LITERARY SOCIETIES' UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 253, 25 October 1893, Page 8

LITERARY SOCIETIES' UNION.

The final debate'in connecbion with the Literary Societies' Union first debate tournament took place last evening at the V.M.C.A. Hall, C. E. Button, Esq., preBiding. The subject discussed was " Should the State regulate the hours of labour " and bhe competing (Societies were the Oaehunga Literary and Debating Union and the Bereaford-street Congregational Mutual Improvement Society. The former Society waß represented by Messrs Kobb, Jackson and Whyte, and the latter by Messrs Kekwick, Searle and McVeagh. After a very interesting debate the judges, Messrs E. Withy, G. Aickin and G. Aldridge, declared that the Bereafordstreet Society bad won by 88 points to 61, the maximum being 100. The audience were invited to vote, on the question, the the result being that the majority decided that the State should not regulate the hours of labour. The certificates awarded in connection with the recent literary competition were then presented by the President as follows :— First Prizes.—Essays: Mr L. Sb. J. Kekvrick, Beresford • street Congregational Mutual Improvement Society. Elocution (male class) : Mr A. Robb, Onehunga Literary and Debating Union. Elocution (ladies' class): Miss A. Wheeler, Berea-ford-streeb Congregational Mutual Improvemenb Society. Extempore speech : Mr C. J. Parr, Afchenasum Literary and Debating Society. Poem: Mr T. F. Hill, Athenaeum Literary and Debating Society. Novelette: Mr W. H. Carter, Athenaeum Literary and Debating Society. Solo singing : Miss Laing, St. David's Fellowship Association. Part singing: Sb. David's Fellowship Association. Manuscript Magazine: Athenaeum Literary and Debating Society. Impromptu EswJy : Mr T. F. Hill, Athenjeum Literary aud Debating Society. Shorthand : Mr W. J. Gaudin, Athenaum Literary and Debating Society. Easay (Junior Class): Mr A. G. Brown, Beresford-street Cbngrgational Mutual Improvement Society. Elocution (Junior Class): MisP M. A, Reynolds, Pittsbreeb Wesleyan Literary Society. Second Prizes.—Elocution (male class) : Mr A. Thomas, Beiesford-sb. Congregational Mutual Improvement Society. Extempore Speech: Mr R. D. Stewarb, Onehunga Literary and Debating Union. Solo Singing : Miss Butler, St. John's Mutual Improvemenb Society. Impromptu Essay : Mr R. D. Stewarb, Onebunga Literary and Debating Union. Special highest number of awards: Athenceum Literary and Debating Society's. The Secretary announced thab the value of the prizes (in the shape of orders on booksellers) amounted to nearly £20, but that amount had not yeb been acbually received, several societies nob having yeb sent in their lists. A vote of thanks to the donors, moved by Mr P. R. Dbc and seconded by Mr H. Thompson, was carried by acclamation, and similar compliments were paid to bhe judges for the evening, and the Chairman. Mr Kokwick referred in kindly terms to the work done by the General Secretary. Mr P. R. Dix, during the year, and moved a vote of thanks, which, being seconded by Mr E. E. Vaile, waß carried unanimously.