Literary and Debating Society

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 81, 7 April 1937, Page 16

Literary and Debating Society

ACTIVITIES FOR COMING YEAR. The annual meeting of the Palmerston North Literary and Debting Society was held on Monday evening, when Mr W. B. Tennent presided over a large number of- members and prospective members. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, the latter showing the club to be in a sound financial position. Mr Tennent, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said the meeting was the largest he h:ul seen for some time, and it was regrettable that it had, so far, been found impossible to widen the field of debate. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr A. E. Mansford; president, Mr Tennent; vice-presidents, Messrs J. A. Nash, R. H. Billens, and J. Hodgens, M.P.; secretary and treasurer, Mr E. 1 Watson; chairman of committee, Mr T. C. Watson; committee, Mrs E. L. Christian, Mr J. S. Hornblow, Mrs J. Edwards, Mr H. G. Mills, Mr L. Parlane: auditor, Mr L. I. Plimmer.

A number of new members were elected.

It was resolved to rename tho medal for debating, which was presented by Mrs S. M. Carlton and which has hitherto been known as the Piccadilly Medal. It will now bo known as the Mrs S. M. Carlton medal.

It was resolved to extend the radius of debate for the Times Cup to 50 miles. Letters were received from several town clerks intimating their desire to foster the debating movement. Messrs T. C. Watson and Tennent intimated their desire to present trophies for competition. It was resolved to leave the matter of the readjustment of the subscription in the hands of the committee.

Miss M. Murray donated a handsome cup for weekly competition in the impromptu section, the cup to be retained at the end of the year by the member winning the final. A vote of thanks was accorded the donor.

After the meeting a number of >in promptu speeches w’ere heard.