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Victoria House

During the past two years the fact that a Women's Hostel exists may have been almost forgotten. The closing of the Training College caused a large decrease in numbers, and, as a result, the House's activities have been much restricted. However, we are strong enough this year to manifest ourselves to a certain extent as a University institution.

Our social activities have been many and varied. We support the different functions of the numerous clubs—dances, discussions, play-readings, anti-war meetings, not to mention others—and on several occasions have formed the main body of the audience at debates.

A very successful picnic was held at Lowry Bay during the course of the second term. We must thank Dr. Bennett for her hospitality on this occasion.

The most important social events to date have been our dances, which have, perhaps more than anything else, served to promote interest in the inner workings of "the nunnery." The House Council offered to give us the second one; it only remained for us to make it as successful as the first —and did we?

We are well represented in the more important faculties. Academic life continues perforce, despite the many distractions of the lighter side. Working under the stress of exams, at times we have been able to maintain silence in the common room.

We do not neglect the sporting sid—the House was represented at both Dunedin and Christchurch Tournamenta, and Saturday afternoon sees the majority of us in action on the sports ground. We m;ust congratulate one of our hockey players on obtaining a N.Z. University Blue.

On different occasions we have been called upon to render assistance to hard-pressed organisations. How could the Capping procession have been suitably attired without donations from our store of "superannuated" habiliments, and how could the Ladies' Cricket Eleven have displayed their dainty lingerie without our freewill offerings?

If the House is filled with students during the next year or two, it should be possible to further its influence to a greater extent, but, while numbers are important, we feel that the spirit upon which to build is already here.