The Capping Ceremony.

At the last November examinations, Victoria College had again the honour of heading the degree lists for New Zealand. Over three dozen successful graduates received their diplomas at the last capping ceremony. This function was held, as usual, in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, in the presence of a large gathering of citizens. By the irony of fate, the platform, with the Chancellor, the Professors, and the members of the Senate, was surrounded by a large hoarding dilating upon the wicked joys of "White Cub" cigarettes and various tobaccos. The Chancellor's speech was listened to for a quarter of an hour by the students, and then as a protest they left the hall. The effect of their action was, however, somewhat marred by the eagerness of some of the public who had previously been unable to obtain an entrance, and who now flocked to the turned the tables on the students at the close of proceedings by thanking them for their courtesy in giving their seats to the general public. His Excellency the Governor made a short speech, excellently delivered. And entirely in sympathy with the University ideals. The most entertaining effort of the afternoon was the "aeroplane" flight of Mr. von page 35 Haast into the "aerial regions" of oratory, which educed the conundrum : "Why is von Haast like the College carpenter ?" "Because he's always soaring." Professor Laby (our latest "addition") broke an indignant lance in refutation of several of the Chancellor's contention, and lent quit a contentious air to the otherwise placid proceedings. D. S. Smith, as the representative of the students, addressed the meeting, emphasizing the necessity for the provision of an adequate library for the College and the advisability of choosing the Rhodes scholar at an earlier age than is at present the case.