WINNING DEBATERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21325, 28 October 1932, Page 14

WINNING DEBATERS

ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE TEAM DEFEAT OF PAPATOETOE The final of the Athenaeum Cup debating competition was won last evening by St. John's College, when it narrowly defeated the Papatoetoe team by four points. Both teams had been unbeaten in their sections. The St. John's College team, taking the negative in the question "Whether the British Empire and the United Stiites Have a Common Destiny," comprised Messrs. M. G. Sullivan, D. S. Millar and H. G. Taylor. Papatoetoe was represented bv Messrs. S. J. E. Closey, C. J. Mahon and E. H. Burton. There was an attendance of about 100 and the debate was broadcast from IYA. The president of the Debating Union, Mr. W. H. Cocker, presided, the judges being Professor R. M. Algie and Messrs. E. H. Northcroft and J. W. Shaw. St. John's was awarded 209 points and Papatoetoe 205. An analysis of the points showed that two of the judges voted in favour of the winning team and one in favour of Papatoetoe. The largest individual total was gained by Mr. Sullivan, St. John s College. who secured 74 of the possible 100, the> next highest being Mr. Burton, Papatoetoe, with 68 points. As the Athenaeum Cup, which has been missing for some years, apparently cannot be found, members of the successful team will each be presented with an illuminated scroll.