than the Union Jack will fly from Canada.”

Speaking of the necessity of creating bonds of sympathy between all peoples, the lecturer said Canada wm justly proud of the harmony which existed betw/een themselves and their neighbor (America) with aUborder line of over 3000 miles. In advocating greater sympathy between nations he asked how could they obtain an interchange of thoughts with battleship and gun as a medium ? He urged that all the energy of war-time activities should be turned to building up peace time activities. In conclusion, he made a strong condemnation of the glorifying of war in the teaching of history, whereas little was said about wooden crosses. If people were educated as to the dreadfulness of war there would be a firmer basis for the establishment of world peace. 1 Mr. Peat was roundly applauded at the conclusion of an interesting lecture, which was interspersed with a fund of humorous anecdotes and pointed illustrations. To-day the second programme will be opened. * The McKenzie Concert Corn; pany. a talented trio of entertainers, will be heard in vocal and instrumental items. The afternoon lecture is by Mr. St. Leger, who speaks on “Some Problems of the South Pacific.” Dr. Loveiand, of New York, gives to-night’s address, entitled “The Bolshevik Bubble.” A large house shouiu greet these talented performers. The management states that there are still a few reserved seats available, but these are being kept for season ticket holders. The booking office is at Collier’s.