The meeting of the old exec. on Tuesday was as usual, lengthy and a number of important questions were discussed.

New Skis.

The earlier business, such as the cost of the new N.Z.U.S.A. room and the quality of the material in the blue blazer, was interrupted by the entry of Mr. Perry with refreshing talk of mountain slopes. He wanted a pair of skis, but after an almost too thorough investigation the Exec., who were feeling poor, decided that the Tramping Club was not proficient enough to warrant these new skis.

Hockey Reps. Get Their Way.

Representatives of the Hockey Clubs (the women being particularly fierce) gained their object, and Mr. Wild's remarks on "precedents" were disregarded. Members of touring hockey teams are to be financially assisted.

Peace and War Ballot.

Blaes' recommendations were quickly disposed of, but a letter from Canterbury asking the Stud. Ass. to organise a ballot on the peace and war question roused discussion. There was disapproval of the proposed questionnaire—cautious murmurings were heard: should the Exec. be associated with these things?—was it the Exec.'s business: Supper intervened, however, and, strengthened by coffee and asparagus rolls and some judicious arguments from Nora McLaren, the Exec. passed a motion of approval and support without any audible dissension.

Valedictory.

A moving farewell letter from Doug. Burns was read, and everybody seemed to realise how greatly his services would be missed.

Accounts and Annual Report.

The accounts were lengthy and troublesome, and it was 1.15 before the first item on the agenda was reached. Everybody was nearly asleep and McGhie read his annual report without arousing any criticism.

Too Succinct for Man.

The Cockpit has already been groaning under a burden of religious controversy arising out of Dr. Kagawa's address, but I thought a somewhat remarkable statement of Napoleon's might be of interest to your readers, especially as its clarity and brevity are a welcome change from the abstruseness of some of your correspondents.

"My religion is very simple," Napoleon said. "I look at this universe, so vast, so complex, so magnificent, and I say to myself that it cannot be the result of chance but the work, however intended, of an unknown omnipotent being, as superior to man as the universe is superior to the finest machines of human invention. Search the philosophers, and you will not find a stronger or more decisive argument. But this truth is too succinct for man. He wishes to know respecting himself, and respecting his future destiny, a crowd of secrets which the universe does not disclose. Allow religion to inform him of that which he feels the need of knowing, and respect her disclosures."

F.C.

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