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The Ninth Inter-University-College Tournament.

Christchurch, Easter 1910.

When five more months have passed away, the University Tournament of 1910 will be close upon us. Christchurch will be the scene of this, the Ninth Inter-University-College tournament, and this will be the third Tournament held in Christchurch. It was in 1906, at the last tournament held in Christchurch, that Victoria College first won the Joynt Debating Scroll,"when Fitz-Kelly took the floor;" let us hope that this year's debaters will be none that less successful; they have a high standard to maintain, buy the other College have even greater inducement to brave deeds in the shape of four consecutive defeats. The last Tournament in Christchurch is also remembered for the fact that the Victoria College students who missed the picnic to Wanoni Park, had their own picnic on the trip home; the Mararoa first grounded on a mud bank outside the Lyttelton moles and dinner was enjoyed in peace; and then the engines broke down at about five o'clock next morning and some hours were spent in mid-ocean (ut ita dicam) awaiting repairs. Fortunately it was smooth as a mill pond; one old dame walked up bravely on to deck with bag and baggage expecting to see Wellington wharf and saw only the Kaikouras; but otherwise the delay caused no annoyance.

At the 1906 Tournament too, our tennis representatives were successful. We did not win the Athletic Shield.

This year our prospects for the latter are better than they were in 1906, but a present there is little fear of our chance becoming a certainty, We are still sadly in need of competitors in the field events. At the 1909 tournament, Victoria College athletes obtained thirteen out of a possible thirty-nine points; page 58 twelve of our points were obtained in flat and hurdle races, out of a possible total of twenty-four in these events. In the remaining five events—long and high jump, shot, hammer and walk—we obtained one point out of a possible fifteen! And two more points would have made us level with Canterbury college. This state of affairs is not irremediable; among over two hundred and fifty male students, there must be some who can perform creditably in field events. Come out and try—failure is no cause for shame, and success will help to remove a blot from Victoria College's scutcheon.

In tennis as in athletics, the secret of success lies in training, in assiduous and serious practice. During the last few years the standard of University tennis has not been high; there is room for some champions—and it is interesting to note in this connection that at the first tournament A. F. Wilding carried all before him. At present Jennings, of C.C., is the only particularly shining star in the University tennis firmament; much serious practice may result in an eclipse. Therefore, practice.

For the 1910 Tournament the Victoria College team will leave Willington on Thursday, 24th Mach next, arriving in Christchurch on God Friday morning—it will be seen that Easter is early next year, so that athletes will need to commence training not later than the beginning of February. On Saturday the Tennis Championships will be held, and in the evening the Debate, and on Tuesday the Tennis Championships will be concluded. The Victoria College team will then return by either Tuesday's or Wednesday's boat.

Beyond these legal components of the Tournament—athletics, tennis and debating—there is usually a dance and a picnic. Those who have previously experienced the hospitality of Canterbury College fear no dragging moments at the Tournament of 1910; as for the others they may rest assured that thorough enjoyment is the only possibility at a University Tournament.

A Tournament is an education to the wisest student; broadening of outlook cannot but follow attendance at one. The meeting together of so many students who have so much in common, but whose interests are yet so varying, must be to the benefit of all concerned. Let those who doubt this attend the Tournament of 1910