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The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review October 1905

Tennis

page 39

Tennis

Sketch of people playing tennis

The courts are dismantled, neglected,
The gates are deserted and barred
And those once so joyful—dejected.
Are doing their "three months' hard."

Up the hill for a term of hard labour,
With a spirit that never was broke,
You will find every man and his neighbour
Each doing the Government stroke.

Each man is the pride of some calling,
A bright and particular star,
From the foreman, who dies all the bawling,
To the clerk-a light of the bar.

And now in variety riggings,
Each a pick and a shovel has brought,
So that when they go back to their diggings
Next year, they 'll be not—out of court.

"It is a matter for regret," remarked Neave, meditatively, as raised his pickaxe for another mighty stroke, "It is a matter for regret to the development of the highest mental power."

—Extract from Beere's "Philosophical Converstions." (British Navvy Series.)

"OOurs is so young a club," wrote the official recorder in the first number of The Spike, "that this historian has been unable to ascertain that any of its members have attained fame through the practice of moral qualities acquired on its parliamentary Tennis Court." The day of Victoria College on the Parliamentary Tennis Courts is drawing to a page 40 close . Soon they will be deserted, except for a few wandering ghosts which will ever hover round the sacred spot. But the moral qualities, forsooth! That historian lived to see the old courts deserted by men who were willing to forsake the delights of racket and flannel for the stern hardship of shovel and moleskin. That historian himself wielded a festive pickaxe about the time the photograph was taken on Saturday the 9th September, 1905. When the historian of the future tells of the opening to Courts on the hill the list of moral heroes will be too long to publish.

- - - -

The committee which had been set up at Annual Meeting to watch the College site, the College Council, and things in general, in the interests of the Tennis Club, sought inspiration on several occasions in deep draughts of "Kiosk" tea—and waited developments. The site of the Courts was raised and leveled at the instance of the Council by means of earth taken from the contract excavations. Would be needed for four courts, and that even for three a perceptible slice of the hill would have to be cut away.

- - - -

Now the tennis season was close at hand, and if the work was to be of use for this season something must be done at once. But there were no funds. It dawned on the Committee that if the work was to be done at all it must be done for love. But love, though an excellent thing in itself, does not appeal to building contractors in their capacity as contractors. So it fell that the appeal was made to the more susceptible hearts of the students, and on the first auspicious day thirty-two amateur navies met to do battle on Salamanca Hill.

- - - -

The First Sod.

The prime Minister had kindly consented to turn the first sod, and shortly after half past two the deed was done. Mr. Seddon made a short, simple speech. It was, he said, appropriate that an old digger should find gold that day, he thought our efforts to help ourselves would not go unrewarded. He page 41 spoke of the value of physical exercise, and the University spirit which would rise in the hearts of those who joined in this loving service to our alma mater. Then Dr. Knight thanked the combined Ministers of Labour and Education on behalf of the students and of the College . Mr. Seddon, in replying, said that he had been delighted to hear of the way in which the students of Victoria College had subscribed towards the Building. They were there helping themselves that day, and he would anticipate the Public Works Statement so far as to say that parliament would be asked to vote the £6000 asked for by the College Council.

- - - -

So the first sod was turned, and so we found gold at the first strike. The Premier wheeled the first barrow load, and then rode away amidst cheers. Now the picks rose and fell in fierce earnest. Professor Von Zedlitz, and with him Dr. Knight, led a frontal attack with such vigour that they were soon able to leave their men in possession of the trenches of the enemy. In the meantime Professor Kirk, Mr. T. A. Hunter (he ought to be a professor) and Mr. Von Haast made a furious onslaught on the right wing, which was maintained throughout the afternoon. A reinforcement under H. P. Richmond did good service at the afternoon tea adjournments.

- - - -

This was but the first of a series. The ground is slowly being made, though Victoria College is gradually comprehending the wisdom of Mahomet when he decided to go to the mountain. The thanks of the Tennis Club are due to the ladies who have provided our horny-handed sons of toil with the cup that cheers; to Dr. Kinght, who has taken a great and active interest in our plans; to H. Sladden, whose surveying skill has been very valuable; and to all those who have helped and are helping in the business of the hour.

- - - -

Just a word about our plans. When the levels have been pegged it is proposed to form two courts on the space which is at present available. As the ground is all "made," and will no doubt settle considerably, permanent courts will not be laid for some time. It is hoped, however, that a coating of tar and sand will give a good top-dressing to the clay, and enable tennis to be played this season. This is experimental, but some competent judges consider that the surface will be a good one. It page 42 is probable that the third court will be ready before the other two, if not sooner. But the fourth—well, that will depend upon upon excavations and carriage-derives, and will be a next season's dream; the dream is, however, funded upon a rock, a big rock, but not an impregnable rock; the interpretation of the bream lies in the word "work."

Tennis Officers.

Owing to the lateness of the last Tennis Meeting, the list of officers could not appear in the last issue of The Spike. The following were elected:—

President: Professor Kirk.

Vice-President: F. A. de la Mare.

Secretary: O. Prouse.

Treasurers: S. Eichelbaum.

Committee: Misses L. Mackellar, F. Roberts and M. Cox.

Messrs. R. Beere, G. Bogle. and G. Smith.

Hon. Auditor: H. P. Richmond.

Delepgates to Wellington Lawn Tennis Association:

H. P. Richmond and J. Graham.

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