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The Spike or Victoria University College Review, June 1927

College Notes

page 26

College Notes

There is not much to report during the first session, save for the scholarship results. Firstly, another 1851 Science Scholarship has been awarded to a student of V.U.C. The last award to one of our number was in 1924, when Dr. J. G. Myers was successful. Now Mr. G. M. Richardson, M.Sc., has carried it off. He has distinguished himself here as a keen tramper and tennis player, and for the past year has held the position of assistant demonstrator in Chemistry. He leaves in August for Cambridge or London. We wish him every success.

The Sarah Ann Rhodes Scholarship in Home Science has been won by Miss Copping. She is fortunate in going to study biochemistry under Profesor Drummond at London University. We offer our warmest congratulations.

Victoria College has three Senior Scholarships to its credit this year. The winners are Miss E. Smith (Education), Mr. E. Beaglehole (Philosophy), and Mr. W. R. B. Oliver (Zoology). Incidentally, this is the third consecutive year in which the Zoology Scholarship has come to V.U.C. We hope that the successful scholars will accept our congratulations.

We regret to have to report that Miss Marwick is soon to leave us for London University. Miss Marwick has been here for several years, and leaves many friends behind her. We are very sorry to lose her, but glad that she is fortunate enough to be one of those lucky travellers to London.

We offer our heartiest congratulations to Mr. R. M. Campbell on gaining the Post Graduate Travelling Scholarship in Arts. Victoria College loses in him one who was unsparing in time and energy during his all too short time as President of the V.U.C.S.A. He was a keen supporter of the Free Discussions and Debating Clubs, and an ardent member of the Graduates' Association. We can ill afford to lose his unflagging enthusiasm, especially this year, when the student body is so utterly devoid of interest in College activities; vide the results of the Easter Tournament, as is shown elsewhere in our pages; the apathy with which they regarded the production of an extravaganza and, last but not least, the indifference in which they hold "The Spike"—which last is so appalling that less than 2 per cent. bother to send in any contributions at all.

The memory of Eric Lee Palmer is being perpetuated by a Trust Fund for annual grants of books to the Library. The Trust Fund has been organised under Professor Boyd Wilson's able guidance, and we are pleased to be in a position to state page 27 that the subscriptions, together with the Government subsidy, amount to £200.

Dr. J. S. Yeates is leaving Cambridge in June on his return home.

It is not often that an Oriental potentate honours the College with his august presence, but Professor C. S. Allan has done so this year, "With rings on his fingers and bells on his toes," so goes the old adage, and rumour reports that the Chairman of the Professorial Board on rolling down to the wharf to do the honours was confronted by a dazzling display of gold and ribbons. Somehow or other the official reception under the capable catering of Mrs. Brook did not eventuate. We trust, however, that a favourable report of V.U.C. activities will be laid at the Sultan's feet.

Mr. H. D. Skinner is at present on leave of absence from Otago University in order to take up a travelling scholarship awarded by the Carnegie Institute of U.S.A. The scholarship was awarded on the recommendation of Prof. Clark Wissler, of the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and Dr. Embree, of the Rockefeller Institute, in recognition of the work done by Mr. Skinner at the Otago Museum. These gentlemen, after a visit to Otago, thus indicated their appreciation of what had been done there.

The scholarship is for eighteen months, and requires Mr. Skinner to visit all the important museums and ethnological collections in U.S.A., and many in the U.K., and also to conduct a practical investigation, excavating in Arizona.

Mrs. Skinner will join him in the latter part of his work, and they expect to return to New Zealand early in 1928.

Mr. W. H. Balham, M.A., has succeeded Mademoiselle d'Ery as Professor Boyd Wilson's assistant. We extend a welcome to him and hope that he will enjoy his sojourn at V.U.C.

We received a copy of "The University" from England last session. It was well arranged and printed, and though there was not very much subject matter, what there was proved to be very interesting. It included notes on the programme arranged for the National Union of Students' Conference at Bristol—an account of the actual proceedings is given elsewhere—and articles on different aspects of University life.

One article stated that the University men and women of to-day were dull and uninspired. Educational results are to be judged by the way in which we use our leisure hours. This certainly seems true, and one wonders whether those who have done the greatest work for this country have been those with the fullest University education. The Rhodes scholars are a gloomy contradiction. Surely their opportunities are unlimited, yet do any to-day hold leading, influential positions in this country? I think not. It is obvious that there is some grave reason for this; what is it?

page 28

Other articles were equally pessimistic, they stated that European civilisation was rapidly declining, its golden summer had blossomed in mediaeval times; another writer dealt contemptuously with the travellers of to-day, an empty vainglorious occupation is travelling; far better it is to stay at home and meditate, even if it is only on the rate at which the pigs and calves are fattening.

A more cheerful tone pervaded the extremely interesting accounts of the student tours through Europe, and the return visits to England of bands of German students, and also those of other nationalities. Folk dancing, student songs, and the warm hospitality met with everywhere by the visiting students must surely do something to bring about a better understands between the nations.

"The Challenge" has reached us from Otago. This is a weekly paper consisting of four large, closely printed pages. The number we have received, May 19th, is good and has some excellent line drawings as an added attraction. "The Challenge" is brought out for the large sum of threepence. It will be interesting to see whether the standard set by this number will be achieved by subsequent issues. The mere fact of its appearance denotes that the students of Otago take a very active interest in college affairs.

Mr. C. H. Hain, LL.B., who gained his degree here in 1924, has been appointed assistant to Professor Adamson.

History students are fortunate in their new lecturer. Miss Duggan. Miss Duggan is a former student of Victoria College, and while she was here she gained a first-class M.A. in history. She also has unusual literary talent, and her poems are of international repute.