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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 27, No. 5. 1964.

Around The Campus — El Crud Dies!

Around The Campus

El Crud Dies!

There comes a time in the affairs of men when we must change our mode of life and so it is with regret that I have decided to give up the writing of this column. As you are possibly aware there were several letters criticising me in the last issue and to a certain extent I think their criticism is justified. However, their criticism is not the real reason for my abdication; I have been criticised in many places before and although I cannot admit to liking it, I have seldom lost sleep over it. Indeed it is obvious that it is impossible to satisfy all tastes simultaneously and I have never tried to do this.

On the other hand such a column as mine should not centre on one single social group, to the extent that it becomes a forum for the dissemination of private jokes that are incomprehensible to the population at large.

Last year, when I was full time and in Weir, this was fairly easy to avoid; I had many contacts in different varsity groups who supplied me with a steady stream of anecdotes. Also the simple fact of being around the place was in itself a major factor in writing an interesting column. I spent so many hours in the cafe that I could actually feel the pulse of that institution. Alas tis no more! As I said in a previous column I feel an interloper at Varsity and my contact with students is limited to the party going mob who, great jokers as they are, constitute a fairly small proportion of those enrolled.

When I started writing the column last year it was written with a vim and vigour that could not be denied; it was new; it was different, an entertaining diversion from a hard morning of lectures. To me it was also novel and entertaining, indeed exciting and I must admit it was satisfying to the ego to learn that people were reading it and also enjoying it. It was perhaps the only thing of note that I have done in the dismal years of varsity. This year things are different; the column has slid from general popularity. It draws its main support from those who are likely to be mentioned and it lacks the whole hearted love of its creator. I have got tired of writing it. The novelty of the new toy has worn off.

In reply to my numerous critics let me say that I hope someone will come forward to write a general social column for Salient. I hope, too, that it is as banal, trite and as crude as mine. The ravings of a few who regard themselves as literary experts do not worry me and I hope they do not worry my successor. In answer to Murray Rowlands, I say that although he appears to be very familiar and blase about a certain section of the community it is not everyone's luck to be so placed. Ian Mitchell's views are a trifle lopsided. I admit that at times I have been close to the mark, but I would remind him that each issue is censored by competent authorities.

I feel sorry that he is shocked at the double entendres! Does he think I should turn my hand to writing spiritualist tracts or handbooks for CND marchers. Not everyone at university is interested in protesting at everything in sight or in pervading the whole place with an air of wonderful culture. Indeed the great majority are here to get a degree as evidenced by the perennial and abortive crusade against "Apathy." Their idea of a good time is often a party or a few beers with the boys; when they pick up Salient they need diversion as well as esoteric stimulation.

To all those people that I have maligned or embarrassed and I must admit that at times I've been carried away by superfluous verbosity, I hope you will bear with me. I intend to retire to the hinterland to contemplate my knees.

El Crud grinds to a halt! R.I.P.!