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The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review October 1905

College Notes

page 58

College Notes.

Group of academics talking

Library.

A copy of the "Life of Mrs. Macmillan Brown" has been presented to the College Library by Mr. A. R. Meek. The Library has also been enriched by a selection of technical works given by the Scranton International School of Correspondence through their agent, Mr. J. G. Smith. There two of gentlemen, by their generosity, have set one an example which might well be following by those desiring to assist one of the most important departments of our College.

- - - -

Gymnasium.

It has been decided on the advice of the professors to apply the money subscribed by the Building Fund to fitting up a gymnasium on the top floor of the new building. Another of the rooms will be converted into a hall—the main hall of the new building being still in futuro. The hall will be somewhat larger than the one at present used at the Girls' College. Here we expect to gather to listen to the eloquence of our future orators.

- - - -

Students at Work.

The sight of the toilers on the new tennis courts has caused one of our poets to into rhyme. The Spike can only afford space for two out of the thirty-seven verses. We would advise the author to print a few copies and send one to the Professor of English to deal with:—

Pick-a-pick this the students' stroke
First a pick and then a ponder,
Makes a real live navy wonder,
Does the students' stroke.

Only ten men to one barrow,
Toilers to the very marrow,
Peeling off their hands the "caro,"
Thus do students work.

page 59

They that Walk in Darkness.

In view of the fact that several members of the College Council—among them the Attorney-General and a leading lawyer—were not quite sure as to what "Experimental Psychology" was, or why apparatus was needed and that the Council decided against regarding Higher Mathematics as a science subject, The Spike would suggest that the Professors might give lectures to Councillors, couched in popular terms to be understand of the people, on subject coming under discussion by the Council. The editor of one country paper was so moved by the thought of such ignorance in our educational leaders that he devoted a lengthy leader to the discussion of the question. If our scheme were adopted members would come to the meetings so primed with useful information as to render a recurrence of the sad affair impossible. At the commencement of the course it might be advisable to limit the length of each lecture to an hour and a-half, which could be increased as the course went on.

- - - -

Questions of the Day.

The following question has been propounded by Mr. Hunter for the benefit of his Political Economy class:—

"Examine the argument that Victoria College students should not level their own tennis courts, for by so doing they are taking away the livelihood of others."

We would humbly suggest the following for the students of Ethics:—

"Examine the argument that John Smith, murderer, did good service to the state by removing James Robinson, thus providing a fat biller for one of the unemployed."

- - - -

A Revelation.

Few students would have regarded George Dixon as a "horsey" man, but the following extract from his "Plunket" speech reveals a secret:—

"Lord Shaftsbury was sometimes accused of riding a hobby horse. Perhaps he did, but if a man has not got a groom to help him, it is a mistake to ride more than one horse. Besides, that hoers was a thoroughbred, and it carried him for more than half a century in the Grand National Reform Steeplechase. The horse's name was page 60 Humanity, its trainer was Public Health, and its rider Education; yet that arch-handicapper Party Polities year after year, placed him on scratch, and gave the limit to an old crock called Ignorance, whose rider was Vice, with the result that Ignorance won every time!

- - - -

Farewell to "Robby."

While memory brings us back again
Each early tie that twined us,
Oh, sweet's the cup that circles then
To those we've left behind us.

— Moore.

Moved by the persuasive smile, or, perhaps, sturdy figure of W. Gillanders, our Association's President, and by the deservingness of the object, the Union Steamship Company kindly consented to delay the s.s. Monowai till 6 p. m. on the day P. W. Robertson left us for Oxford. This courtesy enable over fifty of Robertson's friends, besides the ladies, to come fresh from their athletic glories to bid him farewell. These fifty, being the possessors of a corresponding number of voices, hardened by frequent use or abuse at hockey, football, or glee-singing, it is needless to say that the send-off made up in strength and power what it lacked in tunefulness. Cheers, "Good-Fellows," "Auld Lang Synes" for "Robby," not to mention cheers for the U. S. S. Co., Prof. Easterfield, Gillanders, the chief steward and other celebrities, were rendered in fine style. The ladies' attempt, "solitaire," at "Auld Lang Syne" lacked somewhat in volume, and was reminiscent of the Glee-club, dying before its time. Robertson, in spite of the fact he was noticeably hampered by the proximity of the boat-deck, took his honours becomingly, but declined the ordeal of another public speech. We learn from later reports that he has reached his destination, and is by now probably well started on his studies.

- - - -

The Battle of the Bans.

E. I have a song to sing O.
J. Sing me your song O.

Yeomen of guard.

Let the singers singers
With vocal voices most vociferous,
In sweet vociferation out-vociferize
Even sound itself.

page 61

The prize offered by the students' Association for the best "Capping Song" was this year won by S. Eichelbaum with "Tempora," J. Brailsford's "Froggy" being place second.

It may not be too presumptuous on our part to suggest here that the printing is not the primary object for which a Capping song is because they were handed in rather late, several of the songs were this year not sung (sing, from old Latin singinare — "to whisper out of tune," a derivation evidently carefully studied by the Glee Club).

We should therefore suggest that for next year a date, say two months before the actual production, be fixed as the latest on which songs will be accepted. This will give ample time for practice, and both author and audience will have greater cause for satisfaction.

- - - -

The White Peril.

Guy H. Scholefield has an interesting article in the August number of the "Nineteenth Century." The article deals in an able manner with "The White Peril in Australasia," and contrasts the Immigration Acts of the Commonwealth of Australia with those of New Zealand, Canada, and the States.

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