Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Spike: or, Victoria College Review 1912

The Procession

The Procession

On looking up our copy of The Spike for October, 1910, we find that the procession of that year was described as "a successful innovation." The description goes on: "For several weeks a band of enthusiasts devoted their time and their energy to the preparation of such a students' procession as those which for some years past have marked diploma day at our sister Colleges."

page 39

Our Procession can no longer be termed an innovation, but, unfortunately, the second part of the above description is not so applicable as of yore. A committee was as usual set up to make preliminary arrangements, but in spite of all their efforts they were met with such a half-hearted response that for a time they almost despaired. There was a general lack of enthusiasm, and an unwillingness to help in the work of preparation. There seems to be at College a large body of students who, for want of a better term, may be described as Pseudo-blasè. Their one cry is for something new. They certainly offer suggestions (many of them of a weird and wonderful kind), but should they be asked to carry out these self-same suggestions, they remember that they will unfortunately be detained at the office on Capping Day. They appear entirely oblivious to the fact that from a sordid monetary point of view this procession is one of the best advertisements our Students' Association can have, and by its means we are enabled to fill the Town Hall, and incidentally the coffers of the said Association.

So much for those who could, but did not, take part in the procession.

By an oversight on the part of Mr. Bates, the morning of Capping Day was wet; but an urgent telegram from our indefatigable Secretary cleared this up, and from twelve to two the ram was stopped. It was found convenient for all parties to avoid the steep descent from Salamanca, and so the start was made from St. Peter's Schoolroom. A motley assembly foregathered, and were duly subjected to the camera-men. By a quarter past twelve we were under way. As usual, two mounted policemen were sent (quite unnecessarily) to add an air of dignity, and these were joined by a diminutive Tod Sloan on Auckland's lost racehorse (a Corporation draught-horse). We missed our old friend the dragon—(superannuated, and at present residing in the recesses above "the hop-floor on the top-floor" of the gym.)—but the Maoris, the Band (Oh, that Band!), the Territorials, and the Passive Resisters, were all there. Auckland's burglar scare was depicted very movingly—the burglars being finally caught and "run in" at the Lambton Police Station. Home Rulers, charming damsels, suffragettes, page 40 governors, "wowsers," were all there. Captain Scott was seen making his historic dash for the Pole.

An eloquent address in favour of Home Rule was interrupted by a lady, presumably of Irish extraction, who climbed on the waggon and refused to descend until she had explained the true position of Home Rule in Ireland.

Brightest and best of the innovations were the ballet-girls in costumes reminiscent of Johnston Street. They ogled policemen, Members of Parliament, wharf labourers, and flappers quite indiscriminately.

The Procession wound its way through the main streets, arriving at the Post Office at one o'clock. Here the various tableaux became separated, and each tried to explain to a laughing crowd why it was there. Beneath one waggon our worthy Mayor was seen listening to a representation of himself presenting one William Cornish with the Freedom of the City for bravery in defying our country's laws.

The homeward route was of an unrehearsed nature—many hurrying away to get to work in the afternoon—others heading for Kirk's and dinner. One gay Lochinvar, with his lady-love mounted behind him, attempted to ride his horse into one of the leading hostelries, but was ejected by the management.

On the whole, though not so strong numerically as in previous years, the procession was a success, as was proved by the well-filled hall which greeted the raising of the curtain in the Town Hall in the evening.