The Tournament

Once every four years it is our privilege and pleasure to extend our humble hospirality to the Tournament teams from the other three Colleges. This year we were fortunate in the matter of weather and we trust that our many friends were made comfortable and enjoyed their short stay in our fair city.

In spite of Canterbury's early indecision and Otago's late decision, the numerous committees, under the able direction of our delegates, C. S. Plank and W. S. Harris, had all preparations made in rime for the arrival of the teams on Good Friday, although the filling of the "lucky packers" was completed at the break of dawn, a bare few hours before the southern visitors arrived.

A stirring welcome had been arranged by the Haeremai Club. The Maori party performed their new haka in native undress on the roof of the wharf shed; the cold morning air called for vigorous action and the performance was little short of brilliant. Much of the Maoris' makeup was later transferred to the visitors during affectionate greetings. The "Nude Gard" acted as guard of honour, and a brand new gangway was officially opened by Captain de Groot. Similar scenes marked the arrival of the Auckland team at Thorndon Station a little later in the morning.

At 3 p.m. the official welcome was held in the College Gymnasium, V,U.C.'s welcome being extended to the visitors by Professor Gould and Messrs. W. P. Rollings and C S. Plank. Messrs. J. Nigel Wilson, J. G. D. Ward and A. M. Hartnell replied on behalf of the Auckland, Canterbury and Otago delegations respectively. The photograph was then taken and retaken the usual large number of times, after which after' noon tea was served. At this function the V.U.C, concrete kewpie (later christened "Victoria Salamanca") made her first appearance, and, due mainly to her own strength and chat of her escorts, Victoria Salamanca came through the whole Tournament without the loss of even a limb.

Saturday marked the commencement of hostilities. Swimming heats and the Boxing preliminiaries were held in the morning, and the Tennis preliminaries occupied the whole day, with the Rowing also in the afternoon. At the swimming Miss Webber, in the Women's Breast-stroke, and Tremewan, in the Men's Breaststroke, were the only V.U.C. competitors to qualify for the final. Symes (C.U.C,) shattered the 220yds. record in his heat. All five of our teams qualified for the boxing finals and prospects in this section looked, for the time being, extremely bright. At the Miramar Tennis Grounds, V.U.C. quietly but steadily piled up points and, at the end of this day's play, led with 11 points and were represented in four out of the five finals.

The rowing was decided on the Oriental Bay course (1¼ miles) on Saturday afternoon, the Victoria crew finishing third, with C.U.C. first and A.U.C. second. Otago was not represented in this section. The wind was keen and the harbour choppy, and the C.U.C. crew rowed a fine race to win with 2½ lengths to spare. This was a a popular event and was followed by a large crowd on the s.s. Janie Seddon, while more spectators lined the foreshore and wharves. A running commentary of the race was broadcast from the starter's launch by 'Varsity Engineers and re-broadcast with great success by 2YA.

The boxing finals at the Winter Show Stadium provided some good contests, with an unusually large number of knockouts, technical and otherwise. The only Victoria man to win his weight was J. B. Kent (lightweight), who won on a technical knockout in the second round and carried off the Wellington Boxing Association medal for the most scientific boxer. Auckland won the Boxing Shield with five winners, Otago second with two, and Canterbury and Victoria one each. A novel feature of the evening was the staging of two fencing bouts, which proved to be a refreshing diversion from the boxing. A wrestling (?) match was also turned on by the Haeremai Club. The Rendezvous at 'Varsity was well patronised for the remainder of the evening.

The only official function set down for Sunday was the drive up the Hutt Valley and afternoon tea at the Brown Owl Tea Gardens. The very large attendance rather taxed the ingenuity of the caterers for providing seating accommodation, but the excellent afternoon tea was much enjoyed. The only casualty was Don Priestley, whose genuine antique roared past half the procession before he was pounced upon by a vigilant inspector.

The S.C.M. had a busy day on Sunday. In the morning there was the church service for students at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, and after the drive a very successful tea was turned on in the Women's Common Room. Afterwards, all present adjourned to the Congregational Church for the service, followed by a performance of the religious play, "Eager Heart," presented by mem page 59 bers of the V.U.C. S.C.M., in conjunction with the Terrace Congregational Choir.

The announcer at the boxing on Saturday night went to great pains in an attempt to clear up the little uncertainty as to whether the basketball on Monday was to be held outside-inside, inside-outside, or just inside. In spite of this, and the absence of the caretaker, who was supposed to open the building, the basketball commenced fairly punctually in the Winter Show Building, and many men who had never seen a basketball match in their lives before voted it the best and most exciting event in Tournament. The shield was retained by Auckland (the holders for the past five years), who defeated the Victoria girls 27 to 26 in the final, in a fast game, without a dull moment for players or spectators.

At the Basin Reserve the Athletics drew a very gratifying "gate," and the Insurance Company won their bet on the weather. A. T. Anderson (C.U.C., 440yds. Hurdles) and J. B. Stephenson (V.U.C, 440yds. Flat) succeeded in breaking records in those events, while F. H. Stephenson's 10 seconds in the 100yds. was not allowed as a record on account of wind. F. H. Stephenson won the Ladies' Cup by his wins in the 100yds. and 220yds. events. The V.U.C. team were unfortunate in dropping their baton in the Relay Race, but the result of this event did not affect the Athletic Shield, which was won by C.U.C. with 17 points. Victoria were runners-up with 12, Auckland 9, and Otago's 6 points won them the historic Athletic Wooden Spoon for the first time. Several open events were introduced and this added attraction no doubt helped to swell the attendance. A description of the meeting was broadcast from the Basin Reserve by 2YA, and the public address system installed greatly facilitated the announcement of results.

On Monday night the Swimming finals were held at the Tepid Baths. There were some good finishes and the standard generally was high. D. H. Symes (C.U.C.) was the outstanding competitor, winning all three events in which he started. Miss Nancy Webber (V.U.C.) and W. M. Platts (O.U.) bettered the standard times in the 666 2-3 yards Women's and 100 yards Men's Breaststroke events. The Relay Race decided the Swimming Shield, and this was won by Auckland, with Canterbury runners-up. The programme was varied by a diving exhibition, an exhibition of the breaststroke, and open events. The Haeremai Club were also turned loose for a short period.

As this finished the Tournament for the majority of the competitors, the Rendezvous in the Gymnasium was very successful and most of the decorations were mysteriously transferred from the ceiling to the floor.

The destination of the Tournament Shield new depended on the result of the Tennis finals, the only event left for Tuesday. These resulted in C.U.C. winning three out of the five championships, but Misses Line and Longmore were victorious in their doubles and gave V.U.C. the one extra point necessary to tie for the Tennis Cup, points for which are calculated on the number of matches won. This, incidentally, is the first time that V.U.C. has won the Cup for even a part of the year since 1907.

Shooting is a section of Tournament which never arouses much enthusiasm, mainly because it is decided on the home ranges about a week before Easter. This year V.U.C. succeeded in retaining the Haslam Shield with 792 points, O.U. second with 774. The highest scorer was L. B. Roberts, of C.U.C, with 119 points.

Various accounts have been given of the Tournament Ball, but all who participated agreed that it was a great success. Mr. G. F. Dixon, V.U.C. Tournament Delegate from 1901 to 1909, was there to present the trophies, and Otago received the new Tournament Wooden Spoon in true spirit with a haka on the stage. At the end of the Ball a general reluctance to go home was apparent, and haka after haka was shouted to the echo, much to the enjoyment of those privileged to be living in the neighbourhood of the Masonic Hall. The best of things must come to an end, however, and weary revellers ultimately crept into bed to snatch a few hours of much-needed sleep.

Many lasting friendships are always made at Tournament, and it is hard to say farewell. The Auckland team were allowed to leave in comparative quietness, but at the Ferry Wharf on Wednesday night a crowd numbering hundreds assembled to pay their final respects. As the ship slid out of her berth the new V.U.C. haka was rendered by voices now hoarse with singing and cheering, and over the water came the answering cries of our parting friends.

Till we meet again—next Easter.