University Club.

This Club, membership of which is open to any man of the age of 23 years or over who is either a Graduate or a Past Student or a present student of the University of N.Z. or of any recognised University, is continuing its activities and is filling a long felt want and a very useful purpose by bringing together University men of all various walks of life. The membership is steadily increasing and the Club numbers among its members, Graduates and Past Students of very many different Universities in this and other countries.

The main activity of the Club up to the present, apart from the provision of very comfortable Club rooms at 98 Customhouse Quay, has been the holding of periodical luncheoms, at each of which some distinguished member is asked to speak. In this way the Club has entertained (among others) Sir Robert Stout, Sir James Allen. Sir Francis Bell (all of whom are now members of the Club) and Mr. W. L. Lowrie, the American Consul. In future luncheoms will be held monthly on the last Thursday of the month.

Recently Mr. J. M. A. Ilott, a Vice-President of the Club, delivered a most interesting and enjoyable lecture in the Club Rooms on "Etchings." The lecture wass illustrated by a large number of very fine slides and by examples of famous etchings from Mr. Ilott's own collection. It is the intention of the Club to hold similar gatherings in the Club Rooms during the winter months.

When the membership of the Club increases sufficiently, it is intended to provide further facilities, such as Luncheon Rooms, Billiard Table, etc.

Any members of the College who desire to join the Club should get in touch with the Hon. Sec., Mr. H. McCormick, 131 Featherston Street, (Phone 45-978).

Free Discussions Club.

This year, the relentless pursuit of Truth seems to be going on with all the vigour and enthusiasm so characteristic of the Club. All shades and types of opinion have come to tarry, though perhaps, not to rest, under our stormy wings, and the general discussion after each meeting has usually been fast and furious. There is one observation, however, which we would like to make, and it is this: That although a goodly proportion of club members are women students, it is but rarely that they take any part in the discussions, seeming for the most part content, to leave all the argument to the men. Surely this is a regrettable state of affairs. Are the women too shy or too nervous to voice their opinions? Or perhaps they have no opinion, at all? Anyhow, whatever be the cause of this modesty, we would urge all the women members (and more of the men. too, for that matter) to come forward, (in both a literal and metaphorical sense) and enter freely into the discussions.

On so many subjects there is room for more points of view than one only, so that it is a pity not to have a strong presentation of the "other side." After all, most people have opinions about most things. Well, the Club exists for your fellow students to hear yours. Don't disappoint him.

As to the meetings: The annual general meeting was held on March 29th. After rushing through the business part of the programme, the election of officers, perusal of balance-sheet, presentation of annual report — in a style which would earn us high praise from American efficiency experts, we composed ourselves for the meat and drink of the evening, namely, the presidential address by Prof. Hunter on "The influence of the Church on Society." Taking for his text, Tawney's recent book on Religion and the Rise of Capitalism, and Graham Wallas, "Our Social Heritage," Prof. Hunter first showed that the attitude of the Church to business in mediaeval times was one of interaction. The Church had its finger in the page 47 business pie, and kept the level of business consistently high. The rules of trading, for instance, formulated by Calvin and applied throughout Calvanistic Churches (Tawney p. 129) would probably be conceived as idealistic nonsense by twentieth century captains of industry. Then the speaker proceeded to trace the decay of this old standard, and the substitution for it among the churches, of an attitude, winch is perhaps consciously, perhaps unconsciously, recognised to-day as being more or less hypocritical. This was illustrated by several examples from Graham Wallas. An interesting and illuminating discussion followed.

On Thursday, April 21st, a symposium was held on "the University Teaching System." The first speaker, Mr. F. F. Miles, discussed the question of Lectures in the University, drawing upon his experiences at Oxford and elsewhere to elucidate his points. Mr. R. M. Campbell impartially considered the problem of "Day and Night Lectures," showing, with the aid of a host of figures and statistical batteries, that although a system of day lectures was ideally perfect, yet in this important world, V.U.C. to wit, night lectures constituted the only possible way of providing mental pabulum for would-be-teachers, budding lawyers, and other seekers after the light, without imposing undue hardships upon them. Incidentally we would wish Mr. Campbell to explain the appositeness or otherwise of the figures which he brought forward to show the incidence of births among University graduates in America. Quite reliable information doubtless, but just where did they come in? Mr. W. H. Gould followed with a witty utterance on "Compulsory Attendance at Lectures." His position, as we understood him, was, that though not entirely in favour of lectures qua lectures, yet he thought some measure of compulsion necessary to secure attendance, even though some lectures were not worth attending. Among those who explained views later, were Prof. Hunter, Dr. Sutherland, and Mr. I. Frazer. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the principals.

The third meeting for the term was held on Thursday, May 5th, when Mr. C. F. Prael, a student of the Leland Stanford University, California, at present taking lectures at V.U.C., gave us something to chew over in his bright, breezy, unorthodox, provocative defence of the question—"Is America headed for Heaven or Hell?" Mr Prael took up one by one the charges levelled by critics against America, viz., her money making, her worship of applied science, her irreverence, her moral chaos, her failure to produce art and literature, her standardisation of industry; and showed that from his point of view, these features of American life, though he admitted and deplored many of them, were but symptomatic of America's struggling youth. All youth is crude and ignorant and dissatisfied, with tendencies to revolt against accepted standards. Just so is America rebelling against European culture, striving to evolve a new civilization, climbing upwards to what the speaker hoped would be something bigger and better, or, in the words of the old creed, "upwards and onwards for ever." In the following discussion Mr. E. Beaglehole pointed out that although some might say America was climbing up, others might say she was sliding down, but personally he was out of sympathy with many American ideas. Mr. A. E. Campbell gave his opinion of American literature which was possibly destined to become great, not because of America, but in spite of America. Mr. S. Wilson mentioned some of the things he admired and also some of the things he deplored in America. Miss Lysaght asked a pertinent question about the study of Evolution in America. Mr. W. Hall praised American efficiency. Dr. Sutherland held that America was instituting a new phase of civilization, which was gaining ground where tradition was weak, and, features of which were distasteful to those brought up under the old regime; Capele, Huxley, Stella Benson, and Shaw for example, were in violent reaction against this grab and graft stage of culture. Finally Mr. Roy Smith, although he gave America credit for such institutions as organised charity, arbitration and mass production, declared that he disliked America's mechanistic outlook on life. The hour being now late, the meeting adjourned after passing a vote of thanks to Mr. Prael for his address.

Finally on June 2nd, we had the opportunity of listening to the Rev. J. R. Blanchard, B.A., minister of St John's Church, Wellington, on the somewhat controversial subject of "Re-reading the New Testament in the Light of Modern Psychology." The speaker first laid down the essentials page 48 for a discussion of this subject, viz., an adequate knowledge of the New Testament and of Psychology; the necessity for consistently interpreting the evidence from the point of view of one and only one psychic theory; and lastly a freedom from prejudice in the examination of religious evidence. He then went on to consider specifically some more important facts, as, for example, faith-healing by Jesus, demon possession and Pentecost, which might be capable of explanation in terms of psychological concepts, but, which, in the opinion of the speaker, required for a complete and satisfying explanation the postulation of a theistic philosophy. Mr. Blanchard went on to give an outline of Jung's theory as set forth in his work on the "Psychology of the Unconscious"—the theory, that it, that Christianity is a myth, which, as a product of the dreaming of the race in the days of long ago, serves the biological salvation of the race through its providing a socially safe outlet for what would otherwise be the repressed libido of the individual. If such be the case, Jung would sweep away the Christ myth in modern times and substitute for it the virtue of self knowledge. With Jung's statement of the problem, the speaker disagreed, preferring to nail his colours to the mast of the good ship, Literal New Testament Interpretation.

The discussion which followed was keen and more or less to the point. Mr. Beaglehole held that though Freud and Jung might be more artistic than scientific in some matters, yet their psychology provided a fairly substantial basis for the consideration of biblical happenings; he also mentioned the case with regard to the historicity of Jesus himself. Mr. Sutch wondered why Jesus was worshipped and not Coue, when both were faith-healers. The answer from Dr. Sutherland was that Jesus was a supreme spiritual genius and this gave him the advantage over Coue. Mr. R. M. Campbell and Mr. W. P. Rollings now made a determined attack upon the validity or otherwise of New Testament miracles, both of them appearing to us to be rank disbelievers in such miracles as the Virgin birth, the Resurrection, the turning of Wine into water. This led on to a discussion of admissable evidence. Dr. Sutherland gave it as his opinion that the Resurrection was the outcome of the desire of the early Christians to make their religion as marvellous and as important as possible in a psychological reaction against their own feelings of inferiority. He also briefly mentioned the questions of demon possession and of the historical reality of Jesus. Mr Grieg wondered whether the divinity of Jesus was an essential plank in Christianity's platform. From his point of view it was not so; this was essentially the position of Middleton Murray on this question. In conclusion Dr. Sutherland called upon members to pass a vote of thanks to Mr. Blanchard for so patiently and so courteously standing up to the vigorous cross-examination to which he had been subjected by club members. It was carried in the usual manner.

Dramatic Club

Since the last appearance of the "Spike" the Dramatic Club, which was then showing signs of renewed life, has once again firmly established itself as an active College Club. We have an increased membership; readings are being held with reasonable regularity, and, in general, everything is, if not rosy, an unmistakable and encouraging pink.

Two plays were read during the first term—"If" by Lord Dunsany and "Quality Street" by Sir J. M. Barrie. Both readings were extremely successful and the attendance of members was particularly good.

Our first public performance for some years will take place in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on June 17th and 18th, when the Society will produce A. A. Milne's clever and amusing comedy, "To have the Honour." The cast includes the following:—

Misses R. Bullen, M. Cooley, D. Hadfield, E. Purdie, and M. Watson, and Messrs. D. Edwards, R. J. Mayne, R. E. Pope, D. Priestly and A. Watson.

Rehearsals are proceeding under the very capable direction of Mrs. John Hannah, and everything promises well for a most enjoyable entertainment.

We have a fairly full programme of readings for the remainder of the year. We have still two sets of plays unread:— Ashley Duke's "The Man with a Load of Mischief" and "Shakespeare" by Rubenstein and Bax. A One-Act Play Evening and a Shakespearean Evening have also been mooted. All we need for a very successful year is the enthusiastic cooperation of every member.

Tramping Club

Jog on, Jog on, the footpath way,
And merrily bent the stile-a;
The merry heart goes all the day,
Your sad heart tires in a mile-a.

For a young country, it is astonishing what a great amount of prejudice there exists against tramping. Not always openly expressed of course, but still existing in a half veiled fashion, welling up from underground pools occasionally and bubbling forth in significant nods, vague looks, insinuative tapping of the head and so forth. It is tacitly believed by many people that trampers are all mad, cracked, cranky, to go walking off the beaten track, when there are paved footpaths along which to amble, cheap picture houses to amuse, and speedy trams and trains to carry one swiftly from one place to another. Mad, absolutely mad; that's the first and the last word. And the tramper is at a disadvantage in defending himself. For how can he explain to anyone, or try to convey by use of such a poor instrument as language, the freedom, the beauty, and the peace of open spaces, or of bush clad hills? In what words can he describe the grandeur of snow-crowned Mount Arthur, the dark blue depths of the Diamond Lakes, tucked away 5,000 feet above the busy world? Or quiet reaches of the Whakatiki, drenched in the noon-day sun, or the glowing red of a dying campfire with the Hutt murmuring softly by? In a way, perhaps, it is better that he cannot describe such scenes, for they can only live in memory, keeping for him there "a sleep full of sweet dreams."

But now to more prosaic business. The club has several enjoyable tramps to its credit during the Long Vacation, and the practice of tramping through the long summer days is certainly commendable in our opinion. The Christmas trip to the Mount Arthur district, under the capable leadership of Mr. K. Griffin, was a most excellent success; the club, besides striking new ground, has now ascents of Mount Arthur and Mount Peel to its credit. Later on in the summer a party followed down the Whakatiki river, starting at its source just below Wainui Trig, and only leaving the river when it became impassably gorgy, about half a mile above the Hutt—a notable trip in more ways than one. To compensate for it. however, we spent a glorious week-end encamped on the Hutt River above Maymorn. Blackberries in super-abundance, sunshine likewise, much swimming, a fine camp fire, now hallow Maymorn for us. After this, and just before the session, a party went up the Narrow Neck, on to the ridge behind and down into the Wainui, where our leader proved an able victor over the caretaker after a wordy argument. Finally we ought to mention a trip to the Butterfly when it rained, hailed, and blew great guns all day—wet, very wet.

The session itself opened in gloom for us; since just before its commencement we were all shocked to hear of the death of E. L. (Sammy) Palmer through exposure and exhaustion on the slopes of Ben More, one of the highest peaks in Marlborough. We all miss Sammy's little eccentricities, his cheerfulness, his unfailing enthusiasms. Elsewhere we pay tribute to him.

Among the trips made this first term, we number Belmont Trig, where we lost our wandering Willie; Mt. Climie, which provided the paradox of the blind leading the blind, and finally finding the way—a great trip this; Fitzroy Bay, chiefly notable for welcome watermelon, and a magnificent, but somewhat smoky (at times) camp-fire; the great, and now historical Mangahao Easter trip. enjoyable in every respect save for misadventures to two of the party—the club's first trip to become the copyright of the Associated Press; Colonial Knob, remarkable for a cold day; Semple's Tunnel, remarkable for two brilliantly fine days, some slight argument with page 50 typical Orongorongo ruffians about the possession of a hut for the night, very little water in the Orongorongo itself, and a plethora of sausages—both cooked and uncooked; the Tararua trip which did not come off; and finally the Mount Hawkins trip yet to come off.

The Anzac Day week-end to the Wairongomai failed to eventuate chiefly because members of the club were out searching the Otaki River and environs for the two missing Tararua trampers. It was chiefly characterised, we understand, by water, water, water, and yet more water, a high mortality in boot heels, and a fair amount of forceful language. For one member of the search party, it will go down to glorious memory as the trip where one shaved not, nor washed, for five whole days. Apparently the old adage, every cloud has its silver lining, is proven true once more.

Altogether quite a memorable term.

Athletic Club

Since its formation the Athletic Club can record in this issue of the "Spike" its most successful season. The Club is stronger now than it has ever been and it is hoped that next season it will be stronger than ever. The material is there and with consistent scientific training, new champions should arise.

It is with much regret that we must record the loss of Leadbetter. His services were of the greatest value to the Club. We are also shortly to lose another of our best performers in the person of Kalaugher who seeks honour abroad. We will miss him, but we wish him all success at Home.

Difficulty is always experienced in obtaining a suitable date on which to hold the Inter-Faculty Tournament and this season the Club was forced to join with the Wellington Centre in an Electric Light meeting. In this, to a large extent we lost our identity, but in the circumstances it was unavoidable. The meeting was however a great success and some of the old records were beaten. Sceats broke the high jump record, clearing the bar at 5ft. 8in. This is a particularly good performance especially as electric light makes judgment difficult. In an excellently judged race, C. B. Allan again demonstrated his powers as a half-miler, winning the event in the record time of 2 minutes 1 second.

Owing to the absence of a jumping pit at the Basin Reserve, it was necessary to postpone the long jump. It was held at Wellington College the following Saturday, and W. G. Kalaugher topped the list with a leap 21 feet, this also being a record performance.

The Oram Cup for the most points gained in the Tournament was won by F. S. Ramson, a new acquisition to the Club who will no doubt make his mark before next season is finished. The Graduates' Cup for the best individual performance was awarded to G. J. Sceats his high jump.

The following members represented the Club at the University Tournament in Auckland:—

100 yards, F. S. Hill, J. D. Mackay: 220 yards, F. S. Hill, J. D. Mackay: 440 yards, C. B. Allan, E. B. Smith; 880 yards, C. B. Allan. A. D. Priestly; 1 mile. A. D. Priestly, W. Gilchrist; 3 miles, A. D. Priestly, W. Gilchrist; 120 yards Hurdles, W. G. Kalaugher, R. I. M. Sutherland; 440 Yards Hurdles, R. I. M. Sutherland, G. J. Sceats; 1 Mile Walk, T. P. Rollings, J. Platts-Mills; High Jump, G. J. Sceats, W. G. Kalaugher; Long Jump, W. G. Kalaugher, J. D. Mackay; Putting the Shot, J. Platts-Mills; Relay Team, Allan, Smith, Mackay, Hill.

Every member of the team acquitted himself with credit but as the Tournament is dealt with elsewhere in this issue, it is not proposed to give details here.

In open competition the Club, with its limited membership, did remarkably well. In the McVilly shield competition the Club gained second place to the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club. Leaving aside the shot, hammer and discus throwing events we had a lead in points but in these we gained no points, and Wellington gained sufficient to give them the Shield.

In the Dewar Shield competition which is run on a handicap basis we were also second. In this we were very fortunate as with our small membership and with all members being "back markers" it is difficult to win many handicap events.

In the relay races the Club regained the laurels it lost the previous season. The Oates Baton for the most points in these events over the whole season was won from Wellington Club after many exciting contests by the narrow margin of one point. The Club has had this trophy three out of four years of its existence. The Heenan Baton for the mile relay was won from Wellington Club after an entertaining triangular encounter with that and the Canterbury Club. Our team consisted of Allan, Smith, Hill and Ramson. At the commencement of the first sprint we had a short lead but the fumbling of the baton by the Wellington Club robbed the race of some of its excitement and our team won comfortably.

The thanks of the Club are due to that small band who trained and coached members during the season. In this connection the services of Mr. E. V. Dunbar, (himself a performer for the Club a season or two back), were particularly valuable. It is the unselfish manner in which these men give up their time that has placed the Club in the position in which it finds itself to-day.

The Christian Union

Our activities opened this year with a retreat at Hutt Park, Petone. For the entertainment of those present a few eager enthusiasts took upon themselves the burden of producing a short play entitled, "Winnie, Walter and Waiter." Scene—Restaurant. The exact effect that the play produced on the audience would be hard to describe, but the actors came through the ordeal feeling well pleased with themselves. Indeed Winnie made "herself" very popular. This does not mean that Walter and the Waiter did not acquit themselves nobly. The Waiter, a dashing fellow, handled "wun whopper whale" in a manner which would have done credit to Sandow. As for the "wusty" Walter, he showed himself well versed in the part he played. Taking everything into consideration the week-end was a great success.

The Executive decided on a new venture when it held a "Campaign" in the first term. The Campaign took the form of four addresses given respectively by Miss E. A. Sewell, Mr. John Allen, Miss Moncrieff and Mr. W. H. P. Mackenzie. The address of Mr. Mackenzie in particular gave a great stimulus to our religious thinking, giving us as it did a very modern view of Christianity.

The majority of our circles had made a good start by the end of the first term. We are pursuing several different studies this year, the one on "Social Problems" being the most popular. The social problem being studied is that of the Maoris. It is intended to get several persons interested in this study to give short addresses on it. It is rumoured that the circle on "Theological and Doctrinal Questions" have entered their study with enthusiasm and have had some long and weighty discussions on the questions under consideration.

Shortly after the first term commenced we held an "Opening Rally" down the South Karori Road. Old Father Sun gave us his best smile all day, so there was a good attendance of members. During the afternoon, four of our members entertained us with a short play. After tea we all gathered round the camp fire and entertained ourselves with songs, reading, etc. The proceedings were enlivened by smoking on the part of the five.

News of the postponement of the Pan Pacific Conference was received with regret at the end of the first term. Delegates of students from nearly every country bordering the Pacific were to have been present. It was originally intended to hold the conference at Peking but owing to the unsettled state of affairs in China it was decided to change the place of the Conference to Honolulu. Plans to hold the conference at Honolulu failed also so it will not be held until a later date. The presence of Mahatma Ghandi at the conference was practically assured. When we realize that men like him were to be present we can gather some idea of the importance of such a conference. The chairman was to have been T. Z. Koo, a former travelling secretary of the W.S.C.F. and representative of China at the Geneva Opium Conference. Our disappointment at the postponement of this conference from which we hoped so much can easily be imagined.

Towards the end of the first term, a Student service was held at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, the preacher being the Rev. J. Howie. Two page 52 of our students and two from Training College took part in the service, which was broadcasted. Members of the Auxiliary, and representative from various secondary schools, were also present.

We are at present looking forward to a week-end at Hutt Park. By attending these camps anyone interested will be well rewarded as there are many opportunities for frank discussion and happy friendships with members of other faculties at College and in other pursuits of life.

Haeremai Club.

At a meeting of men students held early in the year the Haeremai Club was revived in the hope that a much needed shake up would be given to those social activities in which we are still permitted to take part. The Committee was faced with the awful problem "where to start." So far the Club has assisted several theatrical performances from the "family circle" and has provided a "Haeremai" social evening in the Gymnasium, at which about a hundred men were present. Musical and other doubtful items were contributed and the evening wound up with the traditional pie and coffee supper. We congratulate the Club cooks on their pastry. We propose to have several more such evenings during the year, and the Committee will welcome suggestions for variation of the procedure in order that monotony may be avoided. We hope to form a Jazz Band and, for the purpose of having a suitable repertoire on ceremonial occasions, to compile a small book of popular choruses, both original and parodied. Will members and others reading these notes please write out the words of any one popular song or parody on the same, and leave it in the rack addressed to the Secretary. We have arranged for the rack to be enlarged for the purpose, and trust that no further invitation than this will be necessary.

The objects of the Club are primarily to promote and increase the interest of students in the social side of College life and to provide social entertainment where possible. A Haeremai Club haka has been developed, and this will satisfy a much needed want.

In conclusion, we desire to record our emphatic protest against the curtailment of our traditional functions, the Capping Procession and the Capping Ceremony.

Boxing Club.

The Boxing Club continued its activities from the beginning of the first term. There was not much time to work up to concert pitch by Easter, but those who took an active part worked strenuously for the short time at their disposal.

The trials to select a team for Tournament were rather uninspiring. Some of Tim Tracy's pupils came along, however, and gave bright exhibitions. Messrs Loveridge and Papps came up often to the classes to assist by sparring with our men, who were very grateful for the opportunity to spar with such good boxers.

The standard of our boxing leaves much to be desired. More particularly is fitness lacking. A tightening up in the allocation of Blues might remedy this. In no other branch of V.U.C sport have Blues been won so easily. Those who previously have won their Boxing Blue will in most cases surely endorse these sentiments.

It is to be recommended to those boxers who aspire to higher honours in 'Varsity boxing, to avail themselves of the opportunities which will be provided by a series of competitions which the Executive has arranged with Wellington College, Training College, Community Club, and Star Boating Club.

The performances of our team at Tournament are chronicled elsewhere.

Basketball Club.

Mathematical and Physical Society.

The Seventh Session of the Society's activities was commenced on 12nd March, 1927. when the general meeting was held. There was a good attendance of members, and the business of the meeting was promptly disposed of. Supper was kindly provided by Miss Marwick.

A programme of lectures for the year was drawn up by the Committee, and in accordance with this programme the first lecture was given by Professor Sommerville on 12th April, the subject being "Space-filling Solids."

The lecturer first described the simpler problem in two dimensions and showed which plane figures could, by constant repetition of themselves, completely occupy a plane. Carrying the problem into three dimension—"the simplest space-filling solid is the cube and an assemblage of cubes built together forms the simplest regular division of space." The complete problem of space-filling solids was explained in such a straightforward and interesting manner that the lecture was understood and enjoyed by everyone. After a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker the meeting adjourned to supper, which was kindly provided by Mrs. Sommerville.

The second lecture of the series was given by Professor Florance on the "Life of Sir Isaac Newton," which is an appropriate subject for 1927, as this year is the bicentenary of the death of Newton.

Professor Florance gave a very interesting account of Newton's life and work. He began by a review of scientific men who lived before and about the same time as Newton, and of the progress science had made up till Newton's time. With this introduction Professor Florance described Newton's youth and early life at Cambridge and at his home during the Plague, a time when lie was most vigorously engaged on the work which has made him so famous.

At the conclusion of the lecture the society was entertained at supper by Mrs. Florance.

On 10th May, Mr. R. M. Dolby and Miss E. M. Mason explained the phenomena connected with Osmosis. Mr. Dolby took the first part of the subject "Theories of Osmotic Pressure" and gave some of the modern ideas brought forward to explain osmosis. He also showed how osmotic pressure was measured and gave mathematical expressions for the results obtained.

Miss Mason discussed the applications of "Osmosis in Nature" and showed how osmosis played a wide part in the life of animals and plant After the lecture supper was kindly provided by Miss Marwick.

New students are specially invited to attend these meetings.

Cricket.

The present season has been a most successful one for the Club. Four teams were entered in the Competitions, and did well in each grade. The first VI. in the senior grade, was particularly successful in the first part of the season, and Hollings achieved the notable feat of scoring three successive centuries. At the commencement of the season practice games were organised on Kelburn Park in order to give the Selection Committee some idea of the form displayed, and these matches proved eminently satisfactory.

The Annual match against Auckland University College was played this year at Auckland during the Easter Tournament, and resulted in a win for V.U.C. by 60 runs, the outstanding feature of the game being the batting of Hollings and Mackenzie, and fine bowling by Hollings and A. C. Tripe.

"Blues" have been awarded to R. H. C. Mackenzie, W. J. Hall, A. M. Hollings, E. T. Leys, J. W. Mackay, A. M. McGavin, A. C. Tripe, and W. Veitmeijer. A full report of the Club's activities for the past season will appear in the next number of the "Spike."

Debating Society

The activities of the Society were commenced this year in the customary manner by an annual general meeting—the 28th of its kind, since the inception of the Society. The evening was cold, the attendance meagre, but the enthusiasm of those present entirely satisfactory. The Chairman nearly omitted to confirm the minutes of the previous annual general meeting, but otherwise the proceedings were orthodox. The election of officers despite a valiant attempt to unseat His Ex. the Governor Gen., resulted as follows:—

Patron: H. E. the Governor General.

President: Dr. Sutherland.

Chairman: Mr. W. P. Rollings.

Vice Chairman: Mr. W. G. Davidson.

Secretary: Mr. J. Platts-Mills.

Treasurer: Mr. A. E. Campbell.

Committee: Misses M. Cook and J. Moncrieff. Messrs. C. G. R. James and R. E. Johns.

Auditor: Mr. S. C. W. Watkins.

During the unavoidable lapses in proceedings caused by slow but otherwise efficient scrutineering of votes the meeting spent its time very profitably electing life members. Those elected were Messrs. G. G. Watson, R. M. Campbell, F. P. Martin-Smith, and W. A. Sheat.

The meeting concluded its proceedings by very righteously recording its protest against the holding of the Capping Ceremony (if it deserves such a name) in the College Library. The motion embodying such protest did not meet with a single dessentient voice.

The Society was ably represented at the Easter Tournament Debate by Messrs. J. Platts-Mills and W. P. Rollings, whose very commendable efforts were somewhat harrassed by a stormy audience. The Joynt Scroll went to Otago. This Society congratulates the Otago Debating Society on its success.

The first ordinary meeting of the Society this year (although the 296th of its kind held by the Society) was held on 9th April, 1927, when the subject for the Tournament Debate was discussed, namely, "That the British Empire is in danger of Disintegration." The affirmative was taken page 56 by Messrs. C. Q. Pope and J. W. G. Davidson, while the negative was supported by Messrs. J. Platts-Mills and R. S. Tripe. The following speakers also took part in the discussion. Messrs. R. Powles, C. H. Arndt, C. G. R. James, A. E. Hurley, Zohrab, A. W. Free, und W. P. Rollings. The motion was defeated on both votes while the judge, Mr. G. G. Watson, after a very sound criticism placed the speakers in the following order:—

(1) Davidson; (2) Hurley; (3) Rollings; (4) Platts-Mills and Tripe; (5) James; (6) C. Q. Pope.

The next meeting and of course the 297th of its kind held by the Society was held on 7th May, 1927, when Mr. R. E. Pope, seconded by Mr. H. E. Moore moved that "the U.S.A. exercises a detrimental influence on western civilization," and Messrs. C. Prael and W. J. Hall opposed such a motion. The subject aroused the enthusiasm of the following, who also took part in the discussion. Messrs. A. E. Hurley, G. R. Powles, C. Q. Pope, I. W. Fraser, A. C. Zohrab, W. P. Rollings, and R. C. McKenzie. The audience apparently with hesitation rejected the motion. The judge, Mr. H. F. Johnstone during the course of a very instructive criticism placed the speakers in the following order:—

(1) Hall; (2) C. Q. Pope; (3) G. R. Powles and A. E. Hunter; (4) R. E. Pope

Again on the 22nd May. 1927, a further meeting of the Society was held, and during the course of the evening Miss M. Cooley supported by Mr. W. P. Rollings contended that Christian Missions to the heathen should be discontinued. Mr. C. G. R. James, and with him Mr. I. W. Fraser supported the opposite contention. The following were also sufficiently interested to speak on the motion. Messrs. R. Smith, G. R. Powles, A. H. Ivory, E. Beaglehole, J. Platt-Mills, and Miss Patterson. The votes seemed to indicate that the audience as a whole was quite satisfied with the efforts of Christian missions, although the members of the Society were less definite on the point. The judge on this occasion. Mr. E. P. Hay, indicated the relative merits of the speakers by placing them in the following order:—

(1) Platts-Mills; (2) Rollings; (3) I. W. Fraser; (4) Miss M. Cooley; (5) C. G. R. James; (6) G. R. Powles.