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"Estoilles Argent"

The following is a letter received by Mr. G. F. Dixon, acknowledging a copy of the 1934 Foundation Number of Spike. The writer is a former student of Victoria College now resident in New York:—

"It means much to an exile to find the Spike in the Mail to know oneself remembered by one of the 'Old Clay Patchers.' I am writing to the Editor asking to be put on the mailing list—the subscription seems very low to one accustomed to American rates.

"Students, I find, are much the same the world over, and the authorities above them are also much the same. Revolt from war is the theme song of youth in the universities here, and it would seem to be the same at home. Their courage is admirable at present. I hope it will not dissolve in the acid of popular opinion if war should threaten. As I recall it we had no such powerful emotion to move us. Life was calm, and we knew exactly what was right and what was wrong. We were earnestly of the opinion that if you worked hard and did your duty you were sure to succeed. It was a plepsant creed and a happy life. There is no such naive outlook here. Life appears grim to the graduates and they keep their feet firmly on the ground, picking their way bravely among the wreckage of the last five years. At least these post-war people have the facts, even though presented somewhat brutally, of what they face.

"It will be interesting to see what they make out of the world that tumbled about our ears. So I am enormously interested in watching out students at home, especially those of my own Alma Mater."

* * * *

This year the College seems to have reawakened to the fact that the replacement of our gymnasium is long overdue. Whether the photo in last year's Spike of the gymnasium on its opening day, with the caption, as it was in the beginning . . .?" stung people into activity is a matter of conjecture, but the Building Committee was severely criticised at the annual meeting for having failed to meet during the past year. In view of "frozen credit" and "economic stagnation," the Committee perhaps may be excused for its hibernation, but the time now seems propitious for further activity. A visit to other Varsity centres is not necessary to realise the need for replacement—the building creaks for itself. The action of the Dramatic Club and the Law Society in devoting the proceeds of their entertainments to the Building Fund is one that Spike most warmly commends. The example is one that can be emulated by all clubs and individuals, for as yet we have not a tenth of the funds necessary for a new building.

* * * *

Through Mr. D. M. Burns accepting a position in Christchurch, Victoria College students lost one of their ablest executive officers. As a member of the Executive for nearly four years, and its Secretary for one year, Mr. Burns' sustained attention to student affairs is well known. We take this opportunity of wishing him every success in his present venture.

* * * *

On the 5th June of this year a well-attended meeting of the Court of Convocation was held. After having been in abeyance for several years, this Court shows definite signs of revival, and it is to be hoped that the interest will be sustained. Its existence is desirable, it being capable of promoting the welfare of the College and countering attacks such as we were subjected to two years ago. This year the most important matter discussed was student representation on the College Council. A resolution in favour of such representation was carried by a large majority. Discussion on the question whether the Court should make recommendations for nominations for the College Council ended in a unanimous resolution to the effect that the Court should make no such recommendations. Mr. C. S. Plank was appointed Secretary to the Court and he may be communicated with at 15 Braithwaite Street, Wellington.

* * * *

From time to time it has been pointed out that the attempts of Spike to mix literary efforts with a record of College activities has not been successful. Full justice has not been done to either. In spite of the protests, which began page 54 nearly twenty years ago, the system has continued till the present time. If the efforts of the Literary Society are successful, however, next year may see a radical change. That Club is now circularising the College to discover if it would be possible to start a quarterly magazine devoted primarily to literary efforts, after the style of Phoenix and Oriflamme. It contends that the sphere of neither Spike nor Smad will be encroached upon; but this seems unlikely, for both these journals find difficulty in obtaining consistently good material, and this in spite of the fact that Spike only appears annually. Granted that the present system is unsatisfactory, it seems improbable that a third magazine can be run with success, and, moreover, it is rumoured that there is a likelihood of Weir House starting a fourth. A notable improvement, however, would be to issue an enlarged Smad at the end of every year, containing a summary of the club activities, thus leaving Spike to devote itself to literary work, and so enable it to build up an even greater reputation than it now enjoys in that direction. If, in this form, it were placed under the control of the Literary Society, it should receive every stimulus towards becoming a first-class literary magazine.

* * * *

On his election as President of the New Zealand National Union of Students, Mr. R. J. Larkin is to be congratulated. To be so elected is a fitting honour for the holder of a long succession of Varsity offices, including that of joint editorship of Spike last year. With such experience behind him, we feel sure that he will fill his present office with distinction.

* * * *

Under the wills of the late Mr. A. D. Crawford and the late Mr. A. R. Atkinson the College has received two very liberal benefactions. The former bequest amounts to £2000 for the Library and £3000 for the endowment of scholarships; while the latter is a gift of 1200 books for the Library and a share in the residuary estate approaching £3000. To a College such as ours these bequests are of value far beyond their monetary estimate. We are in an unfortunate position of financial dependence that makes us peculiarly sensitive to changes of Government policy, and prevents us from possessing that freedom which is so desirable for a University. Bequests such as these are steps towards the attainment of this independence, and knowledge of this fact increases our gratitude.

* * * *

Spike's literary prize was won this year by Miss Margaret Perrett whose poem The Man was adjudged the best contribution. The photographic prize was won by Mr. R. A. Davison with his entry of Turere, Orongorongo. The respective winners of the Literary Society's prize for the best verse and the best short story were Miss Margaret Lloyd and Mr. O. A. E. Hughan. The former's entry was Coal Hulks, Wellington Harbour, and the latter's Wedding Eve.

* * * *

This year Victoria was represented in the Bledisloe Medal Oratory Contest by two women students, Miss C Forde and Miss D. Souter. The former's speech was on James Edward Fitzgerald, and she is to be congratulated on the favour it found with the Dunedin judges, who awarded her the medal.

* * * *

Our good wishes are extended to the Rhodes Scholarship nominees for this year, Mr. H. J. M. Abraham, B.Sc, and Mr. C. M. P. Brown, B.A. Both men have taken keen interest in Varsity matters, Mr. Abraham's activities being Maths and Physics Society, and Athletics, and Mr. Brown's Debating, Free Discussions Club and Weir House. We trust that at least one, if not both, will place Victoria's name on the Rhodes list again.

* * * *

Last month saw the departure for England of Mr. D. W. McElwain, M.A. Having won a Post Graduate Scholarship in Arts, he is proceeding to the University of London, with the aim of ultimately taking a Ph.D. degree. We expect to hear further tidings of Mr, McElwain, who carries with him the best wishes of acquaintances at V.U.C.

* * * *

During the year a James Mcintosh Travelling Scholarship was awarded to Mr. A. E. Field-house, M.A. To fulfil the conditions of this scholarship Mr. Fieldhouse is undertaking educational research in England, with special reference to the teaching of music in schools. To him, also, we extend our very best wishes.

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Another student leaving New Zealand in search of greater knowledge is Mr. F. B. Shor-land, M.Sc, who leaves this month, armed with a National Research Scholarship for two years' study at Liverpool University. His specialty is fish-liver oils, and he will undertake extensive study in that branch of research. Mr. Shorland was a 1932 graduate, and while at V.U.C. his efforts were instrumental in the formation of the College Harrier Club

* * * *

A former student of V.U.C, Mr. Diamond Jenness, was honoured this year by the University of New Zealand. In recognition of his prominence in anthropological research the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature was bestowed upon him. Dr. Jenness's headquarters are at the National Museum, Ottawa.

* * * *

Our congratulations are extended to Mr. G. A. Peddic and Miss Dulcie Hansen on their marriage. Their respective associations with V.U.C. have extended over several years; Mr. Peddie's as a student and later as a lecturer, and Miss Hansen's as a member of the office staff. We wish them every felicitation for the future.

* * * *

The editorial staff are greatly indebted to Mr. I. D. Campbell, editor of 1933 Spike, for the assistance he has given us this year. Besides giving the benefit of his experience he prepared for us an excellent series of posters and undertook a great deal of proof reading. We are also indebted to Mr. J. R. Lott for his execution of the cover drawing from a design by Mr. B. A. Snowball. To Mr. Carl Watson we are further indebted for our editorial heading and initial letters.

* * * *

No College Notes would be complete without reference to Weir House. Former Spikes have extolled its virtues, emphasised its responsibilities and enlarged upon its situation. To those who are not residents it always appears as a most attractive institution; its palatial comforts never cease to impress. Fortunate is the committee that has a Weir member in its ranks; no more desirable place can be found for a meeting than his room—in fact, no committee is really complete without a Weir resident. And to accept an invitation for supper or afternoon tea is not only to be entertained in cheerful surroundings, but is to be given the delightful opportunity of studying undergraduate life at its best. One is always reminded of Christopher Morley's description of the inhabitants of College quadrangles: "One can never resist a throb of amazement at the entertaining youthfulness of these young monks. How quaintly juvenile they are, and how oddly that assumption of grave superiority sits upon their golden brows! With what an inimitable air of wisdom, cynicism, ancientry, learned aloofness and desire to be observed do they stroll to and fro across the quads, so keenly aware in their inmost bosoms of the presence of visitors and determined to grant an appearance of mingled wisdom, great age, and sad doggishness! What a devil-may-care swing to the stride, what a non-chalence in the perpetual wreath of cigarette smoke, what a carefully assumed bearing of one carrying great wisdom lightly and easily casting it aside for the moment in the pursuit of some waggish trifle. 'Here' those very self-conscious young visages seem to betray is one who might tell you all about the Holy Roman Empire, and yet is, for the moment, diverting himself with a mere mandolin.'"