1932-03-03 — Page 8

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1932.

An Interesting Talk,.

'THE KING OF FAIRIES"

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.

A Great Dane,

By Mrs. Southern.

Speaking at a meeting of the Hong Kong Branch of the English Association, on March 1, Mrs. Southern read the following delight- ful paper on a man whose name will live for long years to corae- Hans Christian Andersen,

on

Mrs. Southorn said:

apart

CHEER-O CLUB.

(Continued from Page 1.)

THE CHINA MAIL.

have been compelled to economise since the dollar went up.

Welcome Donations

The Ladies' Committee Fund: amounts to $172 and we are greatly from any cut in sterling indebted to Mrs. L. N. Murphy, which the men suffered five shil-Mrs. D. J..Lewis, Mr. H. B. L. Inga at the former rate meant Dowbiggin and Mr. J. M. Walker $5.45 against only $3.48 on the for donations. Just day of the year."

"We Have no Home."

We welcome the return of Mrs.

LOCAL SHARE MARKET.

Livelier Aspect This Morning.

KEENER INTEREST.

The official summary issued by

The spending power of the men Lewis and Mrs. Davenport Browne. waa thua considerably impaired Mrs. Lewis carried on the duties of and this is reflected in the pre-chairman with conspicuous success the Stock Exchange to-day states: sent unsatisfactory financial affairs for two years and we hope her ser-i The market assumed a much of the Club.

vices will soon be restored to us livelier aspect this morning, buyers whilst Mrs. Davenport Browne was evincing keener interest than has one of the enthusiastic helpers until been the case for some time paat:- 1930 when she was

Sales. transferred to Manila.

Hong Kong Banks,, $1,290, Union Insurance, $405/407%. Hotels (old), $13.70.

I now come to 1932.

We have no home. On January 1 we received a month's notice from the City Hall Committee to The 'Committee has sustained 3 move out of the Cheer O Club pre-severe loss in the resignation of mises. The central part of the Mrs. Drummond who has helped in Whilst I was preparing this talk fact he nearly starved. When his town was thoroughly searched for the Cheer O Club since it opened Hans Christian Andersen, fortunes were at their lowest ebb, suitable quarters but without auc-on the arrival of the Shanghai De-

an eminent cess.

fence Force 5 years ago. Since came across a very interesting ar- he was discovered by

The Very Rev. Dean Swann and then she has been in charge of the called Mr. Collin, who ticle by Professor Forster on the Dane, Montessori System of educating educated him and assisted him in the Cathedral Council then put us canteen on alternate Fridays, has children and was struck by this every way. But it was not till he ander a great debt of gratitude to only missed twice (sickness being was 30 years old that he wrote the them hy coming to our assistance the cause on both occasions) and first of his famous fairy stories and and offering the use of the Cathe-she has never been late. even then applause came but slowly, dral Hall on 4 evenings per week magnificent record of service. We fairy story are also excluded from But when it did come, the whale This offer was very gratefully ac-shall miss Mrs. Brummond very cepted and we are able to carry much and on your behalf I wish her ¡on-in a restricted degree-bat nt

paragraph:-

"It is probably for scientific reasons that drawing and the

the method, for the far-ranging it is imaginings of the child, thought, ought not to be encour aged. It is desirable to keep the child in clase contact with real- ity and not encourage him to escape into the realm of fancy, as some children are prone to do when they feel themselves unequal

to the difficulties and obstacles which surround them in their en- vironment."

world acclaimed Andersen genius.

43 A

It

able.

venient

home.

This is al

future I will

a big financial loss. Our 2 full a happy leave. At the end of the Childlike Nature. It is absurd to go into lengthy sized billiard tables are now out month we shall also lose the services or panderous criticisms and analy of use and we are unable (due to of Mrs. Scott Little who has been a lack of cooking facilities) to con-most faithful and untiring helper ses of Andersen's fairy stories.

tinue the provision of light meals.-particularly at dances and con- refined is like attempting to gild

Thus with no billiard room, ao certs-Mrs. Little is also going dining room and no library our) gold or paint the illy. Andersen's stories were the spontaneous out temporary shelter at the Cathedral

A Hopeful Note. come of some happy fountain of Hall cannot be regarded as suit- After the rather pessimistic tone! I have adopted regarding the Cheer thought in his simple childlike na- the They came to him as |ture.

Moreover, being off the main 0 Club's immediate

On the I must admit I sat back and song dues to the thrush or the road it is less accessible and con-cad on a hopeful note.

At the perfume to the violet.

to those for whom we occasion of the opening of the new gasped. My heart sank

Andersen was an excellent con-

cater. On dance nights (Mon- wing of the Y.31.C.A., Kowloon, on thought of thousands of children deprived of one of the greatest joys versationalist and had a gift for days) it is well patronised, but on February 2 last His Excellency the of Victorian childhood-fairy repartee. He was invited to dine other evenings it is practically Governor said that the Y.M.C.A.

It is the fashion to point at Court with King Frederic the {empty, stories.

We cannot run the Club- King merely as a Dance Hall-therefore out what a dull and joyless life Seventh, und

as is the northern the fact may as well be faced that we of "the gay ninetics" led-but pledged him,

our nurseries and schoolrooms custom. Andersen did not care for unless we can secure more suitable no one thought of keeping us in wine, so he poured water in to his premises we shall be reluctantly

"You should not drink to compelled to close down. close touch with reality. We re-glass.

water," said the

Should be Permanent. velled in the pages of Grimm and your King in

In her speech at the Annual Andersen, together with less famous King.

Mrs. General Meeting last year and stories of elves and fairies

Lewis said: goblins. I think these magic case ments opening on fairy lands help- ed London children, over "those difficulties les"

in

#

FLS

we were,

at dinner the

"When I drink to my King. water becomes wine," replied Andersen.

Like Good Children.

It has been said that Andersen and obstac- was not fond of children, but this which came our way, threw anomalous statement is quite un-

a glamour over our walks through true.

And

Title Fully Earned. now having thrown

con-

He did not like children to

"There is no doubt that the Cheer-O Club for our service

men should become a permanent institution"

was a tremendous success.

Showed wisdom and foresight|

on

Hong Kong Lands, $72. Star Ferries, $92.

Hong Kong Electrics $72/A- Dairy Farms, $284/4.

Buyers, Hong Kong Banks, $1,300.

Union Insurance, $4071⁄2. Providents (old), $4%. Providents (new), $2.20. Hotels (old), $19.80. Hotels (new),$13.50. Hong Kong Lands, $72.50. Chinese Estates, $95. Ewa Cottons, Tis. 14. Hong Kong Trams, $21. Yaumati Ferries, $33. China Lights (old), $20.10. China Lights (new), $19.70. Hong Kong Electrics, $722. Telephones (P.P.), $221⁄41⁄2. Singapore Tractions (Pref.), 14/~ Cements (Combined), $17.10. Cements (old), $12.

Cementa (new), $5.

Hong Kong Ropes, $152.

Dairy Farms, 3284 X. Div. Amusements, $19.60.

Constructions (old), $5.10.

Govt. Loans, 3% per cent. Pre-

Sellers,

Docks, $29.

in deciding to build their main mium. centre

The the mainland. difficulties that exist in the limit- ed area on the island are to be! seen in the question of the City Hall, a portion of which has

Realties, $10.70. Telephones (F.P.), $43.

Cheer-0 Club

hitherto been made use of by the beyond the Library and Museum so Y.M.C.A. and the Cheer O Club, as to take in the

I should like to say in this corner.

C

I have, however, not yet given up hope that someone in the Government will have sufficient

HUMOROUS RECORD

SUCCESSES

Columbia

DB243-Photography

DB251-Our War Book

RECORDS

Clapham and Dwyer,

Flotsam and Jetsam.

DB267--Origin of Boxing Day.....

DB146 A Warm Corner

5649 The M.P.

Tommy Handloy.

5532-Launching Policeman Up-To-Date

Leslie Henson.

Billy Bennett.

Chas. Penrose,

The Anderson Music Co., Ltd.

Ice House Street.

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home. What those arrangements which we have in mind are, I will leave Mr. McPherson to tell you.

(Applause).

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"

KING'S THEATRE

Commencing SUN., 6th Mar.

A Lover by Day At Night a Fiend

connection that Government realises a certain amount of re- sponsibility and if the present sense of humour to realise the absurdity of the situation, and will City Hall is handed back, con-

make amends for the very serious and I hope and believe that every- templates making provision for, disturbance which we have suffered. at all events, some of the purposes All we ask for is permission to re- the London streets to the Kensing-worry him or ask silly questions or body present to-day endorses those

for which that building has been ton Gardens and there peopled the to climb over him, but he was a sentiments.

sume our work in the City Hall for What then are we going to do to- used in the past. grassy lawns and trees with fairy delightful companion to sensible

well-behaved children. For them he wards translating these sentimenta

On behalf of the Ladles Com-a comparatively brief period while friends.

I have only one mittee of the Cheer O Club I thank we are able to make arrangements for the provision of a permanent The thoughts of youth are long cut out wonderful silhouette pic-into a reality? long thoughts not to be harnessed,tures, for them he wrote letters in suggestion (probably impracticable) His Excellency the Governor

compart rhyme, for them he wove stories, which is that our old premises in this promise. ticketed, docketed into

"Marie," "Charlotte," the City Hall should be shored up: Mr. Cassidy Outspoken. ments. One trembles to think what and for

other special favourites, he and made safe and that we be par- Mr. Cassidy said:-We received would have been produced of poe and

a long book mitted to return to the old home notice of the termination

of our try, literature, painting, musle, if wrote and illustrated

until we have raised enough money lease and were required to vacate the children who grew up into say describing their travels abroad.

to build a home of our own.

the premises by the end of January. Letter Writer. Shakespeare, Rembrandt or Beeth-

On February 1 last Lady Feel and We were, however, led to believe oven had been "kept in close

Andersen devoted a great deal of

H.E. Major General Sandilands that the Government might step in time to letter-writing. He had cor- tact with reality."

respondents all over the world. and, very kindly gave a dance for the and take over the City Hall, and in! down although he had only a smattering the Cheer O Club at Government this belief we took no steps to find House. A great party of over other quarters. Unfortunately, a the gauntlet for the fairy story of languages, he wrote his letters let me turn to the real object of in Danish, had them translated 500 people attended and the evening few days before the end of January we learned that the Government this talk-Hans Christian Andersen into English, French or German, Coming now to the Hon. Treasur-would not take the responsibility -and add that I think the Danish and then copied them. I have! writer has earned above all others among my most valved possessions er's statement, I regret to say Mr. for our remaining in the City Hall Barker could not attend this and there was no alternative but to morning but I am indebted to him close down. Statue To His Memory.

for a copy of his report. For the Very fortunately, Dean Swann Andersen's Fairy Stories have year ended June 30 last there was a came to the rescue and the Cathedral become so much a part of the daily loas on working of $1,065, During Hall has been placed at the Club's life of his countrymen that a bronze the same year we received donations disposal for four nights a week. statue of the little Mermaid, ex-amounting to $2,682 so that On Except at a temporary measure this quisitely executed by the sculptor balance we were $1,617 up and clos-arrangement is far from satisfac- Edourd Eriksen, has been placed ed the year with a balance in hand tory and I feel that the Government on a barnacled rock gazing sea-of $4,096.

might very wel allow the Club to in many hearts as to the manner wards, It has the appeal of the Logs On Working of $569. return to the City Hall until we can of man who wove the magic stories. Peter Pan statue in Kensington For the 6 months ended Decem-make arrangements for, a permanent This is the outline of his life. He Gardens-with the added pathos of ber 31 last there

was a loss was the son of a poor cobbler in Andersen's immortal story,

to working of $560 but thanks

Authorities Criticised. Odense, a small provincial town in "The beautiful and good will generous donations amounting to The Club has, from time to time, Denmark. There on April 2, 1800, never be forgotten; they live in $650 we ended the year with our received sympathetic support and Andersen was born in a very hum-legend and song," wrote Andersen. funds intact. Mr. Barker points encouragement from the Colony's||

His father was a man The years pass, and his stories are out (In his admirable report) that authorities, and I consider that who felt he could have done better evergreen. They are the embodi- whereas the average number of sales these sentiments might very well in the world, if education had come ment of the good and the beautiful per month during the first 6 months have been put into concrete form by hia way.

As it was, in the long they will never die while there of 1981 was 7,198 the average for arranging to take over from the evenings, he always read aloud to are children, and grown-ups who January 1982 numbered only 2,956. City Hall committee the his young son stories from the are "children in heart," to find To quote Mr. Barker:- Arabian Nights, and from

in world of exquisite pleasure

These figures are evidence that works of Holberg, the Danish' writ- those magic tears and laughter, the Cheer O filled a definite need ter. One day (Andersen tells this quaint conceits, and delicious and also show how service men

the title "The King of the Fairies" bestowed upon him by a writer in the Academy, I do not think that either Grimm or the Arabian Nights exercise quite so powerful a fasci- nation over the minds of both young and old as Hans Andersen.

His Life.

I think there must be curiosity

ble home.

the

a letter of Andersen's.

of

on home.

sibility for our premises.

respon-

It seems to me highly inconsistent that one portion of the building can be kept open to those members of the public who seek shelter amongst the shelves of mouldering books: there was too much explanation in and the glass cases of stuffed birds Interesting Discussion. books nowadays; too much anwhile an adjoining portion of the

02 Sir William Hornell then declar-notation even Hana Andersen building is denied Servicemen as a ed the subject open for discussion, spoilt the tales for children.

in his book "The Story of My humour, which are the fairy fabric! Life") a young student came to of Andersen's wonderful land have his shoes mended and tears of "Make-Believe," envy stood in old Andersen's eyes as the young man spoke of his studies. "Such chances should have come my way," he said.

Hardships.

Club. Moreover, there seems to

departments

and Professor R. K. M. Simpson Mrs. Davidson also spoke with be no objection to the upper floor Sir William Hornell of the building being used by the spoke, deprecating the efforts of the feeling, and

that the news Andersen scribbled some poetry theatre to present certain of the volunteered

the Benevolent Society. Why such when he was young, but already at fairy tales on, the stage, claiming Chinese Government has banned permission could not have been the age of 14 he left his father's that such treatment killed the "Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice extended to the Cheer-O Club de- house and went away like Dick stories: "The stage has tried to through the Mirror" in certain feats me, but I presume It is an Whittington and many another do what Hans. Andersen did in his classes in the national schools, hold-example of the mysterious way in youngsters to seek his fortune with simple words," said the Professor, Ing that they were misleading. He which Government 15 crowns in his pocket. He went "and when they do this it kills thanked Mra. Southoru for her work. by postchalse to Copenhagen, this the fairy stories."

very clever address, made more in- We have no complaint against the eager awkward youth, and he first Professor Simpson was upheld in teresting by her connections with City Hall Committee who placed tried for an engagement as a dan his opinion by several other speak Hans Anderson and the scenes of their property at our disposal, and cer in the ballet. The ballet plays ers, the Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall his stories. W

who could not help themselves from a great part in Denmark and all remarkig that he had been brought Sir William concluded by an ejecting us when the building was actors and actresses go through a up on fairy tales, and that Hansnouncing that the next meeting pronounced by one Government de training in it. But his plain face Anderson was supreme and With would be held on Tuesday, April partment as unsafe. My complaint was against him and many rebuffs out a poor in his own sphere, when Professor Middleton-Smith is that the Government have been and hardships fell to his share, In Mr. G. P. De Martin said that speak on "Books about Chin-unable to stretch their regulations (Continued u next Collumni. N

DR JEKYLE

MR. HYDE

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