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The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, September, 1922

Chemistry Notes

page 61

Chemistry Notes.

Owing to the official opening of the new Science Wing and hence a" conversazione' the followers of Priestly and Cavendish, of Darwin and of Galileo have now if never before realised the meaning of hard work, good fellowship, and college spirit (not in bottles). This was particularly noticeable in the Adv. Chem. Lab. About a week before the eventful day, our lab. was likened, by one who has even been to foreign lands unto a quarter-deck. Perhaps it was the polished brass, perhaps the fine flow of Deulsch; but more probably it was the splendid exhibition of deck-walking necessary to dust the tops of the lamp-shades that caused such a comparison. After having done more than a fair share of the cleaning up, three of our leading chemists were compelled to take up their abode in the Dug-out, and there demonstrate horrible commercial things. With loud lamentations we bewailed their departure and went to work again to prepare our separate exhibits. One was likened unto a Dolls'-house Washing Day. but that was the remark of the Young one. Then again we were accused of having a steam laundry—vats on one side and ions on the other, When Time, changing his colour at that very moment, arrived next to the Universal indicator we expected a Reaction, but all were "fused" together during the conducting of the ions. All received a pleasant surprise every time the fountain fluoresced and every time the fluorescein founted. Perhaps the success of our demonstrations was the after-effects of reading up in our Walker.

It is a well-known chemical fact that H's sometimes wander, but recent research has shown that G's and S's may also be liable for we have "Hoskin" and "Griggs" amongst us.

"Happy" is he who has a "good reputation with the ladies of the College." for we quite agree with our demonstrator that the girls do more than their share of tidying the Dug-out.

Some of the Senior members of our department demonstrate more than chemistry to us. In fact we are all theoretical authorities on the delights of golf and the success or otherwise of catching Saturday afternoon trains.

Our organic chemist, although not yet saturated with scientific knowledge has shown great ability in the economic world: he has even been "known to buy, successfully, felt, silk, Swiss-nursery flouncing, liquorice, straps, paints, etc.. and can make a complete jacket of the aforementioned felt for the thermostat.

Owing to military duties and Training College frivolities we do not see as much of our friend Mac as we deserve. Our obvious deficiency in literary talent is perhaps due to this. However we must heartily congratulate Mr R. Young on his Plunket Medal Speech. Certainly our legal friends could learn much from his rendering of the King's English.

In conclusion we also congratulate Messrs. Richardson. Hosking, Joiner, and Burton, on their respective paper-read before the Chemical Society.