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Secretary: Mr. W. Iles.
Executive: Messrs. W. Sheat. LL.B., J. Hutchison
I. Rich, J. McLean,
Misses D. Lescher, B. Watkins, P. Thorn, R. Burton.
The Fifty-sixth Annual General Meeting of the Victoria University College Students' Association was held last Wednesday evening in the Upper Gymnasium. Some 63 members of the Association deigned to attend to exercise their right to formulate the policy of the V.U.C.S.A. for the ensuing year—some 3 per cent of the total membership. Because those who were interested in V.U.C.S.A. were at the meeting, we do not intend to give much space to the event for the remainder of the student body.
The meeting was presided over by Mr. T. H. Beaglehole. B.A. retiring Men's Vice-President. The Annual Report was discussed, with questions on the text-book scheme, Student Employment Service, Congress, Capplcade advertising and other associated matters. For those interested, some 100 copies of the Annual Report are still available to members.
A proposed Constitutional Amendment to provide for an Electioneering Sub-Committee of the Executive to control the electioneering of candidates for official posts and the Executive was discussed and variously amended and was lost after a 90-minute discussion.
A motion requesting the Secretary to write to the United Nations deploring the situation in Guatemala was lost; at one stage during the meeting there were insufficient members present to constitute a quorum. The chairman adjourned the meeting for five minutes to enable members to stretch their legs, and the meeting concluded some three and one half hours after it had begun with Mr. M. J. O'Brien moving a vote of thanks to the Chairman for the very capable and efficient manner of his chairmanship, which was heartily accorded.
The results of the annual elections were then announced.
The next Annual General Meeting will be held (d.v.) in the Upper Gymnasium on Wednesday,
By far the most Important discussion at last week's Student's Association A.G.M.. concerned the electioneering issue. A constitutional amendment put forward by Peter Crowe designed to legalise electioneering in some form was defeated by 33 voten to 11. In the debate a wide measure of disagreement was revealed on the approach to this problem.
No one will deny that a problem exists. This year only some 700 of the students voted out of a total membership of 2,400 odd. This is not a satisfactory situation. It is also to be questioned whether some of those who vote use their ballot papers as well as they might. Everyone is familiar with the spectacle of the earnest student, voting papers in one hand, "blurb sheet" in the other, gazing up at the photos of candidates in a condition of complete bewilderment. How can it be said that such a student is qualified to vote? In general it may be said that many students lack sufficient knowledge of candidates background qualifications and experience to enable them to exercise their vote properly.
It was this position that Peter Crowe's amendment was designed to remedy. He wanted to put electioneering on a legal basis, and at the same time surround it with adequate safeguards. By doing this he thought that the present situation could bow basically improved. Students particularly fresher's, would gain a better appreciation of a candidates worth and thus be able to exercise their votes.
At the A.G.M. the proposal met with opposition from two directions. First, the principle of electioneering was itself attacked. Messrs. Curtin and Cruden both in their finest oratorical form assailed it violently. They thought that if it went through. Victoria would be surrendered into the hands of the demagogues, men of solid intents would be pushed aside and the flashy speaker would come to the forefront. Deplorable as is the view of Victoria students' intelligence assumed in this argument, the speakers found favour with the majority of the audience. Time Beaglehole thought that electioneering would lead to the creation of blocs within the executive, elected on promises they would be unable to carry out, and the majority also appeared to agree with this. The amendment was also attacked on the grounds that it was impractical and would be impossible to put into effect. Bernie Galvin thought that the committee that was to be set up under the amendment would be completely ineffective. Dave Mummery and Ian Free, while in favour of the general principle of electioneering, also thought that its practical working would be impossible. One could not help feeling that they were drawing too dark a picture.
The amendment was lost by a large majority, but the problem still remains, and will doubtless come up again for discussion in future years. All students should think upon it.
(Editorial note—space does not permit a full reply to this article, but readers are invited to forward contributions in the form of letters to the Editor or short (300 words) articles, for publication).
The annual Joynt Scroll Debating Contest, normally held during the N.Z.U. Winter Tournament, was held in the Little Theatre on Friday, June 18. This year the contest was associated with a second series of debates on the following afternoon to enable the judges to select a team of two to represent N.Z.U. on an Australian tour.
The following is an analysis of the Friday evening debates for Joynt Challenge Scroll:
Debate One—M.A.C (aff.) v. A.U.C. (neg.). "That Morals depend Upon Environment" Won by A.U.C.
Debato Two—C.U.C. (aff.) v. O.U. (neg.). That Treaties such as Nato and Anzus are in conflict with the best interests of the United Nations." Won by O.U.
Debate Three—C.A.C. (aff.) v. V.U.C. (neg.). "That the accumulation of wealth denotes success in life." Won by V.U.C.
The Judges. Miss C. S. Forde. A. Eaton Hurley Esq. and Sir Matthew Oram, after deliberation awarded the Scroll to the Otago Team, consisting of Messrs K. E. W. Melvin and J. F. G. Irwin, placing V.U.C. (Messrs. B. Brown and D. Garrett) second and C.U.C. (Messrs. A. Lawson and I. Crcewell) third.
Placing for individual speakers was: Melvin, O.U., first; Brown, V.U.C, second; and Messrs Irwin, O.U. and Garrett, V.U.C., third equal.
The Saturday afternoon debates were as follows:
Debate One—V.U.C. (aff.) v. C.U.C. (neg.), "That post-war American policy has not furthered the interests of world peace," won by V.U.C.
Debate Two O.U. (aff.) v M.A.C. (neg.), "That Modern Civilisation is a Failure." won by O.U.
Debate Three—A.U.C. (aff.) v. C.A.C. (neg.). "That New Zealand should forthwith secede from the Commonwealth and join the U.S.A." won by V.U.C.
The team to tour Australia was announced as Messrs. Chamley (A.U.C). and Melvin (O.U.). If Chamley was unable to go. Mr. Lawson (C.U.C.) was to take his place; and if Melvin was unable to go, Mr. Brown (V.U.C.) was to take his place. Sir Matthew Oram, commenting after announcing the results of their deliberations, pointed out that the main object of the speaker was to make contact with the audience. This was something which Mr. Garrett (V.U.C.) failed to do. although his speech was one of the most logical and lucid of the previous evening. Mr. Dugdale (A.U.C) improved on the second debate, and shows great promise. Sir Matthew emphasised the necessity of careful preparation—nothing is to be gained without preparation. A good speech cannot be prepared in one day, he said, commenting on the fact that one team had only one day's preparation. The ability of a speaker to "Think on his feet" and to be able to sum up the opposition's arguments were essentials for a good speaker.
The participation of the Agricultural Colleges in debates was also a good thing, as they presented a different point of view to the debates. Sir Matthew deplored speakers putting their hands in their pockets as they spoke, also debaters smoking on the platform. The quality of interjections, look, left much to be desired.
The almost imperceptible sign off on awakening of interest among students in their own student affairs was caused, as some are no doubt aware, by the recently held Exec. Elections. However, this awakening, slight as it was, was so transient as to disappear almost completely in the short interval between the elections and the holding of the Annual General Meeting. The attendance at the A.G.M. was meager, lo say the least.
We have Jong hold the opinion that students are showing less interest in the activities of the Students Association which are of general importance than they did in the past. This we admit, is a generalisation which is open to correction. It may be, for example, that students have never shown much interest in the general affairs of the Association of which they are all financial members. The attendance at the A.G.M. would support other of these views.
So there would appear to be a largo element of truth in the thousands of words that have been written and spoken on "Student Apathy", and related subjects. But we hold differently. This University is primarily a degree school, and activations which are not concerned with the gaining of a good career qualification are incidentals which should assume no greater importance than any hobby or pastime. As almost everybody has a leaning towards some hobby or sport, it is natural to find in existence at this College, clubs and societies like the Rugby Football Club, the Socialist Club, and so on.
Such activities, and we would include "Salient" amongst them, are not a manifestation of any "corporate spirit" or other significant characteristic which is peculiar lo a university college. Rather do we believe that they are the natural and normal results of any large number of people attending the same institution for a similar purpose—in this case the gaining of a degree.
Such may be the explanation of the apparent "student apathy". It may not be apathy at all, but commonsense. When extra-curricular activities interfere with study, the sensible course of action is to drop the former, and this usually happens.
This university is supported by the public, who need the skilled technicians which is produces. Students have therefore an obligation first of all to the public, and secondly to themselves, to make the best use of the facilities of a university, so that they might benefit society technically, and themselves economically. If the result is that each student does not attend sympathetically to the demands made upon him by the many minorities in this college, who can complain?
A student is a member of a university, but he is also n member of society, and he is entitled to choose his interests from both these spheres. The fact that he 'shows little interest in certain student activities does not, we maintain, give anyone the right to call him "apathetic", especially when it is remembered that, from the nature of our society, about three-quarters of the students are part-timers.
This editorial, which is our last, is in the nature of but a short comment on a subject which is capable of much greater development. Finally we would like to offer our appreciation of the help and criticism which has come from staff and students, and to thank the "Salient" staff, who have made the task of a part-time editor so much easier than it would have been.
At the last meeting the following Blues were confirmed.
Swimming.—w. Ramson.
Cricket.—D. S. St. John. J. C. Thomson, W. R. Perkins, M. Mc Ewan, B. McK. Kern.
Athletics.—G. R. Stevens, J. G. Hawkes, M. C. Hansen, I. J. Hyslop. Miss S. Thompson.
Rowing.—R. V. Kirby, G. J. Thompson.
Tennis.—B. Boon. L O'Neill. T. Elchelbaum. Hiss V. Henderson.
Moved Lescher, seconded Beck, that it be recommended to the incoming Exec., that they attend Phys. Ed. classes for a short period before each meeting in the hope that such classes will serve to put them on their mettle and thus enable them to tackle the problems of the Association with greater vigour. Carried.
Moved Galvin, seconded Mclean, That the above mentioned classes take place in the Midland Hotel. Miss Them abstained from voting.—Carried.
No comment.
On reading the accounts of the Socialist Club the following entry was found:
Loss on School 2/3 ½
All gamblers interested are invited to attend the next meeting.
During the evening it was pointed out that during the last year no less than 3 members of Exec, have managed to become engaged. But, as Bernic Galvin was heard to wisecrack, what is more interesting is that 13 others haven't.
Dear Sir,—It was startling to find your editorial "Just in Passing" dealing at once with the war in Indo-China (16 lines), the reprieve of the Niue Islanders (15 lines), and our capping celebrations (6 lines). But your manner of dealing with these question was even more startling.
If "Salient" believes "that the (Indo-China) question must be answered with some degree or (sic) urgency" why does it deal with the matter "just in passing"? Secondly. "Salient" states that "although New Zealand remains part of the 'free world' . . . this is mainly due to our fortunate geographical position. There is no guarantee that such will be the ease in future". Faith can move mountains, but to what region of the earth is "Salient" going to move New Zealand? Thirdly, "arguments . . . concerning a 'Second Korea) and 'American Interference'" cannot be refuted by saying that the defeat of the French armies "will have implications which this generation will have to face." There are similar logical and grammatical confusions in the Niue Islanders paragraph.
The most startling feature of the editorial, however, was that it so rarely attempted to justify its assertions by reasoned arguments. Even the "Evening Post" reasons in its editorials. But "Salient" seemed to abandon reason in favour of stating a private credo—the words "we believe" appeared three times, together with "we ourselves feel" once.
The conclusion is inevitable, that "Salient's" editorial, however praiseworthy in intention, was shoddy journalism. As such, the merits of any set of political ideals cannot excuse it.
First of all. Mr. Scott, since when has the Editor of this paper boon denied the right of expressing his own opinion. And if he is so versatile as to actually have an opinion on three different and we admit unrelated subjects by what canon of journalism is he denied the right of expressing those opinions in an editorial, as we did in the issue of "Salient" of April 30.
We did not presume to deal with these, questions in the sense that your letter implies. "Salient" is "an organ of student opinion." The facts that are available have appeared in the newspapers and in other sources, and they are as accessible to you. Mr. Scott as to anyone else. We did nothing but assert the right of any member of the community be the Editor of "Salient" or L.D. Austin—the right to express an opinion.
Secondly, Mr. Scott, we appreciate your statistical computations which have revealed Interesting facts of which we would have otherwise remained in ignorance. We have continued your researches and we are now in a position to inform you that the editorial also contained eleven commas.
Finally, Mr. Scott, we assure you that we did, not in any way wish to write a "startling" editorial, and wo apologies for any mental stress it may have caused you. —Ed.
Dear Sir,—As one who attended the recent A.G.M. of the Students Association I was justifiably shocked at the failure, at one stage, of the meeting to constitute a quorum. But more remarkable than the apathy of so called "enlightened", members of the community, was the absence of many students who had submitted their names for election. It is certainly fortunate for the College that those persons were not elected.
This is not a condemnation of those unsuccessful candidates that were present; it is a condemnation of those who stood for election and yet failed to attend the A.G.M. It is remarkable that students who before the elections were each possessed of a plausible panacea for student problems, were unable to attend the A.G.M. Some students apparently are more interested in proclaiming their personal ability through your special election issue and placing their photograph on public view, than in trying to understand the Association's problems or in finding a solution to them.
Let us hope that in future years students weigh well their motives and their qualifications before standing for election.
Dear Sir,—Your Vic B. correspondent has not appealed to your readers in vain. Partial answers to her questions are (1) A lot. especially if the house has not been painted for a long time. Say £80-£150. (2) The Swords Club meets on Wednesdays and Saturday morning. (3) On Saturday nights at public dances the dancing must finish at 12. Otherwise, not many indeed. (4) Depends what else she eats.
"S.M.H."—Would you please hand your name to the editor as evidence of good faith.
Our yearly photographic display scarcely comes up to expectations. Only a few of the exhibits have that aloof semi-divine expression required of an Exec. member in fact the faces are disappointingly human. After all we do hope for that intensity. that politeness in the photographs, which we are accustomed to find in the blurbs. . . .
Chivatry has departed from its last stronghold in Wellington. Once it was an inspiring sight—the young knights keeping vigil in the darkness of the main steps, each maintaining a light a cigarette or a pipe as a beacon. But now, alas, Authority has seen fit to eradicate the necessity. Electric light has been installed. This invasion of modernity is tragic; no longe; services the beautiful romance of the stars above and the sparks beneath, and tobacco smoke in between; no longer can the gallant swain rescue charming maidens from injuring their limbs or their nylons. ...
"There has passed away a glory from this world."
Students of Tomsk in Siberia are producing their own television programme after having built a television transmitter themselves. Fifty students at the Tomsk Polytechnical Institute worked for about 18 months on the project. Experimental transmissions took place last year and the regular programme now includes news, documentaries, and entertainment. (I.U.S. News Service, Prague.)
Kyaw Than is a Burmese—he was lecturer in history at Rangoon University—and is at present the associate general secretary of the World Student Christian Federation, which unites S.C.M. groups all over the world. He has travelled in Europe and Asia, and visited Australian universities before coming to New Zealand. So that besides being intensely interested in World University Service, he has also wide experience in its work.
The aim of W.S.C.F. is to bring Christ's message into the University; its concern is not only the soul but with the whole person and his needs. So realising the sufferings after World War I, it established European Student Relief, to bring some material aid to the students. In
It believes that there is a community of the students throughout the world, transcending national, political, and religious difference, and that this community should express its concern in mutual service. W.S.C.F.. though definitely Christian in Us basis, can co-operate with other organisations, especially in meeting need; and as long as that need exists it is the Church's duty to act. So it has been trying to break down the division of relief service; and last year, at Vienna, at a leaders' meeting I.S.R. and W.U.S. agreed to cooperate.
W.U.S. aims not solely at material relief for the sake of relief, but at "relief through human encounter." Its programme is divided into five categories: 1, student living and lodging. 2. health. 3. education equipment. 4, refugee services. 5. mutual education i.e. exchange of ideas and experiences. Last year approximately £60.000 was divided among these. Local committees, which are headed by lecturers and professors, arrange distribution of relief and raising of supplementary funds; e.g. for a hostel in Indonesia 20,000 Swiss francs were needed; W.U.S. sent 8.000 about 7.000 were collected locally, and the rest was to come from Government subsidy and other sources.
Kyaw Than also spoke of what some Australian branches of W.U.S. are doing: taking charge of certain projects e.g. collecting money for building up libraries in Asian Universities—and of the Graduate Employment Scheme, by which some graduates have already gone to work for the Indonesian Government.
Only by such creative development—trying to help our fellow students—can we help solve some small problems as far as human relations in the world are concerned.
As these notes are being written, activity in the House is mounting towards a crescendo with our 21st celebrations only a week off. The recreation room and the Little Theatre see constant practices for the concert, while the basement is once again littered with jars of paint and unprintable expletives as the painting staff try to construct a backdrop out of newsprint Divers committees can be found all over the place in earnest consultation, and senior Housemen are getting into strict training for the Drinking Horn contest against the Old Boys.
After Saturday's activity Old Boys (Present residents can take it) will be only too glad for the more subdued programme for Sunday. The morning has been left clear. In the afternoon Former Housemen will be able to wander round Weir at their leisure and reminisce in the atmosphere of their old rooms. (Still much the same except for new Pin-ups). and at 3 o-clock Afternoon Ten will be served on the front lawn.
The weekend is planned to get under way with the Association Ball, which will begin at 8 o'clock on Friday night and conclude . . . with such admirable training the House Rugby XV should have no difficulty in trouncing the Old Boys in the match at the Prince of Wales No. 2 ground (10.30 a.m. Saturday). With the cream of past and present Ruru Shield talent, this game will undoubtedly provide the most entertaining football of the season. In the afternoon past and present residents will compete in the lounge of the Midland Hotel, what promises to be a Homeric trial of strength—the Drinking Horn! Almost immediately after, the company will adjourn to the R.S.A. Hall for the Smoke Concert, which is timed for 7.00 p.m. Invitations have been sent to the Chairman of the College Council (Dr. Stout), the Principal (Dr. Williams), the Registrar (Mr. L. O. Des-borough), and the College Accountant (Mr. M. J. Mason).
The celebrations are planned to romp to a final climax at the Little Theatre on Sunday evening, July 4. with the liveliest of variety shows, "Weir On Parade," presented by this year's residents. Over half the house is taking part in the programme which is predominantly musical but interspersed with humorous sketches, a sleight-of-hand act, and a mannequin parade of current Weir types and styles. The Weir orchestra with clarinetist John Doran and led by Guy (Lombardo) Jansen, and a lusty chorus conducted by Sir David Bracken Wilson, Mus. B., will support the show. Great work is being done in rehearsals, but the laurels will go to producers David Wilson, and Terry Corbett, to assistants Perry Stephenson and Ian Rich, and to stage manager Bryce Evans, whose time and energy are being devoted to the concert's success. As past and present residents are expected to attend in force, few seats will be available to the public.
Last Sunday we saw an enjoyable "picnic" game at the Petone Recreation Ground. Both teams had a good sprinkling of star players and the open style of play plus Winston McCarthy's comments over the loudspeaker provided an enjoyable afternoon's entertainment.
Early in the game the friendly rivalry between Scott and Jarden brought laughs from the crowd which numbered about two thousand, There was no serious rucking, but a surfeit of open play garnished with sound tackling.
In Scott's team there was, of course, Bob Scott. He played only one spell and was content to spin the hall rather than carve his usual great chunks off the side line. Crimp on the wing put Jarden off the field and after that showed up quite well. Bowers and Riley playing as five-eighths in the second spell were overshadowed by Mike Greig, who had come on in place of Eddowes, and by All-Black Fitzgerald. Reld, the half back, was the best we have seen for a long time and could displace Davis from the next New Zealand team. In Scott's scrum Jones scored two runaway tries, and most of the forwards had a gallop with the ball at some stage of the game.
Although the rucking was never fierce, the Green's scrum often pushed the Whites off the ball. Bill Clark was the star, but again the play was so open that all the forwards had the chance to materialise their dreams of being a second Mark Nicholls. Jarden was the pick of the backs and in his brief stay scored two good tries. Frank Muller turned it on on the other wing, often beating Freebairn and later, ably deputising for Jarden on the left wing. Fitzgerald although not playing seriously, and quite slipping when sidestepping made some good breaks, and his two "pots" reminiscent of Jackie Dougan, were well received by the Petone crowd. Tony Clark, although making some good runs, was best seen on defence, and on quite n few occasions Hashed from nowhere to smother a likely looking throw.
Mike Greig can be well pleased with his display. He slipped past All Black Bowers on many occasions and capped a really sparkling performance by scoring under the post.
All in all, it was splendid football, played in a friendly manner, with the score being only a secondary consideration. As students of Victoria College, we wish to thank Bob Scott and all his fellow sportsmen for turning out on Sunday. It was a fine gesture to our four All Blacks and one which the Rugby Club and the College appreciate.
In the local competitions, Varsity played splendidly in their win over Athletic. Jack Lamason said "It is the best game I have seen on the Park this season." Fitzgerald and Jarden have probably never been seen to better advantage, and, Jarden's runaway try, which Referee Fitzpatrick disallowed, will long be a topic for discussion.
The game against Taita, played without the stars of the team, was a shambles. Neither side looked like senior fifteens. Kawharu had many chances to turn the tide but his cross field running and indecision nullified most of his outsides opportunities. In the second spell, high kicking into the sun would have paid dividends, but he invested only once. Frank Muller was the best of the backs and his determined running with some good breaks by Tony Clark were the best of a very poor game.
The forwards played like old men. The promoted Bristowe was the only forward with any life in him at all, and was the best loose forward on the paddock.
The result was due, not to anything positive on Taita's part, but to the sluggishness of the Varsity forwards and the poor standard of the inside backs. After seeing Grieg play on Sunday, it will be surprising if he doesn't hold down the fiy-half berth in the Senior XV.
With the first six teams finishing within 14 minutes of each other, this year's Wellington to Masterton relay resulted in probably the keenest and most exciting competition since the race's inception in
The race was not without its moments, however, for right from the beginning the club was chasing the leaders following the near disastrous first lap, when a, torn muscle reduced Colin Candy to a painful hobble and Vic. to ninth place. Good efforts by Peter Joyce. John Mahon and Bob Crocker and John Hunt, with a determined uphill lap by Tim Beagle-hole, somewhat retrieved the situation and brought Vic. up into second place, only a few seconds behind the leaders. By the end of the punishing downhill lap into Featheraton a blistered Tony Gow had managed to catch the Palmerston North team and gave Vic. a narrow lead for the first time in the race. With Dick Gilberd. Mike Trucbridge and Graeme Stevens, three of the Club's best, running the last laps, our opponents were given no chances and our team came in some three and a half minutes clear of second-place getters.
Afternoon tea, a visit to a brewery and an invitation to the Daniel's residence for tea completed a most enjoyable and successful day.
Once again success has been due largely to the good average runners than to the brilliance of any one individual. Hero lies the club's strength and provided all are fit, Vic. may well retain the Dorne Cup next Saturday.
The V.U.C. Harrier Club followed up its win in the Masterton Relay by winning the Dorne Cup for the second successive year. Conditions at Silverstream last Saturday, were miserable and the course, having 32 fences, waist deep streams and patches of thick mud was a good test. V.U.C's clear-cut win in the teams race was due to sound performances by all the team, the good team running is shown by the fact that the ten runners all finished between 5th. and 25th. The team and their places were Graeme Stevens 5, Dick Gilberd 6, John Mahan 9, Tim Beaglchole 14, Clem Hawke 16, Peter Joyce 18, Mike Truebridge 19, John Hunt 20, Tony Gow 24, and Bob Croker 25.
With the first round completed and one second round game played. University shares the lead in the Wellington Football Association's first division championship.
Earlier in the season it was predicted that this team would be hard to beat. With no stars in the side every one of the eleven players has had to pull his weight and the success of the team speaks for itself. Results of games played to date have boon:—
Notable successes have been the last minute victory over Petone, and the well merited draw with Stop Out.
At times the team's supporters have been subjected to exceptional nervous strain as the minutes have ticked by and the team has been left trading. However the ability to fight back and the undoubted physical fitness of the team has enabled the boys to at least break even, and, in the case of the Petone clash, to come up on top even when the team's most ardent supporters would barely have hoped for a draw.
It is many years since the University club has achieved such success. The way to the top has been hard. To maintain it there will be even harder. One obvious way to stay there is to play good winning football—forwards scoring goals and the backs defending.
Above all we feel that the team must keep its cheerful approach to the game and try to recapture that effective and entertaining attacking football with which it started the season.
This year is an important one in the history of our club, as we have the honour of conducting the first official N.Z.U. Golf Tournament to be held as a part of Winter Tournament in August, Ten points will be allocated golf, 6 to the winning team, 3 to the second, and 1 to the third.
Our club activities made a good start on Sunday, June 20. when glorious weather favoured our first club-day held at the Paraparaumu links, which are perhaps the finest test of golf in the Dominion. An excellent muster of 33 enthusiastic student-golfers made the day well worth-while, and was encouraging for the Committee who arranged the fixture. Although no records were broken, the best cards being 80 and 83 returned by Barry Boon and Pete Carver respectively, there was a lot of enjoyable golf played by all, and a return visit to hospitable Paraparaumu would undoubtedly be appreciated.
It is pleasing to see more low handicap golfers in line for selection this year in our top team of four to contest Winter Tournament; at present it looks as though only 7 handicaps or better will make the grade. Incidentally the venue for the inter-varsity tournament is the Hutt Golf Club, and we are indebted to that club for making their course available to us. It is hoped that the V.U.C. team with its local knowledge of conditions prevailing at the Hutt course will make things more than interesting for the other varsity teams in August. It may be that Auckland's run of successes in recent years in the unofficial tournaments will be broken at this, the first official N.Z.U. Golf Tournament.
Our next club-day will be held towards the end of this term, and all interested should watch the notice-board for further details. Any Information concerning the club may be gleaned from members of the committee, who are as follows:—
Club-Captain: K. M. Phillip. Deputy Club-Captain: B. R. Boon. Secretary-Treasurer: R. C. Schroder. Committee: G. W. Blathwayt and G. M. B. Law.
Standard Press, Wellington
Frederick Page and Owen Jensen will soon broadcast Igor Stravinsky's 19-year-old Concerto per Due Pianoforte Soli. This will be, so far as can be ascertained, the work's first New Zealand performance. Always to the fore in any movement to propagate the art of Strawinsky, Mr. Page has done well to choose to present us with some modern-style severities from the foremost living composer.
But it is deplorable that we should have had to wait so long to hear the work. The same situation prevalls throughout the nation in respect of the major works of nearly all other contemporary composers music. The Broadcasting Service is to blame: it controls nearly the whole of our music-making organisation of National Orchestra's programmes. One cannot approve its timorous policy.
Fortunately, the opinions of Messrs, Page and Jensen are highly respected by the pundits of the programme Division, and if those two gentlemen decide they will play Strawinsky, they play Strawinsky!
According to Virgil Thomson, the subject of Strawinsky's Concerto is its style: just as Brahms preferred subject-matter was the style of Beethoven's middle period, so the subject-matter of Strawinsky's Concerto for Two Pianos Alone is the style of Beethoven's later period, in particular that of the last four or five piano sonatas. It contains a stormy sonata movement, an air with coloratura ornaments, and a set of extended variations ending with a fugue. The melodic material is angular and strong, the emotional content violent: the calmer passages are static and more than a little mannered. Transitions are operated brusquely and there is a certain willful barbarism about the relation of theme to accompaniment. The whole picture of the later Beethoven music is complete with all its mannerisms and perfectly real seriousness.
And, as always, Strawinsky gets right down to the bones of the matter.