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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1937. Volume 8. Number 15.

Smad. An Organ of Student Opinion At Victoria University College, Wellington, N.Z

page 1
title

Smad. An Organ of Student Opinion

At Victoria University College, Wellington, N.Z.

Vol VIII No. 15.

Wellington

September 23, 1937.

A Little Disappointing

Dramatic Club's Review.

On Friday and Saturday 10th. and 11th. last the Dramatic Club staged its concluding production for the year, a revue show followed afterwards by supper and dancing. Good audiences showed their appreciation of bright spots, notably Guy Bliss a la Stanley Holloway telling the story of "Our Edward" and "the Belle who went from Baltimore to Belvedere." the "Red Terror" and Cora Duncan's solo Eastern Dance.

"Smad" was frankly disappointed. The show did not have the uniform excellence of past productions. Some parts were good, others were definitely not so good. The humour was not up to 'Varsity standard.

The ballets were good, but it must be remembered that not everybody can sing, a fact which was painfully brought to the attention of the audience by one very flat pseudo crooner. Admittedly he was too far away from the piano, but even then . . .

Also John Carrad seems to have slipped. He imposed upon the audience for a few minutes and the result was one low joke so disgusting treat it did not even draw a single laugh.

Enough of that. The cleverest piece in the show was a take off of the harmonising of the Don Cossack Choir, with one prolonged bass note at the end. Everyone enjoyed the imitation of radio 2ZB's dashing style with a nonstop commentary throughout.

"Smad" may have gone expecting too much but next time we hope it will not be too hard to pep up the singing and the humour. The Dramatic Club has a tradition to maintain.

Annual Meeting of Tennis Club

The V.U.C. Tennis Club held its Annual Meeting on the 15th. and the following officers were elected:

Patron: Mr. G. Eichelbaum.

President: Mr. Plank.

Vice-Presidents: The retiring

Vice-Presidents were re-elected.

Chairman: Mr. E. G. Budge.

Hon. Secretary: Mr. Sandford.

Hon. Treasurer Mr. J. Smythe.

Committee: Misses Singleton, McClean, Philips, Pears, and Messrs Brock, Mitchell, Pasley, and Renouf.

Life Membership, W.L.T.A.: Miss D. Briggs.

Mr. Budge stated that an endeavour was being made to improve the background to the courts by removing the hedge and substituting a wooden fence.

Mr. Ferkin's offer of his services as coach on Saturdays was accepted with thanks.

Rifle Shooting.

University Club.

At the 15th Annual General Meeting of the Victoria University College Defence Rifle Club held recently, Mr. H. M. Sansum presided over a good attendance of members.

The Annual Report and Balance Sheet showed that the Club had completed a most successful season with excellent prospects for the future, and that the financial position was sound.

Amendments to the Constitution which were passed, provided for the deletion of clauses dealing with (a) that the Hon. Secretary be Club Delegate to the V.U.C. College of Electors, and (b) that the Tournament Delegates for the time being be ex officio members of the Club Committee.

The election of Officers resulted as follows:—

Patron: Major-General J. E. Duigan.

Vice-Patrons Prof. E. J. Boyd-Wilson, S. T. Tisdall, Esq.

President: Mr. B. D. A. Greig.

Deputy-President: Mr. .J. B. C. Taylor.

Hon. Secretary: Mr. C. J. Gates.

Hon. Treasurer: Mr. G. T. Ryan.

Committeemen: Mr. H. T. G.

Olive and Mr. T. R. C. Muir.

General business included provision being made for a new Club Constitution to be drafted for presentation to the next Annual General Meeting, and an addition to the rules for the conduct of the Club Championship Competition.

S.C.M. Officers

At the Annual General Meeting of the S.C.M., the following officers were elected:—
  • Patron: Mr. A. B. Cochran.
  • President: Mr. S. G. Andrews.
  • Vice-President: Miss Lynette Dallard.
  • Hon. Secretary: Mr. H. C. Arnold.
  • Hon. Treasurer: Mr. W. G. Patterson.
  • Recording Secretary: Miss Jane Burdett.
  • Committee: Miss Joy Osborn,
  • Miss Elma Johnston, Mr. C. A. Webster.

On Seeing a Street Cleaner at Work

Street Cleaner with your horse and cart
'Tis thus you earn your crust.
And they, who mock you, have [unclear: no] heart;
That say your brains are rust.

I, too, could mock you if I had
A home to call my own,
Someone whose life I could make glad . . .
Where has my Loved One flown?
With you. while in my grief I mope,
My heart still labours on,
To clear the wreck-strewn path of Hope
Until my life is gone.

—M.L.

A Cautionary Tale.

Demonstrating the Advantages of a University Education in Rural Areas.

Come, Muse! From Empyrean heights,
Descend, oh fount of pure delights!
Give me assistance, if you can
To sing of that unhappy man—
Poor Farmer Brown, whose cows would try
Their very best to multiply,
But always failed—(there were. you see,
No bulls in the locality!)
Now Farmer Brown, unhappily,
Had never been to 'Varsity:
He didn't know (nor did his wife)
The very simplest "facts of life,"
And thought his cows would propagate
Without assistance from a mate!
Now. Farmer Brown was wont to browse
For hours on end among his cows,
And noticed, as he strolled one day
Among his lowing herd, that they
Had looks of longing in their eyes.
"I wonder what that look implies?"
Mused Farmer Brown—"Oh. deary me!
Whatever can the matter be?
I give them lots of hay and chaff—
Why won't the little darlings calf?
I know—I'll ask Penelope,
For she has been to 'Varsity,
And she'll know something, I'll allow,
About the workings of the cow!"
And so he whispered, after tea,
"Come now, my niece Penelope,
"Put down your saucer and your cup,
"And tell me why my cows won't pup!"
Penelope was quite annoyed
To be disturbed while reading Freud,
And said-precocious little lass—
"Why. buy a bull, you silly ass!"
"Good gracious!" murmured Farmer Brown—
"I'll get one when I'm next in town!"
And so he bought, with mild surprise,
A bull of an enormous size,
And home from market Brutus came—
(For Brutus was the creature's name).
He filled with most acute alarm
The hens and chickens on the farm:
The cows-their cup of joy was full—
They simply doted on the bull!
And Brutus did his duty — he
Loved all of them—promiscuously!
Wherever Brutus chanced to be
You'd see that one and one made three!
And Farmer Brown, because of that,
Made profits on his butter-fat.
And when one day a passing stork
Left him a squawling little snork,
He could afford, at last, you see,
To send him up to 'Varsity!

Moral.
Appalling ignorance is rife
Concerning many "facts of life."
Be reassured! For happily
You'll learn them all at 'Varsity!

R.L.M.

Model Letter to a Son

About to Become an Undergraduate.

[Dear "Smad."—

As I have been many years a martyr in the cause of science at this fair hall of learning, and as there seems every prospect, that the University of New Zealand will this year renew my permit to study at Victoria College, as an undergraduate I have considered that perhaps I might find a more profitable outlet for my experience in the columns of your paper than I do in the script books of the New Zealand University (green books, 6 pages, yellow books, 10). I considered I might most usefully air this experience in the form of a letter from a typical father who was bitten, to his typical son who is about to be bitten. (May it be of use to posterity).]

Dear Boy (or Son, or George),

You are about to enter into a land of demagogues where every Club chairman is a Bob Semple, and even members of defunct committees may acquire renown. You will find one central body, the Executive, worthy to be the goal of your ambitions, but you will see around it many lesser companies of which, with (thank heaven) notable exceptions, the officers are won' too be elected for the high sounding of their names, their skill with the ball, their prowess at the dance.

You will find men with no degrees, men who by the law of fate, can never pretend to such an honour, and you will find others whose names have letters fore and aft. You will find dexterous cunning confused with intelligence; in other halls of learning than our own you may find teachers who do not recant the examination habits of their youth. Intellectuals will cross your path, socialists, even communists: by their snobbishness, their cultured speech, "and moustaches" you will know them.

You will be drawn towards the turmoil of Free Discussion Clubs from whose murky orgies even "Smad," of all publications, is included. Perhaps in these days of political, national, social and moral stalemate their activities have ceased, and in their ashes have risen societies whose deliberations you would do well to frequent, if you survive their attempts to discourage you at their initial meetings, by reducing Art to an algebraic formula.

From time to time an ancient College custom, called the Procession, will be revived. To it will come fifty undergraduates (if the continuous pictures break down) six lorries, one dog, and three thousand citizens viewing the display in a spirit of moral antagonism.

You will find the Students' Association fee on a sliding scale, increasing with each year at College. From time to time etchings of Mr. Brook's cottage will be offered for five guineas each, five shillings of the proceeds to be donated to the Building Fund; or else you may buy a copy of "New Zealand Beaut." with a front page reproduction of Victoria University College swathed in flames of "hell fire." Forbear now to contribute directly to the Building Fund for in twenty-five years' time you will be called on to contribute again in the name of your children, as I have had to do for you.

Lastly, may I say that you are at Victoria University College firstly to study. You will find men to jeer at "swot." Rest assured that if there were a better way of passing exams., it would ere now have been invented. I was one who jeered; I never had my double rise.

Your affectionate Father (Dad, Pater, Old Man).

P.S.—You will find at the College a cheap journal called "Smad" for which not even the worst elements in the College would deign to write. Spurn it as the plague.

P.P.S.—Play diligently for your Club at football, but be loyal, and decline all invitations to play in the Wellington Reps.

Debating Society's Big Show.

Labour v. National Contest To-morrow Night.

The last big function of the College year will take place on Friday night, when the Debating Society will hold its annual Visitors' Debate. This debate is later than usual owing to the great number of College functions this year, but it will provide a welcome break from swot for those who take the exams, seriously.

This year the principals are Messrs. W. J. Lyon, M.P. (Labour), and C. A. L. Tread well (National) and the contest should be just as keen as the Coates v. Lee struggle last year. Those who heard that encounter will certainly not miss this year's debate, and those who were not then at V.U.C. should not miss what is one of the most enjoyable shows of the year.

The motion is well suited to the occasion and should provide a keen contest, while the seconders. Miss, M. Shortall (affirmative) and C. J. Treadwell (negative) are both able speakers who should maintain the standard of the debate.

All indications point to an excellent debate, and the Society expects a full house, so students are advised to be early. Admission will be 6d., and, as usual, profits are to be donated to the Building Fund.

The opportunity to hear such speakers is only offered once a year so all students should attend. Everybody who is anybody in the College will be there (including "Smad" reporters, and, it is hoped, Mr. Brook) and those who miss this debate will miss one of the best and most enjoyable functions of the 'Varsity year and will lose the last pportunity for relaxation until after the exams.

Smad

Editor: B. M Pickering.

Associate Editor: G. W. Shaw.

Sub-Editor: W. I. Combs.

News Editor: T. Mcglynn.

Sports Editor: M. Boyd.

Business Manager: E. G. Budge.

Distribution Manager: H. W. Robertson.

Wellington. September 23. 1937.

Nearing the End!

Once more we are approaching the end of a College year. Soon another year of College life and study will be over and the results of learning and swotting will be tested in the dreary rooms of sack-cloth. Those good little boys and girls who have religiously shunned the temptations of Victoria's night life will probably reap their just reward and gladden the hearts of stern examiners and fond parents. Those who have endeavoured to combine judiciously study and pleasure will also achieve their deserts, we hope. and in scraping through the finals will feel that they have spent a successful year here. Those who have relegated study to a subordinate place in their College life will need all the luck that we wish them to persuade the Gods of their Fate that they have picked up sufficient knowledge in their last minute mugging.

In any case, the decision rests with the Fates. It has always been "Smad's" opinion that students should enter a University firstly with the idea of being educated — educated in the broadest sense — and secondly to pass examinations. The College is an educating force in toto not merely by virtue of its Professors and its lecture halls. The man who hopes to acquire a broad and beneficial University education will not acquire it only in his particular course of study — in a little world of intellectualism divorced from reality and cut off from the world of men and women. Rather will he find it in his association with other higher-than-average minds and personalities with whom he can come in contact only by participating in the full College life through the medium of its Clubs. How often are we told that man is a social being? The best citizens are not the book-knowledge degree-hunters, but the students who have learned to understand their fellow-men and have used their academic studies to develop traits such as tolerance, common-sense outlook, and straight thinking.

This year's examinations will inflict upon the com-munity another batch of graduates and "Smad's" hope is that the majority will be those who have given something in personal service to the College. Those who have taken all they can from Professors and Libraries are not true Salamanca-ites. In a year or so the College will have forgotten them and rightly so. To those who have helped to make the College greater, who have given something to the furtherance of College Clubs and activities, to them we would offer our best wishes for well-earned success.

And before "Smad" says farewell, it is fitting that the members of the Staff of this "Organ of Student Opinion" should receive their due thanks. The production of a paper such as this in a community such as ours, is at once an arduous and thankless task. It is obvious that none of us will receive any bouquets, nor do we expect them. It would appear that our success is to be measured by the amount of abuse and criticism we are able to provoke. Splendid! We seem on the face of things, then, to have achieved some measure of success. We shall feel satisfied if we have proved sufficiently provoking to stir some of you out of your semi-somnolent state; if we have annoyed and irritated some of you, we are pleased; and if we have angered others of you so far as to arouse active antagonism, we are overjoyed. But whether you have been annoyed, amused, or merely bored, we thank you for your flood of contributions, your helpful criticism and your much-appreciated efforts to supplement our unworthy talents by taking the burden upon your own shoulders in an endeavour to produce a paper worthy of you. There may it rest! Habemus!

Mixed Grill

Howlers!

The Parable of the Foolish Virgins shows us how much better it is to have electric light.

* * *

The Budget is an Irish female servant.

* * *

Queen Elizabeth had much so do with the clergy over the Prayer Book, hut she had no children.

* * *

A Little Behind.

Our butcher met with an unfortunate accident recently—he fell on his mincing machine and got a little behind in his orders.

* * *

Cupid!

It is rumoured that a stalwart 'Varsity Rugby forward has fallen. Well-informed authorities, however. advise us that the outlook could be blacker!

The Second Law.

And is our Earth,
And the shuddering stars sown round it,
And the frozen waste of tractless void beyond.
To pass, to crash like the boom of the sea-surge?
And are man's hopes,
And the dreams he dares not dream,
But to dissolve in mindless emptiness?
So they have said . . .
A tree bursts up, green, fresh as a dew-wet flower.
But its molten gold leaves drip fast to the ground,
And its trunk grows gnarled like a sailor's hand,
It is withered and old.
But a poet has sung of the golden tree,
And lovers have rested beneath its shade,
And it does not die!
I heard a bird sing once. in the silent twilight,
Strange, swelling songs of things unknowable,
But I knew, as I stood in the quivering dusk—
Things do not die!
Though all eternity shall roll away.
I know,—
We do not die!

Unison

Sigh on, sad wind, beneath the eaves,
Sigh sadly, wind, to me.
Sigh sadly, for a heart that grieves Is sorrow's ecstasy.

—M.L.

page 3

Pot Shots

The Extravaganza

Constructive Criticism

Dear "Smad."—

For some years past it has been the policy of the Executive to provide something superior in Extra travaganza programmes. Victoria is the only New Zealand University to provide fare of a higher standard than that of a glorified school concert, and to produce its Capping Show in large theatre for a long season: and the public has shown it appreciation of the students' efforts by flocking to the Opera House, in increasing numbers each year.

If public opinion is to be kept in this happy state, it is essential that this high standard should be preserved, and it is therefore with some misgivings that I read the statement of the Executive's policy with regard to next year's Extravaganza. This show is to consist of:—
(a) Opening Chorum and spectacle 5 mins.
(b) Men's Ballet 5 mins.
(c) Satire (a la "Bob" and "Hell's Bells") 40 mins.
(d) Interlude 12 mins.
(e) Extravaganza 50 mins.
1 hr. 52 mins.

The Extravaganza is becoming each year more and more a financial venture. The time has gone when it represented merely the wild caperings of a host of irresponsible students, fortified for the occasion; the audience has now even ceased to throw things. Many, (including the Radio Record), will no doubt shed tears over the passing of the old days, but the public generally has welcomed the change from lewd nonsense to clean satire and musical burlesque. The .substantial sum added to the Building Fund by this year's effort shows that the Extravaganza has become an institution, that the public likes the form of entertainment provided, and is willing to fill the Opera House for four nights (four nights!) in order to see it. Next year, we are informed by the Secretary of the Building Fund Committee, a big drive is taking place to augment the Fund. And what do we propose to offer the public next year for our Capping Show?

First, we are giving them an "opening chorus and spectacle." Presumably we shall see Salamanca lasses emulating the Marcus Girls in a minimum of coswhile the Glee Club (with Mr. Scotney and other non-singing members) will render the "opening chorus." This will, the Executive undoubtedly believes, put the audience in a good humour for what is to follow. But I remember the hush that came upon the Opera House when the curtain rose upon the scene of "Bob" this year. The subdued blue lighting, the simple setting, and the magnificent acting, cast a spell over the audience, a spell which was not broken. Had this scene followed an "opening chorus and spectacle," the effect would have been appalling. Never is blatancy more blatant, and never is a good effect so effectice, as at the very beginning of a show.

Next we are to be treated with a men's ballet. An excellent scheme. But first, the men's ballet should definitely not be 'in this position on the programme, and secondly it should not stand alone but be incorporated in a short interlude, preferably with another in the main play itself. Otherwise the audience will be convinced that they are about to see a vaudeville show, and will settle down in the comfortable and unintellectual frame of mind common to George Wallace audiences.

And now the Satire. In view of the well-deserved success of "Bob." "Hell's Bells" and "Murder in the Common Room." it would be absurd to cut this item out or curtail it—indeed, to do so would justly be considered an affront to the authors of these splendid plays.

The Interlude, so long as we have the inimitable Carrad. should on no account be omitted. The men's ballet and the bright original music are always appreciated.

And finally, we have the piece de resistance of an Extravaganza — namely, the Extravaganza. May I offer the following comments?
(1)The length of this part of the show has been greatly reduced. For any author other than a genius like Redmond Phillips (and it is unlikely that we have any Redmonds blushing unseen within our walls) it is almost impossible to write an Extravaganza to be performed in fifty minutes and yet to comply with the traditional requirements of such a show. An Extravaganza must include numerous songs and choruses, specialty items such as dancing. ballets, topical references, caricatures of notorious people and also a presentable plot. To cram these elements into a show lasting an hour and a quarter is difficult enough-too often an impression is left in the minds of the audience of a conglomeration of songs and burlesque, where there should be a clear-cut impression of a good plot and development of character. But fifty minutes!
(2)Two arguments are usually advanced by opponents of this type of show:—
(a)The public can get musical comedy and spectacle of a higher standard elsewhere. Certainly they can-though I doubt whether the "spectacle" element introduced by Mr. Mount joy in recent shows is very often equalled. But they can also get infinitely better variety entertainment than we can provide.
(b)In presenting this type of show, we are not "keeping up the old traditions " True—but since the public has shown that It likes the modern Philips type of show better than the old "Willum the Conk" type, and since we are not presenting Extravaganzas for our own amusement but for the public's, it is time we developed a new tradition to conform to the public taste.
(3)In so drastically curtailing the Extravaganza, the Executive is apparently prompted by considerations of time. The total acting time of the proposed show is 1 hour 52 minutes. This, with intervals and delays of, at the most, 25 minutes, will conclude the programme at 10.17. I have heard no complaints concerning the fact that this year's show did not close until twenty minutes to eleven and it is very unusual for any of the visiting Vaudeville Shows or Musical Comedy Companies to get out before 10.45. The excellent stage managing in "Bob" has shown that even under extreme difficulties delays can be reduced to a minimum.
In my opinion, the ideal show would consist of the following:—
(a) Satire 45 mins.
(b) Interlude (with Men's Ballet) 15 mins.
Interval.
(c) Extravaganza 70 mins.
2 hrs 10 mins.

In conclusion, I would recommend that the Executive consider the abolition of the prize money awarded to the successful authors The incentive given is very small, and Extravaganza writers should need no recompense for their months of labour other than the knowledge that the whole show has been appreciated by the public and has done a little at least to cement the relations between 'Varsity and the outside world.

Yours faithfully.

Ronald L. Meek.

A Challenge

Dear "Smad,"—

As a student I have this year deplored the quality of your paper, and as a member of the Debating Society Committee I have been astonished, and (I think justifiably) annoyed at your paper's attitude towards the Debating Society.

I should like to make it clear from the start, however, that I am not writing this in any official capacity, and the Debating Society Committee are in no way responsible for any statements herein.

The Debating Society has not run one function this year which has not been adversely criticised by "Smad," and I am at a loss to understand why this campaign of hate has been directed against the Society. You will, no doubt, offer the excuse that these criticisms were justified, but such destructive. and, in some cases, malicious, criticism was not merited.

It appears to me that in an endeavour to keep "Smad" in the public eye (which is quite a commendable object in itself) you have descended to the standard of the "yellow press," and have made the Debating Society's activities the butt of many of your ill-timed witticisms and criticisms.

If your contributors are not of high enough merit to draw the student public's attention by good writing, then it is manifestly unfair to attract notice by being sarcastic and cynical at the expense of another College organisation. The Debating Society is, I submit, doing as much as any organisation in the College, including your paper, to keep the cultural and social life of this College at a high standard, and your unwarranted attacks on its efforts are most irritating and discouraging. Friendly criticism, obstructive, and without animosity, can be a very useful thing, and any club in the College would welcome it, but the bitter attacks of members of your staff are found hard to bear by those who are at least doing their best, however poor, to further College activities.

It is too late in the year to begin a discussion, which might well become prolonged, but I feel that it is necessary to make some reply to your attacks. For myself, at least, I can say that if any of your staff who have criticised the Debating Society this year are of the opinion that they are capable of setting up a better programme than this year's, then they are welcome to take my position as a step towards the furtherance of their ambitions in this direction. This year's committee fully believed that it had as good a set of subjects as those of any previous year, and I challenge "Smad" to produce a syllabus which will bring nothing but praise and will draw good attendances for every meeting. As I have said above, if any of "Smad's" reporting staff consider that he can produce such a set of subjects, then the Debating Society Committee will be the first to acknowledge hit genius.

Yours faithfully,

R. C. E. Scott.

Graveyard Vespers

Voices of the half hidden people,
I hear them in the night.
I hear them in my dreams, sad voices,
That never speak by day.

Half-hidden in the earthy places,
Out of reach of tongue and eye.
They never, never speak the language,
Of the daytime that we know.

—M.L.

page 4

Victoria's Sports Record During the Year.

Dixon Trophy Won

Looking back over the 'Varsity's sporting activities this year we find that the College has been particularly successful in outside events. Not only has the Dixon Trophy been annexed but also the Rowing, Haslam, and Basketball Shields. The acquisition of these coveted trophies is no mean feat, and it definitely shows that the standard of sport is high at the College. A few have attained representative honours and wih these as an example "Smad" is confident that in the 1938 season the name of "Victoria University" will be once again "on the map" in the realm of sport.

Harriers Achieve Ambition.

The New Zealand University Cross Country Championships have come and gone, but the Dixon Trophy is left with Victoria. The individual title went to Canterbury but the uniformly high standard of the Victoria University College team brought over four men home in the first seven. Excellent conditions favoured the runners this year — a change from previous occasions.

Harriers.

The run was held at Lyall Bay and the course proved to be difficult with much sand and road. The field soon straggled out with Stephenson, Scrymgeour and Rogers fighting for top places, and Cairns, Horsley and Bagnall keeping well up to them. The second lap around the golf links found the positions throughout the race, but except that Stephenson (last year's individual winner) had dropped back. The last mile of fiat road is a severe test of a runner's staying power. It was on this stretch that the Victorian team showed their superiority by maintaining their position and blocking well together in the best team work the Club has yet achieved. Scrymgeour and Rogers had fought out positins throughout the race, but it was near the tape that the superior racing experience of Rogers (Canterbury Provincial Champion) was finally proved. Scrymgeour challenged a little too early and could not maintain his sprint, allowing Rogers to pull away slightly in an exciting finish. Adamson of C.U.C. ran third, then the solid teaming by Victoria brought Horsley, Cairns, Bagnall, and Burge in 4th, 5th. 7th, and 8th places respectively. So V.U.C. proved the winners with 18 points to Canterbury's 25, with Auckland and Otago in 3rd. and 4th. places. The G. F. Dixon Trophy ("The Beacon") was presented by the donor at the dinner the same night. That this year's team is the best the Club has produced so far was demonstrated a week later when they secured 3rd. place in the Wellington Province against larger and far more experienced clubs. But for the strenuous race the previous Saturday they would easily have wiped off the nine points that kept them from second place.

Form Through the Year.

Each of the last three seasons has seen one member of the Cub stand out from all the rest. Bagnall, Cairns, and Scrymgeour have now each assumed supremacy, and curiously enough occupied approximately the same position In the Province. Scrymgeour has by steady training and dogged running well deserved his title to the Club Championship for 1937.

Horsley, considering that nearly all the organisation and responsibility lay on his shoulders, gave a remarkably fine performance on the Big Day.

Some of the new members are coming along strongly. Burge, O'Flynn, Newall, and Farquhar (with more training and less potatoes) should be the runners of future seasons. The last three forced one another in the 8 mile handicap on Saturday, Newall taking the Endeavour Cup. Given the nucleus of fast men, a good crowd to idle along, and build up stamina in the slow packs the Club can look forward to another active season next year.

Hockey.

The slackening in keenness of the Senior Team is again very much in evidence this year, and the last two games in the Wellington competition series have resulted in substantial losses. While the lack of interest in the closing stages of the season is to be deprecated it is perhaps only natural that in a University XI the main consideration is the Inter-University Tournament. After this has taken place there remains little in the season's activities to maintain the interest. This surely is a mistaken outlook, for it has very prejudicial effects on hockey at V.U.C., and for the Club's sake should not be allowed to continue.

Fortunately this year we have had exceptionally keen junior members in the Club, and the flagging spirit has not affected them. It is largely this lack of interest that prevents us from having a larger representation in the Wellington provincial team. Newcombe was our only representative in major fixtures this year, and his selection should be sufficient proof that unflagging enthusiasm has its reward.

While, however, the attraction of the Tournament ranks so high, it could surely be held later in the season. "Smad" suggests that the second term vacation would be a better date than the first term vacation, when it was held this year. While holding Tournaments so late would have its disadvantages, it would at least have the effect of maintaining the interest of all teams in the game until the end of the season. This would he sufficient warranty for the adoption of the proposal.

Congratulations are extended to O'Donnell and Bowyor on being selected for the Wellington fourth grade representatives. It was very pleasing to see their keenness thus rewarded. We also congratulate Newcombe on leading the Wellington reps, to victory in the match with Canterbury.

In view of their consistent performances during the latter part of the season, the Juniors challenged the Senior B. Team. The game was played last Saturday at Kilbinie, and resulted in a win for the Juniors by 2 goals to 1 The ground was in excellent order, and some good play was shown on both sides, but the better combination won. The Senior B. forwards lacked finish in the circle, and though they had perhaps more opportunities than the Juniors, goals were not forthcoming. Players who merit promotion are Good. Sand ford, Purdie, Silcott, and Walker. For the Senior B's, Long, Christie and Mason played good games.

Of the five teams entered in the Wellington Hockey Association's Competitions, the Juniors and 3rd. Graders finished in the top four teams of their respective grades. The former had the distinction of losing no games in the second round of matches, and a better start to the season would have seen them the probable winners. The Seniors failed in their promise of early in the season, and fell from third to fifth place. The Senior B. and Fourth Grade teams did not win as many matches as expected, but individual members of both teams gave distinct promise of progressing to higher grade hockey.

Rugby.

Auckland v. Victoria.

In a keenly contested game at Athletic Park last Saturday Victoria defeated an Auckland University Fifteen by 10 to 8. An opening by Dean sent Burke over to score for Victoria and Larkin converted. The half-time score was Auckland 8, Victoria 5.

In the second spell our forwards rejuvenated and the backs were given plenty of the ball. After a nice run by Stewart who scored (Larkin converted) the score stood at Victoria 10, Auckland 8. The score was unchanged at the end of the game.

Ruru Memorial Shield Match.

The annual match for the Ruru Memorial Shield between Weir House and the Rest ended in a big victory for the latter by 34 to 9. The game was fast and willing, and although on the whole the Rest were superior in every department, having a majority of Senior A players Weir put up a dour struggle. Weir's pack did not appear to be able to hold their opponents and Burke got the ball out regularly. Wild inaugurated some nice passing movements in his usual style and Weir's centre also played a good game. Weir's nine points came from throe penalty tries kicked by Turnbull and Larkin. For Victoria Stewart, Dean, Betts, Wild, Clendon, Kissell Dean, Betts, Wild. Clendon. and Kissell brought the score up to 34.

The Haka Party livened proceedings up during the match, and revived many a flagging "spirit." An amusing "interlude" was the World's Championship Bout for puglistic honours. "Joe Louis" won by a technical knockout from "Tommy Farr" but the former had to beat a quick retreat owing to difficulties concerning underwear, etc.