LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 30 July 1919, Page 3

LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

♦ CHILDREN'S EVENING. I It was a happy thought that prompted the Otaki Literary and Debating Club to hold a children's evening in connection with its session, and the gathering held on Monday last specially for ihe children was undoubtedly one of the best and most successful yet ' held. There was a splendid attendance I of both adults and children, the accimi- . ntuilatioii of tile Druids 'Hall being taxed to its utmost, and the proceedings j were most' interesting, entertaining, I and instructive. The Rev. G. F. Petric, M.A*., occupied the chair. A number of competitions were held, I creating much interest. There was a | large number of entries for the spelling competition for children 1-1 years and under, .and the entrants were divided 'into two classes. That, for the elder children was won by Elsie Noble and Maud Johnson, who both spelt till the twelve test words correctly. They divided fin' first prize between them. The other competitors were Brian liar- ; per and Charles Beauchamp. The younger competitors for the spelling bee were Edwin Debreecny, Leo. Bowdcn, Bcrnic I'etiie, Molly D'Atli, Marjorie I'eim. Eric Hill.-. Alice Noble and Madeline Bills. Leo. Bowden won first prize, with only one mistake, while -Molly D'Atli and Marjorie I'enn tied for second place. After quite a number of further tries. Molly D'Atli was awarded second prize. amidst applause. There were no fewer than twelve entrant- for the sight reading !"st. viz., Kay BilK E r j c Bills, Charles Beau-

champ, Bemie I'etiie, Charles Xoble, Ray Noble, Maud .Tohnsen, Alice Xoble. Elsie Noble. Jean Maddoek,' Molly D'Atli and Marjorie I'euu. The judge (Mr Byron Brown) awarded first prize to Ray Noble with 50 marks, Marjorie I'enn too) second, after a second reading between Marjorie I'enn and Olive Xoble. -Mr Brown said he was very pleased with the reading on the whole. The commonest fault -.-. as

that of unduly stressing unimportant words, such as "at," "the," "of." The recitation competition was also excellent. The entrants were: Edwin Debreecny. Charles Beauchamp, Bernie Petric, Eric Bills. Madeline Bills. Freita Anderson, Alice Noble, and Marjorie Penn. Freita Anderson and Marjorie Penn were recalled, after which the judge awarded first prize to the former, and second to the latter, with 05 and 61 marks respectively (maximum 100). Mr Brown, said he had been very pleased with the children's work on the whole. In addition to the winners. he specially commended Edwin Debreecny and Alice Noble, though ail had done very well.

Six boys essayed to draw :-n animal from memory. The audience laughed immoderately at the boys' efforts.

which were afterwards handed round for inspection., though possibly many

of the adults would not have done much better. First prize was awarded by the judges (Messrs Lanchcster and Budkin) to Charles Beauehamp. The other competitor* were: Eric Bills. Brian and Triss Harper. Edwin Debreceny, and Leo. Bowden.

Prizes of each were awarded in the children's competitions, a lady friend having generously donated £1 for this purpose, while boxes of chocolates were given to second prize win-

Rev. Petrie announced that the gathering had been such a success that another similar evening would bi; arranged later on. He invited any willing to assist, to offer prizes for competitions for the next children's evening. The meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem, a vot e of thank.- being passed to the judges and to Mrs P. B. Anderson and Miss Kitching. who had arranged the evening's i entertainment.

Next- meeting of the Club will be held on Monday night next, when 3fr Byron Brown wilj give an addres.r on Shakespeare, while, a number of Shak-.-j?earean reeitatioiis and readings will be contributed by members.