PARLIAMENTARY CHALLENGE SHIELD.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 643, 21 October 1909, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY CHALLENGE SHIELD.

Parliament House ,was the scene of a, pleasant little -gathering, when, on, Mr. F. If.' B. Fisher's invitation, past and present- mambers for' Wellington met to hand over formally the Parliamentary Shield to .the Wellington Litcrarv and.' Debating Societies Union. There were present: Messrs. F. M. B. Fisher, B. A. Wvight," Luke. D. M'L'arcn; M.P.'e, and Messre. ,Tj G. 'W. Aitken. J. L.' Stout, J."llott, R. Kennedy, J. 8., Jordan, p'Keefe, and 0 Kane. ' Mr. Fisher explained how the Riving of_thf shield was expressive of the interest of Wellington's past, and present representatives ia the debating societies of . the city, and thus lr her future men. On the shield are seventeen plates, each of which is to'bear the name of eome representative of Wellington,' and will, in addition, bear £he name or the eociety which wins the tournament for thb'year. The shield cannot be won ' outright, and • a quarter of a century * will have passed 'before the last namt is engraved upon it. ; Mr. Fislier, to whom this novel' way, of help ing the union, and 'at the. samo time per petuating the name of.our ohief citizens is due then.made the presentation."'"' " _.. Mr. A. A. S. Menteath, one of Wellington'* early membors, recounted bis experiences 'it the Middle Temple, London, where Mr. v Afiquitt first-gained fluency and-overcame .'a stiltec manner.' ■' Miv Aitken and Mr. M'Laren, Mr. Luke anc Mr-U. .A: Wright,' paid a tribute to" the \vorl of debating societies; and in conversation il appeared that.in tbo'present'Parliament theri was scarcely "a'- fluent 'speaker ftho' lias' not owed liis start: to some debating society. ■ Miv J. A. S. Ilott replied bohnlf ; of tin ■ Ul Aftorwards Mr. F. M. B.'Pislier'enttrtaineV laonib'Brs of tlic exeontivo and present mid'pasl .mamb&s'of the House at BellamyV . v.