VICTORIA COLLEGE DEBATING SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1564, 7 October 1912, Page 3

VICTORIA COLLEGE DEBATING SOCIETY.

UNION PRIZE WINNER FOR 1912. On Saturday evening, the Victoria College Debating Society held the last debate for this session. The snbject for discussion was the motion: "That tho same tendencies to decay which brought about the downfall of Rome are causing the decline of the British Empire." Mr. P. W. Burbidge, AI.Sc, moved in the affirmative, and Mr. W. J. M'Eldowney seconded, while Mr. H. E. Evans, L.L.M., opposed, and was seconded by Mr. G. G. G. Watson. A number of speakers took part in the discussion which followed. University men nre evidently staunch bclivers in tho power 'of tho Empire to-dny, for, practically without exception, the speakers all opposed the motion. Tho majority, while recognising that there were certain excrescences ou the national life, maintained that the virility and vitality of the Empiro was unimpaired. The judge, Mr. T. S. Weston, M.A., L.L.8., placed tho fivf- best speakers as followi-Mr.'G. G. G. Watson, 1; Mr. 11. E. Evans, 2j Mr. O. C. Mazengai-1., 3; Mr. F. G. Hall-Jones, i; Mr. V. W. Burbidge. 5. The chairman then announced flmt the winner of the Union Prize for 1912 was Mr. G. G. G. Watson, who had obtained' a total of 28 points for tho year out of a possible ,10, M. V. G. HalUToncs, with 23« points, being second, and Mr. J. Stevenson third. This priae, consisting of a collection of books to the value of £o, is drnwn annually from a fund provided for tho college by tho old Debating Union which flourished in Wellington in (lie eighties. Tho new Speaker's Priw was awarded lo Me=?r.s. Quilliam and Stevonsou, the committee taring unable to differentiate between the great progress made by those gentlemen. Mr. Weston generously offered lo provide a prize for the society for next year. A hearty vote of thanks'to Mr. Wiston concluded the meeting.