McLEAN CUP

Grey River Argus, 4 July 1944, Page 4

McLEAN CUP

UNITED CLUB’S ORATORICAL

COMPETITION.

The fifteenth annual oratorical competition of the Greymouth United Debating Club for the McLean Cup was held last evening, there being ten contestants, and a fair attendance of other members. The subject of the competition was the following question: “Owing to the recent policy of neutrality adopted in the Argentine, .and the diversity of opinion in various American States, is there a probability of serious trouble, military or otherwise, inAmerica?” The winner proved to be Mr G. Gillesoie. with Messrs H. A. S. Rollinsori and L. F. Anderson as run-ners-up. The points awarded were as follows: Messrs G. Gillespie 91, H. A. S. Rollinson 90, L. F. Anderson 89, R. Mitchell, D. Mclvor and R. F. Chi’bnall 88, J. Booth 86, D. Hardy 84, P. C. Peters 81. The cup wias presented to the winner by the donor, Mr P. J. McLean, who paid a high tribute to the speakers generally for their very informative and interesting addresses, trusting that apart from the preparation of their speeches, their study of the subject matter itself would have served to enlarge their knowledge of the South American Continent and its history, in view of the more important part which its component Republics were probably destined in future to play in world history. The judge, Mr M. Daly, also complimented all of the competitors, whose efforts showed not only a good and adequate conception of the question, but a very creditable standard of diction, fluency and delivery. The United Club had set a good example in mental culture by maintaining its competitions, and the members evidenced the value of study and practice in the art of public speaking. The chairman, Mr H. W. Hay, in moving a vote of thanks to the donor and the judge, expressed the club’s appreciation of Mr McLean’s offer of the use of several standard! works on oratorical art for the members of the club.