The Spike: or, Victoria College Review, June 1909
Notes from Other colleges
Notes from Other colleges
"Friendship is a sheltering tree."
— Coleridge.
The Australian Universities, where the students have the whole day at their disposal, celebrate their Capping with the greatest enthusiasm and much most excellent fooling. The procession, both in Sydney and in Melbourne, is a recognised institution. In Sydney this year the procession was eminently successful. Amongst the events depicted in tableaux were. "An Australian's Home," a weird misrepresentation of a bush tavern occupied by typical members of the "taihoa" fraternity and bombarded from with out; a model of an Aero Dreadnought; the anti-gambling movement, in which were displayed the starting prices in an event called "The Wowser's Cup;" a crematorium; and a South Pole expedition. There were also studies in fashion from the early Australian to the up-to-date Directoire. At the presentation of degrees Lieutenant Shackle-ton was amongst those present and he was received by the students with overwhelming enthusiasism. The large Sydney Town Hall was filled by the students and the general public for the ceremony; the most remarkable feature of the proceedings, according to the newspapers, was the fact that the students observed strict silence whilst the speeches were being given.
"O tempora ! O mores!"
In Melbourne Shackleton's expedition was again in evidence in the procession; the entire cast of "Miss Hook of Holland" was represented by the students of Ormond College, the ballet girls being particularly charming. The medical students included in their display an enormous skeleton of a most ghoulish page 69 appearance. The graduation ceremony in Melbourne was not attended by students; the students have now absented themselves for some years awaiting an apology which they seem to consider is due to them for objections made to their conduct some time ago. In the evening of the graduation day, however, the students held high carnival at Prince's Court. The students nearly all appeared in fancy dress, a prize being given for the best-supported character—"any character requiring support from more than two policemen to be disqualified." Amongst the items given during the evening was a meeting between Burns and Johnson for the boxing championship of the world. In both Sydney and Melbourne Capping Day is recognised as a festival day by the general public as well as by students. At both places the procession was watched by so great a crowd that traffic was temporarily suspended. In Wellington the majority of the general public are unaware of the existence of a University.
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For several years Auckland University College has occupied an unenviable position in University Tournament athletic contests. Our northern friends, however, have always faced the position cheerfully and have found consolation in the prophecy that a kind future would bring happier results. This year the formation of a live Athletic Club marks the first practical attempt to grapple with the question, and the enthusiasm displayed by its members augurs well for ultimate success. The Club evidently intends becoming a factor in the social life of the College also, having already given a concert and dance as proof of its existence.
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The annual games of the Sydney University Athletic Club were held in May, in calm weather, on a ground slightly on the soft side—conditions similar to those under which our Easter Tournment sports were carried out. A comparison of results is interesting, the 1909 New Zealand performances being in parentheses:—100 yards :10 4/5 (10 1/5 secs. with the wind); High Jump: 5 ft. 5¾ in. (5 ft. 4 in.); Mile Championship : 4 min 45 2/5 secs. (4 min 36 2/5 secs .); 120 Yards; Hurdles : 17 1/5 secs. (17 1/5 secs.) : and 440 Yards : 53 1/5 secs. (53 secs.) These are the only Championships decided at the games. Amongst those present at the meeting were Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Poore, a number of Professors and members of the Athletic governing bodies, and Mr. Schaeffer (of California University).
page 70The dates of the capping ceremonies at the other New Zealand Colleges are :— A.U.C. 4th June; C.C., 11th June; and O.U., 9th July. We have heard nothing of Auckland's doings. At Canterbury their honorary play-writer wrote a drama or comic opera, or something similar. Capping practices were begun on the same night as at Victoria College, with two weeks less in which to practice. The students intend to hold a procession again this year, and to improve on last year's function. At Otago an innovation has been made this year by the addition to the list of functions of a graduation supper, on the lines of those previously given at Victoria College (and found to have hardly been as successful as they might have been and to be dropped this year.) Of other preparations at Otago we have heard nothing.
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The Officers' Training Corps' movement has spread to Canterbury College, where a special general meeting of the Students' Association was called to consider the question. A list was posted in the hall of the College, asking for names of those willing to join, and before long over sixty signatures had been obtained. It is to be hoped that their enthusiasm will not fade; of course many of the C.C. lectures are in the day-time, and students, therefore, have more time to devote to frivolities.
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The A.U.C. Football Club are experiencing another successful season, and as a result the public of Auckland are commencing to take an interesting University affairs. The first XV. Won its first three matches, and then lost to City—last year's champions. In Christchurch it is evident that "times are bad for football clubs"., the Canterbury College first XV. has managed to lose all of its early matches, but lives on hope. In Dunedin the 'Varsity team is but a shadow of its former self; its record is no better than Canterbury's. The Victoria College Football Club can have one consolation : it is not the only desolate.
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The erection of the new Chemical Laboratory at Canterbury College has now commenced, and as a result C.C has no more tennis-courts of its own. Most of those students who play during the winter months have joined a Club whose courts are near the College. When the College Club obtains new courts, as it hopes to in the near future, it will have to leave the College grounds, as no room will be available there.