PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29268, 28 July 1960, Page 17

PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST

Overseas League Event

Six Christchurch secondary school pupils spoke on the role of the Commonwealth, in the Royal Overseas League’s public speaking contest held in the Jellicoe Hall last evening. Winner of the contest was Anthony Ford, a pupil at Xavier College. He will now compete in the finals at Dunedin on August 31. In second position was Alison Cornish, of Christchurch Girls’ High School. Michael Fitzgerald, of St. Bede’s College, and Maxine Graham, of Rangi-ruru School, tied for third place. Subject for this year’s debate was: “An after dinner speech. Commonwealth Prime Ministers are attending a dinner in London. As a guest with other prominent personalities you are to propose a toast to ‘The Commonwealth’ coupled with the name of a Prime Minister of one of the newer selfgoverning members.” Three speakers chose Malaya, two Ghana, one India, and the winner chose the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Judges for the contest were Messrs E. S. Bowie. G. Burns, and R. W. Edgely. After announcing the winner, Mr Bowie said it was important that young people should be able to express themselves and take an interest in current world ■ flairs. The subject for this year’s speech was a difficult one for a young person. It required considerable knowledge of Commonwealth and world affairs, and as an after dinner speech its delivery had to have a lighter touch, he said. Mr Bowie said the winner, Mr Ford, had an excellent platform manner, a fine delivery with use of hand gestures for emphasis. He was the only one of the six who had attempted to give his speech a light touch.