OUR KUMARA LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 September 1901, Page 4

OUR KUMARA LETTER.

(OD£5 OWN CORRESPONDENT )

Kumara, September 11. Last evening our local debating society was favoured with a visit from repreiiautativcs of Holy Trinity Society, Greymoufh. The Greymouth representatives were Messrs Merritt, Hoddcr, Kendall and Foot. On arrival in town they were taken to the Tennis Court and entertained with a friendly game. At 8 p.m., the hour set down for the.debate in the

Town Hall, the representatives of both y Clubs assembled on the stage to battle over the relative merits of whether New Zealand should or should not federate with Australia. The above-named representing Greymouth, Kumara was championed by the Revs Thompson (leader) and Whitehouse and Messrs M'llraith and Gilbert, with Eev. J. W. Clerk, President of the local Club, as chairman. In the above Mr. Whitehouse took the place of Mi 1 . Eggleton, who was unable to attend owing to illness. The Town Hall was filled with an appreciative audience who seemed to enjoy the debate thoroughly. As far as I. could learn from enquiries, it was j unanimously conceded to be the most successful event of iti kind ever held in Kumara. The question for debate as framed was worded thus : "Is it to the interests of New Zealand to remain outside of the Australian Federation ?" , Greymouth taking the affirmative, Mr Merritt opened in a capital and telling ■ speech at once, putting himself on terms of confidence with the audience. In '0 deed the same might be said of all his supporters with equal truth. Eev. Mr. Thompson led off for Kumara, and proved as conclusively that NewZealand should federate as Mr. Merritt had proved she should not. So the fortunes of the wordy warfare swayed now ono side and then the other; as Mr. Hodder succeeding Mr. Thompson and followed by Mr. Gilbert, who gave place to Mr. Kendall, he rearing in favour of Mr. Whitehouse, when it became very evident that if the audience had accepted ■in good faith everything that was said, pro or con, confusion must eventuate. Mr. Foot here took the boards and car ried the debate along a further step. showing that his opponents were a'l . wrong in their contentions and conclusions. Mr. M'llraith then came to the rescue for Kumara, and clearly demonstrated that it was all "make believe"

with Ids opponents. This Mr. Thompson emphasised and, on seeing the triumphant / look in the leader's eye, most of: us concluded that the victory must rest here. Our aolf-satisfactiou was rudely shaken by the time Mr. Merritt had concluded his reply. Now wc believe that with the audience, at least as far as Federation is concerned, it was a case of confusion worse confounded. The decision of the chairman, on counting the votes cast, confirmed us in that conclusion, for it was a draw. The usual eulogistic speeches were" made, and votes of thanks passed as usual. Thus ended what proved the most successful debate ever held in Kumara. ! Immediately after the debate , the speakers along with the committee and several members of the Club adjourned to the Masonic Hall, where an excellent spread awaited them. Here a < most enjoyable time was spent. The toasts of the rival clubs and of course the ladie.were duly honored, and an impromptu concert following the gathering dispersed at midnight. Next Tuesday wo are to have a visit from Hokitika. The subjec! is a very interesting one; viz.: " Should the Imperialistic Spirit be fostered." The troopers social is set down for tonight, and promises to be largely attended, as the weather is propetuous. Speaking of entertainments I mighi remark in passing that we are to be wel supplied with them during the next few weeks. Prominent among them being the entertainment on Wednesday 18th, by the Hokitika Dramatic Club in aid of our local hospital The histronic ability of our friends is too well-known to need more than mention. Then comes the Catholic Band BalL on the 25th inst. This is the chief social event that we hart to look forward to this season, and will be quite up to its predecessors in every sense. ,

The Greenstone Creek is reported to be on gold at last..