Socialist Club

The club got into its proper stride during the past year. Speakers at regular fortnightly meetings included Mr B. Skilton on Trade Unionism in New Zealand, Mr A. Vogt on the United Nations Organisation, and Mr A. H. Scotney who spoke on 'How right was the Left?' This latter address found such universal appeal that it is intended for publication in pamphlet form. This will undoubtedly serve as a useful contribution to the mooted University Press. The Club has gained considerably in popularity and support. The average attendance at Meetings this year was 80.

Our experiment in holding lunch-hour meetings for the benefit of full-time students proved a considerable success. The first such meeting, when Mr James Bertram spoke on 'Civil War in China,' revealed that full-timers, when locked out of the library, are capable of taking a deep interest in world events.

Table Tennis Club

Table Tennis has definitely come into its own at V.U.C. From a club of one team and six players pre-war, the Club has grown to nine teams and over 50 members—the third largest in Wellington. Next season the probabilities are the Club will be even larger.

A particularly healthy sign this season has been the success of the lower grade teams in the inter-club competition. At the time of writing Ken Hayes' 'E' grade, Jack Walls' 'F' grade and Alex McIntyre's 'G' grade teams have excellent chances of finishing the season at the top of their section. There is much potential higher grade material in these teams, which augurs well for the future.

A note to tennis enthusiasts—if you play a reasonable game of tennis there is no reason why you cannot become a more than competent table tennis player. Next season we want more players, particularly women, and we believe University can win the Wellington Club Championship.

Rowing Club

A year ago the Rowing Club was taken to task for lack of effort. During the past season the Club has indeed taken new life. Members have been keen; they have trained hard and rowed far; they have worked strenuously on the boat: under a vigorous club captain there has been engendered a spirit of willingness and co-operation which has sown good seeds for the future.

But not all things were done that the Club would have liked to do. Some new members were obtained but not nearly enough. And, of course, the position at Tournament was disappointing.

It was a pity that the new Tournament fours race could not be rowed. Here again a larger membership would have helped for it is hoped to develop Tournament rowing into a minor regatta.

One member again won the trophy offered by the Star Boating Club for the most improved oarsman and others had their successes in Club races.

Now that the Club has had its renaissance, let it strive to maintain goodwill and secure those oarsmen without whom its main function is lost.

Law Faculty Club

During the past twelve months the Club has met with steady support from students, and its functions have been very successful.

Four moots were held during 1946 and a Trusts moot was held on June 12th of this year in the small Court Room and was well attended. Mr R. C. Christie generously agreed to act as Judge and the Counsel were Messrs Barton, Grace, O'Flynn and Poole. A Torts moot is planned for August or September and it is hoped to have several more moots in November after the University examinations.

The Annual Dinner was held at the Grand Hotel on the 13th December last. A very large number of members attended and it was without doubt a most successful function.

As the number of students in the Law Faculty is now very large the outlook for the future of the Club is bright and it is hoped that we shall soon regain our position as one of the most active Clubs in the College.

Swimming Club

The 1946-47 season was one of the most successful years for the Swimming Club for some considerable time. Although our membership has not increased, the Club enjoyed a great deal of success in championship and club competition races. Des. Dowse was particularly successful in that he won two Centre championships, was twice second at the New Zealand Championships, established a new New Zealand record for 440 yards breaststroke, won the N.Z.U. 220 yards breaststroke title and gained his V.U.C. and N.Z.U. blues. Nanette Broom also performed well and was the individual winner in the Peck Shield Harbour Race. Numbered among our successes was the 100 yards Men's Centre Backstroke Championship, won by Des. Dickson, while

our Water Polo team did particularly well. For their enthusiasm special mention is also due of Doug. West, Bob. Smith, Peter Fleische and Cath Eichelbaum.

The Committee hopes that the new season will be even more successful than the last and that more students will take part in Club activities.

The following were awarded blues:—

V.U.C. Blues

• D. Dowse
• L. Piper
• N. Broom

N.Z.U. Blues

• D. Dowse.

Maths. and Physics Society

During the year the Club has endeavoured to carry on the policy laid down by previous executives, namely to provide lectures and discussions which will foster interest in the subjects of Mathematics and Physics. Lectures which have been so far delivered are as follows:—

Mr G. Eiby— 'Time and Frequency Measurements.'

Mr W. F. Kerr— 'Ships and their Magnetic Fields.'

Mr D. T. King— 'Pulses.'

Mr I. Dick— 'Biometrics in New Zealand.'

Mr N. Ryder— 'Industrial Electronics and its Future.'

A visit was made to the Dominion Physical Laboratory where we saw the way in which Physical and Mathematical knowledge and skilled engineering techniques are being applied in the solution of many problems of importance to industry in New Zealand. We hope to pay further visits to places of interest to the Society, and also intend to provide one or two instructional film evenings later in the year.

Rugby Football

Though the overall performance of the Club has not been as good as was hoped at the beginning of the season, the record of at least one team, the Colts' XV, is worth commendation. The Club began the season with a membership of approximately 150 and entered seven teams in the Wellington Rugby Union's competitions.

Senior A: Despite the fact that, apart from the absence of three players, the personnel of this side is the same as that of last season, at no time has the team shown form comparable to that of last year. It now occupies a comparatively lowly place on the championship ladder.

Senior B: Though this team has not won many matches, the members still retain their enthusiasm, if not, perhaps, the encouraging form shown in the Club trials. Several individuals, however, have shown most encouraging form.

Junior A: A very good set of forwards and some competent backs have kept this fifteen in a creditable place, and the side has been unlucky in losing several games by margins varying from one point to three.

Junior B: The social team of the Club appears to play 'Kiwi' or social rugby at will, and, though not winning a great number of matches, remains undeterred. On some Saturdays the social team's scrum must easily be one of the heaviest in the grade.

Third A: Sustained its first defeat recently and has built up an extremely fine record, having scored nearly one hundred points, as against less than twenty scored by its opponents. A really solid forward pack, supported by excellent backs is the secret of this team's success.

Third B: One of the more enthusiastic fifteens, the third grade B team has, in addition to losing many games very narrowly, won a good proportion of its fixtures. It has also contrived to look after itself and develop team-spirit with some degree of success.

Third C: The last of the Club's sides has not been over successful, but has won at least one game by a thirty-point margin. A few of this team set a very good example of conscientiousness and keenness, and show considerable promise.

Club coaches this year have been Messrs J. H. Parker, H. E. Moore, F. R. Macken, W. G. Smith, B. L. Hurrell, O. J. Creed, E. G. Kedgley, G. D. Duncan, and Rev. M. G. Sullivan.

College Games—

v. Auckland at Wellington, lost 9—12.

v. Massey at Palmerston North, won 14—5.

Representative Honours—

Town v. Country: R. B. Burke (Captain).

Wellington v. Manawatu: O. S. Meads, M. F. Radich, A. S. Macleod.

Wellington v. Taranaki: O. S. Meads, A. S. Macleod, R. T. Shannon.

Wellington v. Canterbury: R. B. Burke (Captain).

North Island Varsities: A. S. Macleod, M. F. Radich, R. Jacob, R. T. Shannon, O. S. Meads, S. S. Kurtovich.

N.Z.U.: A. S. Macleod, R. Jacob, R. T. Shannon, O. S. Meads.

Men's Basketball Club

This popular indoor sport (appearing in Spike for the first time), is certainly on the up-grade, as the Club now fields four teams compared with two last year.

Some new blood available has built the standard of play up remarkably, which may help our Tournament chances a great deal. There were doubts of the advisability of entering four teams, but the justification was upheld, as the teams concerned held a good standard of attendance.

The 'A' team under Brian Beecroft just missed selection into the A grade, but now look as though they will win the Wellington B grade competition.

The 'B's' had a few depletions during the season, but showed rare form at times. Unfortunately they were playing C grade which was a bit high for them.

The best team of the Club for improvement and keenness, goes to the 'C' team, ably led by Trevor Turner. Some of them had played a little before and with this year as an apprenticeship, there is no doubt that many of them will be representing V.U.C. in the future A teams. During the year they were promoted from D to C grade.

The 'D's' have been very consistent too, their knowledge of play having improved a great deal to well hold their own in the D grade.

If we maintain our four team strength or improve, the future may see V.U.C. well on the map for Men's Indoor Basketball.

Tramping Club

This is possibly the only sporting club in the College which operates the year round. We claim, too, that it offers a greater variety of experience and activity to its members than do other clubs and pastimes—activity varying from the relaxation of an easy Sunday stroll to the real adventure of a difficult climb in the Southern Alps; experience varying from learning how to light a fire in the rain to knowing what to do and how to behave in the face of desperate tragedy.

Since the appearance of Spike 1946 the Tramping Club has experienced an active and varied nine months during which the post-war increase in numbers and enthusiasm have not waned. The large and enthusiastic ski trips of last winter were followed by the usual two months of preparing for and sitting examinations during which the nearest to tramping activity achieved by most members is to snatch a few moments occasionally from the welter of books to dream of green valleys and snowy peaks. Then followed preparation for the large Christmas trips, and get-fit campaigns, the training trips on the rocks at Titahi Bay, the checking over of gear, the booking of passages, the ordering of food, the planning of climbs and excursions. Two parties of twenty members each spent their holidays in the heart of the Southern Alps.

It is well known that our Club suffered a grave and bitter loss when one of those parties was involved in an accident on the Neumann Range. Roy McGregor Dixon and Stanley Charles Allaway were killed. In them we have lost two excellent friends and Club members. We have elsewhere and often expressed our sorrow. It will receive future expression in tangible ways. Though overshadowed by this tragedy, which occurred at the end of the holiday, these two trips were otherwise successful and we propose to make similar expeditions this year, needless to say redoubling our care and precautions which, let it be said, were never inconsiderable.

Meanwhile our ski-ing enthusiasts are being favoured with a good snowy winter and are making full use of it both in organised club parties and in smaller private groups.

Besides major excursions far afield and winter sports activities, the Club has carried on a wide programme of week-end tramps and Sunday walks. There have so far this year been five major official week-end excursions in the Tararuas, including a Southern crossing by a big party in February, and popular trips to Waitewaewae and Totara Flats on Anzac and King's Birthday week-ends. A full programme is planned for the balance of the year.

Photographic Club

Again this year, the Photographic Club has been handicapped by the lack of a Darkroom. Our hopes last year of having one set up in part of the basement of Weir House, proved somewhat premature. Now, however, official permission has been granted the Club for the use of this basement, and we are much indebted to the College Council for their consideration, and especially to the Students' Association representative on the Council who brought the request before the Council. It is hoped to have the darkroom finished during the third term so that it should be ready for use during the summer vacation, when it should prove most useful.

Club meetings held so far this year have included addresses by Mr. H. Farmer MacDonald, on 'Composition', Mr. Brian Brake of Messrs. Spencer Digby's on 'Studio and Darkroom Technique', Mr H. B. Holgate, 'On Purchasing a Camera', and by Mr J. W. Chapman-Taylor on 'Films and Filters'. We are much indebted to these speakers for their most informative and instructive talks. The latter two of these are intended to be part of a progressive series on amateur photography for both beginners and and advanced workers.

Good cameras are difficult to obtain and unduly expensive at the present time and for the benefit of those who are deterred by these facts they should bear in mind that with a little instruction, guidance and experience, they would be surprised at what may be accomplished by even a modest Brownie, provided that they do not attempt subjects too difficult. In any case, a simple box camera is the best with which to commence.

Particularly noticeable at Club meetings has been the almost complete absence of women members.

There were a disappointing number of entries in the Spike Competition this year. For the awards and judge's comments, see elsewhere in this issue.

Soccer Club

This is the fifth year since the Club's inauguration and it now seems firmly established with three regular teams; Senior, Second and Thirds, all functioning with reasonable success in their respective grades. New players with or without experience are always welcome. The second-grade team may be considered as the coaching ground where rough raw-material is broken from the brutal coarseness of a rugby-impregnated culture into the more precise skills necessary for expertness in Association football.

The senior team has found difficulty in regaining the combination lost by the absence of the late Roy Dickson killed in a mountaineering tragedy on the Southern Alps last Christmas. Roy had a particularly valuable strong clearing kick, and, even more important, a resolute and determined spirit which helped us out of many a tight difficulty in front of the goal mouth. In an attempt to capture something of his spirit the Club has initiated the construction of a memorial album composed of articles and photos to be sent to his parents in Scotland from whom he had been absent since 1940—a war refugee. It is no exaggeration to say that his loss has had a deadening effect on the rest of us—in some vague way the game is not the same.

The visiting South Africans provided most of us with some valuable points on how the game should be played and also threw into sharp contrast the sheer lack of professional coaching which our Club suffers. Despite this, however, we have managed to carry away Tournament honours both times since the Tournament was initiated and we have every hope of doing as well this year.

Philosophic Society

Of all societies a 'Philosophic' may claim as its own the question—' Why?' And, this being the inaugural year, the quest for foundations is particularly relevant. The Club's activities—the study groups on Whitehead, the Pragmatists and Wittgenstein and next year the Greeks and Hume and his period, together with papers delivered and books discussed, give in themselvs no answer to the question as to whether or not the Club has any guiding philosophy. It could hardly be expected of a newly founded group that they should have as yet any definite set of basic principles, though it may be thought that in time they would develop these.

Paradoxically enough, however, it is already possible to schematize the general philosophic nature of the Club, and say at the same time that this very nature is likely to prevent it from moving towards any greater degree of philosophic definiteness than is already apparent.

For this is essentially an enterprise in learning.

The unspoken premise is the belief in a many-sided human nature, some aspects of which may realise themselves in all, or selections from our activities. But we think of the Society as only one agent in the development of this multi-faceted being. There are aesthetic, social and other cores of experience best discovered and nourished in other settings. Ours is a limited function. Development then should follow not so much in the Club's philosophy but in the individuals who attend it.

As a club we exist only to nourish the question 'why? 'in its various forms, not, however, to give an answer to that question conceived as a whole. Such a question is hardly appropriate to philosophic maturity. There are, however many specific questions and answers the knowledge and learning of which alongside the knowledge and learning in other aspects of experience may help to increase our understandings.

But perhaps there is more than this. The development of the individual is after all only such in abstraction. The Club must be expected to gain in content correlative with the development of its members. This is true even if its functions remain constant as outlined above. The paradox is resolved by the fact that the Club's function is after all—development. Who can thus forecast its future for— 'given the vigour of adventure, sooner or later the leap of imagination reaches beyond the safe limits of the epoch, and beyond the safe limits of learned rules and taste. It then produces the dislocations and confusions marking the advent of new ideals for civilized effort.'

Women's Basketball Club

Off to an early start last year's Club members began earnest practising in February preparing for Easter Tournament. A foretaste of the Club spirit that has revived this year was the way those not selected for the Tournament team turned up to give the selected team practice. These early efforts were rewarded, not by any glowing victories (we lost all games) but by the fact that every game the V.U.C. team played was well contested; we achieved 'Tournament standard' this year and hope to complete our recovery by some substantial wins next year.

It was decided not to field a Senior A team this year but to conserve and train our available talent in two Senior B teams and a Junior team. The Association, however, saw fit to place our second Senior B team in the Intermediate grade with the result that some very good players have not been in our Senior team. But because of the experience of the Tournament team, due to prior practice, it was able as the Senior B team to begin the season well and maintain a good footing throughout. Its record at the time of writing is four wins and three losses, not startling but very good, compared with last years 'no wins'.

The Intermediates suffered some reverses early in the season, but once they grew together as a team their scores were phenomenal, 31—5, 21—6.

The Junior team has been handicapped throughout the season by the lack of good goalies, but they have been superior in most games in fieldwork.

V.U.C. rarely gets past the rep. trials in basketball but this year we can boast three representatives, Julie Dean, selected for Senior B was promoted to the Senior A Tournament team for Wellington, June Scott (Intermediate), and Miriam Drain (Junior).

The increased vigour of the Club is shown, not only in successes and representatives, but also in the good Club practices we have held at St. Joseph's at 8 p.m. on Mondays. These have been worthwhile because on almost every occasion we have had two full teams.

We are very grateful to the coach, Mr Budden, for the time he has devoted to our Club.

Political Science Society

The agitation at the beginning of this year for Faculty and Departmental committees had an offshoot in the establishment of a Political Science Society early in April. The aims of the Society are to hold regular discussion meetings on topical political subjects led by prominent speakers; to strive for the establishment of a departmental committee for the Political Science department; to urge students in other departments to form societies similar to this one; to publish a journal containing original research by students of the College into current political problems; and to press for an honours stage in the department.

Four meetings of the Society have been held to date. All have been well attended both by students of the department and by other students interested in politics. The first meeting, held on April 22 was addressed by Dr Dean McHenry of the University of Southern California on 'Politics—American Style'. Dr McHenry gave a very clear outline of the history of the American Constitution, and told about the political scene in America today. He gave us his views on the possibility of an American Labour Party, which he said was not likely to materialise for some time. The Society was very fortunate in gaining such a well-informed speaker for its inaugural meeting. Mr E. Theiler, the Swiss Consul to New Zealand, told us of the growth of democracy in Switzerland in our second meeting. When asked why women did not have a vote in Switzerland he gave a very convincing explanation. Further speakers have been Mr Owen Davies of Unrra who spoke of the present situation in Germany, and Mr T. McCombs, M.P., who took us behind the scenes in the Labour Party.

The Society would like to put on record its sincere thanks to the members of the staff of the Political Science Department. They gave us every encouragement when we were forming the Society and have helped us considerably throughout the year.

Hockey Club

Although the Club has gained in numerical strength since last year, entries in the local competitions were reduced to six teams. Even with this limitation, most of the lower-grade teams have had difficulty in fielding eleven men every week. A further handicap for these teams is the lack of goal-keepers, and it says much for their enthusiasm that they have registered quite a few successes despite the empty goal behind them. The second eleven is stronger than it has been for many years, and should give a good account of itself in the Winter Tournament to be held in Wellington this August.

At the beginning of the season, the Senior Eleven could field only three members of last year's team, and consequently it has taken some time for an effective combination to be evolved, although the coaching of Gil Johnstone and Hec. Lawry, who have both won senior representative honours this season, has already resulted in an improvement in tactical play.

The annual match against Massey was won by Victoria 3—2. The lavish hospitality shown to our team on that occasion will long be remembered.

In the 1946 Tournament, under the leadership of Harry Scott, who gained an N.Z.U. Blue for his fine performances, Victoria fielded an untried team, yet succeeded in coming second equal. This year the Tournament team will be substantially the same as has been fielded in the Senior competitions.

Women's Hockey Club

Judging by competition points this season 'the game's the thing' seems to be the motto of the Varsity Club. Considering that it has the second largest membership in Wellington it is perhaps surprising that our teams do not top the grades. But it must be realised that very few of the Freshers joining the Club each year have played hockey before and secondly a large percentage drop out of regular Saturday play owing to pressure of work. And thirdly, until this year it has been the custom for the more experienced players on graduating to leave the Club and either drop out of hockey or complete their career in another Club. The decision of the Club this year to amend this state of affairs has been a wise one and should bear fruit in the coming season. With success adorning the efforts of the present keen players, enthusiasm may be awakened in the more dormant members.

Four teams have been entered in the local competitions with varying degrees of moderate success. Were the May vacation, Kings Birthday weekend and Mid-term break to be eliminated, I feel sure hockey in the College would thrive. Perhaps someone with initiative will put forward a motion at the next A.G.M.

While local competition hockey must of necessity be the life-blood of the Club, our duty and pleasure to sister Colleges have not been neglected. A team travelled to Massey College where it was entertained royally and rewarded Massey's efforts by defeating their team 5—2 in the best display of hockey put on by any Victoria hockey team this season. During Mid-term break Canterbury College sent a team to play our Third grade team, over whom they were the victors by 2 goals to nil. It was very pleasing to see the way in which our team entertained their visitors. We understand the Canterbury team enjoyed themselves as much as we did having them.

Although we have been unable to procure a regular coach for the season, our thanks are due to Miss Charles for her encouragement and advice on Saturdays, Ralph Keen for helping beginners on Tuesday afternoons and Mr Jacobson and his hockey boys at the Sports' Centre who have made hockey a more exciting game than we have previously known it.

The Literary Society

This Society came into existence at the beginning of the year to satisfy the need for some club which would encourage and stimulate literary activity and interests within the College. Since its inception two major meetings with non-student speakers have been held—Professor Gordon on "Katherine Mansfield," and Mr. James Bertram on "W. H. Auden." One broadsheet has been published and another will be out in the 2nd Term. The most productive work of the Society has probably been in organising Study Groups of about a dozen members each on particular topics, three such groups being at present: "New Zealand Poetry," "Blake," and "Elizabethan Drama." The general procedure here is for members to prepare in turn a talk on some particular aspect, which is then followed by discussion.

The Society's existence has undoubtedly been valuable to students in stimulating thought on literary topics, in providing in the "Broadsheet" facilities for local publication which are not always available in "Salient," and in promoting through active study and discussion a deeper knowledge of some authors and fields of writing. On the other hand it has not yet been successful in reaching the average moderately interested student except through the "Broadsheet" and talks given by out-side speakers. On its activities for the rest of this year, and the beginning of the next, will depend the Society's future—whether it becomes a fruitful and stimulating club, or a small clique. At the moment, the enthusiasm of some of its members, the quality of work being done by some, both in verse and prose, the earnest desire for the representation of all opinions, and above all, the crying need for some organised discussion and argument on literary topics, indicate that the Society's importance will steadily increase.

Student Christian Movement

V.U.C.S.C.M. has spread its attention and interest over a wide range of topics and activities this year, and has received new impetus since the appointment of the Rev. Martin Sullivan as full-time Chaplain, in whom has been fully demonstrated the value of a Chaplain's leadership.

Several of the talks and discussions this year centred round different faculties in the University

Striking Picture of Popular Viv Rich

By Perry of Wellington

and their relationship with religion. The Rev. J. M. Bates made a very able estimate of religion as a science, while keen discussion was aroused by a talk by Mr. J. Robb on psychology and religion. The Rev. L. N. Watkins, also, traced the connection between music and religion through the ages. Aspects of the Church in other countries were covered in talks such as "The Church in Germany," by Mr N. Davis, who had been working with Unrra in Germany, and in an enlightening presentation of the problems of India, by the Rev. Morton Ryburn. The interest in German students has been furthered by the starting of a correspondence with the S.C.M. branch in Germany. The focus at May Camp was on the University, its position in the community, and on the position of the student in the University. The weekend camp at Wallis House in July approached the problem of suffering, both in its personal aspects, which included a talk by Mr Sullivan dealing with C. S Lewis's book, 'The Problem of Pain,' and in relation to the suffering of nations, which was discussed by Mr O. E. Burton.

The two study circles which have been held during the year, one by Mr Sullivan on Doctrine, held two nights in the week, and the other by the Rev. J. Nairn on the 'Gospel of St. John,' have both been steadily well-attended and introduced worthwhile discussion.

Religious literature has been effectively introduced into the year's programme. A reading of one of Dorothy Sayers' plays in the series 'The Man Born to be King,' was read by Scm-ers before Easter; and readings by students of selected passages of prose, poetry and drama have made an interesting contribution to the thought and discussion of the two camps.

Social services in and beyond the University have been continued this year, and include the compiling of a student handbook and the conducting of an information bureau at the beginning of the year. The large number of books which passed this year through the Second Hand Bookstall, run by the S.C.M., indicate its increasing value to students. Assistance has also been given in sewing and packing to Corso and in the organisation of I.S.S.

The four S.C.M. Services during the year have included the Commissioning Service of Mr Sullivan, held at St. Peter's Church and attended by large numbers. The major service of the year, the World Student Day of Prayer, which was held at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, was also well attended.

New plans for S.C.M. activities are in progress and an increasing membership of students prepared to take an active part in both the spiritual and practical sides of the movement forecasts its growth in active strength.

The Evangelical Union

In the first week-end of March, following the resumption of University, thirty students from Training College and-Victoria College met together at Otaki to discuss plans for the year's activities, and also to consider the rsponsibilities of Christian students in their University life. We were pleased to have with us Mr C. K. Bycroft, M.A., our Graduate President for 1947.

Following this house party we have been holding two Bible Study Groups every week led by the students themselves, and also three meetings for prayer. These have proved to be of great benefit to all who have attended. Sunday teas and services have also been events of note, one being held in conjunction with the visiting Inter-Varsity Fellowship Missionary team. Their visit to Wellington resulted in a marvellous time of fellowship, and the addresses from Miss Hill, China Inland Mission, Dr. Hallam Howie, China Inland Mission, and Mr. Roland Harries, of the Sudan, will not be easily forgotten.

The highlight of the year has been the Inter-Varsity Fellowship Conference, held in May at Dunedin. Everything, including the unpredictable Dunedin weather, aided in making the conference successful for the 120 students gathered at John McGlashan College. We were pleased to have with us the Rev. Basil Williams, an ex-Travelling Representative of the New Zealand Inter-Varsity Fellowship, now carrying out the same type of work in Australian universities. The comparisons he made between Australian and New Zealand student bodies and activities were most interesting and it was felt that both sides would benefit greatly from a closer liaison.

Before the end of the year it is proposed to hold a week-end house party at Wallis House. The Rev. J. H. Deane, principal of the Bible Training Institute in Auckland, and the Rev. Boggis, of Palmerston North, will be the speakers.

Biological Society

This Society has had an active year and has had a stimulating effect on the whole College. Activities began with the A.G.M., at which Mr. W. H. I. Dawbin gave a talk on his sojourn in the Auckland Islands, illustrated with slides and films.

The next talk was given by Miss Ralph on the trip to Canada. As the Biological Society instigated this trip we were pleased to have an account of the wonderful experiences the party had, from their leader.

The first field trip was a tramp to the Tararuas at Anzac week-end, and about 16 Biologists spent the week-end most profitably at Tauherenikau hut, studying the fauna and flora of the area.

A feature of interest was the talk on sex given to women students by Mrs Cochran, the author of 4 Meeting and Mating.'

A Sunday trip to Red Rocks on June 22 was held to study marine life. Dr. Fell led this trip and it was a great success, over thirty biologists and geologists attending.

The Brains Trust, held on June 23, attracted large crowds. The Society was fortunate in securing for the trust some of the brightest members of the staff. Some of Mr Munro's remarks will be long remembered, and some of Dr. Newman's answers have become favourite by-words in the Biology Block. All the students who packed into the Biology room on that night went away stimulated and enlivened.

A valuable field trip was made to Field Hut (in the Tararuas near Otaki Forks), the week-end before mid-term week. Miss Mason from the Botany Division was an able leader and answered many questions on the bush. Much time was spent botanising, but variety was gained by ski-ing, tramping, cooking, and generally enjoying camp life.

An afternoon visit to Wallaceville Animal Research Station, by 45 keen biologists, was enjoyed. The party was divided up and shown around the research station and events concluded with afternoon tea being provided.

The Society hopes to run a trip to the Whaling Station at Tory Channel during the August vacation, and also a trip to Kapiti Island after finals.

The Scientific publication being brought out by the Society will be available by the beginning of next term.

Debating Society

The popularity of the Debating Society has con tinued this year with audiences that packed the gym. There have been many new speakers and the number of speaking members has remained at about 50.

Owing to the number of clubs that use the gym on Friday evenings it has not been possible to hold as many debates as in previous years. In spite of this a number of varied and topical subjects have been debated, some of which were:—

'That the foreign policy of the U.S.S.R. is detrimental to world peace'; 'That the foreign policy of the U.S.A. is detrimental to the United Nations 'Organisation '; 'That Atheism is justifiable'; 'That Militant Unionism is a threat to the welfare of New Zealand'; 'That the emancipation of women is breaking up family life'; 'That Euthanasia is desirable'; 'That the Legislative Council should be abolished.'

During the Second Term an evening of Impromptu Debates was held. The Plunket Medal oratory contest was held on Saturday, July 12. It was won by J. Milburn who spoke on Ramsay MacDonald. The judges were Mrs Z. Mountjoy, the Rev Martin Sullivan and Dr A. M. Finlay, M. P. Leonard Samuj who spoke on Rabindranath Tagore was placed second and Bill Hume, speaking on L. E. C. Oates, third.

Victoria College was placed first and third in the Bledisloe Medal oratory contest. Brendan O'Connor, speaking on Thomas Bracken, was the winner and Kevin O'Brien, whose subject was Timi Kara, was placed third. Our Joynt Scholl representatives were Kevin O'Brien and Frank O'Flynn, who won second place for the College.