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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 6, No. 8 June 23, 1943

The Spartan Club

The Spartan Club

Last Saturday, while football and hockey enthusiasts stayed home and watched the rain, the harriers were out in force braving the elements.

Running from Wadestown the fast pack made a swift circuit of Ngaio and Khandallah, a Journey coloured by a succession of anecdotes by Dicky Daniell. Unfortunately it missed its members Ian McDowell and Miles O'Connor who were both unable to run on account of leg injuries.

The slow pack were forced (oh, so reluctantly) to shorten their run because one member cut his hand rather severely on a stone. However, with admirable promptness the E.P.S. experts renderd first aid and the casualty returned under his own power complete with bandages and sling made from a miscellaneous assortment of socks and belts.

On the 12th June about twenty runners set out from the Island Bay bathing sheds with every expectation of returning for afternoon tea in half an hour.

The fast pack made good time up the Melrose Ridge until it found its progress blocked by military reserves and private property. Deeming it more prudent to avoid armed Bentries, the club captain went to seek a householder's permission to pass through his property. This he obtained just as the last runner had finished trespassing. The pack had proceeded a little further when mutiny raised its ugly head. Disregarding the captain's protesting bleats, most of the pack decided to go down to see the Varsity Training College football match at Kilbirnie. It was a great game and they noted with interest a potential recruit in the Varsity half-back, but thoughts of that afternoon tea soon made them head for Island Bay at a smart pace. Instead of an irate club captain awaiting them, they were surprised to find themselves the first home. Sometime later the slow pack arrived and later still the loyal members of the fast pack returned from an extensive tour of Wellington which had included Newtown, Brooklyn and Ohiro Bay.

Almost one hour overdue all hurried down to Mr. J. O. Shoreland's residence mumbling excuses and apologies. However, the same generous hospitality as in previous years soon forgave this tardiness, and weary bodies were revived with sausage rolls, cream cakes and endless cups of tea.

The club has high hopes of success in the first inter-club run of the season to be held at Miramar next Saturday. It is to be hoped that Ian and Miles have, by then, recovered sufficiently to compete as their presence would greatly improve the club's chances.