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The Spike: or, Victoria College Review 1912

University Christian Social Service League

University Christian Social Service League.

This League is the outcome of the spirit of social service manifest in the students of most Universities a1 the present day, and which was in New Zealand brought to the point of delimit-expression by the Christian Union Conference held at Cambridge, Dec 1911-Jan. 1912.

The objects of the League are thus stated in the Constitution:—

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(1)The study of social questions, and of the application of Christian principles to these questions.
(2)The enlistment of members in social work on Christian lines.
(3)The securing of the interest and co-operation of past students.

The founders of the League, believing that an ultimate solution of social questions can be found only by the application to them of the teaching's of Christ, have limited the right to hold office to active members make this declaration: "I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ"; but the Constitution is so framed as to give to associate members (being those who, while not prepared to subscribe to the above declaration, are willing to assist in the practical work of the League) the right to vote on all matters at a general meeting.

The work at present undertaken lies among the boys and girls of Central Wellington.

The Women's Branch has begun a club for girls between 10 and 17 years old, living in Tory Street and the surrounding districts.

At present the Club meets only once a week, when classes in drill and are sewing followed by competitions and supper. It is hoped that a house will soon be obtained, and work carried on somewhat on the lines of the Sydney University Settlement.

The Men's Branch has control of the educational and religious work of the Boys' Institute. The educational classes are for the benefit of those boys who, having left school after passing the 4th standard, desire to obtain certificates of proficiency in the work of the higher standards. The religious work includes the holding of a Sunday evening service for the boys of Wellington and the conduct of a Bible Study Class.

There is abundant scope in this work for the employment of diverse talents. So a hearty invitation to join the League is extended to all who desire to give something of their time and abilities to those less fortunately situated than themselves.

Women's Branch.

Some women students began the formation of the Girls' Club by collecting small children from the cheery lanes in the vicinity of Tory and Taranaki Streets, and telling them of the proposed arrangements. Interest was further stimulated by a wild and unruly pincic to Island Bay, with eight or nine children, who enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The first meeting was held in page 74 the Vivian Street Sunday Schoolroom, the temporary clubroom, und there little groups of eight or nine children sew eagerly at mysterious articles, which reveal themselves, on closer inspection, as tea-towels, oven-cloths, kettle-holders, and clusters. These are ill intended for "our house—a house o' dreams—which is so real in each child's thoughts that pennies are actually saved from the clutches of that penny snatcher, the sweet shop man, and kept to help towards "our house," as they term our club-room which is to be.

A listener might hear startling remarks sometimes about the students in command, who may possibly have been encountering small children, and coming off decidedly second best, the climax being reached when a small child turned and mutter-angrily "mingy devil." Of course, most club nights end with one dispute al least, but in spite of the oft-repeated threat, "We arn't coming no more," the injured infants invariably turn up next time, smiling amiably through the dirt.

What the children think of the Club is told by a composite letter from hem, written amid great excitement:—

"I am now going to tell you a little of the performance we go through at our club, in a room at the back of the Baptised Church. When we get to club, we begin to drill, which 1 like very much. If we are early, that is seven o'clock, we get a red wafer alongside our name. We then all divide up into groups, A, B, C, D. A's group sews dusters, B's group sews tea-towls, C's group sews kettle-holders, D's group sews oven-cloths, as we are all very busy making things for our own house, which we hope to have soon. We enjoy the evening very much, but the most pleasing time is watching the wafers being put up. One is for punctuation (?). one for the best driller, and another for the one who improve most in four days.

"After supper, we have to get a hymn book each, and then we choose a very pretty little one and a teacher plays the organ while we sing. When we have finished we go home, hoping text Thursday will soon be round."

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Hockey.—Ist XI.

Hockey.—Ist XI.

Back Row.—Gaze, Griffiths, Bowler, Salek, Burbidge

Front Row.—C. Strack, Rowntree, Beere, G.Strack, Morice, Dunn.