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Our Social Life.

A plea for Better Understanding.

The cultivation of the Social side of University life in New Zealand is a subject of vital importance to students. In cold criticism it has been said, that as there is practically no residential life in connection with our College, there is almost an entire absence of any definite form of social life; from the point of view of what social life in its ideal form should be, this broad statement seems justified. The supporters of the present system claim in repay that social life in our College is sufficiently encouraged by student at functions; but the reply serves only to justify the statement. Such functions are subsidiary means that reach but half way to the desired end. The majority of students at Victoria College live the greater part of their lives beyond the precincts of he College and the benefit derived from their stay there is in the main scholastic

It is possible to pass through a College course and be acquainted with but few of those who tale lectures with you and to know none. At intervals the Students' Association and various College Clubs attempt to bring students together, but the results, notwithstanding contrary popular opinion, does not achieve its purpose. One fourth of those on the College roll attend these functions and it is ever the same fourth. The majority of students are not reached at all. The Professorial Board views with misgiving the increase in the number of these functions and threatens to limit the number; should such a threat be carried out, no wrong will be done. At the risk of being unorthodox, it is submitted that we will never cultivate social life by students functions alone. The number of College students is large—nearly five hundred—and it seems inevitable page 18 that the time will come when the students will be split into groups according to their sympathies and faculties. This is to be deprecated and the remedy lies with students themselves.

We as students are not given the opportunity, though we desire it, of meeting our fellow-students in a companionable way, on a common basis of friendly converse an intercourse. We are for the most part strangers to one another and know those only with whom we are thrown in direct contact. The remainder we know not—those whom we are prone to judge and too often to misjudge. To many who have been fortunate enough to attend University tournaments, firmer friendships have been made in a few days on those journeys where there is complete social unity, and where all have the same end in view—the welfare of Victoria College—than have been made in a College career.

The advantages and benefits accruing form such mutual contact are obvious. The talks and discussions on matters of common interest, the comparison of ambitions to hopes and aspirations, and the unfolding of ideals form different view-points must inevitably help a student to a broader understanding of his fellow men. There can be no doubt as to the value of the influence.

The field for the encouragement of greater unity amongst students is at Victoria College a large one. The Students Association cannot be expected to undertake the work; it has its hands full already. The opportunity lies with the Common Room Clubs (there is no Women's Common Room Club but surly there is room for one.) We have a social room in the gymnasium which if the Common Room Club does its work faithfully, should be a Common Room in the truest sense—a place where students may repair between and after lectures, and give of their best to one another. It is a Club that not a gain all that a University College ought to give—should join. The advantages are manifold; they cannot be written in a few words.

The happiest and most cherished recollections of three years sojourn at a sister College where there existed a Common Room life, are linked with the hours spent whit may others in mutual korero. The College roll was small but amongst the students were tow South Sea Islanders, a Maori and a Queenslander, and there were our own New Zealanders of varied types. It was good to talk with the Maori and hear his page 19 expression of hope for the amelioration of the condition of his native race; the misunderstood man 'raise some great truth' and tell of practical charity; the legal man in earnest discussion with the scientific; and the blind student contented with his lot, who "taught us how to live." In three short years how great the change—one on the Cape to Cairo Railway, two at Oxford—one who went to Cambridge but is now bush-felling on a back country station in New Zealand—a good fellow withal and who will yet redeem himself-and one of the happiest of them all and the greatest sufferer alas! has passed beyond our ken. To have known them, companions who were truly such, was in itself as education. It was something to be grateful for.

May the opportunity be given at Victoria College.