We regret that exigencies of space and unevenness of merit comple us to suppress several promising contributors.

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The degree results year by year show an increase in number and value.

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There is another side of College activity of which we have no reason to be ashamed. There are nine Societies and clubs, each of which is alive and healthy, not to mention the "Spike." The Hockey Club puts 33 men and 22 ladies into the field every Saturday, and the football Club 30 men.

Counting reserves College has nearly 100 players representing her each week. We form one of the strongest athletic organizations in Wellington in spirit and in numbers, if not in absolute skill in any one branch.

Ourselves.

At the first meeting of the Students' Association this year, Miss F. Smith was appointed Editor of the "Spike," and thereafter followed a period—till the next meeting—during which those interested endeavoured to persuade the refractory Editor to withdraw her resignation.

"Three weeks they expended in voluble strife
Flattery, plots, and debating,
Each used every word he'd learned in his life
While the poor old "Spike" was waiting."

To which our poet adds the refrain

"Oh, the Chair of the Chief is a graduate's place,
A smile should e'er rest on your editor's face,
His knowledge be all-permating"—

Which as we think, is an unnecessary reflection on last year's Editor. In the end a readjustment of portfolios had to be arranged, on which we need only remark—

"And three will work that the College may smile,
The "Spike" will be written in superfine style,
And all in the garden be blooming."

Athletic Club.

"If I lose a scruple of this sport, let me be boiled to death with melancholy"

—Twelfth Night.

In view of the Easter Tournament which is to be held in Wellington next Eater, an Athletic Club has been formed at the College. It is unlikely that the Club will hold a Sports Meeting of its won before the Tournament, but it hopes to enter teams for all the local athletic competitions. The success of students last season in Harrier and Amateur Athletic Events gives promise of even better results in the future. We would remind next year's aspiring, runners, as well last year's expiring ones, that two months' training is better than two days.'

Professor Maclaurin .

Information has just been received that the University of Cambridge is to confer on Professor Maclaurin the degree of Doctor of Laws "in recognition of original contributions to the study of Law." This is the highest distinction his old University can confer upon him, and Professor Maclaurin is page 58 the first New Zealand graduate to have been so honoured. We trust that his many recent successes will not lure Professor Maclaurin from the paths of industry, and that when the hedge is trimmed and the roses trained, he will be allowed to continue his researches in law.

The crest.

"Even thou hast struck upon my crest."

—Titus Andromicus

When the colours were under discussion it became obvious, after a little consideration, that something was lacking. The uniform would not be complete without a coat of arms, to give it "tone." The Professorial Board suggested a "mullet"—not one of the fishy tribe—but the heraldic five-pointed star. This was referred to the College council, which was of opinion that such an emblem would clash with the trade-mark of such other educational establishments as the Star Brewery. A Sub-Committee was set up to put the "set" on that star and suggest other heraldic devices. Various consultations have been held the Students' Association has had all-night sittings, and matters are still "as you were." The Association still clings to a shield mostly mullet, and the Council still thinks that all stars are the same star. In order to settle the question that all stars are the same star. In order to settle the question once for all we have been induced to come to the rescue. One of the accompanying suggestions will no doubt be accepted, it does not matter much which. The first represents a Premier, rampant, with a packet inscribed "V. C. Plan," à la main.

Below is a scroll with the motto "Festino lente." The shield is surmounted by a common or garden snail. The second page 59 design, with is incorporated the motto "Muto cito," has for its main device a coat-of-may-colours surmounted by a sportive trencher. Above all is a Knight (cavalier d'échecs).

Browen Essay Prize.

The Bowen Essay Prize of 1903 was wom by G. H. Scholefield, who though now resident in Christchurch, was a student of Victoria college. Two or three years ago Scholefield was an ardent member of the Hockey Club. H is at present on the staff of the Christchurch Press Company.

Wellington College.

We give again to thank Mr. J. P. Firth, Headmaster of Wellington College, for the use of the College Ground for training. This year, as last, Victoria College received every kindness and consideration from boys and maters.

Of Travel.

"Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education: in the elder, a part of experience."

—Bacon.

Driven by advancing age, failing health, a desire to study American systems of education, and to visit once more the haunts of College days, Professor Maclaurin was induced to tear himself from our society at the end of last term. We did not have time to say "Good-bye," for he could not bear a parting, but we welcome him back with open arms. To show that he really did go to study American institutions, we publish an article from his pen in another column. We commend this contribution to all students, and to the public of the Middle District.

Au Revoir.

We regret to have to chronicle the loss of two hard-working and patriotic students. Miss E. F. Wedde and Miss E. M. B. Lynch have both served the College in many ways and have both represented the Students' Association on its Committee. They are now both translated to the Napier Girls' High School. If esprit de corps does not flourish at that school we want to know the reason why.

Candlegrease.

P. W. Robertson read a paper at the meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science on "the Distillation of Fatty Acids in the Manufacture of Candles," a subject not suggestive of anything but candlegrease and darkness to our ears. The President of the Association, however, seems to have regarded the paper as quite a luminous document. In the course of an interview with a "Lyttelton Times" reporter, Professor David is reported to have said that amount the papers dealing with pure science, one that attracted much attention in the chemistry section was contributed by Mr. Robertson, a young student at Victoria College, Wellington. The general impression was, said the Professor, that Mr. Robertson might have before him a career not less brilliant than that of the famous physicist produced by New Zealand—Professor Rutherford. Since that Robertson has been elected a member of the Chemical Society of London. This must be all very gratifying to Professor Easterfield—but we think the Secretary of the "Spike," when writing papers, should be a little more careful in his choice of subject.

Mr. Sprott's Class.

The Rev. T. H. Sprott continues his lectures on Sunday evenings, and they are said to be as interesting as ever. This must be saying a good deal, for, in his annual report, published in the Christian Union Handbook, the secretary remarks "The lectures are full of parallel passages, myths, and fables from china to Peru." Parallel passages do not attract us, but the myths and fables are all right, especially as you have to pass the "Tower of Babel" and "get lost in the plains of Mesopotamia, or Armenia." If the portal be invited to see whether "the seats have time to grow hard" when "Mr. Sprott transgresses the hour limit."

Wanderers.

We are always glad to hear news of wanderers from the fold. Miss Bessie Whyte, a graduate of last year, has written for "The Spike" and we learn that she has been travelling in France and Italy, but is now back in England. It is at Miss Whyte's suggestion that we publish the Examination Results of this year.

Oratorical Masterpieces.

"Full many a gem of purest ray serene."

The following extracts from speeches on Chinese Immigration have been rescued from oblivion.—

"Our relatives, our brothers and those nearer and dearer still, have succeeded in painting South Africa red on more than one occasion."

"The Union Jack was to be supplanted by the Chinese Dragon; the magnificent blast of patriotism of yesterday was to be turned to the sordid commercial commodity of to-day."

Local Tournament Committee.

The arrangements for next Easter University Tournament are in the hands of a Committee composed of delegates from the different Clubs directly interested. It is understood that the Committee is even now at work. The committee is as follows: —

G. F. Dixon and F. A. de la Mare (representing the Students' Association), T. E. Y. Seddon and H. W. King (representing the Athletic Club). G. S. Prouse and P. W. Robertson representing the Tennis Club) and a. g. Quartley (representing the Debating Society).

The Colours

Silvia.—"Do you change colour?"

Valentine.—"Give him leave. Madam: he is a kind of chameleon."

The College is in its sixth year. In the days of its infancy an energetic Committee, feeling that the beauty of College decorations for all time was on its shoulders, fixed the colours at Chocolate and Gold. The hat-band would have been very pretty if an evil genius had not prompted the authorities to adorn it with a staring V. C. which was variously translated by the juvenile portion of the Community. The next generation of Committeemen, oppressed by the V. C. and the idea that posterity demanded something of them, endeavoured to perpetuate its own memory in Maroon and Light Blue. Vainly indeed—for a new race springs up, new times demand new colours. Prouse is on the war path, and he waves aloft his banner of Green and Gold. At the Annual General Meeting of 1904 this guarantee was given—the Professors thereby appeased—the College council asked to make assurance doubly sure and ratify the decree. The next change is due about A. D. 1907.

"Broke the good meeting with most admired disorder."

The Annual General Meeting of the Students' Association looked liked going down to posterity as a quiet and uneventful, walk-off-the-grass affair. The ladies, ably seconded by the "United Shillally club," had imported green into our Constitution, without undue excitement. On a sudden a mine burst. It was moved that students refusing to play for College Clubs and playing for teams competing against them, should be ineligible for membership of the Students' Association—or words to that effect. Scarcely was the mover seated when the heavy brigade came up at the charge. The air became thick with battle and "friend slew friend not knowing whom he slew." In the end to motion, which seemed to be regarded as too coercive for a "free country," was lost by a large majority.

The College Building.

"Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm in erecting a grammar school."

—2 Henry VI.

News, great news! A contractor has climbed over the boundary fence of our College territory and seen that it is good to dig post-holes therein. Further he has brought with him his spade and has thrown up earth. A contract for the centre part of the Arts quarters and for the whole of the Science building has been signed, sealed and delivered by the College Council of the first part, and Mr. A. Maguire of the second part. The contract price is £25,371, and the time-limit is the end of December, 1905. The fine Hall on the North end that we noted with feelings of delight and horror—delight for many a waltz and song, and horror for many a three-hours'-inquisition agony in mellow November—is not included in the contract. Nor is the Museum on the South wing. For the pelfless present, also, the genesis of the third floor must look the world present, also, the genesis of the third floor must look the world in the face, bravely, but withal, gaunt and unclad.