Finalists In Speaking Contest

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31769, 28 August 1968, Page 16

Finalists In Speaking Contest

The 13 finalists in the New Zealand secondary schools’ public speaking contest, organised by the Royal Overseas League, arrived in Christchurch yesterday with great diversity of backgrounds from which to speak on “Britain’s Role in the Changing Commonwealth.”

Vivian Low, from the Palmerston North Girls’ High School, is a Malaysian in New Zealand for schooling and later university studies. '

Janet Zame, of St Mary’s College, Gisborne, has Italian parents who had to learn English on their arrival in this country, but she was bom here, had all her schooling in English, and. understands Italian. She is thrilled to be chosen to talk about the Commonwealth.

Graeme Fawcett, of St Kentigern College, Auckland, on the other hand, is a New Zealander bom and bred, but, like many of the others is making his

first visit to the South Island. The final will be held this evening in the Aldersgate lounge of the Durham Street Methodist Church. The speakers are winners of elimination contests in the 13 areas of the league in New Zealand. The Christchurch president (Mr J. H. Wakefield) welcomed the contestants at a reception yesterday afternoon. He announced a programme for the visitors to meet the Mayor (Sir George Mann-

ing) this morning, have lunch with league members, and spend the afternoon sightseeing. Tomorrow they will ~ visit Lane, Walker, Rudkin’s factory, visit the museum, art gallery, and gardens, and see a film in the evening. The photograph shows, left to right, Graeme Fawcett, Janet Zame, Mr Wakefield, John Boyce (St Bede’s College), and Henry Stubbs (Waitaki Boys’ High School).