ESPERANTO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 October 1939, Page 3

ESPERANTO

masterton club meeting. SEASON CONCLUDED. The Masterton Esperanto Club held its final meeting of the 1939 season last evening in the Municipal Buildings, Mr A. Dewar, D.8.E.A., presiding over a good attendance of members. The meeting took the form of an annual general meeting and a postcard evening. In a brief presidential address. Mr Dewar referred to the utility of the club, although small, and congratulated the club on its general activites during the year just concluded. The annual report and balance sheet, presented by the secretary-treasurer, Mr W. H. King, D.8.E.A., indicated that much useful work had been accomplished at the regular weekly meetings of which 31 had been held during 1939. The membership had remained the same numericaly as in 1938, but substantial progress had been made in the study of Esperanto, which could be acquired for general purposes in one season, although there is unlimited work for the enthusiastic student. All members now speak the language reasonably well. The programmes provided had been highly educational and practical, although moving pictures exhibited at two meetings by a visitor from Christchurch had been a greatly appreciated diversity. The financial position of the club was very satisfactory and augured well for the 1940 season, during which, notwithstanding the outbreak of war, so foreign to Esperantists’ ideals, every effort will bo made to foster further the international language. The report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted. A special vote of thanks was accorded the “Times-Age” for the publication of club reports throughout the yean

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: Patrons, Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors and Mr J. Robertson. M.P.: honorary president, Mr A. Dewar, D.8.E.A.; president. Mr A. G.

Wiltshire; vice-president, Mrs J. McNab (re-elected); secretary-treasurer and N.Z.E.A. delegate, Mr W. H. King (re-elected). The retiring president, Mr Dewar, who did not seek tion, was extended a very hearty vote of thanks for his past services to the club. It was decided to hold a social evening on December 15 to celebrate the anniversary of the birthday of the creator of Esperanto, the late Dr L. L. Zamenhof; and that the club go into its summer recess until mid-March.

Corespondence in Esperanto received for the postcard evening was presented by the secretary, who reported the receipt of 32 postcards from France, England, U.S.A., Poland, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Yugoslavia, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, North Borneo, Norway, Latvia and Switzerland; four letters from Hungary, Sweden and Czechoslovakia; and journals and publicity matter from France, Hungary, and Norway. The correspondence was perused and apportioned to various members for replies to the respective writers. The meeting concluded with the singing of the theme song, "Venas Nun la Hor” (Now is the Hour).