OTAKI LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY.

Otaki Mail, 15 August 1928, Page 4

OTAKI LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY.

INTERESTING EVENING. What proved to be one of the most interesting as well as intellectual meetings of the Otaki Literary and. Debating Club took place on Monday evening. The evening as set down on the syllabus, was devoted to "Twelve Minutes Prepared Speech," and contrary to usual conditions prevailing at the'Club, the lady speakers found themselves in the majority, acquitting themselves well, handling their subjects with dignity and confidence, so much so tiiat it would prove most difficult and superfluous to discriminate, 'fhe subjects chosen were all of high standard, and one can only express regret that mor ( . do not avail themselves of the privilege of attending anil participating in the work of dissiminaling healthy knowledge. The first speaker id' the evening was Mrs. Savell who chose for her subject suitable literature for little children; a speech that should have caught the ear of every parent:

and child lover. Then followed Mr, Savell who spoke on the suggestions as proposed by Mr. Coolidgo, President I'.S.A.. "That with a view to ending war, and to being equitable and just to all, conscription of wealth should lie insisted upon as well as conscription of manhood." "This speech caused one to think of what could be. '.Mrs. Wood gave an interesting twelve minutes on the history of public libraries from the early era in Athens down to the present day! .Mrs. Allan chose for her lecturettc "Women's Work," briefly outlining how woman had changed from the early days, when life was spent more or less confined within the four walls of home, to the year 102 S, when one finds women entering every phase of lite, including politics, medicine, etc., with success. Mr. Buchanan gave a brief history of citizenship, its privileges, its duties, and demonstrated how froni early tribal days, citizenship has evolved. Miss Mills was in a good humorous vein when speaking on "If J Were King," and whilst admitting many of her- suggestions were of a happy medium, ther,. were others thai called fur a serious mien. The President adder] a few remarks commenting on the word; "Fame," what il meant, what it cost. , How some received it through hereditary, others through the trials and tribulations of suffering, etc. Before concluding the evening the President mentioned that Mr. Rhodes would be leaving the district and his loss would be much fell by the Club, it was resolved that a letter be sent lo him wishing him every success in his new home in the south. The National Anthem brought a very successful evening to a close at 9.45 p.m.