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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 15, No. 8. May 29, 1952

[Introduction]

It is a pity that there are not more College functions like the Undergrads' Supper. This seems to be the one social event which will bring the science students creeping bleary-eyed in droves from their laboratories. Opinions differed as to whether or not it was surprising to see them, so near to wintertime, but the fact remains that the science graduands—let's not name the particular department—were prominent, both because of their numbers and because of their conduct. The arts graduands—as befitting that group in the College which have sipped somewhat from the cup of culture—were relatively unprominent, except of course when some of the most well-known Arts and Law students rose to speak. Not one science student was on the list of speakers—apparently science students never learn how to modrate their voices below a drinking-song tone.

President Dave Horsley opened the business section of the evening with the toast to the Queen. Mr. J. F. D. Patterson followed close behind "The Queen" with the tout to the Professorial Board. Mr. Patterson, you may remember, recently sued the College Council for a sum of money, and it was felt—the result of the litigation having been considered—that he was the student most qualified to apeak on any college governing body. He started by attempting to define the Professorial Board with a slanderous definition which we cannot print. He went on to say that some people referred to the "Professorial Bawd" who was of course a lady of academic distinction and no morals. No, the Professorial Board was a body of men of high academic distinction and. . . . The college however was made up of undergraduates, who gave money; of graduates, who had given money; and of the Professorial Board who spend it. And there were the other officials connected with the college—from the lavoratory-man down to the Registrar. What did the Professorial Board do? Among other things prevented smoking in the library. Mr. Patterson recommended the Professorial Board to rescind the decree and stated his willingness to pay the cost of furnishing ashtrays out of his own pocket Another thing the professorial Board did was prevent the consumption of liquor within the college, when Mr. Patterson condescended to live in Weir House—he told the audience—the ban on liquor was lifted twice—both occasions when the Management Committee visited the House. He suggested—referring to the punch being rapidly and appreciatively consumed around him—that it was the same thing with the Professorial Board.