R. Wyeth judge of debate in Orawia in 1932.

An interesting debate was held in the Pukemaori Hall on Tuesday evening, proceeds being in aid of the hall funds. The subject was :Is the present generation superior to former generations". The affirmative was taken by Meesrs W. Cavanagh(leader) J. Collie and Lilliburn.
The negative was led by Mr E. K. Sim, supported by Messrs W.J. Johnstone and George Reid.  Mr R. Froude as chairman gave the debaters sufficient lattitude to make the debate a success and the evening enjoyable.  
During the discussion some interesting and instructive points were brought forward, each in turn blaming his opponents for the present world depression.
The negative maintained teh principal cause  to be the extravagant mode of living, coupled with general spiritual neglect, the affirmative considering that ll the most valuable land and money had been grabbed by former generations, leaving practically nothing for the labours of the present generation and suggesting that the land should be handed back to the Maoris with an apology for the mess they had made of it.
At the conclusion of the debate the judge, Mr R. Weth, in the course of his remarks congratulated the affirmative on the creditable performance against their more experienced opponents and commending the negative for their clean fight.  He declared the negative winners by 245 points to 234.  Supper was followed by an enjoyable dance.  Mr H. Burns was supplying the music.
At a meeting of the Western Star Club held last week, final arrangements for the victory ball to be held on the 23rd August were made, after which the president, Mr Jas Laurie congratulated two members o the Club, Messrs G. Porter and Eric Fowle on being again chosen in the Southland representative team.
​Keen interest and much amusement has been derived during the Winter by friendly football competition among the West Waiau schools, Pukemaori, finally showing their superiority in both football and hockey. Orawia, Clifden, Eastern Bush, and Otahu all showed vast improvement as the season advanced.  The final match played at Orawia between the local school and Otahu proved one of the exciting seen in a long time with the score ending 21-20 to Orawia.