DEBATING SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2199, 1 October 1907, Page 2

DEBATING SOCIETY.

MOCK MUNICIPAL ELECTION

It was with keen relish that visitors and members of tile Debating Society sat down Just evening to listen to tlio municipal candidates on tho hustings. The battle between tile two parties, the “Fossils” and the “Progressives,” was of tlio most spirited description. Without doubt tho item was a great “hit,” second only ill popularity to the memorable “Breach of Promise Suit.” Merriment reigned supreme at tho skilful caricature on local politics; the fos-. sils were the most ancient fossils ovor surprised outside tho Museum, land the progressives soared into the realms of fancy, and set before tneir astonished hearers some schemes that would put Marconi, Edison, Rutherford, and tho whole array of advanced scientists to tho blush. 1 orliaps the local allusions were the most appreciated. Mr. McLean, in first-rate character impersonation of old-fogeydom, was perhaps the most successful exponent of the t-aihoa policy. With deft touch lie pourtrayed all tiie little idiosyncrasies of local celebrities. IVas it not _ better to cart Patufiahi stone costing 22s a yard, he demanded to know with righteous indignation, than to get Wai'hirere stone at 4s 6d ? Did not it e tfcct a groat saving in wear and tear to cart one loud of Ratutalii stone every two days than to have Wailiirere stone arriving by waggon loads each hour or two ? The tails about tlio streets! Had not the streets done good service for 40 years? What suited him as a youth of 59 would suit him in middle life. And the talk about the road-roller having nothing to roll 1 Was not mud flattened out far better than mud in mounds? And so on. .Mr. Bloore. whose display in whiskers was a treat to the irreverent, ably seconded his colleague, and Mr. Cox completed Hie triumvirate. _ No* a point was missed; the old regime was gallantly defended. They trembled at the thought of electric lighting or tram cars, and paled at the mention of any scheme to do away with tihe “mud puddle” and have an outer harbor. Mr. Kimble shone in his role of a municipal reformer. Visions of a second Birmingham or Glasgow, those municipal object lessons. floated on the horizon, but their glory faded into insignificance compared with what Gisborne' would he if their proposals were adopted. Mr. J. Dnwson wanted advance like unto which past pro press has been a snail’s.pace; and Mr. McFarlane was willing, in response to a questioner, to quietly efface himself from the earth if only his fertile schemes could ho brought to fruition. The flood-gates of hilarity were unloosed at times, and even the staid chairman was in extremis during some oi the “hits” made by the ancients and the reformers. After the candidates had all spoken and answered all sorts of questions, the issue was put to the vote. To tihe surprise of the heaven-horn advnnce guard they were utiterly routed by the fossils, who boro ' their honors—due probably more to the excellence of their portraiture than to the merit of their case —with the air of virtue rewarded. When order had once more been restored, refreshments were handed round to the members and friends —

the gathering being a large one for tiie wind-up evening—and musicn) items brought the proceedings to a close. Among the items was a finelyrendered solo by Mrs. Collins, that

was much appreciated by all musiclovers, and two good elocutionary items by Mrs. Woods. Mr. C. Lewis proved an excellent chairman.