DEBATING SOCIETY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2115, 25 June 1907, Page 2

DEBATING SOCIETY

“READING” DEFEATS “OBSERr VATION.” Bast night over 50 members of the Debating Society assembled at the Choral Hall to hear “Reading” versus “Observation.” Dr. Collins (vice-president) occupied the chair. Mr. M. Kimble advocated the superior claims of reading as an, educational medium, and Mr. T. G. Lawless championed “observation.”- Mrr Kimble, in order to show that obseps •vation was 4 not to be relied practically illustrated his point., Producing a'colored chart, he asked- all present to look at it. The cliart was then hidden from view, and paper and pencil we re handed to each member to write down a description of what lie or she had observed. The collection of returned papers showed to wliat. extent the powers of observation differed among people, and that in a very few minutes people as a rule were unable to give a lucid description of what they'had witnessed. He dealt with his subject in a capable manner, being logical and reasonable in argument, and from the outset members realised that they were in fer a good debate. Mr. Lawless, wlien called upon to figuratively flatten out his opponent, emerged into the limelight, bearing several reams of paper; his voluminous notes causing quite ; n titter of laughter. Mr. Lawless, with imperturbable demeanor, commenced to read from his papers, but a member rose to a point of order, asking tile chairman whether it was competent for a debater to read ail address. The chairman replied that up to the present, so far as he was aware, no objection liad been raised to the practice. The speaker then proceeded-AP Ids course, putting forward his side " of the controversy in good style. As an opponent of reading, as compared with observation, it must be remarked, however, that tile liberal recourse to notes instead of relying on memory Somewhat detracted from the merit of Ills argument on observation. At this stage Dr. Collins was summoned on professional business, and the Rev. Dawson Thomas assumed the chair.

The debate ended," a show of hands was taken. The chairman declared the result a tie, and gave his casting vote in favor of reading.