Greymouth

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 08, 8 October 1908, Page 14

Greymouth

(Fronf Our Own Correspondent.) t. • October 2. It is with pleasure that . l record the success of the St Columba Cub. representatives in the elocutionary competition

held in the Town Hall last Wednesday evening. The' contest was held under the joint auspices of the three literary- societies of the 'town— St. Columba7 Trinity, and Mutual Improvement (Presbyterian). The keenest interest in,' the, competition was aroused in town, and the "twenty-four competitors had' to face a very large audience. '1 he programme was arranged under three headings— Prepared speeches, recitations, and impromptu sspeark r ing. Each society had three representatives in the pre- v pared and impromptu speeches,- and two each in the recitations. Three gold medals' were offered as awards of individual merit for first places, three silver ones for second place. There was also a handsome silver cup to the society securing the greatest number of points.' The St. -Columba Club was represented in the set speech by Messrs. E. Casey (Napoleon Bonaparte), A. O'Donoghue- (Oliver Goldsmith), and T. M % Heffernan (Robert Emmet) ; in the recitations by Messrs. Er Casey and P. SnYyth ; and in impromptu speeches by Messrs. E. Casey, P. C. Heaphy,' and W. H. Duffy. To secure strict impartiality the committee selected judges outside of Greymouth, and were fortunate in securing two such able gentlemen as Rev. Mr. Rice (of Ross) and Mr. H. L. Michel (Mayor of Hokitika), whilst the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr. T. E. Coatcs) occupied the chair. The judges awarded first place in the set speech to Mr T M Heffernan (Robert Emmet). The judges, in announcing the result, congratulated the winner on his fine speech, distinct articulalion, and excellent modulation. " The win was very popular the winner receiving great applause from the audience. Mi E Casey (Napoleon Bonaparte) secured second place. In the impromptu speeches Mr. E. Casey was easily first, his fine speech winning rounds of applause from the audience. Our representatives were not placed in tha recitations. The points gained by the various clubs for ths Challenge Cup were as follow — St. Columba Club 10, Trinity H, Mutual Improvement * Oi-r representatives secured two gold medals and one silver onr His Woiship the Mayor then presented the cup to Mr. E Casev (pitsident of St. Columba Club), after which Mr. Coates (Mayor') invited the judges, contestants, and officials to supper at thVictoria Tea Rooms, where a pleasant hour was spent. Mr' E. Casey proposed a heaity vote of thanks to the Mayor, which was carried with acclamation. Thus ended a most successful

The d.stribution of Dominion Medals to the pupils of the Convent and Marist Brothers' schools took place in*the Convent grounds on Friday afternoon (says the Greymouth Evening Star) His Lordship Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, who had kindly consented to preside at the distribution, addressed the children in a few well-chosen words. ' They had all assembled there,' he said to commemorate the day on which New Zealand had been proUa.p,,d "Dominion, and ,0 show their loyalty to their dear native land. They should all love New Zealand-God's own country-, and should strive to be patriotic and devoted subjects. ThChurch had always taught her children to respect civil authority" because all authority -is from God. Before distributing So medals, he would ask the- children to keep them not for their intrinsic worth, but for what they symbolised, namely, the proc.amat.on of New Zealand as a dominion.' The flag was hoisted and he children sang the National Anthem. His Lordship then d,stnbutcd the medals, and each of the children was also presented with a bag of lollies, which were generously supplied by the Borough Council. The pleasant little ceremony terminated by the boys giving three ringing cheers for the Dominion and three more for his Lordship the # Bishop.