INVERCARGILL D.L.F. LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 84

INVERCARGILL D.L.F. LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

Motto " Excelsior." SOCJAD EVENING. Wednesday evening, the 28th April, beheld various merry troops wending their way to Shasta's residence in Biggar street. The occasion was the ever-welcome social evening, which comes round quarterly to clear the cobwebs cf study from, our brains. Dialogue practice was the first item, the door, however, being closed c-n all non-combatants, but as this scribe was chosen to understudy Lavengro's part, he was enabled to witness the really astonishing histrionic powers of our talented members. The dialogue went on in first-class fashion until the dining room became over-crowded, and a torrent of members poured into the sacred precints of the parlour. This caused the rehearsal to .be finished rather quickly, and games became the order of the evening. The timehonoured " How do you like your neighbour?" was, as usual, given precedence, and the tun soon became fast and furious. Members were evidently out with the intention of thoroughly enjoying and they admirably succeeded in doing so. A mayoral election came next, the candidates nominated being Pakeha, Smoking Flax, Casino, and The Helmsman. After a most exciting contest it was decided that, as Smoking Flax required a smaller salary than the others, he wias the fittest for the position. There was a rumour of a put-up job, though, circulated by the unsuccessful candidates. It was noticed at this time that Kelly and Tommy Trotter had disaxjpeared, but the mystery was cleared up when they appeared in character for the side-splitting farce "The Stupid Servant." This elicited round after round of applause, and at the conclusion it was- unanimously decided that both performers had missed their vocations in not being on the vaudeville stage. When the audienoe had done laughing and Kelly had washed the burnt cork off, musical chairs were played, followed by an exposition of second sight by Smoking Flax which was, however, marred somewhat by a sceptic in the corner, who was very ourious to see the papers c<9 they came out of the hat. The gocd old-fashioned cushion dance was the next item/, during which, it is rumoured, the local bashful boy (otherwise The Helmsman) came out ot his shell, after remarking thiaifc fee It&dl never

kissed a girl in Lis life. Supper, was announced at this juncture, and some of the boys made themselves very useful by handing round the steaming cups of delicious cocoa (as only Shasta can make it), while pile after pile of sandwiches, pikeleis, and oakes of every description disappeared like miagic. At last, however, even the hungriest •were satisfied, and dancing was indulged in for a short time, while the singers got their voices cleared for their part of the entertainment. Iris was in great form 1 , and her song, "Way down on. the old Swanee." was cheered to the echo. After a great deal of persuasion, Kelly was induced to leave off a flirtation in the armchair, but bis rendering of Harry Lauder's famous song, "Fou the noo," amply repaid us for our exertions in shifting him. Last of all came The Helmsman, who boldly tackled Will H. Ogilvie's roem "His Gipp'sland Girl," but, owing to an attack of "nerves," be was heartily glad when he was finished with "The drunken shearer who broke his heart over a Gippsland girl." By this time the clock was wearing round to the "wee sma' 'oors ayont the twal," and everyone joined in the chorus of " Auld lang syne," after which a hurried scramble for hats and coats ensued. Then a few hearty handgrips, and the guests were gone. The evening wa.3 one cf th» most enjoyable spent yet in the club, and to do it justice it should have a more accomplished writer to describe it than it has. Clubiiies present included Shasta and Mr Shasta, Octava, Rewa, Pakeha, Midgie, Iris and a friend, Millicent, Hermia, Audleni's Pride and her sister, Smoking Flax, Casino, Kelly, Tommy Trotter, Prospector's Double, Tennyson, Bolivar, and The Helmsman. The absence of Luceda, Aorare, Mother's ■ Help, and Lavemgro was much regretted by all present. THE HELMSMAN, Acting Secretary.

CLUB SYLLABUS. May 4.—Open meeting. May 11.—" What Makes a Good Debater?" (Special subject). May 18.—Debate: "Should New Zealand Aim One Day at Being an Independent Nation, oar Should She Remain Under the Present Regianie-?"