DEBATING SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2085, 21 May 1907, Page 4

DEBATING SOCIETY.

]n spite of the weather boing bad a fair numbor ol' mom hors attended the usual weekly mooting of the Gisborne Debating Society last night. The subject for the evening was an extremely interesting one and proved to bo a groat success. Elovon articles taken from nowspnpers woro numbered and put into a. hat, A corresponding number of papers woro put into another hat and each ' ‘ per had oir it tho namo of a tm ' or. The member’s namo was then called out an.l also his subject. Things woro rather quiet until one of tho mombors had to speak on tho Chincso quostion, which proved oxtromoly interesting, sovoral mombors rising to spoak at the same timo. Tho quostion caused a good deal of oxcitomont and several mombors who until tho Chinoso question appeared on tho scono had been listeners found thonrsolvos on tlroir foot aird making fair progross. Sovoral otlror questions also rocoivod a good deal of attention and woro logically dealt wtilr. At 10 p.m., Mr. Darton moved a lroarty vote of thanks to tho chair which was carried in a good spirit. Tho mombors then loft for their homes but ns the little groups gathored together one 'could hear that tho Cliinoso question was not forgotten. Tho Society has arranged an open evening for next Monday night. Tho Society is giving a certificate of merit to tho best reciter and tho best reader, to bo approved of by three judges, This should attract tho public of Gisborne and porsuado them to help tho Socioty with their work, which is one of the best directions in which to seek for intellectual advancement.

COOKERY CLASSES. A SAMPLING FUNCTION. Yosterady afternoon at the invitation of the girls of th© Sixth Standard Gisborne School, the toachers, together with Messrs. Darton and Morgan, members of the Education Board, and Mr. Somervell, Chairman of Committee, assembled at the Technical School, where afternoon tea was dispensed by the girls. Biscuits, scones and cakes of various sorts were provided, having been made by the girls themselves at classes under the instruction of Miss Lousley. Mr. Darton in a few remarks, thanked Miss Lousley and her pupils for the splendid specimens of their work and expressed his opinion that the subjects taught in the Technical School were of equal importance with those in the other part. Mr. Morgan also expressed his thanks and appreciation of the good work that was being done, and suggested that similar functions might be arranged to which tho girls could invite their parents, as ho felt sure that if the parents were to see their girls at work, and see what they were producing tlioy would be as enthusiastic in the work as liipiselfv Ho took the opportunity to thank Mr. Rowley and his staff, and also tho teachers of the country schools, for the assistance at all times rendered in connection with the classes. He also pointed out that the Department now recognised subjects such as cookery, dressmaking and woodwork as part of the school course. Mr. Rowley also spoke in appreciation of tho work being done and pointed out that as woll as being a benefit to the girls to learn those subjects, attendance at the classes proved a pleasant break in tho school routine. Miss Lousley explained that marks were allotted for cooking and neatness to the pupils, and Mr. Darton promised a prize to tho girl who obtained tlie highest marks for cooking, and Mr. Rowley promised one for neatness. About 220 girls from Gisborne and the country schools are receiving instruction in this subject at present and the committeo will be pleased to see any parents pr others interested visit the school when the classes are at work—from 10 to 3.