Kennington THE DEBATING SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 23227, 16 June 1937, Page 8

Kennington THE DEBATING SOCIETY

LECTURE ON SAMOA At the opening night of the Kennington Literary and Debating Club a lecture was given on Western Samoa by Mr A. McCarthy. The president, Mr .E. Hargest, expressed pleasure at seeing so many present. It was the intention of the members to have play readings, debates ana lantern lectures which would be both educational and interesting. Mr McCarthy said that Western Samoa comprised two islands with a population of 45,000 natives. The white population would perhaps number 400 or 500. The capital was m the southern island, at Apia, which was beautifully laid out with parks, drives, football grounds and golf links. There were some 150 villages scattered round the coast line of the southern island, each village having several churches for the Samoan was a great churchgoer, and each village vied with the next one in having the finest church. The main products of Samoa were copra, cocoa, and bananas. The coconut plantations were situated along the coast, the trees not thriving inland, ana depended on the salt air for their growth. Bananas were easily grown if they got plenty of rain and sunshine. By planting a shoot in nine months time bananas could be picked from the tree. A much greater quantity could be exported than at present, many thousands of cases rotting on the ground. Both islands attracted a great number of tourists because of the mild climate and scenic attractions. In the northern island there, was the great lava bed which flowed into the sea giving up immense clouds of steam. In the southern island there was the grave of Robert Louis Stevenson, which all good Americans visited, and inland a great lake the depth of which had never been fathomed, and beautiful motor drives on splendid roads round the coast. ' The young Samoan was a carefree, happy fellow, said Mr McCarthy, though not overfond of work. As the plantations were vested in the family it was not necessary for him to work hard. If he required a little extra money it was only necessary for him to cut up some copra, dry it in the sun and sell it to the trader. A number of big plantations were owned by different companies, the labour for them, being recruited from China, New Britain and local labour, the term of indenture being for three years. When a gang of Samoans was on a job it took with it a band of singers and dancers to entertain ,it while ,at work. The islands," being volcanic, a plough could not be used on the plantations the tilling being done with hoes and the clearing of the land with big knives. Many people came to live in Samoa to restore their health. The climate was very equable not varying more than three degrees during the year. The rainy season started about November and continued to April. From, then on there was continuous sunshine tempered by the trade winds which blew regularly every day during the summer months. Hurricanes were sometimes experienced and were a fearful ordeal to go through, everything giving way to the force of the wind which, in some ways, was of benefit to the plantations as it got rid of all the old fronds from the coconut trees. After his address a vote of thanks was passed to Mr McCarthy. Meeting of Committee A committee meeting was held later. Mr Hargest presided. A letter was read from the Wild Bush Club offering an inter-club debate on the subject, “That the further consolidation of schools is in the best interests of education.” It was decided to take the affirmative side. At the next meeting it was decided to have a question box night.

EUCHRE AND DANCE The fortnightly euchre and dance run by the combined lodges and the Women’s Institute was held recently. The prize-winners were Mrs L. Burgess and Mr J. Henderson. Consolation prizes were won by Mrs J. Alexander and Mr V. Fowler. The music for the dance was supplied by Mrs H. Mills and Mr B. Dawson. Mr S. Cloughley was M.C. SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY The Sunday School teachers gave the children a party in the hall recently. The following programme was provided by the children: —Recitation, Joyce Hargest; dance, Phyllis Cloughley; piano duet, Mrs E. Hargest and Joyce Hargest; dance, Shirley Matheson; duet, Nola Mills and Alison McQueen. BIBLE CLASS SOCIAL The Kennington and Myross Bush Bible classes entertained the members of the Rimu and Mokotua Bible classes to a social in the hall. Miss D. Anderson gave a pianoforte solo and Miss T. Hargest sang a song. Games occupied the rest of the evening.