The Spike or Victoria College Review, June 1908
Our Ladies' Letter
Our Ladies' Letter.
Dear Spike,—Such a heap of social news that one hardly knows where to begin! Of course you have heard all about the Easter Tournament? But you couldn't have heard all about it. It was just simply lovely. There was a mayoral reception and the moonlight picnic—with a real moon—and the ball—I was so glad I had come out—and lovely afternoon teas at Kaituna Tennis Courts—but I must tell you everything in order.
Well the first thing was the trip down. Of course some of the men tried to miss the boat—men always do miss steamers and trains and then they have the coolness to say that we girls always take a long time getting ready and all that sort of rubbish. Why if it wasn't for their sisters, some men would never get away at all! But the trip, well—it was a trip—smooth and sing-songs, everybody sitting together on deck, and we were almost sorry when we got to Christchurch, where Mr——took us to morning tea and found all the tea shops shut.
It was a weary train journey to Dunedin, but oh! It was worth all that for the Ball which was—but there I am jumping ahead again. I was so tired that I only woke up in time to arrive at the Mayoral Reception after it was all over, but I suppose it was only a lot of dry old speech anyway. I went to the Tennis; the Kaituna Courts are so lovely and they gave us such nice tea on the balcony—we ought to have a balcony by our tennis courts, it would be so nice and handy.
The Picnic on the Saturday night was enjoyable, but they made us stay by the fire far too long; we didn't get a schance of exploring Tomahawk Bay or anything like that, but we just went straight from the concert round the fire to the supper they had, and then had to go at once and catch the trams home.
Of course the Sports were awfully exciting and the debate was interesting but oh! You should have been at the Ball. I must tell you about it. It was in the Art Gallery—not in the room where the pictures are that was used for sitting out, and I don't think much of their pictures; but the room we danced in had a beautiful floor and was just next to the picture room. There were such a lot of people there and everybody seemed to get their programmes full—think of it! Twenty dances, counting extras, and the music just divine. They played the "Merry Willow" waltz twice; isn't it a lovely waltz? And my partner actually wanted to sit it out! I know you are not interested in dresses, but there was one tall lady in such a beautiful pale green gown of taffeta silk and Miss—[Remainder of list handed to janitor.—Ed. Spike.]
Of course when we got back to Dunedin the first thing we talked about was gowns. I was so gland they were going to get them, and now the Professorial Board have said that we can't have them. Gowns are so graceful and becoming, and I think that if we wore gowns and "mortar boards" we would be just fetching.
Isn't it a good idea having a Debating Society for the girls, where we can talk without having all the men listening to us? [The men no doubt, appreciate this innovation. —Ed. Spike.] It's such fun speaking, but I nearly said a lot of silly things it seems, but we ought to have more than five minutes to speak when we have prepared speeches. But the Club is sure to be a with, so that even if the debates aren't so awfully good it won't matter.
I've got heaps more to say but I suppose I must stop.
Julietta