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In any aggregation of humans there is an element which makes for elation, for man is a gregarious animal and in the presence of his kind is expansive and genial more often than not. But whatever the occasion, it requires the drive of an outstanding personality to give it life.
In this respect, Victoria's Tournament was successful to a remarkable degree.
We have in mind, standing against a confused background of scenes and events, four or five people who, perhaps more than any others, gae every moment of Tourney an elan and an impetus which is the accompainment of a personality.
Shallwe ever forget smiling Oliver Chapman, of Otago. Was there a haka, a team which needed rallying; was there a fight, a song which wanted singing; a damsel in distress or one who needed comfort, Oliver was on hand.
Never a party was thrown or a full keg emptied but his tall fair person graced the occasion.
And when in the mornings, weary, nerveless, we were sorry wrecks, Chapman was the tonic.
Shaven and sleek he was invariably on deck. Pink-cheeked almost cherubic, nothing upset him; a thousand "Banzais" affected his stentorian voice not one iota. And always that cheery grin reassured us that after lunch things would be all right.
Canterbury gave us another personality. Quieter, perhaps, but in his own restrained way, a thorough stalwart, Bill Young made many friends in Wellington. We hadn't heard of him before, but then one of the ideas implicit in Tournament is that we should get to know one another better, and Bill is one of the things which justify Tournament.
He, it was, who rescued Canterbury from ignominy at the St. George when the Horn contest was held, rallying round and collection a team to do gallant though futile battle.
And then there was Spragg of Auckland. Many a dull moment was lightened by his anappy songs and bright quips. did the discussion drag or become, as it often did at the N.Z.U.S.A. meeting, irresolute, Spragg would often remove his pipe from his mouth and give air to a song, or regale the Delegates with some witty tale. Never was his store exhausted; he was equal to every moment, his resource was unending.
Those and more, Victoria has to thank for the tide of bonhomie which carried Tournament to success. And "Smad" is more than privileged to be able to acknowledge the debt.
"Did your meetings take as long as the N.Z.U.S.A.'s?" we asked Mr. J. C.White, Secretary of the Tournament Committee. A withering and pitying look indicated that we had put the old foot into it again, and we learnt at once that the Tournament Committee had met much, often and long-in fact, every day of the Tournament.
Apart from generalroutine we learnt that many important matters affecting the fate of Tournament were considered. "In future, gold medals will not be awarded to record-breakers," said John White. "A standard from ofminiature cup is to take their place, while bronze medals are to be replaced by certificates. A further economy measure is that blazer pockets for winners of blues are no longer to be paid for out of Tournament funds."
A deputation from Massey College waited on the Committee and raised the question of their admission to Tournaments. The opinion of the other Collegeswas unanimous that Massey men should be allowed to compete for places in our teams just as Lincoln students compete at Canterbury.
Mr. R. C. Wild, on behalf of Vicetoria, pointed out that V.U.C.'s attitude was due to a desire to stand, or rather fall, unaided, but the other delegates felt that a broad view should be taken and that the request of Massey was a reasonable one and should be granted. A resolution making such a recommendation to Victoria therefore passed and the matter will no doubt be decided at an early date.
Messrs. Burns, Harris and Plank had assisted Mr Wild in the preparation of an amended schedule of points for the Tournament Shield and with a few alterations, these were adopted. The "girls' big effort," basketball, has become more important as far as the Shield is concerned Basketball indeed received much attention from this Committee, as Auckland's motionfor increasing the number of N.Z.U. Blues to nine, a full team, was passed.
"A hundred years ago our affairs for good or evil were wielded triumphantly by rhetoricians. Now our affairs are hopelessly muddled by strong silent men."—G. K. chesterton.
There is no subtle spiritual evil in the fact that people always brag about their vices; it is when they begin to brag about their virtues that they become intolerable.-Robert Lynd.
The personnel of Weir was well represented at the first meeting held since the annual meeting. On the tick of 9.30 the President bustledin with a gleam in his eye which betokened business, and plenty of it.
Formalities over, the meeting swung intoaction with a motion, "That it is the opinion of the House that the power of the Warden has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished." Lively discussion ensued and after some tactful dicta from the Chair, the motion was put and lost by an overwhelming majority.
New residents were next introduced. Standford led the way with a forceful and sustained criticism of various House institutions.
Anchor (ex-R.H.) arose to the tune of "Anchors Away" (?) sung by jeffs. Amidst tumultuous applause, he stated that the food at Rolleston House was of better quality than that at Weir, and that Rolleston House lacked a Warden. Banzai! McNicol then took the floor, and stated that in his opinion the residents of Weir House fully justified the king remaks of the Warden, made on an historic occasion earlier in the year. Jeffs immediately arose and moved a vote of censure on McNicol which was carried unanimously to the grief and consternation of that hulkof humanity.
Next followed a parsonical address from the President upon the topic of the presence of drink in and out of the House, and in and out of the stomach. Amongst other matters, he instanced the size of that well-known Nemesis, the waitinglist. A hot argument here ensued between Tosswill and Hull, inthe course of which once humorist stated that all remarks regarding drink should be addressed to the Chair, but fortunately for the dignity pertaining to that office, the point of the jokewas missed by the meeting and the President by a master stroke of strategy declared the meeting closed.
"Smad" wishes to heartily congratulate the following V.U.C. representatives who were awarded N.Z.U. Blues for successes at the Eastern Tournament.
Athletics—P. S. Bowie.
Basketball—J. Grainger.
Boxing—R. W. Edgley. M. O'Connor.
Rowing—G. B. Gibbons.
Swimming—F. King.
Tennis—J. J. McCarthy.
A good muster was present at the Haeremai Club's meeting on Thursday night ot discuss the "How, when and where" of Capping Procession. As usual, all arrangements have been well-planned by the committee or rather, by the working part of it. Everything will be providedlorries, ideas, material, etc., and all the Club needs now is the whole-hearted support of the men of the College.
This is the one day in the year when we can "let ourselves go" and to ensure that it will be a successrful "go" all students shoul help in the matter. To add to the interest, the club is Offering Two Prizes—
-this latter to encourage University Clubs to enter.
Also, please note, there will be free "refreshments" for those taking part.
If you have never taken part in a procession before-do so this year. If you hae taken part in previous years, then your past experience will come in useful-in any case-join in and give the haeremai Club the help it deserves.
From the highly technical nature of the work on cosmic rays it was obvious that Mr. C. W. Stewart had chosen no easy subject for his presidential address to the Science Socety. Evidence for these elusive rays appears to be chiefly the dissipation of electricity from an insulated charged body at a rate greater than can be accounted or by known mechanisms. The most important experiments involved, the coincidence of recordings by two or more "Geiger Muller counters" (we didn't quite gather what these were), when palced side by side; such coinciding recordings. being too great in number to be accounted for by chance coincidences of known factors which influence the instruments. The speaker dealt also with the theories concerning the originand nature of cosmic rays; but here science seems about as much at a loss as we were.
We commend Mr. Stewart for the immense amount of careful preparation of a paper summarising mostof the work on a new and abstruse subject. "Smad" expresses the opinion, however, that speakers to College societies would be best advised to deal with only a few points of their subject, and to emphasise those points, rather than to overburden the audience with an accumulation of incomprehensible detail.
While the more couageous denizens of "The Old Clay Patch" were gnawing the black crust of failure and searching the pit of despair, nineteen knowing members of the Tramping Club fled to the rock-strewn fastness of the famous weka-weka bird-Mt. Egmont.
We left-one hour late in accord with unassailable tradition-in a superannuated Railway bus. It gave more spine-shakers per minute than a 17th century stage coach. Anyhow, after about 12 or so hours in the old International, we arrived at North Egmont. During the Friday afternoon half of the party scaled the Cloud Piercer, while the residue visited Bell's Falls (Afore Ye Go!). And was our pride punctured when we found local "cockies" calmly sitting on the blushed. On the next two days, excursions were made to Bell's Falls, Dawson's Falls and Fantham's Peak, via the summit.
After a rowdy and riotous farewell concert-party-dance - there were 50-odd others at the Mountain House-which extended late in Easter Monday, we slipped our bearings at 8.30 a.m. A grand tour, embracing New Plymouth and numerous other cheese factories with names attached, followed, and we finally arrived back home just in time to beat Tuesday's sun.
Despite the boisterous and very unpleasant weather on Thursday, 23rd April, a successful visit wsa paid to the T.E.V.Rangatira on the Floating Dock. The party, which consisted of ten hardy persons, made an interior and exterior inspectionof the repair work which is now being carried out. From this inspection, the party could gauge the extensive damage ocasioned by the mishap at Sinclair Head.
Then followed a very comprehensive visit to the engine room, and the lower regions of the ship.
The Union S.S. Co. of N.Z. Ltd. have taken advatage of the ship's being laid up to carry out a complete overhaul, and consequently much machinery, which normally is bolted beneath casings, was open for inspection.
A very well satisfied party then reluctantly left the shelter of the vessel and travelled back into the city in a well-laden motor-car.
The approach of Capping revives the question as to whether the possession of a University degree is any guarantee of special intelligence or even of a good general education. Many people are very impressed by the letters after a person's name, but we fear that they are often disillusioned on meeting graduates and engaging them in conversation. It would be incorrect to maintain that the average graduate holds no opinions, but in many cases these appear to be determined more by the prevailing fashion than by first-hand information.
In the N.Z. University Colleges intellectual activity is largely confined toa small radical section, often regarded as cranks by their more conservative and conventional brethren. But with the world in its present condition an intelligent interest in current problems is surely not out of place in a University which was formerly regarded as the centre of a nation's cultural education. At the present day it appears to be more concerned with the production of specialist, sometimes well versed in one or two subjects, but often blissfully ignorant of any connection between these subjects and other branches of knowledge.
The students themselves are not entirely to blame. It is impossible to exonerate completely the present educational system. It would be rather a bold claim to maintain that the results of educational research during the last thirty years have had any noticeable effect of the methods of University education. All teachers agree that if a class is to derive and benefit from a lessonor lecture, it is essential that the member should be on the alert and interested in the subject. Too often students are in a semi-comatose state, atuomatically copying down the notes dictated to them by the lecturer.
Of course, we must admit that it is much easier to give destructive rather than constructive criticism, but, at the presen time, when the examination system appears to be on trial in England, it is not inopportune to direct attention to some of the more obvious defects in our own system.
Herewith a forthcoming programme from YOY, to be dispensed on 570 killer cycles, more or less.
6:0—Miscellaneous recordings by miscellaneous concert orchestras, under miscellaneous batons, to wit, Marek Lorand, Edith Bela, and Dajor Weber, helped out by the Seventy-seven Singing Sisters and other miscellaneous Crooners. (Echometer Recordings).
7:0.—News and Reports Session. Turn to 2YC
7:40.—Talk by Our Gardening Expert: "Earthworms and Their Contribution to our Football Field."
8:0.—The YOY Concert Orchestra, Air from "In the Ngahauranga Woods." 8.3½. Passing to Parliament to broadcast interjections by the member for Mataura. Sometime later: "Up the Wrong Tree," by Bach. 8:26. Police Notice: A baby's bottle has been stolen from the Windsor Billiard Saloon. When last seen it was empty. Will any finder please report to the nearest billiard saloon. 8:28. A further adventure in the lives of the Japanese Housefly and his pursuer. 8:38. A Medley of Pohs-Pourris. 8:40. Prof. Sum Guy Woodpecker, O.Mi.I., reading extracts from recent periodicals. 9:0. Weather report: A Xylophonic distrubance is now approaching across the Western Tasman Sea. Sailora in New Zealand Waters rough to very rough, and rising later. Temperatures will be warmer on hot days but cooler towards evening, especially about Mount Cook and the South Pole. 9:5. Humour, Eb & Flo, the Town Hall Doorkeepers. 9:6. Static. (Give it a rest). 9:15. On relay from the Leich-hell Stadium. Account of wrestling contest-Count Puliz Pantzoff (the Polish Cat) versus Chu Him Chin (the Chinese Mincer). 10:0-11:0. An hour of the xylophonic distrubance recently noted, hot from U.S.A. (via the Western Tasman Seo).
11:0.—Peace, Perfect Peace.
The Cappicade
Once upon a time there was an engineer and his name was Douglas. We owe him a deep debt of gratitude, for it was he who debunked the proverb: "Every man to his own trade." To prove that the proverb was fallacious, he formulated an economic theory and almost gave up the practice of his own profession. He saw that there are lots of goods to be bought, and that lots of people haven't enough money to buy them, and consequently his theory was that the state should give money to everybody. That is Douglas Social Credit.
But Douglas was amazed to find that the trained economists of the world didn't agree with him. Their failure to appreciate the most obvious economic fact in the modern world furnishes further disproof of the proverb: "Every man to his own trade." Although they all knew lots and lots of economic facts, they apparently didn't have any real understanding of their subject, for literally thousands of professors of economics and lecturers in economics believed that the only solution of the world's economic difficulties lay in communism. Thousands of them, in spite of Douglas's theory, still believe incommunism. Another Douglas creditor was telling me the other day that in the twenty years A.D. (Anno Douglasi) six academic economists have supported Douglas's sterling reforms.
One of the delightful things about Douglas Social Credit is that it is so easy to introduce. Once a Douglas government is elected, all it has to do is issue money. What I can't make out is why Mr. Aberhart doesn't do it. Perhaps he's acongenital idiot, for it all seems so simple.
And it's so easy to become a disciple of the movement. You don't need to change your ideas on any subject at all. You don't need to upset your mental stereo-types or alter your system of pigeon-holing. Although you know that capitalism leads to industrial strife and to world war, although you know that, if necessary, capitalism defends itself by the violence of fascism, you nevertheless have enough faith in human nature to hope that the rulers of the world will allow reform peacefuly and consequenty you can sneer at the communists because their programme, though peaceful in itself, may lead to a bloody counter-revolution as it did in Russia.
In fact, Douglas Social Credit is just the right sort of political creed. It recognises that something is wrong with the world, and that shows how advanced the creed is, and how clever you are to embrace it. Douglas himself often points out that we have poverty in the midst of plenty.
In case I have failed to convince you of the intrinsic desirability of Douglas Social Credit, I must recomment it to you for an intriasic reason. Communism can best be combated by dispersing reformist energy in all sorts of different directions. That's why Douglas Social Credit gets so much publicity; that's why lots of other nice people encourage it and finance it.—
We regret that a "Smad reporter was not present at the annual meeting of the New Zealand University Students' Association held in the Council Roomon 10th April, and we publish this corrected report in order to remedy cererrors and omissions is our previous report
The Association's annual report referred to the loss of Mr. D. M. Burns, almost immediatedly after his election as President, and to the numbe of changes in resident and corresponding members. The Association had appointed Mr. L. E. Moller, late of Otago University as its London representative in order that the Association might derive benefits from its affiliation to the International Confederation of Students additional to the existing travel concessions.
A motion that the annual levy paid by colleges to the association be raised from £1 to £2 per 50 members, was moved by Mr. McGhie (Victoria), and seconded by Mr. W. G. Thurston (Massey). The motion was opposed by Canterbury and Auckland, and after some discussion it was decided to increase the levy to 25/- this year, rising to 30/- next year.
A new Consittution was adopted after considerable discussion, mainly on the proposed centralisation of the Association's headquarters at Victoria. Canterbury and Otago voting against the motion sponsored by Victoria and seconded by Massey. As the Association's headquarters follow the Tournament rota as before, headquarters will be at Canterbury until Easter,
A successful meeting terminated with votes of thanks to the retiring executive, special reference being made to the Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. McGhie, to whose efforts it was largely due that the Association had continued to grow in influence during the past year.
As a sincere well-wisher of V.U.C. I would like, through your columns, to make some suggestions with regard to Tournaments. V.U.C. has had no outstanding success in thelast few contests but we have now a fine array of trophies which might to our advantage be used to ensure a discontinuance of this state of affairs. We have no shields to ward off defeat-our trophies might, however be put to more positive uses. For instance, the cox of the eight might be of considerable helop if provided with efficient paddles of which we have still a supply, and a horn might be used effectively in disconcerting our opponents at crucial moments and in encouraging our own team. Seriously, though, let us not take this last beating lying down. This is a matter for the whole College as club committees can do nothing if the availabe though possibly latent talent of the whole College is not at their disposal. The marbles player for all he knows may have a career awaiting him as a shot-putter and the ping-pong enthusiast might revolutionise Univesity tennis. Let us train now for
André Mitchelson.
This book does not belie its subtitle of "A Record of a Nightmare Adolescence" Few autobiographies can compare with it for descriptions of privations and suffering. No proof is offered of its authenticity, but it is such a vivid subjective treatment of the youthful view-point as to be absolutely convineing. From it one obtains a stark picture of the chaotic period between the overthrow of Tsarism and the establishment of Communism. It was a time of famine and pestilence, ghastly conditions aggravated by other nations, notably Britian and France, Supporting the White Army.
But those conditons are not seen at the attempts of a youth to chop off the ribs of a horse that had dropped dead in the street; as the taste of a fried crow; and in the frightfulness of typhus. This youth was not greatly concerned with the dictates of the Kremlin-his enthusiasm for Communism was short-lived when it brought him no material benefits. He was aware that political prisoners were being shot for the saw their bloodstained for sale in the markets; but his contact with authority was merely three days' imprisonment for persistently forcing his way on to overcrowded trams.
His millionaire father had escaped from Russia; the boy endeavoured to reach him by going sough to establish contact with the White Army but the scheme was abortive—the White Army had collapsed for one thing. Then the desire was to return to Moscow.
Ever since the Revolution began this youth had had but one motive—to survive. He had survived, but to do so he had to cast aside all conventions and to ignore all moral values. Hunger and cold had been his only mentors; he had known no other discipline. All emotions, including sensual, had had free rein. Paroxysms of rage owed those about him. He indulged in them to board a train for Moscow and to secure the best accommodation available. That soldiers threw other ticketless people out into the snow a his behest was a source of great satisfaction to him.
He reaches Moscow. But there his excesses begin to take their toll. He becomes a victim of hallucinations his nights are haunted. He knows no peace after dark. Finally he manages to leave Russia but his phantoms still pursue him.—
"Smad" has elicited the following interesting facts about "Cappicade,
"Brave New Zealand" suggests a new method of creation-W. J. Mountjoy Jun. is the producer.
"Hell's Bells" casts a new light on the internaional situation. It is produced by J. B. Aimers. War for the honour of our woman-hood is the latest with Dictators!
The Feelies in "Brave New Zealand" should be well worth seeing-Anne Howe!
An "introduction interlude" is being produced under the auspices of John Carrad-and it's a wow.
"Hells' Bells" has changed overnight, and is now described as "a defence in one attack"; all riots are deserved.
As the music for all performances is in the capable hands of Dick Hutchens, we feel convinced that this section will be an outstanding feature of the programme.
Adam and Eve in the Garden raising Cain while they are Abel-but wait till you see "Brave New Zealand."
Cappicade
Until further notice, Reserve Bank notes up to £10 will be accepted for Cappicade
Written in memory of the night we met:
"Modern civilisation seems to be incapable of producing people endowed with imagination, intelligence and courage. In practically every country there is a decrease in the intellectual and moral calibre of those who carry the responsibility of public affairs. Human beings have not grown so rapidly as the institutions sprung from their brains. It is chiefly the intellectual and moral deficiencies of thepolitical leaders, and their ignorance which endanger modern nations."—A Carrel.
The season opens next Saturday but it is not possible at this stage to judge the merits of the teams for the forthcoming season.
Contrary to the usual V.U.C. practice, the Club was on the way with training much earlier this year. For some weeks now, a selected few have been visiting Alf Jenkin's gymn. to attain that degree of fitness necessary in football. With this training as a start it should not take long for the teams to become really fit.
It is regrettable, but in the circumstances, unavoidable, that only one match practice has been held. Tournament has eaten into the year to no smal extent, and it has been made impossible to hold any futher practices.
The Senior team will be much the same as last year. The backs include Tricklebank, Wild and Rae, allod Blues, and the forwards will be considerably strengthened by Burke, hooker par excellence, fresh from Eastern conquests. It is unfortunate that Chesterman has an injured knee, which will keep him out for a few weeks.
Among the junior teams, the influx from the secondary schools should provide some useful players. Training College also brings its quota of footballers, and with these on tap the standard should be high.
It is understood that the Third C team will defend its title under the generalship of that tactical wizard, Fitzgerald, the doyen of junior grade players. This team has won the championship for the last two years-those desiring to play must not train. This was the old order, but it is likely that training may become necessary.
The Fourth team, the pride of V.U.C., will no longer be known as Henry's "boys." The Club is losing the services of Henry Moore who during the last two years has done wonderful work in this grade. His lose is great and his enthusiastic work will be difficult to replace.
(The Editor, "Smad")
I desire to express thanks both those of the Tournament Committee and my own personal ones, to the following students who helped to make the Tennis Section a success, by assisting in the Management, or by acting as umpires or linesmen:—sheila Fraser, Laurie Desborough, Guy Bliss. Misses Marjorie Brown, Sonia Caselberg, Geraldine Kean, Helen Maysmore, Stella Phililps, Cynthia Smith, Pat Edards, Dorothy Briggs, Joan Bacon, Dorothy Gerard, Marion Bell, Janet Grainger. Messrs. Bill Mitchell, John Withers, Les Nash, Norm. Morrison, Ewen Cardale. Roland Webb, Alan Horsley, Ken McNaught, Eric Budge, Alfred Katz, Harold Sivyer, Martin Liddle, Withy, John Holderness, Gordon Lauchlan.
The willing assistance of these students was much appreciated.
The wheels are already turning freely for this year's Extravaganza and all students must do their part to make it a success.
You should: (1) immediately ofer your services for a part in one of the revues or for part in one of the revues or for assistance with the stage decorations and other duties incidental to the production; (2) advertise all the Caping activities-the revue, the Cappicade Booklet and the Procession, as widely as possible; (3) sell tickets for the revue and in particualr see that each of your friends buys one; (4) do your bit to ensure that every copy of the Cappicade Booklet is disposed of: (5) take part in the procession if at all possible; and (6) generally work each to your utmost in your individual sphere to make the show a success.
Remember, the students profit by the success of the festivities. if you want a new Student Building do you bit-every shilling buys a brick. Every student must attend the revue himself.
The commencement of every sporting season provides headaches for the executives of University Clubs because of the continual change, fromyear to year, of numbers and personnel. The Hockey Club is no exception to this rule and this year's committee have an unenviable task in front of them.
Of the Senior A team of last season, Williams, Dr. Campbell, Vietmeyer, Robinson, and probably Foster, will all be absentees.
Robinson's position in particular will be very difficult to fill, as there is at the present no one, with the exception of Stewart, quite good enough to play at the key position of centre-half. Stewart, of course, was centre forward last year, and the most conspicuously able of the forwards. he is to play at half for the first game on Saturday, Denby going to centre forward.
It may be that the re-arrangement of the forwards as at present contemplated, is preferable to the idea of trying out new players, such as Eggleston, in the halves. It would appear, however, that while sound in the half line, the Senior team is going to suffer even more this year than usual from an inability to materialise its chances in the circle.
The Club has a very healthy membership this season, and in addition, Training College hae entered a side and will be playing under the aegis of the Varsity Club.
Seven teams have been entered in the Grade Competitions: Senior A, Senior B, one team only, a departure from tradition necessitated by last year's poor standard; one Junior, three Thirds, and a Fourth Grade team.
The ridiculous position in regard to the Third Grade teams has arisen through the Wellington Hockey Association's decision that one Junior team only could be entered by the Club. On the face of it, an absurd decision.
The Basketabll Club looks forward eagerly to the new season which opens on May 9th. Last season, the senior A team opened their season wiht five consecutive wins, the first of which was against Kia ora, the holders of the championship. This year, with the team in even better form, we hope to do equally wellat the start and to continue our successes into the second round. Commencing practices in February, as we do, it is hard for the teams not to become stale about half-way through the season. However, our coach is excellent and we have high hopes.
The Senior A team will not be greatly different from last season. Isobel Morice, always a reliable forward, will most probably not be playing for us and she will be missed greatly.
The second team will be inthe Senior B grade. Several new players have yet to be tried and the committee hopes for a very strong B team this year.
Practices this year will probably be held in the Varsity gymn. The gymn is small and dark and the floor is very bad. However, the committee feels that if practices are on the spot, more girls will attend and the advantages of full practices will undobtedly outweigh the disadvantages of our V.U.C. gymn.
On the Friday following Easter the Basketball Club held its annual meeting. The committee its annual meeting. The committee is entirely new and consists of:—Captain, Miss Stella Phillips; Vice-Captain, Miss Marjorie Gibbons; Secretary-Treasurer, Miss ruth Singleton; Fresher Member, Miss Mirabel Morton. With a keen and energetic new committee, an excellent coach, a good combination, and full practices, who knows to what heights V.U.C. Basketball Club may rise.
Saturday, the 18th, found the Harriers again on the trail, some 25 members gathering at Weir House for the first run. After a few words from Mr. G. F. Dixon and Dr. Sutherland, two packs set off through Northland over the wireless hill and home, via the reserve, to a little refreshment provided by the Committee. At this informal meeting opportunity was given for discussion of the year's syllabus, and the Club Captain, Myles O'Connor, briefly acquainted new men with the customs of the Club; to say nothing of some sound advice (made piquant by a story or two) from the trainer.
V.U.C. is out to capture the Dixon Trophy from Otago this year, and will shortly set into solid training for the event (to be held in Auckland in August). A valuable man has been lost with the departure of W. B. Lang from Wellington. but most of the other team men are again turning out; while among the new members who appeared at the opening run several gave promise of both stride and speed. D. Reid, who ran with the fast pack, should certainly do well provided he shows sufficient stamina.
Next Saturday, this year's novices will be tested out over 2½ miles at Worser Bay, after which, with the exception of the Sherwood Cup, the first half of the season will be devoted to ordinary club runs.