Greymouth

New Zealand Tablet, 23 November 1911, Page 2367

Greymouth

(From our own correspondent.)

November 16. The annual oratorical competition of the St. Columba Club took place in the clubrooms last Monday evening, when there was a large attendance of club' members and their friends. The president (Mr. Thomas

Keenan, occupied the chair; and Mr. A. A. Adams, Rector of the Grey mouth D.H. School, acted as judge. Five competitors took part — Messrs. A. McSherry, 'William Pitt'; P. J. Smyth, 'Robert Emmett'; B. Rasmussen, ' Napoleon Bonaparte'; C. A. Gallagher, 'Doritt'; M. Keating, 'Edmund Burke.' The judge, in giving his decision,, congratulated members on the high standard of the various speeches, and thanked the club for the honor conferred on him in selecting him as judge for the fourth year in succession. He announced the results as follows: —P. J. Smyth, Ist; M. Keating, 2nd; A. McSherry, 3rd. The first prize carries with it a handsome gold medal, presented by Mr. Adams, and a diploma of merit presented by the executive of the Federated Clubs of New Zealand. The second prize-winner receives a gold medal presented by the club executive. In addition to the above prizes the winner has his name inscribed on, the honors board as club champion for 1911. The previous winners of this honor are : —1905, J. F. Devonport ; 1906, D. F. Butler; 1907, T. J. Barry: 1908, E. Casey; 1909, T. M. Heffernan ; 1910, A. F. O'Donoghue. I regret to have to record the passing of a very notable figure and well-known West Coast pioneer, in the person of Francis Mack, who died on Monday, at the age of 82, fortified by all the rites of the Church of which ho was a devoted member. His funeral took pla.ee ou Wednesday afternoon, and was largely attended, many friends coming long distances to pay their last tribute of respect. The Very Rev. Dean Carew, assisted by Rev. Father O'Bpyle, conducted the burial service at "St. Patrick's Church and Greymouth Cemetery.—R.l. P.