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Debating in the First Dunsandel Hall/Library
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TitleDebating in the First Dunsandel Hall/Library
DescriptionSeveral new activities were initiated before the close of the 19th century. If the reports in the newspapers are any indication, some did not survive long, others were restarted several times, but very few survived as long as the first Hall/Library.
In May 1894, a meeting [1,2] was held in the Dunsandel Library to form a Debating Society.
With G. Sheat in the chair, it was decided to form a Literary and Debating Society.
The group had received information from Leeston, Springston, Akaroa and Springfield societies.
The following were elected officers for the ensuing year President, Mr T. Irvine; vice-presidents, Mrs R.R. McGregor and Mr D.P. Cameron; secretary and treasurer, Miss Irvine; editor, Mr R.R. McGregor; general committee. Misses Wright (2), Mrs Henry and J.M. Furze, Devereux and S. Sherrard.
The opening meeting was fixed when a debate on the question “Was Government justified in purchasing Cheviot?” was to be held.
Weekly meetings were held in the Hall and one of the August meetings was reported [3].
The evening was devoted to the “Editor’s Journal” which caused a great deal of amusement.
The programme set for the following Monday was of musical selections and a social with Fred Lill occupying the chair.
At a September meeting [4] the topic for discussion was "Is prohibition the best way in dealing with the Liquor Traffic."
Able speeches were made for by G. Sheat, W.R. Devereux, R.R. McGregor, S. Adams, S. Sherrard and Mrs McGregor, and against by J.M. Furze, J. Lochhead, T. Noble, and Mrs Furze.
On the vote being taken the negative won by 20 votes to 12 votes.
The remaining nights of the session were filled up as follows :— September 10th, Education ; September 17th Impromptu speaking; and the final night for the session on September 24th, Balance sheet and Journal.
By 1895, while meetings occurred regularly, only a July meeting [5] in the library and the September part-social meeting [6] appear to have been reported.
In July, Thomas Irvine occupied the chair and the subject for the evening was "Impromptu Speaking," in which a considerable number of those present took part.
The September meeting saw “the closing scenes of the Debating Society, in the shape of a social”.
The evening, which was spent in games, songs, dancing and refreshments, was proceeded by Mrs Furze presenting a report and balance sheet.
Songs were sung Mesdames Furze, Strong , and Messrs F. Wright and Fred Lill.
Recitations by Messrs H. Wright and C. Inwood.
Music was supplied by Messrs Jno. Cunningham (Brookside) and F. Lill for the dances.
At midnight the session was bought to a close by singing " Auld Lang Syne"
In 1896, meetings were being held fortnightly but back to Monday nights presumably still using the Hall. Two meetings held in June were reported [7,8].
There is doubt about the exact nature of the meetings as it was labelled both a society and a class.
The first evening was devoted to impromptu speaking and proved to be one of the best the class has yet spent.
The second meeting consisted of a debate between Samuel Sherrard and Thomas Irvine upon the Hare system of voting.
After both leaders had given their reasons for and against, the Chairman summed up, and put it to the meeting.
The group decided in favour of Thomas Irvine (negative leader) side, by a small majority of three votes.
In October of 1896, the Debating Class put on a social [9] in the Hall.
A fairly large number were present, invitations having been issued very freely throughout the district.
Dancing was commenced shortly after 8 o'clock, and was kept up until well into the night occasionally being varied by songs or recitations, and a most enjoyable evening was the result.
Supper was kindly provided by the lady members of the Club, and consequently the catering left nothing to be desired.
Songs we contributed by Mrs Furze, Misses Lill, Stackhouse, and Messrs Lill and Andrews, and a recitation by Mr W. Henry.
Debating was obviously a winter activity as in 1897 the first meeting was held in May [10] in the Library.
Thomas Irvine was re-elected President and Miss Kelly and Samuel Sherrard, Vice-Presidents; Mr Lienert, the Secretary and Treasurer; - Editor of Journal, Mr Lochhead.
It was decided that the fee for membership still remain at one shilling. Two new members were elected.
It was decided that Miss Kelly take the chair for the next evening.
The rest of the evening was devoted to impromptu speaking, and according to the report the interest taken in the different discussions portended well for the success of the class during the coming session.
Unfortunately, there were no further reports of the group.
Mike Noonan
Dusnsadel Historic SocietyDate1894-1897SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
DescriptionSeveral new activities were initiated before the close of the 19th century. If the reports in the newspapers are any indication, some did not survive long, others were restarted several times, but very few survived as long as the first Hall/Library.In May 1894, a meeting [1,2] was held in the Dunsandel Library to form a Debating Society.
With G. Sheat in the chair, it was decided to form a Literary and Debating Society.
The group had received information from Leeston, Springston, Akaroa and Springfield societies.
The following were elected officers for the ensuing year President, Mr T. Irvine; vice-presidents, Mrs R.R. McGregor and Mr D.P. Cameron; secretary and treasurer, Miss Irvine; editor, Mr R.R. McGregor; general committee. Misses Wright (2), Mrs Henry and J.M. Furze, Devereux and S. Sherrard.
The opening meeting was fixed when a debate on the question “Was Government justified in purchasing Cheviot?” was to be held.
Weekly meetings were held in the Hall and one of the August meetings was reported [3].
The evening was devoted to the “Editor’s Journal” which caused a great deal of amusement.
The programme set for the following Monday was of musical selections and a social with Fred Lill occupying the chair.
At a September meeting [4] the topic for discussion was "Is prohibition the best way in dealing with the Liquor Traffic."
Able speeches were made for by G. Sheat, W.R. Devereux, R.R. McGregor, S. Adams, S. Sherrard and Mrs McGregor, and against by J.M. Furze, J. Lochhead, T. Noble, and Mrs Furze.
On the vote being taken the negative won by 20 votes to 12 votes.
The remaining nights of the session were filled up as follows :— September 10th, Education ; September 17th Impromptu speaking; and the final night for the session on September 24th, Balance sheet and Journal.
By 1895, while meetings occurred regularly, only a July meeting [5] in the library and the September part-social meeting [6] appear to have been reported.
In July, Thomas Irvine occupied the chair and the subject for the evening was "Impromptu Speaking," in which a considerable number of those present took part.
The September meeting saw “the closing scenes of the Debating Society, in the shape of a social”.
The evening, which was spent in games, songs, dancing and refreshments, was proceeded by Mrs Furze presenting a report and balance sheet.
Songs were sung Mesdames Furze, Strong , and Messrs F. Wright and Fred Lill.
Recitations by Messrs H. Wright and C. Inwood.
Music was supplied by Messrs Jno. Cunningham (Brookside) and F. Lill for the dances.
At midnight the session was bought to a close by singing " Auld Lang Syne"
In 1896, meetings were being held fortnightly but back to Monday nights presumably still using the Hall. Two meetings held in June were reported [7,8].
There is doubt about the exact nature of the meetings as it was labelled both a society and a class.
The first evening was devoted to impromptu speaking and proved to be one of the best the class has yet spent.
The second meeting consisted of a debate between Samuel Sherrard and Thomas Irvine upon the Hare system of voting.
After both leaders had given their reasons for and against, the Chairman summed up, and put it to the meeting.
The group decided in favour of Thomas Irvine (negative leader) side, by a small majority of three votes.
In October of 1896, the Debating Class put on a social [9] in the Hall.
A fairly large number were present, invitations having been issued very freely throughout the district.
Dancing was commenced shortly after 8 o'clock, and was kept up until well into the night occasionally being varied by songs or recitations, and a most enjoyable evening was the result.
Supper was kindly provided by the lady members of the Club, and consequently the catering left nothing to be desired.
Songs we contributed by Mrs Furze, Misses Lill, Stackhouse, and Messrs Lill and Andrews, and a recitation by Mr W. Henry.
Debating was obviously a winter activity as in 1897 the first meeting was held in May [10] in the Library.
Thomas Irvine was re-elected President and Miss Kelly and Samuel Sherrard, Vice-Presidents; Mr Lienert, the Secretary and Treasurer; - Editor of Journal, Mr Lochhead.
It was decided that the fee for membership still remain at one shilling. Two new members were elected.
It was decided that Miss Kelly take the chair for the next evening.
The rest of the evening was devoted to impromptu speaking, and according to the report the interest taken in the different discussions portended well for the success of the class during the coming session.
Unfortunately, there were no further reports of the group.
Mike Noonan
Dusnsadel Historic Society
Date1894-1897SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelConnections
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Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
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Debating in the First Dunsandel Hall/Library (1894-1897). Selwyn Stories, accessed 09/02/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5488
