Gill Hemery and haka party combine to welcome freshers—and how!

The president of the student's association having finished his stirring address of welcome, the buzz of voices grew louder as 400 freshers rose, somewhat uncertain of the next move. Mens' vice-president Jim Hutchison came to the rescue and directed the horde across the bridge from C3 towards the [unclear: G. n.]

Once again the inspired cry of "taku patu, taku patu, taku patu, Weir" was heard from afar and into a packed C.3 wound a sinuous serpent of green and gold hued skirts and football jerseys. Yes, it was the infamous Weir haka party who, on the evening of March 5, 1956, gave a performance probably unequalled at any previous freshers' welcome.

The precision of movement and discipline of voices, lacking in the haka party over the past two or three years, gave an added polish to the proceedings of the haka party which comprised mainly second-year students.

Having snatched from the midst of the large crowd the accustomed number of fresherettes the Weir boys turned about and blazed a trail to the Upper Gym where Garth Young and his team were lined up to blow the brass, thump the ivories and clash the cymbals.

Bodies waved and jostled for positions and away they danced into the first "Gay Gordons" of the season, The crowds swung and sang; cigarcite smoke climbed to the ceiling and 16 dozen Coke soon vanished in mighty gulps. But wait . . . "Scots wa hae" . . . stirring pipe music arose from the floor below and behold the Senate arrived to pay their respects to the assembled multitude.

The haka party again swung into action and cleared the floor to allow Chancellor Terry Corbett to pro-nounce the oath and swear in the class of 1956.

Dancing continued through to midnight and happy crowds of freshers and others not so young wended their weary ways home well satisfied with the evening's performance.

The final event of the week was Freshers' Ball on Friday 9th. Gill Hemery and her assistants on the Social Committee worked hard for a week in preparation for the Ball and to them must go all the credit for its great success.

It is not easy to remain downstairs buttering water biscuits and brewing coffee when overhead 300-400 people are enjoying the dancing, and all the girls deserve congratulations on their fine effort.