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The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, October 1916

Roll of Honour

page 34

Roll of Honour.

  • Gerald Innes Atkinson
  • Valentine Blake
  • Henry Barnard
  • Stafford Bogle
  • Noel Fletcher Burnett
  • Herman Stuart Baddeley
  • R. G. Blaikie
  • Archibald Geoffrey Brockett
  • William Thomas Dundon
  • Sydney Robert Ellis
  • Thomas Fawcett
  • Oscar Freyberg
  • John Hannington Goulding
  • Vincent John Baird Hall
  • George McLachlan Hogben
  • Athol Hudson
  • George Covell Jackson
  • Ian Douglas Jameson
  • William Henry Morris
  • John Edmund Mills
  • A. A. Macarthur
  • Malcolm McCartney
  • Alan MacDougall
  • Donald Eric Caithness Mackay
  • Kenneth Munro
  • Donald Kellway Pallant
  • Charles Ernest Pallant
  • Reginald P. Quilliam
  • Helger Bro Randrup
  • William Bramwell Rule
  • Henry Allan Shain
  • Ingelow Penrose Dunbar Stocker
  • Philip Gardiner Tattle
  • Lionel George Taylor
  • Alister McLean Thompson
  • Holloway Elliott Winder

Alan MacDougall.

When the war came Alan MacDougall enlisted, as we knew he would. The announcement of his death in action in France will have brought up in the minds of many of us memories which have long been treasured and which will now be held inviolate.

It is not my intention to deal here with his scholastic record at school and at college, his many prizes, his First Class Honours, his Research Scholarship, culminating in that Empire prize, the Rhodes Scholarship; nor with his subsequent career in England, proceeding in brilliant stages till it came to an end which, though sadly early, was more brilliant and inspiring than them all. I shall merely endeavour to give, in a manner which must necessarily be entirely inadequate, a brief impression of those characteristics of his that made him so attarctive to all who met him, to all who knew him so lovable.

It was his attractive personality that first appealed to one and once one had been drawn to him by that, it did page 35 not take long for the deeper seeds of friendship to take root and flourish. Quiet in manner and speech, earnest, almost wistful in expression, he had a ready smile that was a delight to see.

Of his faculties, that which stood out above all others was the critical. He saw through all the shams and affectations of mankind, perhaps a little too much, for in his affections there were no half-lights; he liked or he disliked, he did not merely tolerate. I think he has never lost a friend. It was the application of this highly developed critical faculty transferred from the man to the works of man, that helped to place him in the high position he had attained in his profession and to win him the praise and admiration of the highest authorities in the branches of knowledge that he studied. Yet, analytical as its inclination was, his mind ever saw and seized upon opportunities for usefulness of a constructive nature.

To see him was to recognize the strength of will, the fearlessness, and the determination that were always with him in all he undertook. One knew that he would see it through. And all this though he was physicallly not particularly strong. I remember once, when we were sitting for Honours in English, how we came out of the examination room together after a three hours paper, and started to talk about the questions set. We immediately discovered that he had in error been given the Senior Scholarship paper to answer. Mr. Joynt was communicated with, permission was obtained after a thoroughly keen and enjoyable argument between Alan and the supervisor, and Alan sat straight on for another three hours with the Honours paper and got his First Class.

Those who have played with or against him on the green fields can appreciate his quality in these branches of his activity. He played for all he was worth and he always played the game. Much above the average as a bowler, at cricket he helped the club whereof he was one of the founders to many a joyous victory or participated in many a joyous defeat. At hockey, at half or in goal, he played an equally brainy game. He never lost his head. One can well understand how his Commanding Officer, writing after Alan's death, refers to his young captain not only as a personal friend but as an exceptionally page 36 efficient officer. None but would gladly entrust his life to his care.

It was curious to notice how even in his earlier days here, men much older than he seemed to regard him as their adviser on the field and off, and that quiet philosophy of his, often expressed in trenchant phrase, was always at their service. To those who were privileged to know him intimately, a day spent in his company listening to his sane and calm opinions on men and things touched ever with his abundant sense of humour, was a joy to be long remembered.

He was at Victoria College while it was still young, while its traditions were forming, its course being set, and how great his influence has been only the Professors and those old students who were there with him can fully realize; to try to set it down on paper would take the life out of it all. But if we feel that there is a spirit about our College of which we as its students may be justly proud, then that is but a tribute to the work in which Alan MacDougall played so large a part.

Alan, you have left a gap in the hearts of your friends of Victoria College that can never be filled. But the winds that blow through this building of ours are the cleaner and purer, the memories that cling to its halls and walls are the sweeter because you have sojourned amongst us, and in the warp ond woof of that tradition which is growing up in our midst, and which will be forever with us, your hands have spun of the finest gold.

—S.E.

Eric Mackay.

D. E. C. Mackay entered Victoria College in March, 1907, coming from the Hokitika High School, at the age of 17. He remained five years at the University, taking his LL.B. degree and playing a leading part outside as well as inside the lecture halls. "Mac" played his first game of football for the College as a member of the III.B. team, and in a couple of seasons had gained a place in the seniors, making a name for himself as a fast and hardworking forward. He was one of the original members of the Cricket Club and played for the 1st XI. several page 37 seasons, both in Club and inter-College contests, wielding a vigorous bat and being a bowler of no mean order. Tennis, hockey, shooting, golfing, biking—nothing athletic came amiss to Mac, who put up some good performances in the way of walking tours.

His love for the out-o'-doors did not hinder him from taking a share in Capping and kindred festivities, as singer, actor, or author; he contributed at times to "The Spike," and prose or verse was always sure of a welcome.

After leaving College he spent several months in Victoria, and on his return took up the law as his profession, being with Messrs Spence and Stanford, of Stratford at the time of his enlistment in May, 1915. Mac. had been for a time a member of the old O.T.C. at College, and had not been long in camp when he was promoted sergeant, with which rank he left New Zealand with the 8th Reinforcement. And now comes news of his death last June from wounds received in action "somewhere in France."

Those who knew him well need not to be told that he died as he lived, cheerfully and courageously, prepared to face the task before him and see it through, admitting no thought of defeat or withdrawal. Good old Mac.! He was ever the same bright, cheery, open-hearted good comrade, whose laugh was a tonic to banish dull care, a staunch friend and a true one. His going leaves us with a sense of irreparable loss.

G.H.N.

Athol Hudson.

Through the death in action of Lieutenant Athol Hudson, New Zealand Rhodes Scholar for 1915, not only do his relatives and friends mourn the loss of one whom to know was to love, but also our Alma Mater mourns the loss of one of her most brilliant sons; one whose career gave great promise of bringing honour to his College and to his native land.

On coming to Victoria College in 1912, Hudson specialised in Science, and soon attracted the attention of his Professors to his unusual ability. He passed his College examinations with first class passes, and became recog page 38 nised as one of the strongest science students that had ever attended the College. At the time of his leaving for the Front, Hudson was engaged on important research work in the Chemistry Department, and was preparing to sit for the Senior Scholarship Examinations in Chemistry and Physics.

In the domain of sport, Hudson made a name for himself throughout New Zealand as a champion distance runner. He won in turn the Victoria College Championship, the University Championship, the Provincial Championship, and the New Zealand Championship in the long distance events, having established record time for the University. He also won the New Zealand University Lightweight Championship in Boxing, and achieved considerable success as a swimmer. Football, cricket, and tennis also claimed him as a devotee. His physical stamina was marvellous; the most gruelling exertion always found him smiling. But more admirable than his successes were his high ideals in sport. He always played the game for the game's sake; and, while ever on his mettle to pull off victory, yet was ever chivalrous to an opponent. Among sportsmen, he was recognised as one who stood for all that was characteristic of a manly man, devoted to manly sport for its own sake.

Probably never has the New Zealand Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee selected a candidate so completely meeting Cecil Rhodes' ideal as it did when selecting Hudson to be the Rhodes Scholar for 1915. Not only had he wonderful ability as a scholar, and prowess as an athlete, but above all, he had a charming personality. He was always anxious to help others, but hated any form of publicity; his modesty and retiring disposition were sometimes mistaken for reserve by those who did not know him. His self-sacrificing nature; his keen desire to co-operate in all College activities; his kindly courtesy; the depth and dignity of his character, earned for him the confidence, respect and affection of all who knew him.

On the outbreak of war, Hudson promptly joined the Samoan Force as a private, although doing so meant sacrificing much. In Samoa, he was noted for his unflagging energy, and cheery disposition under irritating conditions of life.

page 39

On returning to New Zealand, he took up study for a short time; but soon felt the call of Empire again, and in July 1915 he once more put his own interests aside, and went into camp as an N.C.O. in the Eighth Reinforcements. Sitting for a Commission he came out head of the examination list, and finally left New Zealand as a Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade. Those in camp with him, both here and abroad, spoke glowingly of his success as an officer. But he had but little time to prove his worth in the trenches before his career was brought to a close. He was leading a patrolling party on an expedition in No-Man's Land when, while close to the enemy's trenches, the party was heavily bombed. Although survivors returned to look for their leader, no trace of poor Hudson could be found; and, after this lapse of time, it must unfortunately be presumed that he was killed. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing him will always retain a memory of him as one of the finest men of our student days.

—G.G.G.W.