Students' Association

Since last issue of "The Spike," Students' Association activities have proceeded much as usual.

During the term several social teas have been held, including two in the short vacation. All have proved a success and have played their part in the social side of College life.

On the Monday of the Peace Celebrations a Peace Dance was held in the College Gymnasium, and proved a great success. Now that the Association has decorative material of its own, something really artistic in the way of decorations can be undertaken. It is to be hoped the dingy flags that once made an apology for decorations are now a thing of the past. An innovation has been introduced, in that a resume of the business of each Executive Meeting is posted up in the College Hall after the meeting. This ensures every student knowing exactly what activities are going on, and gives students an opportunity to air their views to members of the Executive. Thus it is hoped greater co-operation and closer contact will be brought about between the Executive and the students.

The Council has been approached on the matter of allowing the Association to hold working bees for planting ivy, or some other suitable creeper, for the purpose of beautifying the College building. It is probable that a start will soon be made in this direction.

A definite step has been taken with regard to a Residential College. The Association approached the Council, Professorial Board, and Graduates' Association, with the result that two representatives were appointed from each of these bodies. The idea is to have the land to the south of the College, and at present unused, levelled and laid out in playing fields, page 39 in addition to the building of residential quarters. We now await the report of an architect and a civil engineer on the possibility of the scheme.

The ways and means of obtaining a new piano have occupied the attention of the Executive for some time past, and arrangements have now been made for the production of three plays after the degree examinations. The producing is in the hands of Mr. Broad. Arrangements have also been made for holding a Flower Sale on September 3 for the same purpose. Also, the Students' Association is combining with the Glee Club in turning on a concert on the last night of the degree examinations.

A College Company has now been formed, which means that all students who are in the Territorials parade at the College. The advantages, of this arrangement are many, and the company is now in good working order and promises to be a success in every way.

As no nominations were forthcoming to the Professorial Board's request for applications for the Rhodes Scholarship, the Executive felt that it could not allow the College to be unrepresented. Thinking Mr. Wiren most eminently suitable in every way, it approached him and obtained his consent to allow himself to be nominated. All will wish Mr. Wiren success.

Up to date, one Special General Meeting of the Association has been held, viz., on 20th August. There were three motions dealt with:—

1.

Mr. Morice moved and Mr. Miller seconded: "That in view of the consummation of peace and the formation of a League of Nations, this meeting believes that the time has come for the diminution of international armaments, and the reduction of military training in all lands. We consider that the proposed extension of military training in New Zealand, involving a period of four months in a military training camp, will prove detrimental to the highest interests of the community. We consider that as far as possible the physical and military training of the youth of the country should be carried on under conditions which will make as little break as possible in home life. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister."

After several amendments the motion was finally lost.

2.	Mr. Wiren moved, Mr. Mansfield seconded, a motion for the centralising of all the College Clubs.

It was resolved to refer the scheme to a committee consisting of one representative from each College Club, together with the mover and seconder, the scheme thus discussed and approved of to be submitted to a further General Meeting.

The Committee met and the scheme is now ready for presentation to the General Meeting. It is as follows:—

(1).

That the Professorial Board, in pursuance of its powers under Section 32 of the Victoria College Act, 1905, be requested to forward, with its own entire approval, the following recommendation to the College Council: "That there be established at Victoria University College a Consolidated Club Fund in lieu of the present system of club subscriptions."

And in the event of the above being carried, to move:

(2).	That this meeting recommends that the following be incorporated in the rules relating to any fund so established:

• Subscription—

  (a)	Subscription to be the sum of 10s. 6d.
  (b)	Such sum to be payable by all students attending lectures, and to be governed by the regulations affecting the payment of the College fees.
  (c)	The Registrar shall transmit such subscriptions to the Treasurer of the V.U.C.S.A.

Effect of subscription.—

(a)

Upon such payment students may on application and without payment of further subscription become members of each of the following clubs (hereinafter referred to as "Constituent Clubs"), provided they abide by the constitutions of such clubs: Students' Association. Athletic Club. Basketball Club. Boxing Club. Cricket Club. Football Club.page 40 Hockey Club (Men's or Women's). Tennis Club. Chess and Draughts Club. Christian Union. Debating Society. Free Discussions Club. Glee Club. Haeremai Club (or Women's Club).

(b)

No club shall levy any additional subscription, charge, or payment upon any student without the consent of the Executive.

It was finally resolved to drop the matter until matches had been played with other University Colleges.

During the term a Smoke Concert was tendered to Mr. Meldrum, last years' Rhodes Scholar, by members of the Association. Although the page 41 number present was not great, the proceedings were marked by much enthusiasm, and formed a fitting farewell to Mr. Meldrum, on his departure from amongst us to take up the Scholarship. Mr. Wiren presided, and spoke very highly of Mr. Meldrum's relations with the College. Mr. Meldrum was now about to leave our small College for one of the oldest and most famous Universities of the world, but he felt sure, whatever he might take up, or wherever he might be, Mr. Meldrum would always be a credit to Victoria.

Mr. Meldrum, in reply, thanked members for entertaining him, and asked us not to think little of Victoria because although we were only in a small way. It was the spirit of the students that made a University great, and that spirit Victoria undoubtedly possessed.

The concert terminated, after several toasts and musical items, with the repeated singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and much cheering.