League of N.Z. Penwomen to Provide Programme for 1YA

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 9, 12 September 1930, Page 2

League of N.Z. Penwomen to Provide Programme for 1YA

--- i rs HE well-known and flourishing elltit in Auckland, the League cf New Zealand Penwomen, which is devoted to the arts, will provide a programme for broadcasting from 1YA-on Wednesday, September 17. This concert has been arranged for by the 1YA Musical and Dramatic Committee, on which the league is represented by Mrs. Alice Carr Tibbits. The club is the centre of women’s intellectual life in Auckland, and its concerts, provided by members who contribute original work in songs, sketches, plays, and instrumental music, are always a delight to members and friends. Performers for the broadeast coneert include: Mrs. Harold King, Mrs. Herbert Bloy, Miss Amy Hansard, Miss Marjorie Tiarks, Mrs. Arthur Griffiths, Miss Mary Brett, Mrs. H. R. Hesketh, Misses Amy. Stevenson, Rita Phillips, and Hdna Shelmerdine, Mrs. Culford Bell, Miss Oona Burton, Miss Gertrude Bertram, and Messrs. George Moody and Boswell. The club, which has grown from -babyhood to settled maturity in Autkland, has had a very successful career. "Sincerity-in Friendship, in Art, and Ideals," is its motto. This women writers’ club, which held its first meeting in April, 1925, bears testimony to the advancement of the women of New Zealand, and its progress since that time has proved the advantage of the establishment of such an organisation to encourage the undoubted creative talent available in the Dominion. , Formed on the lines of, and incorporated with the penwomen’s clubs of "merica, its object is to stimulate creative art among New Zealand women, te assist in finding markets for the work of the members, to maintain a board of critics and advisors, and, by holding exhibitions of work done, to give practical encouragement to writers and artists, and to foster a spirit of comradeship among them. The league, which was brought into being in Auckland by Mrs. Victor Macky (Edna Graham Macky), in association with Mrs. Carr-Rollett

" i (Hilda Keane) and Mrs. A. Laird Cooke (Marieda Batten), met first at Mrs. A. Laird Cooke’s home in Clonbern Road,. Remuera, and from then on, alternately, at the residences of executive members until rooms ‘were opened by the league in Colwill’s Buildings, Swanson Street, in September, 1925, with a "house-warming." Mrs. Isabel M. Cluett, the president, better known and admired among her large circle of readers as Isabel Maude Peacocke, has written thirteen books for young people, five for the "tiny tots," a book of poems entitled "Songs of the Happy. Isles," and five successful novels, two of which have been serialised in the United States. Mrs. Cluett’s latest book is "Waif’s Progress." Mrs. Alice Carr Tibbits has published some 500 short stories, and nearly 300 articles, her name also appearing: as a serial writer in Tillotson-controll-ed publications and local magazines. Mrs. Tibbits has also broadcast her play "To Let" from 1YA. The league’s’ secretary, Mrs. Jean Boswell, is a clever writer of short stories and articles, as well as amusing sketches; while Miss Oona Burton, convener of the literary section, is also the author of many articles, stories, and. sketches. She has had a. play broadcast: from 1YA. Mrs. Arthur Griffiths, the well-known elocutionist and lecturer, is the author of some charming playlets and sketches. Mrs. Griffiths is the present convener of the Dramatic Circle. Under the efficient convenership of Miss Gertrude A. Bertram, B.Mus., lecturer, pianist, and composer, musie¢ is represented in the club by the highest professional talent in Auckland. Miss Bertram’s own compositions include a cantata, several quartets, and some charming songs.