The Second Inter-University College Tournament

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.

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.

The Trip.

On the Wednesday before Easter we had the pleasure of meeting the Canterbury and Otago representatives, and on Thursday the three teams set out by the early train. There page 12 were more than fifty in the party, so the day passed quickly. No one, however, showed signs of intense displeasure when the train drew up at the breakwater—and we boarded the "Rotoiti" after a kind of informal scrimmage. The arrangements had been well made and all of our team got comfortable berths, a privilege not shared by the Otago representatives. The weather was beautifully fine, and in the early morning we were all on deck, practising our hakas and rejoicing in the beauties of sea and sky and shore. As we drew near the Onehunga wharf we were greeted by our friends of last year, and by many more whom we hope to see in Dunedin next Easter. We were soon claimed by our hosts, and on our way to the beautiful city of Auckland—the Queen of the North, as Aucklanders like it called, and we have no quarrel with them on that score.

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.

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

Athletics.

On Easter Monday the Athletic Meeting was held and it was an unqualified success. The Domain was in good condition, and the performances were of no mean order. W. H. Moyes, of Canterbury College, ran the 440 yards Flat in 51 2 2/5 seconds, thus establishing a record. R. Hay, of Auckland, equalled the standard in the 100 yards, while A. S. Henderson lowered the standard for the 440 yards Hurdles by covering the distance in 62 2/5 seconds. In the latter race O'Kane, the New Zealand champion, who was running close up, second, fell at the last hurdle, and Henderson won easily. P. H. Buck of Otago. won a gold medal in the Long Jump, with the fine leap of 20 feet 11 inches. J. Davie of the same college, won the Half and the Mile in fine style—running with excellent judgment. Apart from the 440 yards Hurdles, Victoria College did not meet with conspicuous success, though her representatives "also started" in all events. They ran throughout with plenty of pluck, but were outclassed—they were beaten, but not disgraced.

[The official results are given on the next page.]

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.

Official Results

Auckland College.

Besides the set business of the meeting, Auckland College and its friends provided us with many amusements. The University Ball on Easter Monday was a great success in every way, though regrets may still linger in the minds of those who played in the Tennis Finals next day. On Sunday afternoon we were entertained at afternoon tea by Professor and Mrs. Thomas in their beautiful garden. On Tuesday afternoon the Harbour picnic to Matu Tapu was enjoyed to the full, for training was off and duty done. The kindness of the Auckland people, the miscellaneous programme provided by the students, the beauty of the Harbour, combined to make the excursion a most enjoyable one. On Wednesday afternoon the fond partings, such as "crush the life from out young hearts," and the final cheers attested the cordial feelings entertained by the visitors for those who had managed the Tournament so ably, and given to all such a royal welcome.