Hints to Judges.

We have made a few random notes in connection with the Plunket Medal Contest and we feel that from them recommendations for future Judges might be drawn up.

Criticism is, of course, what we appreciate more than anything from the Judges and for this reason some suggestions might be given to those gentlemen to indicate what we expect. Thus:—

Mr. "A". This speaker fair to middle. Started at the beginning and proceeded well to the end. (Anything more caustic is probably to be avoided).

Mr. "B." Not so good as Mr. "A," and therefore after careful consideration have unanimously decided that he shall not receive so many marks as Mr. "A." (Then the Judge should explain this novel system of marking.) The Judge will then proceed to present the medal. (Note carefully this ceremony). The successful contestant will be arraigned before the audience on the stage in such a that way the Judge will be particularly conspicuous. The Judge will then endeavour to solicit from the embarrassed youth the information that his (the contestant's) name page 84 is Tom. When the youth, even for the sake of escape, is unwilling to be so untruthful as to shoulder himself with such a burden in life, the Judge, in desperation, will at length present the medal, after enquiring for what Society or Committee he is acting.

Note.—There is, however, one feature of this year's contest that we do not wish to perpetuate. We refer to the practice of perpetrating at the end of the evening jokes the point of which, like the orator's gestures, come late. It proved most disastrous. Many of our sober-minded students instead of being possessed of the joke while yet in the gym. were seized with convulsions when on their way home and lay prostrate until the early hours of the morning. This is indeed to be discouraged.