A COMPETITIVE DEBATE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 520, 23 November 1912, Page 5

A COMPETITIVE DEBATE.

TE KUITI AND TAUMARUNUI. THE VISITORS ENTERTAINED. The return debate hetwee/s representatives of Te Kuiti and Taumarunui Debating Societies was held at Taumarunui on Thursday evening. There was a large attendance of the general public, and keen interest was manifested in the debate throughout. The subject chosen, "That the nationalisation of the railways has not been in the best interest of the Dominion," offered ample scope for argument, and the various phases of the question were handled with conspicuous ability by the various speakers. The home team took the affirma-

tive, being ably led by the Rev. father Williams while the Te Kuiti t-*"=!ide was under the leadership of Mr A. F. Howarth, the other members of the team being Messrs Ellison, Hardy, Martin. Young, and Walsh. It was intended that the judges who presided at the first debate should again adjudicate, but Major Lusk was unavoidably detained in Auckland, and Mr A. Scholes acted in his place, the other judges being Messrs T. E. Foy and N. C. Matthew. The points scored by the opposing sides, as in the previous debate, were very close, the award to Taumarunui by a majority of four. After the d°bate the visitors and others were entertained at a supper by Mr Wackrow, Mayor of Taumarunui, and a highly enjoyable time

was spent. The following toast 3 were honoured during the evening :—" Ihe Naval and Military Forces," Rev. J. E. Ward— Capt. Short; "The Houses of Parliament," Mr Thorp—Mr C. K.Wilson, M.P.; "Our Gupsts," the chairmanMessrs A. F. Howarth and N. C. Matthew; "Local Government Bodies," Mr J.' L. Short—Mayor of Te Kuiti and chairman Waitomo County Council; "The Timber Industry," Mr C= J. Ryan-MrW.H. Wackrow ;'Taumarunui Debating Society," Mr C. Dunsterthe hon. secretary, "The Ladies, Rev J. E. Ward Mr Stanton; "The •■ Press," Mr J, Wylie—Mr N. C. Matthew; "The Chairman." Chairman Waitomo County, Rev. Father Williams—Mr W. H. Wackrow.