D.L.F, LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 76

D.L.F, LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

Motto : " Union is strength."

Dear Dot, — The usual weekly meeting of the D.L.F. Literary and Debating Club was held in the library of the Witness Office on Wednesday evening, December 7. There were present of the committee the president (Harry) in the chair; A. Ned, Scobie, T. D. A-, Little Lady, Elmo, Areta, Texas Jack, and 47 members. The Subject for debate was, "Should Tea Meetings for the Young be Discouraged?" The negative was taken by Lady Dundas (leadea 4 ), supported by Nil Desperandum, C. 0. M., and A. Ned; the affirmative by Santiago (leader), supported by Echo, Hubert, and Wavej. As ao judges

were appointed, the decision as to which side had won was left io the vote of the meeting. The result was that 16 voted m favour of the affirmative and 34 in favour of th/e negative. Thus it was decided that tea meetings lor the young should no\ be discouraged. At the conclusion of the debate the election of officers was proceeded with, with the result that Harry was leturned as president; vice-presidents, A. Xed (re-elected) and Black Watch; secretary, The Duke's Amuser (re-elected); librarian, Lenore. The election of committee takes place on December 13. A motion was carried^ that the election be every 12 months. All L.F. are cordially invited to attend the weekly meetings. — Yours truly, THE DUKE'S AMUSES, Secretary.

The Literary and Debating Club in connection with Dot's L.F. page m the Otago "Witness continues to make steady progress. The meetings are held in the large library of the Daily Times and "Witness office every Tuesday evening fiom 7.30 to 9.30, the attendance averaging from 35 to 40. The first six months of the j club have just been completed, and in accordj ance with the lules it was necessary to hoid ! an election of office-bearers for the ensuing teim. Nominations were taken a fortnight ago, and the ejection was pioceeded with ara lues- | day's meeting. Theie was • recoid attendance of 51, considerable interest being evinced in the election, not only in Dunedin, but in D.L.F. circles all over Otago and Southland. The oidinary business of the evening, including the reading of several instrtictive and .amusing papers by different members of the club, of both sexes, having been disposed of, tiie president vacated the chair, which was taken by the patron of the club (the editor of the^ Witness) during the election.* In ' D.L.F.-dom" the members' names are nntire.y discarded, being replaced by the noms de plume used by the members in writing to the L.F. page. Thus the chairman is known simply by his norn de plume of •' Harry," the viceijuopidcr.ts as "Awkward Wed" and '" Scobie, ' the secietary as " The Duke's Amuser " (abbreviated to •' T.D.A."j, the librarian as " Little Lady," and {he different members of committee by their respective noms de plume. For the office of president there were two candidates — " Harry " (the retiring president) and " Awkward .Ned" (vice-president). "Harry" was reelected by 23 votes to 21. For vice-presidents (two), " Awkward Ned " and - Black Watch " were elected by substantial majorities out of five candidates ; for secretary, " The Duke's Amuser " was re-elected by 30 votes as against "C. C. M.'s " 21 ; while for librarian, " Lenore" was elected in a keen contest among five candidates. As the time limit of the meeting had been exceeded, the election of committee was adjourned till Tuesday evening next— the night oi the next weekly meeting. It msy be mentioned that during the first six months of its existence the club has not only held a most successful social, but inau^urated > a picnic to the Outram Glen on the King's, Birthday, over 50 msinber=! being present and spending a most enjoyable day Other picnics will be held during the summer months, and * social will probably be held at the end of the first year of the club's existence Ine horary has been found a useful adjunct, and has been freely availed of by the members.

PRESIDENT'S REPOKT.v-. The President (Harry) m.ade tne following report of the proceedings of the term :

Dear Comrades, — In reviewing the club's work for the past six months, we have much to be-^gratefu'l for. Thanks to the interest all the little folk feel in the welfare-'of their club, it :s now established on a sound footing, and all ventures it ha? undertaken so far have been crowned with success. Attendance.— As will be seen from the secretary's , report, piiblished each week, the attendance has kept up well, and there seems every prospect of large attendances throughout the coming term, it will ba the committee's duty to see that a varied programme is arranged for the next term, so that the interest of our members may keep up. While on this subject. I would just like to mention that any Irttle folk visiting this city is heartily welcomed at any of our weekly meetings, and a line dropped to any of the officials of the club asking any questions or offering suggestions will be welcomed.

Debates.— The debates held so far have one and all aroused the attention of members. Not a few of them have called as many as naif a dozen speakers on each side, and some of them have attracted even more speakers. The debaters seem to get a good grip of the subject under debate, and all tb.p points ale brought out and discussed.

Open Meetings.— l mention, these particularly, as through these open meetings we have been able to judge ivhat miembers can do. After each paper is read -to the club, criticism, or remarks on it are invited from the members. Some of the papers have been published. I would beg to draw the attention of oiir country L.F. and ex-L.F. to the fact that the meeting on the last Tuesday of every month is devoted to the reading of papers on any subject whatever, and papers from our country cousins are specially invited and eagerly welcomed. Readings.— During the past term several evenings have been devoted to the reading of extracts from books. Several very popular novels hiave been lansacked for interesting and helpful extracts, and the readings given have proved of the greatest interest to the members.

Social and Picnic. — Despite the fact that we were totally inexperienced in the matter of raising up these little festivities, they both pioved very successful. I niust here gratefully acknowledge the help afforded us by our country L.F. and ex-L.F. with regard to these.

Miscellaneous. — To vary the procedure a little we sometimes have resort to impromptu speeches, and these as a whole engage the attention of th& members. There is no better practice than this, and it is to be hoped there will be a little more attention devoted to these impromptu speeches for the ensuing term. The behaviour of the different members at our meetings has been all that could be desired. The social evenings we have held at intervals have been a, great success in bringing tha members into closer harmony with each other.

Now, in conclusion, I would just like to express my graceful thanks to the various officials and members of the club, who have willingly rendered me all the .assistance in their power, and who have kept the weitare of the club ever close to their heart. I have also to acknowledge with gratitude the many little notes and suggestions from our esteemed patron, the editor. HARRY, President.

Valuable Discovesi for the Haie. — If your naif is turning grey or white, or falling off, U99 " The Mexican Hair Renewer," for it- will positively restore in every case G-rey or White hair to its original colour, without leaving the disagreeable smell of most " Restorers." It makes the hair charmingly beautiful, as well as promoting the growth of the hair on bald spots, where the glands are not decayed. Ask your Chemist for "The Mexican Haik Rekeweb," sold by Cbemifta and Perfumers everywhere. Wholo6ale depot, 33 furrington road. London, Englsßfl,