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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1932. Volume 3. Number 3.

Harangue

Harangue.

It happened a long time ago, but their fame is yet green. Away back in April, Messrs W. J. Mountjoy (not forgetting the "Junr."), Ralph Banister, I. F G. Milner, and J. G. Poison girded themselves for the fray and sallied forth from our venerable walls on a crusade to Christchurch There, with much kudos and notoriety withal they won for our College the inter-'Varsity debating contest for the Joynt Scroll, which was presented by Mr. J. W. Joynt, a former Registrar of the New Zealand University. This contest was really the 1931 session's meat, but was held out of due season, as Canterbury College was not able to arrange it last year. The subject of the debate was "That the State Should not maintain Social Services," Victoria College taking the affirmative.

The best speech of the evening was Joey Mountjoy's. and we gladly nominate him as "Senior Wrangler."

All the speakers were congratulated on their fluency, though the judges, quiet souls, lamented the absence of simplicity of expression. (We can't understand this!). Perhaps the most spectacular speech of the evening was that of Barker (A.U.C.), of Tournament boxing fame. So carried away was he by his forensic fervour that he seemed to imagine himself once more in the ring. He emphasised his convictions with some of the most eloquent gestures known to boxing science. Leading most admirably with a straight left, he followed up with a right uppereut which was most convincing. His footwork was superb, and not once was the agile fellow forced to the ropes. After a staggering battery of quick body-punches the conflict was as good as over, so with a wicked hook he clinched the argument— and the audience went down for the count.

The judges, who luckily escaped unscathed, commented very favourably on his pugilistic technique.

Doubtless our debaters would have a greater personal appeal if illustration of our speeches in this refreshingly individualistic manner were to become more general! Joey, for instance, who by the way is a great Producer, could treat his audience as an orchestra and "conduct" them with that versatility lor which he is justly celebrated, and Ralph could do some neat work with his rapier.