Stanford University.

Among the interested students in the gallery at the Capping Ceremony was James F. Lanagan, of Stanford Leland Junior University, California, U. S. A. Mr. Lanagan, in spite of Professor Sterr Jorhan's assertion that American students never make nay unseemly noise at pubic functions, seemed to enjoy himself; in fact he informed the President of the Students' Association that he had not felt so much at home since he left America. Unfortunately he was unable to be present at the Carnival and supper; he looked in at the dance for a short time, and expressed his admiration for the youth and beauty of Victoria College. Advantage was taken of his presence to exchange ideas, and on 3rd July Students' Association, after entertaining him at dinner, spent two or three hours discussing with him matters of interest to students, and gained a fair conception of American student life.

Electrical Engineering.

Professors and students have again been given an opportunity of displaying their fortitude in times of peril. During the term the lights have failed again on at least one occasion. We do not wish to discredit the abilities of the electricians in Wellington, but it is remarkable that Victoria College alone should so often be placed in darkness. On the occasion above page 69 referred to, Latin class was admiring h beauties of Horace's verses, when without any warning the light failed. One students—O'Regan by name—displayed remarkable resource : he lit innumerable matches and walked in and out of the class room five or six times; his actions one studious youth to declare that a second Diogenes had come to judgment. The Professor in the meantime regaled the class with witty anecdotes which he class enjoyed so immensely that they were almost sorry when the lights came on again.

"Students !"

This Magazine has always maintained that the matriculation standard should be raised, and observations we have made this year in no way decrease our support of such a reform. The reasons generally given in support of the change are that freshly matriculated students cannot do first year work: but our observations tend to show that some of them do not even try. There is a class of students who seem to think that silly puerile tricks, of which any schoolboy should be ashamed, are indications of the greatest genius. Such tricks include scribbling on the College furniture inane remarks which are the only indication the College has of the brain power of the depredators. Then there is the habit of altering and adding to the wording of notices on the notice board, another habit which might be left behind in the infant school. There are others : none of them however display remarkable talent; most of them are done for the annoyance of somebody, especially of the College janitor. Some students seem to forget that they are presumed to have left their rattles behind when they enter a University.

McGill University.

It was somewhat unfortunate for a large number of students that Professor Leacock, of the above University—which we understand is situated somewhat in Canada—paid us a visit at a time when students were infected with a mania for study. Those students who stayed away certainly missed the most interesting address to which we have had the pleasure of listening within the College walls. The subject of his address was "American and Canadian University Life, "and he gave a brief sketch of the history of those institutions, of their ideals, and of their attempts to live up to those ideals. He told us that many of the States make it their business that the University shall be the greatest thing on the Continent.

He also spoke of the way in which the American University have for the most broken away from the ideas and associations of the University of the Old Country; how, in his opinion at least, they were carrying their desire for novelty too far; giving prominence to singularly useless studies, as an instance of which he mentioned the study of Education. When he found that his diatribe against this branch of learning and not exactly appreciated, he backed down very neatly and finished "on the fence. "Inter alia, he told us he was looking for a million dollars; he gave us the thanksgiving hymn of his Alma Mater— he did not sing the hymn—and he palmed off several much-appreciated jokes, which were new—to us. The Professor was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation, which must have had a detrimental effect on the plaster.

P. S.—Dr. Knight, LL.D., occupied the chair.

In High places.

A recent number of the London "Spectator "contains an interesting review of New Zealand poetry, the chief interest of which to students of Victoria College consists in the fact that the only passage singled out for quotation is from the pen of S. S. Mackenzie. We are enabled to publish in another column the poem from which the selection was made.

It needed not the commendation of a reviewer to convince us of the excellence of the work of one whose talents have on so many occasions been at the service of the College, but a favorable criticism in a leading English review sets the seal upon our appreciation.

Australasian Students' Song Book.

A movement was lately set on foot in Australia for the collection into one volume of the best students' songs written in Australasia. At the request of the editors of the publication the Students' Committee has sent copies of all the Victoria College Capping songs for perusal, and we are glad to learn that many have been selected for inclusion in the collection. Some songs containing topical allusions have been much appreciated, and a request has been made that they be adapted so as to be suitable for general use. But there was one surprising comment from the publishers. They have committee the unpardonable sacrilege of questioning the Latinity of our College song ! ! !

Cricket Club.

It is now some years since a student of retiring habits ventured to suggest a Victoria College Cricket Club. A Hockey Club, a Football Club, flourished already, not to speak of a Tennis Club, which supplemented the attractions of combined doubles with the allurements of tea and bread and butter. Why not a cricket club ? The "leaders of College life, "fearful perhaps of the stability of the Tennis Club and the security of their bread and butter, regarded the project coldly—the thing, they said, was premature; the financial difficulties alone rendered the idea ridiculous, and finally they trusted that this mental aberration on his part was only temporary. For that year the cricket club idea died out.

Still the seed was manifestly there, as testified by the various sporadic attempts subsequently made; but the financial obstacles seemed always insurmountable. Last year a club was definitely formed and affiliated to the local controlling body, and there the matter ended.

In the interim, however, the cricketers of Victoria College have been thoroughly galvanised into activity, and are making gallant efforts to launch the club upon its career of usefulness as a permanent institution. Notwithstanding the very real disadvantage of having no regular practice facilities, the promoters have met with unexpected encouragement., and on the present showing it seems highly probable that two teams-one junior and one third grade, will take the field for College. Of course, we shall not win the championship this year. If we establish the club permanently upon a sound footing we shall be satisfied, and our prospects of doing this are tolerably bright.

It would be ungracious in us were we to conclude this brief review without a public acknowledgment of our deep gratitude to those who, though unable for various reasons to associate themselves practically with our club, have yet favored us with advice and criticism, the ripe fruits of a long and distinguished experience in local cricket. To those gentlemen our thanks. Meanwhile the subscription lists are still open, and the membership roll has still a few vacancies left for young gentlemen attending the University. Terms, 25s.

Officers Of Club.

• President : The Chairman, Professorial Board.
• Vice-Presidents : The Professors and Lecturers.
• Club-Captain : D. R. Niven. Vice-Captain : F. A. de la Mare.
• Secretary : A. MacDougal. Treasurer : V. B. Willis.
• Committee : H. F. O'Leary and W. Perry.

The Library.

The path of the librarian is not strewn with fragrant petals of blown roses, but the thoughtless acts—we put it as euphemistically as possible—of certain students conduce neither to the improvement of his temper nor to the lightening of his responsibilities. The friend who, while the lightening is at lectures, persists in engaging in continuous conversation, interesting to nobody but himself, has already been referred to, but is unfortunately still with us. But there are other habits which show much less thought for other students, and far greater personal selfishness, than even talking and moving about. We refer to the action of some students who—we presume at moments when no attention is directed to them—surreptitiously removes volume from the library shelves, and take them away for their own use. The librarian discovers that the books are gone, but of course has no trace of their-whereabouts till perhaps two or three weeks later he finds them lying on one of the library tables. If students wish to take books from the library there is a legitimate method of doing so; but we did think that this College possessed no students (we at least hope that they are only few in number) who are so mean—we will not say dishonest—as to do any such act as that just referred to.

Athletics.

The annual meeting of the Athletic Club was held last month, when the usual press-gangs had to be sent out before a quorum could be obtained. No question of overwhelming importance was discussed, but the report showed that if we are to win the University Athletic shield we must have been men good in events other than running events. We must train. The following officers were elected for the ensuing season :—Captain, G. V. Bogle; Committee, F. A. Wilson, A. H. Bogle; Treasurer, A. E. Dobbie; Secretary, J. M. Hogben.

Us.

Ever since the last issue of The Spike we have been overwhelmed with suggestions and directions guaranteed to improve the magazine. We have been unable to carry into effect many of these suggestions—we have not attempted to remember some page 73 of them—but we hope that the perpetrators of any suggestions that have been acted upon wholly to in part, such as V. B. Willis's, that we should reply to more correspondents, will take as much blame for the innovations as they can, and let us share any honors attached to them. A new feature in this number, only admitted after persistent advocacy of it in certain quarters, is the insertion of advertisements in the body of the magazine; the small number of such advertisements is due to the lateness of the decision to accept them. Other suggestions are still invited, especially those which assume the concerto form of contributions.