THE PLUNKET MEDAL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 38, 21 September 1905, Page 19

THE PLUNKET MEDAL

Wellington, September 16. Tho members of the Royal Historical Debating Society at Trinity College (Dublin) prize very highly the medal for oratory given to perpetuate the memory of the first Lord Plunket, and to stimulate a desire to excel in that sphere of public usefulness in which he was such a brilliant star. .Some time ago his Excellency the Governor, desiring to establish a connection between: one of the oldest ami one of the youngest universities of the Emm re, generously endowed Victoria College with a medal for oratory to be 1 annually competed for by the stuKlomts. The first contest took place in the dirls' High School on Saturday evening, in the presence of an audience that filled every part of the hall. His Excellency, accompanied by Cajptaiir Bingham, occupied a seat on the platform. His Worship the Mayor, the Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Buume, M H.R., and the professors and lecturers of the College were glso present The chair was occupied by Mr. H. P. Richmond

♦ CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN TO THE FORE

(From an occasional correspondent.)

8.A., LL.B., supported by Mr. M. Richmond, B.Sc, LL.B., Presidents of the College Debating Society. His Excellency was briefly welcomed by the chairman, who referred to the boon conferred on t)be society by, 'the gift of his Excellency. The -competitors (the number of whom hald 'fojeen reduced to ten by vote of the students at a previous meeting), were each allowed ten minutes to discourse on the life and work of any character of history. The following spoke in order named :— Mr. 11. Banks, on William Pitt ; Mr. J. Graham, on Napoleon ; Mr. F. A. lie la Mare, on Sir Peter de la Mare ; Mr. R. Mason, on Sir George Grey ; Mr. P. P. Kelly, on W. E. Gladstone ; Mr. G. V. Bogle, on Joan of Arc , Mr. G. F. Dixon, on Lord Shiaftesbury; Mr. J. A. Brailsford, on General Gordon ; Mr. C. B. Oollins. on Edward Gibbon Wakefield ; and Mr. E, J. Fitwgibbon, on Daniel O'Connell. The speeches were generally of a) very high order, but those of Messrs. Fitzgibbon, Kelly, Graham, and Banks were far before the others. Mr. Fitzgiblbon was received with enthusiasm, and delivered a really excellent oration. With his rich, melodious voice, and a *most impressive manned, he had little difficulty in holding his hearers from his opening words, giving a simple narrative -of O'Connell's life, and at the same time displaying in a tactful and artistic manner a general view of the Liberator's character. At times lie reached the highest standard eloquence, and comcludod with a peroration that electrified the audience On his conchndinig he was enthusiastically anplauded. Mr. Kelly, too, made a very fine speech. He also possesses a very pleasing musical voice, and with a quiet, unassuming style, at once won the hearts of the audience. He dealt in:a very sympathetic way with the life of Gladstone, and his effort was accorded most hearty applause. Mr. Graham dealt with Napoleon as a man of action, buiU his oration was too much of the dramatic order and did not create such an impression as those of the speakers previously referred to. Many of the other speeches were far above the average, that of Mr. Banks on William Pitt being characterised by elegance of diction and) fluency. The medal was awarded on the votes oi the students, 'and, while a scrutiny was being 'made, Mr. M. Richmond proposed a hearty vote of thanks to his Excellency. The motion was seconded by Mr. Joynt, Registrar of the New Zealand University, and carried by acclamation.. His Excellency announced that the voting showed the placed; competitors to be— First Mr. Fitzgibbon, second Mr. Kelly, third Mr. Graham. The result was n>ceived with extraordinary enthusiasm, the popularity of the verdict being manifested in hearty cheers by the student 9 for the winner. His Excellency, in making the presentation, congratulated Mr. Fitzgibfoon on his victoiy, one which in his opinion was thoroughly deserved. lie was pleased indeed that the son of am Irishman shoxild win what was originally an Irish medal. There was another scone of enthusiasm, at the conclusion of which his Rxcellencv thanked them all for the kind references to himself. He gave tha medal for two reasons — First, to connect the name of Plunket with the college of which he had laid the foawvda-titm stone : and he considered that of all the debating societies existing in New Zealand there was none that deserved more encmiragoment than that one, placed as it was in the midst of Parliament and the law courts. The second reason — and one which was more to liia hfeart— was that his ancestor owed a great deal of "hia success in life to the fact that, as a member of the Historical Society, he was permitted to attend the debates in the House of Commons whenever he' wished. He was greatly pleased that so many had come forward to compete for the medal. The result of the contest is of particular interest from the fiact that the first and second men are well known members of the Catholic Young Mrii's Club in Wellington. Mr. FittegiUbon h'ai<ls origiinally from the West Coast, and has during his stay closely concerned himself with the doings of the local club He was also instrumental in founding the Catholic Yoiin# Men's Federation, of which he has been president for the last two years. He has had a brilliant career at Victoria College, ami is now studying to complete the final section of his LL B. degree. Mr. Kelly, who is a Hastings 'bxyv, H also'a popular and energetic member of the Young M^n's Club, and one whose college carper has been particularly bright. He rives great promise as a Speaker,,, bind is regarded as a likely l 'Plunkct mrrtalNst ' next year. His performance on Saturday mioiit well be characterised as brilliant. Their fellow -members are naturally proud of their success, and the Club, the Literary Society, and the Federation have placed on record

their great pleasure and appreciation. It is to be hoped that other Catholic young men will follow in the path on which Messrs. Fitzgibbon and Kelly are making such headway.