The Literary Society

This Society came into existence at the beginning of the year to satisfy the need for some club which would encourage and stimulate literary activity and interests within the College. Since its inception two major meetings with non-student speakers have been held—Professor Gordon on "Katherine Mansfield," and Mr. James Bertram on "W. H. Auden." One broadsheet has been published and another will be out in the 2nd Term. The most productive work of the Society has probably been in organising Study Groups of about a dozen members each on particular topics, three such groups being at present: "New Zealand Poetry," "Blake," and "Elizabethan Drama." The general procedure here is for members to prepare in turn a talk on some particular aspect, which is then followed by discussion.

The Society's existence has undoubtedly been valuable to students in stimulating thought on literary topics, in providing in the "Broadsheet" facilities for local publication which are not always available in "Salient," and in promoting through active study and discussion a deeper knowledge of some authors and fields of writing. On the other hand it has not yet been successful in reaching the average moderately interested student except through the "Broadsheet" and talks given by out-side speakers. On its activities for the rest of this year, and the beginning of the next, will depend the Society's future—whether it becomes a fruitful and stimulating club, or a small clique. At the moment, the enthusiasm of some of its members, the quality of work being done by some, both in verse and prose, the earnest desire for the representation of all opinions, and above all, the crying need for some organised discussion and argument on literary topics, indicate that the Society's importance will steadily increase.