The Spike or Victoria College Review, June 1903

The Second Inter-University College Tournament

The Second Inter-University College Tournament.

"O heavens, what some men do, While some men leave to do !"

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"Perseverance, dear my Lord, Keeps honour bright."

Troilus and Cressida.

Sketch of scholars

The Second Inter-University College Tournament

T The Spike" does not publish the story of the Second Easter Tournament in any boastful spirit. We do not flaunt our "spoils" before the world as barbarians did of old. In the first place it would be unbecoming and in the second place we have none to flaunt. The "joy," for us "lay in the pursuit." Of course we would have done better, and we might have won—if Canterbury, Otago, and Auckland had not been so good. As things are, however, we do not feel ashamed of being beaten by such teams, but rejoice that, as we had to go down, we went down to such good performers and such good "sports."

There is no better place to be beaten in than Auckland. From one point of view we make these trips to win races and to enjoy ourselves. If you cannot do much of the one it is an advantage to make the most of the other, and Auckland certainly gave us no lack of opportunity. The weather was perfect, the grounds were excellent, and the hospitality of the people left nothing to be desired. There is said to be much rivalry and jealousy between Auckland and Wellington. The rivalry will long whet the energies of both cities but, as far as the University Colleges are concerned, the jealousy does not exist.

Victoria College Teams.

The teams which represented Victoria College did not differ very much from the teams of last year. Mrs. Longton and Miss Van Staveren, who won the Ladies' Tennis Championship at Christchurch were both away. The unavoidable absence of F. P. Wilson and G. V. Bogle considerably weakened the men's tennis team, while our chances of winning the Debating Shield were greatly reduced by the fact that we were not able to take H. P. Richmond.

A Selection Committee consisting of A. S. Henderson, F. A. de la Mare, and T. E. Seddon selected the following Athletic Team:—
100 Yards Seddon, T. E. Kelly, F. P. King, H. W.
220 Yards Seddon, T. E. Y. Kelly, F. P. Henderson, A. S.
440 Yards Henderson, A. S. de la Mare, F. A. Mitchell, R. S.
880 Yards de la Mare, F. A. Dixon, G. F. Henderson,G.M.
120 Hurdles Henderson, A. S. Seddon, T. E. Park, R.G.M
440 Hurdles Henderson, A. S. de la Mare, F. A. Park, R. G. M.
Mile Flat Henderson, G. M. Prouse, G. S. de la Mare, F. A.
Mile Walk Quartley, A. G. Henderson, G. M. Dixon, G. F.
High Jump de la Mare, F.A. Beere, R. St. J.
Long Jump King, H. W. Mitchell, R. S. Seddon, T. E. Y.
Putting 16lb. Shot Henderson, A. S. Ostler, H. H. de la Mare, F. A.
Hammer Throwing Henderson, A. S. Ostler, H. H. de la Mare, F. A.

The Tennis Team, taken from the Tennis Club's "Challenge Ladder," consisted of Misses A. Batham, F. G. Roberts, E. F. Wedde, H. M. Batham, A. W. Griffiths, B. Whyte, Messrs. G. S. Prouse, R. St. J. Beere, F. A. de la Mare, R. S. Mitchell, O. R. Prouse, and J. A. Brailsford.

H. H. Ostler and A. G. Quartley were elected by the Debating Society to represent the College in the Debating Contest.

A. S. Henderson was elected manager by the combined teams.

Tennis.

On Saturday morning we met at the Eden and Epsom Tennis Courts. The courts are prettily situated and the turf was in fine condition. In the Men's Singles G. Prouse got into the Semi-Finals, but was beaten by E. D. Rice, of Canterbury College, who won the championship after a fine game with R. S. Brown, of Otago. In the Ladies' Singles Miss Batham was beaten by Miss McCahon, of Dunedin, after a hard struggle. Mitchell and de la Mare worked into the Semi-Finals in the Men's Doubles. In the Combined Championship Miss Batham and G. Prouse were beaten in the first round by the champion pair—Miss Gorrie and Coates, 6-5, 6-5, after a very exciting game.

The following table shows the results:—

Five points for each event.

Tennis Championship (Saturday and Tuesday).
Event. Winner.
Men's Singles E. D. Rice. C.C.
Men's Doubles E. D. Rice and A. P. Cox. C.C.
Combined Doubles Miss Gorrie and R. J. Coates. A.U.C.
Ladies' Singles Miss McCahon. O.U.
Ladies' Doubles Misses Metcalfe and Gorrie. A.U.C.

Auckland and Canterbury, with two wins each, thus share the Tennis Cup for this year.

The Debating Contest.

Judges : J. W. Joynt, Esq., M.A.; Rev. J. W. Simmonds; W. J. Morrell, Esq., M A.

St. Benedict's Hall was crowded on Saturday night to hear the Debate, and a contest of very even merit was patiently endured. Though much of the "oratory" was good, little was really excellent. The Canterbury men waxed most eloquent, though the Auckland men probably made the best points. Few in the Hall were certain as to the result when the Judges retired, but few were surprised at the decision.

The Debate was arranged in two parts, Victoria College and Otago University trying conclusions first, and Canterbury and Auckland Colleges afterwards on the same question. The subject of Debate was "That a System of Compulsory Military Training for Home Defence be enforced throughout the Empire." The Victoria College Representatives spoke well, Ostler especially relieving the situation by taking up a slightly dramatic line of attack. Canterbury College was awarded first place, and Otago University second. Canterbury College was represented by Rev. A. B. Chappell and Mr. J. R. Cunningham.

While the judges were considering their verdict the Auckland students entertained the audience with an amusing comedietta, "Sappho," the words of which were written by Dr. B. D. Bamford, an old student of Auckland College.