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The Spike: or, Victoria College Review, June 1904

Debating Society

page 23

Debating Society

"A College of wit-crackers cannot flout me out of my humour.
Dost thou think I care for a satire or an epigram?"

Much ado about nothing.

UQUENT RUSTICE SANE

TTHE committee of last year had a pleasant little surprise at the Annual Meeting. Over sixty members came to enliven the proceedings. The promise of support has been fulfilled, and the debates have been better attended then in past years. And as for orators, why the chairman's eye seems as delusive as a football in a high wind, many most anxious fail to catch it, sometimes after three attempts. The knees of new speakers, whose name is legion, seem to be as steady as their speeches are sound.

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The Annual General Meeting was by no means a mere formal and facetious gathering. Members were there on business and instructed the Committee in the way it should go-and it has "gone" accordingly. The impromptu speeches brought forth the usual crop of contradictions. One speaker made five impromptu eloquent and even frantic appeals for the abolition of impromptu speeches. The "iron wheel of fate" imposed upon our moral reformer the obligation of supporting the "social lie" and on our most modest member (surely not Aulus) the task of telling a critical audience "What is Love?" He Survived.

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The Deformed Senate will be pleased to hear that the Society has decided "That the Arts course of the University of New Zealand is of practical utility in Commercial pursuits." J. A. Brailsford found himself opposed to the combined forces of Miss E. M. Lynch and C. B. Collins, and his chivalry led him to deliver up the debate in the most graceful manner possible.

page 24

Perhaps no meeting of the Society ever called forth such an amount open confession (so refreshing to the soul) as that which applied its energies to the motion "That the Totalisator should be abolished." The movers and seconders were chosen by lot, and it happened that the supporters of the "tote" were opposed not only to the oratorical powers of the movers, but also to the Editorial force of the "Spike." Decius Mus, who moved the motion in that sincere and earnest manner "which none but he can wield" confessed that having once bet and lost sixpence, he decided he would not further the pernicious and immoral habit of gambling, or cultivate that deplorable spirit in his opponent, so the sixpence remained with Decius! Decius also confided to the meeting (Oh ! monstrous that he had once associated for three days with bookmakers, thieves, and spielers.

Having scarcely recovered from the shock of these revelations, the meeting utterly collapsed before the stand taken by Gillanders, who "made bold to say" tha the totalisator had an improving moral influence o the community. He nevertheless added that nothing would please him better than to see his side lose on the votes. His pious hope was not realized, for his supporters, bookmakers' "pigeons," riders, backers, as they variously described themselves, (peculiar what a number of strange accomplishments are to be found among students carried the day, and the "tote" remains.

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A large audience assembled to hear J. Blair move "that the importation of Chinese into the Transvaal is unjustifiable." On his right hand was W. H. Newbury. The mine owners had retained the persuasive H. G. R. Mason, with the impressive C. H. Taylor as junior counsel. The Speeches were excellent, and the humour free, if unconventional. There was a good discussion, but and overwhelming majority in favour of the motion.

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The Collage has entered into a course of debates with other Societies which promises to lend interest if the members have time to prepare thoroughly. There is also a movement afoot, to form in Wellington a Debating Union. The idea is viewed with favour by the College representatives so long as the unity of our own Society is assured.

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Our Society is a live society, but it can only become the success it ought to be if every student shows his practical interest and puts his shoulder to the wheel. Success depends on the self-denial, the ability, and the patriotism of the Students. These qualities have not been lacking in the past. Let us, therefore, holding fast what we have gained, press forward until we have trained champions who will win for us the Easter laurels.

Announcement Extraordinary !!! End of the term. Friday, 1st July, 1904. "STUDENTS' GALA DAY" AFTERNOON: Presentation of Diplomas. EVENING: STUDENTS' CARNIVAL. "I would entreat you to put on your boldest suit of mirth." ?merchant of Venice. NIGHT (And Part of next day?) SOCIAL RE-UNION OF GRADUATES & UNDERGRADUATES. SUPPER Given by the Victoria College Students' Association to all V.C. Students at the conclusion of the Carnival. Admission free. "I am bid forth to supper. . . Go you before, sirrah, say I will come." Merchant of Venice. Fellow Students, YOUR presence is required to make these functions a success.

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Student types No. 2. (Hockey) (For Coat of the Arms see Page 32)