With the advent of winter the enthusiasm of the students has been diverted into different channels. Forsaking strenuous endeavours to hit one another with cricket and tennis balls, they have descended to the more effective though more primitive methods of kicking their opponents or hitting them with sticks, to say nothing of punching, elbow-jolting and even biting on occasions. In most of these sports, it is rumoured, a ball and a referee both figure, but not very prominently. It is all good, clean fun, however, especially for those who sinews figure much more prominently in their activities than do their intellects. Even in a University this type is to be found, usually congregated in clamorous groups in the well-known boarding establishments which contribute so much to the life of the College.

By far the most important event in the College's immediate sporting future is the hockey and basketball tournament with the other Colleges, which is to be held during the vacation on May 14th, 15th and 17th. To enable the tournament to be held billets are required, and everyone who can possibly help is urged to reply to the advertisement which appears elsewhere in this issue. Students should also roll up to all the games to indulge in the wild yelling and hoarse repartee which makes these events so enjoyable, besides assisting one's own team to glorious victory.

The weather man, as usual, seemed to associate Easter with Noah and his adventures rather than the New Testament, so several of the clubs were deprived of their usual beginning of season pipe-openers, but nevertheless hopes run high for those teams which are starting in the competitions this week-end, particularly the rugby club, which seems to have every prospect of a very successful season in front of it. If enthusiasm counts for anything they will be unbeatable. We wish them well.

It never rains but . . .

Easter of 1943 lived up to Its ill-famed reputation; in fact, moat tramp-ers at any rate must be decidedly more annoyed than ever before. And in a part of the world where it's always raining, anyhow, the 'Varsity party was not exempted from this show of displeasure. No indeed. Instead of a salubrious contemplation of nature's charms, the sun scintillating on the bubbling waters in front of the bivvy and the xylophonlc note of the tui floating down from the tops, there was an alt-pervading atmosphere of wetness about the place—wet shirts, wet boots wet pants, wet everything. And the quiet, peaceful, babbling brook where we could have dipped our perspiring bodies was a dirty, muddy, floody torrent.

There were times, however, when the rain clouds above were resting before the next deluge, and the more energetic of the party wandered a mile or two up the river. I think they had ideas of shooting deer or something, but the closest anyone came to shooting anything was when Tony Chorlton let loose a couple of rounds in the bivvy.

Congestion is a word usually associated with Manners Street and such places, but the description could certainly apply to Waitewaewae at Easter. Sardines in a tin had nothing on the occupants of the bivvy—others overflowed into tents and temporary shelters. With conditions as they were, mud and slush inside as welt as out, but never mind. It all comes off in the wash.

Easter is over, and the excitingly tough or the decadent trips all came to naught. It was a pity, but we cannot grumble.

The Last Long Mile

Although our committee, unlike the Hockey Club, has not yet descended to the doubtful policy of providing mixed practices to increase membership, a record turnout of twenty-three runners assembled at Weir House for our first run.

The dizzy heights of Tinakori Hill seemed rather steeper than usual, an impression which was strengthened by the hot sun and the fact that certain people still show an unnatural tendency to run uphill. However, by persuading the energetic ones that it was not advisable to run too fast on our first outing, we were all able to return to the welcome hot showers at Weir without undue fatigue. The excellent afternoon tea which Professor and Mrs. Gould provided was very much appreciated, and fully compensated for the more strenuous part of the afternoon.

Belmont was the scene of the second run, and our generous hosts were Mr. and Mrs. Barker. The field of twenty runners was divided into three packs, slow, intermediate and fast; but there seemed to be a great deal of dissension on the question of how slow the fast pack should run. By using Fascist methods our club captain denied his pack a little rest under the trees on the top of the Belmont hills, and led us down through dense gorse to finish with a run in along the Western Hutt Road. Once again we were rewarded with an extensive afternoon tea, and it was a party of tired, overfed and very contented harriers who returned to Wellington.

Would any student having or knowing the whereabouts of copies of the following plays belonging to the Playreaders Library please communicate with the secretary of the Dramatic Society per the letter-rack: "Love on the Dole," "The Chartist," "Villa for Sale."

Orongorongo-Matthews

The boat chugged into the bay, almost displacing the wharf, and six strong V.U.C. men tumbled off. Then plunging into the depths of Gollan's Valley and struggling up the Wainui, we spent a pleasant half-hour eating. Ah, Wilderness, was the weather fine? B——marvellous!

In the company of numerous fan-tails, we hit the valley, but finding Baines Hut in a state of occupation, we found a small manuka flat—mar-vellous. The stew was dirty yet pure—it is doubtful whether the same can be said for the camp-fire conversation.

Next day, five stalwarts set out to climb Matthews. Leader Yen of course knew not the route, but at least had the decency to produce a compass from his hairless chest. The view from the top was breath-taking, and the sun shone to such an extent that Arnie and Doug bared their chests to it.

Then an exhilirating run down a 1,000 feet shingle slide to the valley and vegetable stew. Then home—a week-end superb.

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"School, School Forevah"

It is pleasing to witness the revival of the old V.U.C. Rowing Club, which has of late been performing so meritoriously in local regattas. The four has managed to secure creditable placings in its outings and we have no hesitation in saying that they would undoubtedly have done even better had the fields been made smaller to exclude those energetic bounders who so obviously rowed to win and not just for tre sake oil the sport. The cads!

Rowing is a sport whose adherents attire themselves in indecently inadequate costumes, perch perilously on sliding seats, which unlike Varsity benches are cut to the figure, and venture forth in ingenious plywood contraptions to flail the water with baulks of timber, presumably in an endeavour to catch fish by stunning them. To this end they strain their guts by rowing like the hammers of hell in one direction while steadfastly gazing at where they have just been. For all this some of these gentlemen have even been heard to make derisive noises when talking of trampera.

We can recall the day when the V.U.C. eight led the others home in the annual tournament and if the club continues to function as we hope it will, then we will certainly witness such an occasion again when the successful completion of the war permits of such pleasant gatherings.

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Soccer

The Soccer Club has already appeared as an unofficial V.U.C. team in a friendly game against an outside club and performed very creditably.

Without any practice, without proper equipment and, we suspect, without much idea of what it was all about, the team played against, the "Grey Cabs" A team and drew 4-all after a very exciting game. Varsity was actually leading until the last 30 seconds. This very successful beginning under such handicaps augurs well for the future, and it is to be hoped that others will come forward to assist this young club to maintain its early promise. All those who wish to share in the future glory of this band of stalwarts, should sign the list on the notice board or communicate with Sig Gruber by means of the students' rack.

International Relations To Get Going

Most V.U.C. students last year were too busy with International affairs to do much talking about them. That's why nothing was done to call any meetings of the International Relations Club during 1942. But as there is real evidence of interest in current affairs at College just now it is felt that the time has come for the club to get into activity once again with a lively programme of talks and discussions. Accordingly a meeting of all interested is called for Wednesday, May 26, in Room A2 at 8 p.m. Professor Wood, the club's Faculty Adviser, will give a short address and there will be elections for a new committee.

Attention of students is drawn to the fact that books in the library with the club's bookmark may be borrowed over and above the two books allowed by the library regulations. A wide range of titles, presented by the Carnegie Corporation, is available.