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 University College Review, October 1917

Memorial Service

Memorial Service.

The Memorial Service in the Gymnasium on August 3rd was attended by a very large number of students. Professor Easterfield gave a short address in memory of the fallen, emphasizing the fact that these men had gone to the front neither for nor from love of fighting, and that to many of those most eager to go, the idea of fighting was quite distasteful. Inspired by higher ideals, they fought for their country, and if, through their example, we have learned to strive after equally high ideals, their death has not been in vain. Our duty as survivors is to make our Empire worthy of the memory of these great men to "ring out the darkness of the land, and ring in the Chirst that is to be." Our sorrow for these men we knew and loved is tempered by the certainty of a future life.

Bishop Sprott then led the intercessions.

Finally the Roll of Honour was read by the President of the Students' Association.

* * *

The recent heavy rains have wrought havoc around the gymnasium, having on one occasion caused slips behind and a washout in front, the latter carrying away the clay over the tennis courts. We have, however, to thank the Council for coming to our assistance and cleaning away the debris, and we are, in fact, in a better position than previously, for the Council has most generously built concrete gutters round the gymnasium to prevent further trouble. While these works were proceeding, tennis players were anxiously looking on, in hopes that the concreting of the south-eastern bank would be undertaken at the same time. However, this was not to be, but we have page 43 the assurance of the City Engineer (who is on the Council) that when the required labour is available the matter will be taken in hand.

* * *

We had hoped in this issue to be able to strike a happy note in connection with University Reform, and for this reason all mention of the subject was withheld from last number. We must now go into all the details. Early last term, activity originated in the Free Discussions Club with a view to uniting the student body of the University of New Zealand in making their stand for University Reform and more especially for the abolition of the external examination system. It was thought that, the undergraduates above all others have an opportunity of realizing the iniquity of this system, and it is they above all others who suffer directly. We felt, therefore, that if the undergraduate body could only be united in their protest, an enlightened governing body could scarcely neglect this opinion. If the present system does not teach those who work under it to make an accurate estimate of its merits, then stands self-condemned.

Accordingly, a Special general Meeting of the Students' Association was called to discuss the matter. At this meeting it was resolved that the other University Colleges should be circularised with a view to obtaining their co-operation in approaching simultaneously the Senate, the Board of Studies, and the respective Profeshorial boards, and it is noteworthy that at the meeting there was not one single dissentient vote or speaker. This fact shows clearly either that not one single student in Victoria University College was found to be in support of the present system, or did not have the courage of his convictions—and he who has not the courage of his convictions we surely can neglect. So far so good. This result was all we could expect—it was what we feel we had a right to expect, and we hopefully looked forward to cooperation with the other Colleges. Imagine our surprise when one College after another replied that they considered that the advantages of the present system far outweighed its disadvantages.

Far be it from us to discuss here the merits of the question. Elsewhere in this issue there is a report of an ad page 44 dress by Professor Hunter on University Reform, and he who runs may read; but surely we have a right to feel sorry that our labour for the present seems in vain, not because our labour is lost, but because the achievement of our aim is delayed. We feel that the day will come when the three Colleges will share our opinions and, not discouraged by this one failure, we can strive resolutely to bring that day nearer.