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The Spike: or, Victoria College Review 1912

Women's Oratorical Contest

Women's Oratorical Contest.

Of one good effect, at least, of the Women's Oratorical Contest we may be sure: It makes the average attendance of the Debating Society's meetings go up at a bound. The large audience which gathered on the 24th August to hear the contest gave particular point to the Secretary's pathetic "nine." [We quote from the minutes of the former meeting, read on that occasion.] The audience was not only large, but also appreciative. There were only live competitors this year, as opposed to eight of last year; but a sixth, Miss Small, was unfortunately unable to be present. The speakers were Miss Jenkins, who spoke on Helen Keller; Miss North on Philippa of Hainaut; Mrs Hickey on Hypatia; Miss Casey on Elizabeth Fry; and Miss Tolley on Mme, de Stöel.

The speeches were, on the whole, good, and very various in style, ranging from emphatic denunciation to simple and rather monotonous statement of fact. We counted no tears among the audience, in spite of the sufferings, even martyrdom of the heroines; nevertheless, the speeches were listened to sympathetically throughout.

By vote of the audience, the speakers were placed as follows:—1, Miss North, whose address was uniformly good, clear page 67 of enunciation, and musical of phrase; 2, Mrs. Hickey; 3, Miss Casey.

While the votes were being counted the men provided an amusing interlude with impromptu speeches on various incongruous subjects, including cats and Mr. Lloyd George.

We are glad to see that the contest is going to be an annual one, as was hoped last year. Its success on both occasions is a good augury for the future.