The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review October 1905
The Next Easter Tournament
The Next Easter Tournament
"Release the aging Steed," old Horace cries,
"Ere sinking down, in dust he panting lies":
Yet Colts are few that waiting stand beside,
Or from his Ashes phoenix-like shall rise.
Must Dixosh go, who truly up till now,
For twice two years has pulled his weary Plough?
Yes, he departs, the stern Laws so decree,
But who shall come to take his Place, and how?
Behold ! the Giant calls in accents clear,
"No longer I can cast the hurtling Sphere,
Nor when the Struggle's lost upon the court,
In woeful tones exclaim, "Ah, Beere, Beere, Beere!
And who from high shall seek undying Fame,
Upon the staring Multitude exclaim
Thoughts richer far than Mines of Westcostpur,
Yet keeping hid the sources whence they came.
Oh, you who read, regard not with Affright
A game fair played but last thro' lack of might.
'Tis better far than one that lack of Men
Or spirit, turns to a Loss outright.
Christchurch will be the scene of the fifth, as it was of the first, annual University Tournament, and those who contemplate taking part in the festivities of 1906 can rest assured that they will be heartily welcomed and royally entertained by their fellow students in the City of the plains. Those who have attended any of the previous tournaments need not have their interest in the matter aroused-no one who has once been present will absent himself from future meetings from choice. There are, however, only too many who gave not yet felt the quickening impulse of the true University spirit which permeates these gatherings, and it is their interest that we seek to awaken. The tournament is in no danger of becoming either bankrupt or defunct—perish the thought !—but nevertheless it is in the highest degree
essential that fresh recruits should join the ranks of our representatives
every year. Public men, professors, press and the general public are alike in hearty sympathy with the movement. Yet, incredible as it may seem, the great majority of our students remain indifferent as to the personnel of the representative team. Actually, last Easter, when the tournament was held in our own city, we had less than a dozen men competing in the athletic event, though there were places for at least twice that number ! This, too, in a College which boasts nearly half a hundred hockey players and about as many footballers !
Verb. Sap!
Lancaster Park has already been secured for the Athletic Sports of 1906, and application has been made for the use of the Cranmer Tennis Courts, on which the Victoria College ladies proved victorious in 1901. Nothing short of hard and consistent practice, however, will enable our ladies to repeat the performance in 1906.
Up till last year three entries were allowed from each College in each tennis event, but experience has shown that this number is too large to permit of the championships being conveniently completed in the limited time available. Now only two entries are allowed from each College I the Men's Singles, Doubles, and the Combineds. The entries for the ladies' events remain as before, for the reason that their only chance of representation lies I the tennis, and no one wishes to see the number of ladies attending the tournament reduced. Moreover, if necessary, they can play off a few matches on the Monday morning.
The number of competitors in athletics has also been cut down to two from each College in each event. One reason for this change is that it gives all Colleges a more equal chance of winning the Championship. For example, when the meeting is held in Dunedin, or Auckland, it is much more difficult for Auckland or Dunedin, as the case may be, to send three representatives in each event than it is for Christchurch or Wellington, and consequently their chances are very much reduced. Under the new arrangement even the College most remote form the scene of the tournament should have some chance of winning the Championship. This has not always been the case in the past. Next year's innovation should also lead to greater specialisation. and consequently better and more even performances, whilst the honour of representing one's College will be greater than ever.
Next Good Friday falls on the 13th April, so that the dates for the tournament will be the 14th, 16th and 17th April. Our team will doubtless leave for Christchurch on the evening of the 12th and return to Wellington on the morning of the 18th.
Our debaters have already been chosen. There is going to be a great fight among the men for the four lucky places in the tennis team. We hope the athletics will not be neglected as they have been in the past.