The Spike: or, Victoria College Review, June 1904

College Notes

College Notes.

Our future Home (as finally revised)

W We regret that exigencies of space and unevenness of merit comple us to suppress several promising contributors.

- - - -

"Command our present number be mustered"

—Cymbeline.

Ourselves.

At the first meeting of the Students' Association this year, Miss F. Smith was appointed Editor of the "Spike," and thereafter followed a period—till the next meeting—during which those interested endeavoured to persuade the refractory Editor to withdraw her resignation.

"Three weeks they expended in voluble strife
Flattery, plots, and debating,
Each used every word he'd learned in his life
While the poor old "Spike" was waiting."

To which our poet adds the refrain

"Oh, the Chair of the Chief is a graduate's place,
A smile should e'er rest on your editor's face,
His knowledge be all-permating"—

Which as we think, is an unnecessary reflection on last year's Editor. In the end a readjustment of portfolios had to be arranged, on which we need only remark—

"And three will work that the College may smile,
The "Spike" will be written in superfine style,
And all in the garden be blooming."

Athletic Club.

"If I lose a scruple of this sport, let me be boiled to death with melancholy"

—Twelfth Night.

In view of the Easter Tournament which is to be held in Wellington next Eater, an Athletic Club has been formed at the College. It is unlikely that the Club will hold a Sports Meeting of its won before the Tournament, but it hopes to enter teams for all the local athletic competitions. The success of students last season in Harrier and Amateur Athletic Events gives promise of even better results in the future. We would remind next year's aspiring, runners, as well last year's expiring ones, that two months' training is better than two days.'

The crest.

"Even thou hast struck upon my crest."

—Titus Andromicus

When the colours were under discussion it became obvious, after a little consideration, that something was lacking. The uniform would not be complete without a coat of arms, to give it "tone." The Professorial Board suggested a "mullet"—not one of the fishy tribe—but the heraldic five-pointed star. This was referred to the College council, which was of opinion that such an emblem would clash with the trade-mark of such other educational establishments as the Star Brewery. A Sub-Committee was set up to put the "set" on that star and suggest other heraldic devices. Various consultations have been held the Students' Association has had all-night sittings, and matters are still "as you were." The Association still clings to a shield mostly mullet, and the Council still thinks that all stars are the same star. In order to settle the question that all stars are the same star. In order to settle the question once for all we have been induced to come to the rescue. One of the accompanying suggestions will no doubt be accepted, it does not matter much which. The first represents a Premier, rampant, with a packet inscribed "V. C. Plan," à la main.

Coat of arms

Below is a scroll with the motto "Festino lente." The shield is surmounted by a common or garden snail. The second design, with is incorporated the motto "Muto cito," has for its main device a coat-of-may-colours surmounted by a sportive trencher. Above all is a Knight (cavalier d'échecs).

Browen Essay Prize.

The Bowen Essay Prize of 1903 was wom by G. H. Scholefield, who though now resident in Christchurch, was a student of Victoria college. Two or three years ago Scholefield was an ardent member of the Hockey Club. H is at present on the staff of the Christchurch Press Company.

Wellington College.

We give again to thank Mr. J. P. Firth, Headmaster of Wellington College, for the use of the College Ground for training. This year, as last, Victoria College received every kindness and consideration from boys and maters.

Of Travel.

"Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education: in the elder, a part of experience."

—Bacon.

Driven by advancing age, failing health, a desire to study American systems of education, and to visit once more the haunts of College days, Professor Maclaurin was induced to tear himself from our society at the end of last term. We did not have time to say "Good-bye," for he could not bear a parting, but we welcome him back with open arms. To show that he really did go to study American institutions, we publish an article from his pen in another column. We commend this contribution to all students, and to the public of the Middle District.

Au Revoir.

We regret to have to chronicle the loss of two hard-working and patriotic students. Miss E. F. Wedde and Miss E. M. B. Lynch have both served the College in many ways and have both represented the Students' Association on its Committee. They are now both translated to the Napier Girls' High School. If esprit de corps does not flourish at that school we want to know the reason why.

Mr. Sprott's Class.

The Rev. T. H. Sprott continues his lectures on Sunday evenings, and they are said to be as interesting as ever. This must be saying a good deal, for, in his annual report, published in the Christian Union Handbook, the secretary remarks "The lectures are full of parallel passages, myths, and fables from china to Peru." Parallel passages do not attract us, but the myths and fables are all right, especially as you have to pass the "Tower of Babel" and "get lost in the plains of Mesopotamia, or Armenia." If the portal be invited to see whether "the seats have time to grow hard" when "Mr. Sprott transgresses the hour limit."

Wanderers.

We are always glad to hear news of wanderers from the fold. Miss Bessie Whyte, a graduate of last year, has written for " The Spike" and we learn that she has been travelling in France and Italy, but is now back in England. It is at Miss Whyte's suggestion that we publish the Examination Results of this year.

Local Tournament Committee.

The arrangements for next Easter University Tournament are in the hands of a Committee composed of delegates from the different Clubs directly interested. It is understood that the Committee is even now at work. The committee is as follows: —

G. F. Dixon and F. A. de la Mare (representing the Students' Association), T. E. Y. Seddon and H. W. King (representing the Athletic Club). G. S. Prouse and P. W. Robertson representing the Tennis Club) and a. g. Quartley (representing the Debating Society).

The Colours

Silvia.—"Do you change colour?"

Valentine.—"Give him leave. Madam: he is a kind of chameleon."

The College is in its sixth year. In the days of its infancy an energetic Committee, feeling that the beauty of College decorations for all time was on its shoulders, fixed the colours at Chocolate and Gold. The hat-band would have been very pretty if an evil genius had not prompted the authorities to adorn it with a staring V. C. which was variously translated by the juvenile portion of the Community. The next generation of Committeemen, oppressed by the V. C. and the idea that posterity demanded something of them, endeavoured to perpetuate its own memory in Maroon and Light Blue. Vainly indeed—for a new race springs up, new times demand new colours. Prouse is on the war path, and he waves aloft his banner of Green and Gold. At the Annual General Meeting of 1904 this guarantee was given—the Professors thereby appeased—the College council asked to make assurance doubly sure and ratify the decree. The next change is due about A. D. 1907.

"Broke the good meeting with most admired disorder."

The Annual General Meeting of the Students' Association looked liked going down to posterity as a quiet and uneventful, walk-off-the-grass affair. The ladies, ably seconded by the "United Shillally club," had imported green into our Constitution, without undue excitement. On a sudden a mine burst. It was moved that students refusing to play for College Clubs and playing for teams competing against them, should be ineligible for membership of the Students' Association—or words to that effect. Scarcely was the mover seated when the heavy brigade came up at the charge. The air became thick with battle and "friend slew friend not knowing whom he slew." In the end to motion, which seemed to be regarded as too coercive for a "free country," was lost by a large majority.

The College Building.

"Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm in erecting a grammar school."

2 Henry VI.

News, great news! A contractor has climbed over the boundary fence of our College territory and seen that it is good to dig post-holes therein. Further he has brought with him his spade and has thrown up earth. A contract for the centre part of the Arts quarters and for the whole of the Science building has been signed, sealed and delivered by the College Council of the first part, and Mr. A. Maguire of the second part. The contract price is £25,371, and the time-limit is the end of December, 1905. The fine Hall on the North end that we noted with feelings of delight and horror—delight for many a waltz and song, and horror for many a three-hours'-inquisition agony in mellow November—is not included in the contract. Nor is the Museum on the South wing. For the pelfless present, also, the genesis of the third floor must look the world present, also, the genesis of the third floor must look the world in the face, bravely, but withal, gaunt and unclad.