Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 21, No. 6. May 28, 1958

Capp — Hic — Ing

page 4

Capp — Hic — Ing

From the Graduands' Supper to the Federation of University Women's Dinner for Female Graduates the 1958 Capping Week has been particularly successful. Much of the responsibility for the success must lie with the administrators—with such men as Peter O'Brien (Capping Ball), John Hercus and Armour Mitchell (Procesh), the Editors of Cappicade and, last but not least, the Producer of Extrav 1958, Bill Sheat. It should be realised by those who are content to sit back and let the others do the work that very often the whole of the University reputation depends on the quality of Capping Week activities.

The editors of Cappicade have this year produced a magazine which is worthy of a University—so what happens—the sex-crazed public don't like it. Comments on the "blue-pencilled" Cappicade were many and various; many echoed the "Dominion's" sour plebeian review and missed the lavatory humour. Others—and they were the more important members of the community— were very pleased by the sophistication and clean material. The consensus of considered opinion was that this year's book was better than before, showing a strong tendency in the right direction, but that perhaps it had been too severely edited. Some 18,500 copies have been sold.

Extrav. was everything that Dave Wilson promised; which is to say that it was a first class production and much of the credit must go to such "enlightened" individuals as Bill Sheat and Frank Curtin. Bill has been with Extrav. since 1949 and produced this year's Gala performance. A silver tray, suitably inscribed, was presented to Bill by the Organiser, Dave Wilson, on behalf of the Student's Union and the cast. At the conclusion of the Lower Hutt season a further presentation was made to a veteran of many Extravs., Aileen Claridge, who as pianist in the orchestra for many years, has devoted a great deal of time and expense to the show.

A net profit of £1010/4/11 ½ was announced at the conclusion of the Gala season. The show had run for seven nights at the Opera House, and despite the dismal weather drew capacity houses on all but two nights. A two-night stand at Lower Hutt realised a further £930 net profit. Financially, this was the most successful show ever conducted by the student body; the profits will go to the Union Building Fund.

Procession this year was not very brilliant. More students saw the floats leave the University than had been engaged in the construction thereof; once again nominal students brought out their green and gold scarves and university blazers for the occasion—and idly spectated. Evidence of brilliant work showed on one or two floats such as the "Working" Gin Distillery and a particularly outstanding take-off of Play-Way education.

Other University processions are worked on from the beginning of the term, and Clubs and societies produce first-rate floats at little cost.

The sum of £182 was collected during the procession for Birthright, and was handed to Mr. E. D. Blundell, the President of the Wellington Branch, at the conclusion of the Gala opening. Unfortunately insufficient publicity had been given to the collection, and many of the public indicated that they considered the collection boxes "something of a stunt" and were unwilling to contribute. Considerable improvement can be made in this matter next year, and it seems that with a well-organised collection, the sum of £1000 could be raised from the public.

And so we pass to the Capping Ceremony (see Glad Tidings of Great Joy). This rather imposing rite was slightly lessened in effect by two features. Firstly the presenting of bouquets was, on the whole, rather badly done. Either the Graduates were unworthy or the flower girls did not know how to execute a presentable curtsey.

Secondly, although it is realised that time is a fairly important factor, it was rather disappointing that the class of Honours gained by Masters Graduates were not read with their names.

With very little delay the Capping Ball followed the ceremony. This was a success both financially and from the point of enjoyment by participants. When 1500 people are crammed into a confined space there can be two results. One is inevitable —overcrowding — the second will only eventuate when the 1500 show as much determination to enjoy themselves as did those at Capping Ball—the maximum of pleasure.

Supper was, perhaps, a little frugal but at the charge made, it can be considered to be quite adequate.

Official Procession Results

Judges: Mr. C. J. Gordon (sometime Procesh Controller), Mr. T. Collins.

First: Biological Society (Animal).

Second: Geological Society (Vicar's Discount).

Third: Historical Society (Chariot).

Highly Commended: Small Blue Van (for neat lettering).