The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, October 1917

Capping

Capping

The ceremony of public presentation of the graduates took place on Friday, June 22nd, in the Town Hall, decorated for the occasion with flags and wattle. The gallery was closed to the public, save for one man who sat there, at one critical moment the cynosure of every eye. the weather keeping pace with time-honoured traditions, was exceedingly boisterous—not so the male element among the students, they seems to have lost the art of ready wit as they have the desire (at which we rejoice) for senseless and continued interruptions. The programme followed, was on much the same lines as that of previous presentation ceremonies. The National Anthem was sung as the vice-regal party entered. Her Excellence was presented with a bouquet by Miss Crawford, Vice-President of the Students' Association.

Mr. C. Watson, as Chairman of the College Council, offered the usual congratulations to the graduates of the year. He referred to the fact that over 400 students from Victoria University College had enlisted, and that some 44 had laid down there lives—among them being two of our Rhodes' Scholars—Allan Macdougall and Athol Hudson. The latter, in his will, had left £200 to V. U. C. for the purpose of research work in chemistry. He went on to say that, in spite of the war, the number of students attending lectures at V. U. C. had not diminished to the extent that the Council had thought likely—there were more women students. The men students attended lectures until they were 20, previous to enlisting. The Council expected that after the war there would be a considerable influx of students, and it was sincerely to be hoped that the Government would make provision for the extra requirements thus necessitated. The scientific knowledge of the country had not been used to the full in commercial pursuits. Science ought to be devoted not only to trade, but to the investigation of wider aspects of education, which would lead to development of higher ideals. In conclusion, Mr. Watson urged that the students, above all things, seek the truth.

The next speaker was the Hon. A. L. Herdman. He congratulated the graduates of the year, and said the occasion was an historic one in that, for the first time, there was present among the graduates to be presented, one who had fought at Gallipoli. He then dwelt on the fact that after the war, commerce between the Allies, and particularly between different parts of the Empire, would be fostered, while that with our enemies would be discouraged. He considered that there would be a distinct change in Britain's post-war attitude. The aloof, insular, self-satisfied Britain of yesterday, the Britain blind or indifferent to danger, was dead. She, who inspired devotion in those who loved her, jealousy in those who feared her, was now fully conscious that over-sea dominious are assets, and as such must be treated. She was fast realizing her own illimitable resources, and there was every sign that a closer intimacy would be established between the various parts of the Empire. Public men from all the dominions would be called on to attend Imperial conferences. Germany had demonstrated the power to be derived from organisation; but the Allies are demonstrating that they can beat Germany at her own game—in three years they have equaled the work achieved by the Germans in forty The germans will go down to posterity as great fighters; and as great blackguards. There is one thing about which Britian may be justly proud—her Navy. It may be said that the British Fleet is in touch with all that moves in the face of the waters. In days to come Britian must maintain her naval prestige—men from all parts of the Empire should be sent to be trained for the one Imperial Navy, there where the spirit and tradition of the Navy lives.

Professor Garrow, Chairmain of the Professorial Board, then presented the graduates to Their Excellencies, the Governor and Lady Liverpool. Of the twenty-three men students who gained degree only four V. U. C. were capped—two of these appeared in khaki and one was a returned soldier. The arrangements for this part of the proceedings were somewhat better than usual, as the audience were given a better opportunity for seeing the graduated as they filed past, but it is still a matter for regret that more prominence be not given to this important feature of the evening.

The Governor then spoke a few words. He mentioned that that day was the anniversary of another kind of capping, viz.—the King's coronation— that he had spoken recently at a school gathering in Christchurch on St. David, the patron saint of youth, and that it was the Prince of Wales' birthday on the following day. He offered his congratulations to the graduates and to the students, and advised them to keep optimistic.

In the intervals between the speeches the students sang capping songs. Our thanks are due to Miss Clachan for acting as pianist, and to Mr. F. V. Waters, who undertook to train the students and, at no small inconvenience to himself, attended every practice previous to the ceremony in order to do so. One cannot but regret that many of the students (men students in particular) should not have attended these practices, as it was more than evident that they are not unusually gifted with facility for "picking up a tune."

When cheers had been given for each and everybody, the proceedings closed with the singing of "God Save the King."