DEBATING CONTESTS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30201, 5 August 1963, Page 13

DEBATING CONTESTS

Judges Praise Standard

Judges praised competitors yesterday at the end of the thirteenth annual competitions of the Christchurch Federated Debating Societies There were record entries.

The judge of the prepared speech section, Mr A. B Ryan, said he was impressed with the standard, although some competitors failed to adjust their voices to the size of the room and were too loud. The standard of debate in the House of Representatives was deplorably low. said the judge of the oratory section (Mr D. Ames). “After dinner speaking is a lost art and so often at weddings and other functions the parties are unable to propose or respond to a simple toast.”

The judge of the debating section (Mr C. E. Purchas) said it was obvious the teams competing were well aware of their tasks.

The subject for the preliminary round was “That New Zealand should seek union with Australia." and the subject for the final was "That the SouthNorth population drift must be halted.”

The impromptu speech final produced speeches of high quality. said the juge (Father J. B Loft) Results were:—

Novice Section.—Miss B. Brittenden (University Dialectic A) 1. Miss K. Robertson (Central Catholic Bi 2. Miss M. Gaffaney (Riccarton Catholic B) 3.

Prepared Speech Section.—B S. Allom (Central Catholic A) 1. J. Hole (University Dialectic A) 2. J. Harrop' (W.E.A. Club A) and J. G. Kingston (Forum A) 3.

Best Woman Speaker.—Miss K O'Connor. Oratory Section.—J. Milligan (University Dialectic A) 1. A Campbell (W.E.A. Club A) 2, Miss J Corbett (Teachers’ College A) 3 Impromptu Speech Section.— V. McKay (Forum A) 1. Mrs B. A. McCulloch (Teachers' College A) 2. B. S. Allom (Central Catholic A) 3

Best Woman Speaker.—Mrs McCulloch.

Debating Section. —Forum A (V. Mackay. W. Turner. B. Harman) 1. University A (D. Page. J Bluck. L. Moore) 2.

Best Speakers.—A. B. Cottrell (Training College A) and V Mackay (Foruml A.