DEBATING SOCIETIES' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14145, 21 August 1909, Page 8

DEBATING SOCIETIES' UNION.

For some time past the various literary and debating societies of the city and suburbs have contemplated the formation of a union which would arrange for and control competitive debates among the affiliated bodies. At a meeting held in the Leys Institute a short time ago such a union was definitely established, and a Management Committee, consisting of one delegate from each society, was set up. This committee has elected the following officers:—Patron, Mr. T. W. Leys; president, Professor Dettmann; vice-presidents, Revs. W. Gray Dixon and G. Bond, Messrs. T. U. Wells and J. P. Grossman; chairman of committee, Mr. J. F. McKenna; general secretary, Brother George; assistant secretary, Mr. L. Phillips. •_ ;, r ; A handsome challenge cup, at present on view in Messrs. Hill and Plummer'e window, Queen-street, has been offered by the trustees of the late Auckland Athenaeum to such societies as, on or before .August 14, signified their intention of competing for it. Only four societies having made this formal entry, viz., Auckland University College, Unitarian Young People's Society, Levs Institute, and Marist Bros. Old Boys' Club, it was decided that these should form one section, and a second section includes those affiliated societies which do not wish to challenge for the cup. The following is the draw for the cup competition, the team first mentioned in each case taking the affirmative :—September. 2—Subject, "That the •Awakening of Eastern Nations is a Menace to Western Civilisation'': M.8.0.8. v. University, at the University College (judge/ Mr. M. Richards) ; Leys Institute v. Unitarian Young People's Society, at Leva Institute (judge, Mr. W. E. Hackett). September 16—Subject, "That International Disarmament is Practicable": University v. Leys Institute, at Leys Institute (judge, Mr. J. H. Revburn); Unitarian v. M.8.0.8., at Old Boys' Club (judge, Mr. H. G. Cousins, M.A.). September 30—Subject, " That Modern Cheap Literature is a Benefit to Humanity": University v. Unitarian Y.P.S., at the*. Unitarian Church (judge. Mr. T. U. Wells, M.A.); M'.8.0.8. v. Leys Institute, at Old Boys' Club (judge, Dr. H. D. Barnford, 8.A., LL.D.).