Our Friends

Mr. Jim Milburn, speaking to "Absent Friends," remarked that after years of proposing the toasts to the Professorial Board, to the Graduands, Ladies, and the Executive he was now demoted to "Absent Friends" which was In reality the most difficult toast of them all to speak to. Had the college any friends to toast? The Registrar had already been referred to. If there is a finer man in New Zealand at [unclear: sheer] extortion he had yet to meet [unclear: him]. There was the Professorial Board, and a lady of grim visage in the N.Z.U. building in Bowen Street who yearly collected students' fees, and the more timid of the citizenry of Wellington, and also, a number of football teams who thought that they could give our First XV a good beating—all deserved mention as the college's friends. In addition there was a gentleman employed at the Dunedin railway station—the station-master Mr. Milbum thought he was. When (one tournament time) he came to send the Christchurch express away the bell had gone. The train was halted three times between Dunedln and Chrlstchurch while railway officials pleaded with the varsity travellers to get a "fair go." The following Monday the bell arrived In a package—postage collect. That stationmaster could be counted amongst the college's friends; he had stood the acid test.

After Mr. Mllbun's reminiscences the gathering broke up—in a rather abrupt manner we thought. Prehaps the blow could be softened next year. The supper, the punch, and the speakers were all enjoyable and it is a happy thought that the best speakers will most likely be around the college and available next year.