Concert and Play.

To show the joy all felt at the thought of beginning work again, and to raise some money for the Easter trip, the first evening of this term was given over to revelry, in the form of a concert followed by a play. An excellent programme was provided, and the thanks of the College is due to some of Wellington's leading musicians and reciters for the readiness with which they give their help on occasions of this kind. Misses Parker and Page opened the programme with a pianoforte duet, tastefully played. "A Summer Night" was sweetly sung by Mrs. F. P. Wilson. Miss Julia Moran was loudly recalled for her violin solo, Papini's "Tarantelle." Mr. J. M. Clark recited Disowning's "Hervé Riel" excellently, and was recalled. Mr. G. Toopsood gave a description of a cricket match in his best style. Mr. A. Newton achieved signal success in his song "A Girton Girl," describing the troubles of a young man who thought Tolstoi was a racehorse and who had to take a "new woman" to dinner. As an encore lie explained why "Mother laid the carpet on the stairs." Mr. E. F. Hiscocks was loudly applauded for his clever and amusing lightning sketches.

The Play.

Expectation ran high when the curtain rose on the first scene of W. S. Gilbert's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern," in which the great master of comic opera parodies "Hamlet, as he is acted." As G. Toogood, in the robes of King Claudius, confessed the sin of his youth—his five-act tragedy—a perceptible shudder passed through the audience. Miss Nell Batham, as Queen of Denmark, received the awful news with a grace and dignity which befitted her exalted rank. It was not, however, till Claudius crossed the stage in the bitterness of his humiliation that the audience seemed to see the concentrated essence of Irving, Bentley, and Wilson Barrett. But if Claudius was tragic, who can describe the grace and elegance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern—A. S. Henderson and R. M. Watson. Who could wonder that the fair Ophelia, robed in dainty white and so charmingly portrayed by Miss F. G. Roberts, should forsake at once the antic Hamlet and admire the perfect mould of Rosencrantz. And Hamlet himself, so full of dark forbodings, so fall of long soliloquy, so lank and lean, with what grim earnest did he suffer "his lucid intervals of lunacy." F. A. de la Mare was most natural in the rôle, and he embraced Ophelia and the Queen at the last farewell, if not with practised skill, yet with manifest enthusiasm Miss E. Page, as the "Player Queen," was seen all too little, and G. V. Bogle sustained the part of "Player King" with all the fondness and delicacy the part demanded. A. G. Quartley was abundantly sepulchral as Polonius, while T. Seddon, R. Mitchell, and O. Stout were appropriately dignified and knightly as "Lords in Waiting."

Euchre Party and Dance.

The term was drawing towards its close when the social—to welcome new students—was held. It was a great success, except for the new students—who were conspicuous by their absence. If they could only realise what good fun College socials really are the hall would not be large enough to hold them—even on such a night as Thursday, the 28th of May. New student, next time a social is given in thine honour, come; or thou wilt find at the eleventh hour how much pleasure thou hast lost.

The large hall at the Girls' High School was prettily decorated with flags for the occasion. The euchre went fast and furiously till ten o'clock, at which hour the killed and wounded were gathered together and the spoils handed to the victors. Miss Tait, Miss Roberts, and Miss F. Smith were the successful ladies, and Professor Brown, with Messrs. Park and Quartley, shared the honours of the men.Miss N. Batham had a "walk over" for the ladies' "booby" prize, while J. A. Brailsford achieved a similar honour—in the absence of last year's champion. Mr. Ritchie distributed the prizes, Professor Brown having a more important duty to attend to. Then the decks were cleared for action, and a most enjoyable dance ended all too soon.