Oratory Contest

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 25, 29 November 1939, Page 8

Oratory Contest

HUTT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

The annual contest for the Hugo Memorial Shield for public speaking was recently held in the Hutt Valley High School Assembly Hall. The speakers, who were the finalists from the trials conducted prior to the date of the contest, were:— Ellie Boyd, Joy Lough, Margaret Orr, G. I. Hooper, J. D. Milburn and R. W. Grey. ♦ Ellie Boyd spoke on Disraeli. Her speech was delivered in a wellmocMilated voice, but, like most of the speakers, she displayed a tendency to drop her voice at the end of the sentence, and her notes were rather copious. Her opening was good, and her well-proportioned speech led to an apt climax,, giving her audience an excellent portrayal of the character of Disraeli. Joy Lough chose as her subject Edward Wilson. Her use of notes was extremely good, and the rhetorical style of her speech was well adapted to depict the life of .this man who had played such an important part in the Antarctic Expedition. She has a very pleasing voice, and made good use of intonation. Margaret Orr made very little use of notes. Taking as her subject that great Empire builder, Cecil Rhodes, she made a good opening which led to an excellent climax. She did not make the common error of dwelling too much on personal facts; her material was well consolidated and her characterisation was good and not overdone. She is an outstanding speaker for her age, possessing as she does an excellent stage personality and a pleasing voice. George Bernard Shaw was the subject chosen by G. I. Hooper, whose entertaining speech indicated that he has a keen sense of humour. He made good use of quotation, and it was obvious that lie appreciates Shaw and Shavian humour. J. D. Milburn spoke on Mustafa Kernel. His speech was very good, but he was inclined to dwell on the less important details of the life of this Turkish Dictator. R. W. Grey chose Gandhi as his subject. His speech was uniform throughout, and his enunciation was better than any other speakers, every word of his speech being clearly heard. " The principal of the school, Mr. J. N. Millard, introduced the adjudicator, Mr. N. T. Gillespie, who commented On the very high standard of the speeches, and gave each contestant a constructive criticism. He announced that he had placed Margaret Orr first and Ellie Boyd second. The two main faults, Mr. Gillespie stated, were unnecessary use of notes and failure to maintain an evenly modulated voice. Mr. Millard thanked Mr. Gillespie for judging the contest.