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The Spike: or, Victoria College Review, October 1906

[introduction]

To "Athletes, Tennisites, Debaters of Renown."

TThe pleasant memories of Easter 1906 have carried our buoyant steps so swiftly and imperceptibly along the road to the Tournament of 1907 that the ½ mile post has now been passed. Behind us, the path has been straight and level. In front, there is once more a long steep hill to climb, with obstacles here and there to test our mettle. But we have climbed steeper hills before, aye, even when the goal we sought was farther from us. Courage, therefore, comrades. Let our cry be still "Excelsior!"

In plain language, the second term is all but over; the November trials loom ahead—Christmas is coming! With the new year our athletes and tennis players must settle down to steady and consistent training. With the assistance of our chosen debaters, they must do their utmost not only to retain, but to add to the laurels we at present hold.

The scene of the next tournament will be Auckland, where some of us at least spent such a glorious holiday at Easter 1903.

Good Friday falls on the 29th March next, so that our representatives will need to leave Wellington on the 28th March for Auckland, where they will be the fortunate guests of the A.U.C. students till the following Wednesday afternoon. The return journey should be completed by the 5th April. It is important to note these dates, because they cover a period of eight days, and it will be necessary in some cases to arrange for leave of absence accordingly. It should be noted also that they come at the very beginning of the first term—perhaps even before the term begins—so that as far as lectures are concerned, there will be nothing to prevent students from devoting themselves seriously to the business of the tournament.

In certain respects the trip to Auckland is par excellence the most enjoyable of the series. In the first place, three out of the four Colleges meet in Wellington and travel together as one big, happy party for about 400 miles—a day's journey by rail, about twelve hours at sea. What opportunities for friendship here! What scope for chivalry! Secondly, as the teams cannot return earlier than by the boat which leaves on the Wednesday after Easter, some of Auckland's beauty spots can be seen by visiting students on the Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. Then page 47 again there is the homeward journey—Dunedin, Christchurch. Wellington students strangers to each other no longer, all seeking to cement friendships formed in the preceding days.

What a time we had in 1903! Who that was there could ever forget the game of "Follow the leader" on board the "Ngapuhi," when every man had to tie his tie in a bow, &c., or the Maori haka, which the whole company learned from the Otago students in about an hour. Who does not remember the "physical drill" under "Captain" Moyes? The writer does at any rate, for he was condemned to death for talking in the ranks, and but for the rebellious action of his comrades who refused to throw him overboard these lines would probably not have been written! And then the "assault" on Murphy's fruit shop in New Plymouth at 6 a.m. after the trip from Onehunga. Oh, what a time that was!

Victoria College will want recruits to take the places of those members of last year's team who for various reasons will be dropping out this year. and it behoves all students to take an interest—active or passive—in the personnel of our team. Let it be remembered then:—
1.That the tournament is managed by a Committee of delegates, two from each College.
2.That it consists of three distinct parts—tennis, debating and athletics, in each of which there is a championship challenge trophy.
3.The prizes are bronze medals, inscribed with the arms of the N.Z. University.
4.Only two representatives are allowed in each event from each College, except that in the Ladies' Singles and Ladies' Doubles Tennis Championships three entries are allowed.
5.The tennis matches are played on Easter Saturday and Tuesday; the debate is held on Saturday evening; and the athletic sports on Easter Monday.
6.A dance and a pic-nic are usually given to the visiting students by the hosts.
7.As regards eligibility, students must have matriculated and must have attended two-thirds of the lectures in any one N.Z. University subject within the twelve months preceding the date of the tournament at which they compete. (Note: For the purposes of the tournament page 48 rules, Matriculation includes Solicitors' General Knowledge and Medical Preliminary exams.)*
8.Concessions are obtained in railway and steamer fares, and it is expected that the Students' Association will again make a contribution towards the expenses of representatives.
9.Representatives are "billetted" when desired.

With such a bill-of-fare, who will not seek a place in our team for 1907?