"I have it
Upon his own report and I believe it;
He looks like sooth."

—Winter's Tale

"Sweet are the uses of adversity."—As you like it.

The Chairman of the Professorial Board, speaking at the Foundation Ceremony said a few words concerning the relations existing between Professors and Students. They are worth quoting because they are in their way extraordinary—and true.

"Speaking personally he desired to say that he did not regard these disadvantages and disabilities as being an unmixed evil, for although they had caused extra labour to the teaching staff and inconvenience to the students, they had made them all the more fully determined that the Victoria College should become a power in the land. Further those disadvantages had established between the teaching staff and the students a bond of sympathy such as he believed scarcely existed in any other institution of its kind. Certainly it did not exist in any institution with which it had been his privilege to be connected."

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust on 'em."

—Winter's Tale.

The circular appealing to the public for funds for Victoria College was signed as follows:—

C. Prendergast Knight, Chairman of the College Council.
Thomas H. Easterfield} On behalf of the Professorial Board.
Richard C. Alaclaurin} On behalf of the Professorial Board.
Geo. F. Dixon} On behalf of the Students' Association.
A. H. Johnstone} On behalf of the Students' Association.

- - - -

The University medal for the Ladies' Championship Singles at the Easter Tournament was presented to Miss A. M. Batham at the Students' Supper on Degree Day.

- - - -

The Ladies' Hockey Club presented R. St. J. Beere with a hand-bag in memory of his untiring efforts as "coach" In the course of a brilliant oratorical effort Rawdon explained that it was a labour of love.

page 59

"The Education Act was conceived in a generous spirit, and it laid down the lines of a free, secular, and compulsory education. There were some who thought it should be amended; but I do not think that if its main principles were interfered with, it would be a good thing for this Colony."

—Sir Robert Stout.

Hard to bear, Jimmy Gibb! To let the foundation stone be laid and not give you a chance, and to leave the wicked Chief Justice to get in the last word about Bible in Schools. A trifle low-down for a speaker to spring a mine like that at the last minute, after Professor Easterfield had sprung his bolt too! The "loud Hear-Hears" of the "passive resisters" had a kind of mocking note in them. Cheer up, James, you'll have another chance when the Catholic Bishops return to the charge.

"For 'tis a cause that no mean dependence
Upon our joint and several dignities."

—Troilus & Cressida.

At a meeting of the Victoria College Council the Rev. W. A. Evans moved "That it is desirable that immediate steps be taken to supplement the grant for buildings provided by the Government by means of private subscriptions, and that the Council appoint a Committee to canvass the district for that purpose." Sir Robert Stout seconded the motion and it was generally approved, except that the word "canvass" seemed too vulgar a term for the superior gentlemen who grace the Council Board with their presence. The motion was altered into a more "polite" form, but as it meant much the same perhaps that does not matter. The most refreshing part of the performance, however, was the dignified stand taken up by the chairman. We quote from the "New Zealand Times."

"The chairman was also in sympathy with the motion, but he strongly objected to anything in the way of a personal canvass. Such a proceeding, to his mind, would be a most undignified one. What would people say if members of the Education Board went round to their friends asking for assistance to liquidate an overdraft? He could not give an assurance that he would personally assist in making the suggested canvass."

- - - -

It must be gratifying to the Council to feel that it has a Chairman with such a fine instinct for dignity. We understand that Dr. Knight was unable to find a precedent for such a shocking course. And yet the Cambridge Association made what seems to have all the essentials of a personal canvass, and its circulars reached New Zealand. They were signed by one "Devonshire" (whether Mr. or Mrs. not stated) and we under- page 60 stand that person to be of respectable parentage. What a shock "Devonshire" will get when he hears the verdict of C. Prendergast Knight!

- - - -

The task of collecting money is a thankless one and none of us would do it for choice, But the students of Victoria College do not believe that it is undignified to ask what it should be the privilege of every citizen to give. The cause is a holy one, the means are honest, the task honourable. The Churches do not speak of dignity. Such dignity as can be retained by half-heartedness in this cause may give infinite personal satisfaction, but we do not think it has its roots in true worthiness.

- - - -

"And those of us who live herein Are most as dead as seraphin But not as good."

—From "Rebecca."

The fact that an important meeting of the College Council, the Special meeting to consider the question of public subscription, lapsed for want of a quorum, prompted an enqniry into the attendance of the members of the Council. We are indebted to the kindness of the Chairman and Registrar for the authentic figures. The results, which cover the years 1902,1903,and 1904,are in some respects interesting as affording a very rough indication of the interest taken in the College by some of the members. An analysis of the figures with regard to Electoral Bodies works out as follows:—

Electoral Body.	No. of Members.	Percentage of Attendance or absence with leave.	Percentage of actual attendance.
Education Board	3	52	34
Parliament	3	87	79
Graduates	3	81	63
Teachers	3	91	83
Governor	3	52	43
Professors	1	47	22

Those who have been urging reform in Electoral bodies may draw what conclusions they can. We have no suggestions, though it may be said that the Education Board, the Governor, and the Professors, have not been conspicuously successful in their choice.

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Perhaps the most unexpected result is the practical disenfranchisement of the Professorial Board, whose one representative has been actually present at eight out of thirty-six meetings We know Dr. Findlay is a busy man, but we never hear of his missing a Birthday Banquet or a demonstration of the Liberal and Labour Federation. We believe that Dr. Findlay has ample scope for his high talents as Preacher of exalted standards of Political Integrity, but the work on the College Council is evidently not congenial. A man with less ability and more enthusiasm, a student for example, might help to keep things moving. Perhaps the Professors could prevail on Dr. Findlay to resign.

- - - -

Of the members appointed by the Governor the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. A. R. Guiness is the most conspicuous example of the "deadhead" variety. Out of thirty-six meetings he has attended two. It is solemnly recorded that on one occasion he was absent "with leave," but that was early in his career. How it is he is not "allowed to lapse" we cannot imagine. Mr. Guiness, of course is largely occupied with Parliamentary duties during the Session, and afterwards he lives far from Wellington. His absence causes no surprise, but his appointment and reappointment look like an admission that one member of the Council is neither here nor there. We would like each province in the Middle District to be represented and to feel that it has a proprietory claim in Victoria College, but we think that that end is not achieved by such an appointment as that of Mr. Guiness. Mr. A. W. Hogg M. H. R. has sixteen attendances against thirty-six meetings but on six other occasions he was absent on "leave." It is the attendance of Mr. J. Gaham M.H.R. which makes the percentage of attendance of the Governor's nominees at all presentable.

Of the Education Board's representatives, Mr. Seymour has just vacated his seat—not too soon indeed. Mr Talbot has not yet vacated his seat but his 36% of attendances gives him a good claim against the Board for suspension. Mr. R. Lee is still on probation, but his record is not much better.

- - - -

Bishop Wallis has been absent from Wellington a good deal, a fact which partly accounts for a somewhat unsatisfactory total of sixteen meetings attended out of thirty-six. He was absent on leave on eleven occasions. It is for the graduates of Victoria College to weigh Dr. Wallis in the balance.

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Indian Bazaar

As a means of giving practical assistance to the Indian Missionary Settlement for University Women, a bazaar is to be held in the Girls' High School on Saturday, October 1st, under the auspices of the Students' Christian Union. The Settlement, whose object is primarily the enlightenment of the more highly educated and intelligent Parsee woman, is supported by the students of Home and Colonial Universities. Last year the first colonial settler sailed for Bombay, Miss Elsie Nicol M A. of Melbourne University, and a special effort is now being made to send a student from New Zealand, for which purpose £120 per annum, exclusive of outfit and travelling expenses, is required. Contributions for the bazaar have been received from Otago University, Canterbury College, Nelson Girls' High School, Wanganui Girls' College, and Mrs. Wallis, Bishopscourt.

- - - -

Lost

I. Davey who held the Gymnastic Championship of Wellington was defeated this year. Victoria College has been holding Davey too close to the grindstone.

- - - -

The Battle of The Bans

A. G. Quartley won the prize for the best "Capping Song" with the "Song of the Kaleidoscope," and G. L. Lee was placed second with "Our Staff—An Appreciation." Many think that Quartley's song was the pick of the songs of all the Colleges this year, and it certainly is bristling with good "points." Lee's song was perhaps our greatest choral success.

- - - -

What business, Lord, so early?

—Troilus it Cressida.

Lord Plunket arrived at the Site on Foundation Day about ten minutes before the appointed time. Business men, professors, and students who had snatched a hasty lunch were placidly climbing the hill when the Governor's carriage passed. Ah, then and there was hurrying to and fro, and such a rustling of gowns was never seen, nor such blank faces. Lord Plunket, however, and Lady Plunket waited patiently and cheerfully. The lackey looked bored.

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A Chair of Journalism.

Here our correspondent supplies a series of cuttings, of which the following is a fair specimen.

"Wellington worked play down to Wairarapa line, and there the two teams swayed and kicked and struggled. Suddenly out of the ruck the body of Calnan flopped over the line holding the ball, but alas, the referee had whistled even as he flopped, and a scrum was formed."

We do not pretend that the quotation of such scraps, especially in a football column, is enough to constitute a just basis of criticism, but we do think that the morning paper could be used with some effect as an argument in favour of Sir Robert Stout's proposal — especially as Ethics would enter as a pass subject into the degree of B. J.

- - - -

"No longer festive students will disport maroon and blue,
The chocolate and golden is a prehistoric hue."

—College Song.

The Students' Association Committee has decided on ths arrangement of colours in the new hatband. The ground colour is, of course, green, and round each edge is a very thin gold border. The coat of arms is worked in gold on the front. A supply of ribbands will be obtained before next Easter.

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Our Staff.

We sincerely congratulate Victoria College upon the decision of its Council to retain the services of the four pioneer Professors for a further term of five years from the date of expiry of the first engagement. The "Spike" is not quite sure whether it ought to congratulate the Professors also, but it knows what it knows—something about an uphill fight, a helping professorial hand, and personal sacrifice here and there, and is glad that the students will have the opportunity in their new home of showing they are not destitute of gratitude. And after all, Virgil construed by a Professor other than the present one is "not conceivable "; the laboratory without our goodly Professorial Chairman would be a "vacuum "; English without the few (too few!) jokes of a certain douce Scots lecturer, would be arid as-Anglo-Saxon; and the Binomial Theorem expounded by lips not those of our Cambridge LL.D., melancholy and slow.

- - - -

"A good rebuke,
Which might have well becomed the best of men."

—Antony & Cleopatra

The thanks of the Debating Society and of the College are due to H. H. Ostler for his prompt action in upholding the Dignity of the Students on a painful occasion when the Chairman of the Society, not that evening in the Chair, was observed among the audience in a sweater. Ostler pointed out that members should not appear in a public place in costumes unbecoming students of the N.Z. University. We understand that this sentiment has been indorsed by the Senate.

- - - -

Jog on, jog on, the foot-path way,
And merrily hent the stile-a:
A merry heart goes all the day,
Your sad tires in a mile-a.

—A Winter's Tale.

The College entered a team for the Harriers' Five-mile Road Race. Sixteen teams competed and sixty-four men started. College was not so successful as last year and only two men got home in the first twenty. de la Mare was 10th, and Beere close up. Goulding and Bray also finished.

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Forgotten!

Two names were omitted from the list of successful candidates at the last November examinations: S. Moran passed the first part of the Third LL.B.; and G. Craig passed the Final Solicitors' Law.

- - - -

We have received, too late in the day for more than a short extract some topical verses which would seem to be a parody on Gilbert's "Lost Mr. Brown." It is entitled "Diploma Day" and deals with the events of that memorable day with some enthusiasm. The hilarious supper was evidently too much for the writer (E.W.) who "carols" concerning a "gorgeous time."

We commend the following verse to the "authorities."—

But more than these, at
The back of the hall were
Many and many a
Turbulent one;
And among them also,
Interrupting,
I grieve to say was
The Chancellor's son

We have space for only one more verse.

Need I mention
Ubiquitous Dixon,
Beere athletic,
And de la Mare:
Et frates Prousii
Great in Hockey;
And Tom with his smile that
Charms the fair?

- - - -

Coat of Arms.

We regret that our suggestions for a Coat-of-Arms have been passed over by the College Council, and the matter decided apart from that hotbed of Heraldry, the Students' Committee. The device certainly looks well "done in oils," and we have no improvements to suggest. The official and heraldic description runs thus: "Vert on a fess engrailed between three crowns or a canton azure charged with four estoilles argent (in the form of the Southern Cross)" There now! The "Spike" in its modesty is almost shy of blurting out any connection with such an aristocratic relative. The crowns represent a memorial of Royalty, the stars are alpha, beta, gamma, and delta Crucis, and the Crest is that of the Duke of Wellington.

[A block showing the Design will be found on page 17]