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The Spike: or, Victoria College Review, October 1904

[Introduction]

Mortarbaords with the words capping day written on them

"I charge thee Whate'er thou hear'st or seest, stand all aloof And do not interrupt me in my course."

—Romeo and Juliet.

The "Capping" Ceremony took place at the Sydney Street Schoolroom, and the hall was crowded. We regret that a few "roughs" at the back of the hall did not satisfy the "Evening Post" not to mention "an audience which had come expecting much in that way from the students." On the whole, however, the audience looked fairly respectable, though some omissions might have been made from "platform list." Music was supplied by a bicycle bell, a horn, and a whistle, hereinafter called "the orchestra."

The Chancellor's Speech was much on the lines of his speech on Foundation Day, reported in another column. He advocated the establishment of a chair of Journalism, a suggestion not supported by the "New Zealand Times" for obvious reasons. Sir Robert sat down to musical honours.

Professor Easterfield began his speech with the words "I will confine myself" and had to correct a student who suggested "to the truth." In the face of such a correction we draw a veil over the "work of the College" which the Chairman of the Professorial Board so imaginatively described.

Dr. Knight, whose remarks were accompanied by an orchestral fugue, was understood to advocate the specialization of Victoria College in Brewing and Political Engineering. He resuscitated an ancient joke first used in connection with Victoria College by Mr. C. Wilson on Degree Day, 1901, concerning a Chair of Music. The omission of all reference to a Chair of Oratory was evidently an oversight on the part of Dr. Knight.

Mr. F. E. Baume, M. H. R. an old student of Auckland University College, kind of wished that he were again among the "roughs" at the back, a feeling shared by more than one of the graduates. He believed the Government would give further financial aid to the College.

page 48

The speeches received careful and loving attention at the hands of the students and the efforts of the orchestra, though the bass parts were somewhat outweighted by the treble, were distinctly noticeable for strength of "attack."

Sketch of men shaking hands