Debating Society

The Society continues to flourish like the green bay tree and this year only one debate (and that a vacation one on an exceedingly wet night) has been poorly attended. The average attendance for the year is approximately 100. Such a record proves the popularity of the Society's activities and the Committee feels that its efforts to provide a syllabus acceptable to everyone have not been in vain.

The 331st meeting was held on Saturday, 7th June, at 8 p.m., when Mr. Hurley presided over a meeting of about 50 persons. The subject, "That the topmost perch is the slitheriest to sit upon," was moved by Mr. Bannister, seconded by Mr. McWhinnie and opposed by Mr. Powles, seconded by Mr. McNaught. The mover based his belief on first, that a man had not reached the highest position unless he had attained his ambition and when that event happened he either marked time or slid back, and second, that the climbing multitudes always seek to displace those higher up than themselves. The opposer based his argument on the cliche, "There's plenty of room at the top," and said that security is never so evident as in the case of the man at the top. Many speakers followed; Miss Davidson, Miss Forde, Messrs. Good-son, Hurley, Reardon, Watson, Arndt, Rosevear, Crossley, Vickerman and others expressing varied views. There was little humour and some volume of interjection. The Judge, Mr. F. C. Spratt, said he would give no reasons for his placing. Speakers were placed as follows:—Mr. Powles, Mr. Watson, Mr. Hurley, Mr. Bannister, and Messrs. Arndt and Crossley equal. The motion was lost on the vote of the audience. Supper, as usual, followed.

The next meeting was held on 17th June. This was a new speakers' debate, the discussion being limited to speakers of not more than one year's standing. Mr. Powles presided over a meeting of about 40. Mr. Chorlton seconded by Mr. Von Sturmer moved, and Miss Buckley seconded by Miss Davidson opposed, "That fear of punishment has greater effect than hope of reward." Many new speakers took part and there was some considerable humour as well as evidence of solid preparation and thought. There is undoubtedly good debating talent among the new speakers and the Committee will be glad to see them coming forward and taking an active part in all the meetings of the Society. The following also spoke: Misses Henderson and Macdonald, Messrs. Watson, Taylor, Palmer, Reardon, Goodson, Willis, Vickerman. The judge, Professor Cornish, gave some very helpful criticism and remarked on the performance of each speaker as well. His advice should be helpful to those who took part and those who listened. He placed the speakers as follows: Miss Buckley and Miss Henderson 1st equal, Mr. Watson 2nd, Mr. Chorlton 3rd, Mr. Reardon 4th and Messrs. Goodson and Palmer 5th equal. A hearty vote of thanks to the judge was given and we feel that this was greatly deserved. Mr. Cornish takes great interest in the Society and no trouble is too great for him if he feels that he can help the members of the Society.

It is intended to follow out the practice of having new speakers' debates in the syllabus. We look to the new students to carry on the work of the Society in years to come.

The next debate was held on Saturday, 21st June. A team from Arts and Science met a team from Law and Commerce. Law and Commerce (Messrs. Hurley, Bannister and Crossley) affirmed, "That East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet," and Arts and Science (Mr. Mountjoy, Miss Forde, and Mr. Cowan) opposed. The contest was for the possession of a trophy to be presented by the Society and was judged by three judges acting independently of each other. The number of points was determined by adding the placement numbers of the teams, the team having the lowest number would be the winner. The best speaker was also to be placed. A spirited debate took place and the audience numbering well over 100 appeared to enjoy the contest. The honours of the contest went to Arts and Science, page 50 and Mr. Mountjoy was adjudged the best speaker. This contest should be an annual event of importance and it is hoped that as much interest will be shown next year.

The next debate was held on 19th July, the subject being, "That the time is ripe for the abolition of party government in New Zealand." This was moved by Miss Henderson, seconded by Mr. Reardon, and opposed by Messrs. Crossley and Cahill. Mr. Mountjoy was in the chair, and the debate was judged by Mr. W. Nash, who deputised for Mr O'Regan. The contest was long and at times contested with heat. As usual there were many speakers, and altogether the debate was a success. The speakers were placed as follows:—Mr. Mountjoy, Mr. Riske. The motion appeared to be carried.

On the 1st August a debate was broadcast, the subject being, "That the world is not really progressing., Moved by Mr. Mountjoy, seconded by Miss Henderson, and opposed by Miss Forde and Mr. Watson. The debate was judged by Mr. Black, and Mr. Powles occupied the chair. The attendance was about 140. Everyone seemed to enjoy both the motion and the attempts to prove or disprove it and the interjections were long, loud and frequent. Altogether it was not such a successful broadcast as last year's, but from the point of view of an ordinary meeting, it was highly successful. The following took part in the debate: Messrs. Crossley, Hurley, Riske, and Ferris. Most people seemed to think that the world was getting on nicely, thank you.

The annual religious debate was held on 15th August, when Mr. Riske, seconded by Mr. Benge, moved, "That the organised Christian Church is falling into decay." This was opposed by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Reardon. The debate brought out plenty of humour and also some feeling on the subject. The following speakers also took part: Messrs. Scotney, Vickerman, Withers, Watson, Gibson, Goodson and Roth-well, and the judge, Mr. A. M. Cousins, placed the speakers in the following order:—(1) Mr. Mountjoy, (2) Mr. Powles, (3) Mr. Reardon, (4) Mr. Bannister, (5) Mr. Hurley, (6) Messrs. Riske and Crossley. The motion was lost on the audience vote.

The 335th ordinary meeting was held on 29th August, the subject for discussion being, "That a measure of aid should be granted to private schools." This was moved by Mr. Reardon seconded by Mr. Hurley, and opposed by Mr. Jessep seconded by Mr. Toogood. By mutual consent the motion was treated as meaning state aid in New Zealand. This was the most poorly attended debate to date. The night was very bad, and it being vacation the usual number could not attend. However a most spirited discussion, or rather wrangle, began. The following speakers also took part: Miss Henderson, Messrs. Powles, Bannister, Chorlton and Hall. The judge, Prof. Von Zedlitz, placed the speakers in the following order: Mr. Hurley, Miss Henderson, Mr. Bannister, Mr. Powles, Mr. Reardon. The motion was carried by both the Society and the audience as a whole.

There is only one more regular debate this season and that will be held on Friday, 12th September. The subject will be, "That modern industrialism is detrimental to culture." After this impromptu debates will be held on 26th September. Members are requested to enter in pairs for this contest, which should be very good fun. This will conclude the Society's activities for the year. The Plunket Medal contest is reported elsewhere in this issue.

So far fifty-eight speakers have taken part in debates. This constitutes a record for the Society. The most pleasing feature is that the majority of these are new speakers. The Committee welcomes these students and hopes that they will take a larger part next year. The work of the Society we believe to be of benefit to students and feel gratified that our efforts to provide good fare have met with a good reception. This year the Committee have broken new ground. An inter-college debate with Training College has been instituted as well as the inter-faculty debate, and the new speakers' debate noted above. We hope that future committees will carry on these contests, and as such future committees must come from students just beginning at college urge that our new speakers of this year carry on in the next and keep the Society in at least a strong position as it holds now.

Dramatic Club Notes.

As most of the plays read this term have been reviewed in the two issues of "Smad" it is unnecessary to mention them here, but perhaps a review of the year's activities will not be out of place. Readings have been held regularly every week and they offer a certain amount of experience in acting besides giving the members a first page 51 hand knowledge of the play. Participation in readings is undoubtedly the more entertaining, but if the readings are well arranged and cast they are almost equally entertaining to the mere onlooker. It has been the policy of the committee to give one or two new members each week a part to read and some members have shown a considerable amount of talent. Besides the readings the Club produced early in the first term two one-act plays, "Moonshine" and "A Woman's Honour," and at the end of the second term "The Lucky One," by A. A. Milne. This in itself is an advance upon previous years as, at the best, only about twelve people take part in any one production. This year however the Club is going even further by staging on October 4th in the College Hall three short plays. The casts of these plays are chosen entirely from members of the Club who have not appeared in any other of the productions this year, and include amongst others Misses M. Cooley, E. Purdie, T. Barnett, M. Spence-Sales and Messrs. A. D. Priestley, U. Williams, R. Larkin and N. Hannah. It is to be hoped that the college students in general will give more support to this evening of plays than they did to the club's production in the second term.

Looking forward to next year the committee has every confidence that it will be still more successful than this has been. While nothing definite has been planned as yet, it is possible that, if members can be gathered together in February a play will be produced early in the first term in addition to the annual production at the end of the second term. Readings will undoubtedly be started during the vacation, probably early in February, and in this connection members of the Club who will be in town and who desire to be informed of the dates of readings should notify the secretary immediately. The following plays are being ordered for reading next year: "The Rope" and "The Silver Tassie" by Sean O'Casey, "The Constant Nymph" by Margaret Kennedy, "Berkley Square" by John Balderston, "Street Scene" by Rice, "Canaries Sometimes Sing" by Frederick Lonsdale, "Mischief" by Ben Travers, "the First Mrs. Frazer" by St. John Ervine and others will probably be ordered early next year. The committee would welcome any suggestions for plays which would be suitable either for reading or for producing.

Science Society.

Our first function this year was a visit to the "Evening Post" Printing Works on May 27th and 28th in the afternoon; there was a large attendance on both days, and we were conducted round every part of the printing works by the manager of the publishing department. Other visits were to the Telephone Exchange and to General Motors factory. Both were very instructive and interesting, and we are indebted to General Motors for providing a bus to convey us to Petone.

Mr. Stevens, of Wellington College, gave the first lecture of the year on June 20th, his subject being "Liquid Air." A supply of liquid air was obtained and many novel experiments carried out, one of particular interest being the freezing of a mouse to such an extent that it could be broken with a hammer. Mr. Stevens was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and supper was provided in the Biology lecture room.

On July 10th Mr. Ferrar described his experiences in Antarctica with Scott's first expedition; he illustrated his lecture with many excellent lantern slides.

The third and final lecture of the year was by Dr. Kidson, of the Meteorological Department, on "Weather and Wireless." This was particularly interesting and brought home to us many undreamt-of connections between the two.

The annual social was held on June 28th. The evening opened with singing of the usual songs, the Haeremai Club being there to help us. All then moved upstairs where a dance was held with music from an electric gramophone. This social was well attended and we feel all present thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Our dance took place on June 26th and was quite well attended in spite of bad weather. Strangely enough "Eskimo pies" were very popular. The wall was decorated with a human skeleton and paper streamers arranged with colours as in the spectrum.

A football match was played on August 13th and was comfortably won by Chemistry and Biology. Mr. Monro acted as referee.

A farewell tea to Miss Dennehy and Mr. Harding was given in the Biology lecture room on July 23rd, and was well attended by staff and students of all science subjects. We wish every success to Miss Dennehy and Mr. Harding in their studies abroad.

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Tramping Club Notes.

Last Christmas the Tramping Club once again visited Tongariro National Park, and the party of 14 who made the trip thoroughly enjoyed themselves, in spite of the rather adverse weather conditions. About ten days were spent at a camp site near the Waihohonu, and from there Te Heu-Heu Peak and Ngauruhoe were successfully climbed. The party then moved across to Keteahi, from where the majority of the members made a most successful and pleasant (?) trip across the saddle into Tokoanu, under the able leadership of a certain young lady tramper; but we are not permitted to divulge any further secrets. While at Ketetahi we made certain intelligence tests on small animals residing in Maori huts, and will disclose the results to any bona fide biologists.

The opening week-end tramp of the year was to the Orongorongo River and back. The enthusiasm of the members was exhibited by the daring leap for life and the Day's Bay ferry steamer by a tramper determined to tramp.

The trip up to Dobson's and thence down into the Tauherenikau was notable for several things. In the first place, the leader, as usually happens, apparently led her unsuspecting party astray in the darkness, although they stoutly maintain that they were admiring the wonderful view (at 9 p.m. on a moonless night). However, they were eventually gathered into the fold again and we finally managed to get a meal at 12.5 a.m. N.Z. time.

The next morning was marked by a late start at a slow pace, with the result that as darkness again descended we were far from our destination, that paradise called Kaitoke. An exhibition of speed at this stage was not appreciated by some of the party, who eventually arrived just in time for the train. Had they again been admiring the wonderful view? We never realised before that we had such Nature lovers in our midst.

A Sunday tramp from Petone to Parematta provided the party with an opportunity of displaying its objection to caretakers—unnecessary people, who should be avoided.

The trip to Mt. Kapakapanui proved very successful indeed. This was the first time an official club visit had been made to these parts, and doubtless many more will follow. Of course, we could not all go out together on the same train—that is perfectly natural with the Tramping Club. But we had an opportunity of trying out a few psychological tests on the latecomers.

It is wonderful how they will persist in carrying their own packs along a level road, and even refuse the best of chocolates when they fondly imagine they have a big hill to climb before reaching their destination. It is rumoured that during the small hours of the morning certain members of the party proceeded to have a wonderful meal, but we are assured that this was merely a nightmare on the part of the ladies. A good start was made the next morning, and by mid-day the party had reached the top. From here a wonderful view of the surrounding country was obtained. We descended at our leisure and those (unsuspecting) new members who turned out on the trip found that the notice-board heading, "easy trip," was indeed true. Perhaps the leader could sometimes tell the truth after all?

The Tapekopeko tramp undoubtedly does not stand alone in the fact that the object was not reached. The party was no more interested in Mt. Tapekopeko than in Mount Matthews, so climbed the latter instead. A portion of the party was greatly interested in glow-worms on the Five-mile Track. Was the reason for various excursions not on the track?

This year's Easter trip to Kapiti Island, made by a party of 31, under the leadership of Mr. S. Lambourne, is probably unique in the annals of the Club's history. The novelty of a half-day wait on Paraparaumu Beach, a night trip in the launch, the company of rats for bed-fellows, excursions to all parts of the island, and the congenial company and courtesy of the caretaker and Mr. Johannes Anderson were part, and a matter of course, but a most refreshing aspect of the trip was the presence of a considerable literary element, which at all times, and under the stimulus of nothing stronger than cocoa, poured forth limerick after Jimerick, in language respectable and otherwise, ancient and modern. In spite of this, however, the remainder of the party spent a most pleasant, profitable and memorable four days.

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Basketball Club Notes.

(With apologies to R.L.S.)

"Give to me the game I love,
Let the world go by me,
With the jolly heavens above,
And the goal-post nigh me"

None of the basketball teams have had any outstanding successes this year. The Senior A and B teams have not done as well as in previous years, but the Third Grade team has shown a marked improvement.

The Senior A Championship has never been won by 'Varsity, although on several occasions 'Varsity teams have been runners-up. This was the case last season, and it was hoped that this year the Senior A team would show the slight improvement necessary to carry off the Championship. These high hopes have been disappointed, however, partly as a result of numerous changes in the personnel of the team, and even more by reason of insufficient team practices. Much credit is due to our coach, Miss D. Martyn-Roberts, who did good work with the keen few who turned out regularly to practices. Our position half-way down the ladder is not less than our deserts.

The Senior B's had a run of hard luck, but all their games were keenly contested. They were unfortunate in having many changes, particularly in the goal third, and in the circumstances they deserve credit for the good performances put up in the many losing games they played. We desire to record our appreciation of the services of several girls who are no longer active members of the Club, but who on several occasions played, and played well, at short notice to avoid the necessity of defaulting the team.

The Third Grade team has had a most successful year. They have had some good wins, and have played keenly and well throughout the season. They fully deserve their place of fourth in their grade. This team has been sufficiently keen to organise a weekly practice on its own account, and the resulting improvement has been very marked. The practice together this year has certainly welded the girls in a well-combined team, and we expect to see them take a good place in next year's Championship.

We wish to convey our very best wishes to Mrs. E. Aim (nee Isobel Scarfe), our Club Captain of previous years. As player, captain and coach she has been a source of strength to the Club, and still takes a keen interest in its welfare.

Athletic Club Notes.

(By "Evens.")

To All to Whom this Notice May Concern: Greetings! Be it Known to All Men that the Athletic Club is holding its Annual General Meeting within a day or two and that it behoves all true men to be present at this gathering of Olympians.

Be it Further Known that the rumour that the Club had decided to cater for lady athletes is false and malicious, and that if anyone is heard uttering such rumour he or she will be guilty of a felony without benefit of clergy.

The Club! wants Your support. Give it!!

The Club! will give You an opportunity to earn a blue—

Take it! So watch the notice board for the Annual General Meeting, and join the Athletic Club!

It does not matter whether you can just beat the proverbial tortoise. Remember Achilles! (he could do the "quarter" in about 48 dead). He couldn't even catch one!

The Club will teach you! (I was going to say show you, but I am very modest.)

Here are some Facts worth knowing. The Aethletic Club has now a qualified trainer, and an assistant especially to advise new members.

The Club contemplates making numerous trips to Masterton, Levin and Pal-merston North, in which any Club member may participate.

Athletic "Blues" are not necessarily awarded to tournament representatives, but rather to those members who run constantly during the season. The Club specially wants "new blood in field events and a respectable walker is almost assured of a trip to Otago next year.

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Al though actual training may develop into a grudge after the first two or three weeks, it is well worth your time and trouble. It will keep you in fine condition, and further, you will be helping your College in swelling the number of 'Varsity successes.

Apart from the various trophies presented by the different clubs at their meetings, the 'Varsity Club is the proud possessor of four handsome cups for competition amongst Club members. One of these cups is for the most promising junior member and is well worth training for.

There is one further matter I would like to draw to the attention of prospective members. If you want to have a good season's sport this summer you will get no better than by joining the Athletic Club and running for Victoria College.

Football Club.

After being up in the air for two seasons, the Football Club came down to mother earth with a resounding thud this year. To finish up bottom of the ladder after holding the proud position of premiers for two seasons, and then to lose the play-off, is a rather ignominious retreat, and this is so despite the extenuating circumstances to some extent existing in this case. The number of injuries, in the first place, was extraordinary, and this resulted in the team being changed around a great deal during the season.

Four games only were won by the Senior A fifteen—against Petone, who ultimately became champions, against Athletic, against Oriental, and a really fine win against Berhampore, who had twice defeated 'Varsity before during the season. The team also drew with Marist.

The play-off with Wellington created almost as much interest as the Championship final, and resulted in a win for Wellington by one point. An unfortunate mistake by the referee deprived our men of the game, but their performance in this match is to be praised highly, especially as they were without the services of their captain, who was unable to play through illness.

The following played for the First Fifteen during the season:—

Backs.—J. Black, F. Cormack, J. D. Mackay, N. Hislop, J. N. Goodson, E. K. Eastwood, P. Webb, L. Williams, F. S. Ramson, R. H. C. Mackenzie (captain), A. H. Irwin, D. Griffin, T. N. Foden, Sutcliffe, E. T. Leys, D. Mulvihill, J. K. Logan.

Forwards.— E. J. Aim, J. M. Edgar, A. Claridge, H. Macaskill, H. W. Cormack, C. Dixon, S. C. Childs, R. E. Deiderich, Hope, Banks, E. E. Blacker, Beaumont, J. Blakenay, M. E. Mahonye, H. Williams.

Representative Honours.—The following gained representative honours during the season:—Wellington Senior Representatives: J. D. Mackay, F. S. Ramson, R. E. Deiderich, E. E. Blacker, whilst R. H. C. Mackenzie was chosen, but was unable to travel. Junior Reps.: Young.

The lower grade teams met with fair success, the Fourth Grade team doing really well, whilst as for the Thirds, we are still unable to give an opinion as to which actually was the strongest team. The Championship points scored by the Third Grade teams were, however: Third A's, 14; Third B's, 10; Third C's, 8. This is a record for Third C's.

Cricket Club.

After a very successful season in all respects last summer, the Cricket Club is anticipating an equally successful one for the coming year.

Five teams were entered in the Wellington Cricket Association's Championships, and considerable success was gained by the Club. The Senior Eleven finished up in the position of runners-up, equal, the Junior A team won twice as many games as they lost, the Third XI. had the most successful season on record for a Third VI. of the Club, and the Junior C, if not quite so successful in the matter of winning games, could always be relied upon to put up a good fight, and actually possessed a really good attack, although in the matter of reliable batsmen they were not so well off. Socially the Junior D team had a good season also.

Present indications point to most of last year's players being again available for the Club, whilst among the new members there are Stephenson, a promising bowler and batsman; de Chateau, a stylish bat; and Crammond, a dashing bat.

We should like to remind 'Varsity men that if they intend to play cricket this year, 'Varsity is the team they should play for. The Club offers plenty of attractions page 55 to its members, there being the annual Speight Trophy match with Auckland University College, the Christmas tour, the fame of which is no news, and attempts will be made this year to organise matches against the Southern Universities.

A note in the rack, addressed to the Secretary, will always receive a ready response and and of the Club officials will be only too willing to give you any information concerning the Club that may require.

V.U.C. Law Faculty Club.

At the Annual General Meeting, held on August 15th, 1930, there were about fifty members present. Mr. R. J. Reardon presided. The Balance-Sheet disclosed that the Club was in a sound position financially, mainly because of the successful dance held in August of last year.

The Annual Combined Dance was held on August 30th, 1930, and attracted a very large crowd. The Club is deeply indebted to Professor and Mrs. Cornish, who acted as host and hostess.

Social Service Club.

The club's activities have been moulded along the same lines of Social Service as in the past. Since last issue of "Spike" our work has been carried on in relation to the Porirua Mental Asylum, the Miramar Girls' Home, the Austin Street Boys' Home and the Borstal Institution, Point Halswell. It is hardly necessary again to stress the fact that these institutions afford wide scope for interesting and helpful work. A great deal more could be accomplished if the club had an extended membership. Students who are interested in Social Service, which is an ever-increasing and needful matter in the community, will find in the club, an excellent opportunity for worthwhile endeavour.

The details of the club's work are as follows:—

Porirua.—The programme of fortnightly visits to Porirua, the expedition usually consisting of two full cars, has been regularly carried out. A special visit was made to the Villas, Kaumatua, Weymouth and Somerset, on Wednesday, the 3rd September, a concert party giving items during the evening, preceding the annual dance to the inmates. The expedition was successful in every way; our thanks are due to Mrs. Frieda Shaw, Miss L. Davies, Miss B. Fear, Miss M. Todd, Mr. T. Fisher, Mr. Warring, Mr. Matthews and Mr. W. J. Hall, who made up the party of entertainers. Special thanks are also due to Miss J. Withy and Messrs. W. Platts-Mills and J. Nicholls, who have so kindly provided transport for the club.

Miramar Girls' Home.—Three more visits have been paid to this institution. On each occasion items have been given, games played, and supper provided for the children. Our visits have been restricted on account of the amount of illness amongst the inmates. These visits are of very real value, and we always feel that the children have had a good break and plenty of enjoyment as a result of our work.

Boys' Home.—Our activities here are more varied and consist in providing evening socials, taking the boys to the pictures, football and other entertainments. Numerous visits have been paid and our efforts rewarded by the pleasure afforded the children by the break in their rather monotonous round.

Borstal Institution.—The work of the club at Point Halswell Borstal Institution is growing—slowly but surely. The first Thursday evening of each month sees a club representative conducting a folk dancing class, the girls proving most keen and enthusiastic pupils. On alternate Saturday afternoons various members of the club visit with the object of bringing a little brightness and friendship into the lives of the girls. At present the club is making arrangements for the sending out of a basket-ball team to play the Borstal team and the match is to be preceded by an exhibition of folk-dancing by the girls. There is a great opportunity for work in this section of the club's activities, and we should be glad to welcome new workers. Any who are interested may obtain further information from Miss A. Mason or Miss L. Mitchell. A note in the rack is all that is necessary.

Dance.—A very successful "Bob Hop" was held in the Gym. on Saturday, 13th September, in conjunction with the Haeremai Club and Christian Union Association. A crowd of about 90 thoroughly enjoyed the evening, which was one of the best.

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Hockey Notes.

The 1930 season has now concluded and may be looked back on as one of the most enjoyable, if not one of the most successful, in the history of the club. Although one championship has been won the standard throughout the seven teams has been such that the club finished in second place in the club championship.

A gratifying feature of the play during this season has been the performance put up by the lower grade teams, which augurs well for strong Senior A elevens in years to come.

The Senior A team, a much younger and more inexperienced team than that of previous years, was not expected to do well, and the fact that it finished bottom in the championship accordingly does not cause the Selection Committee any panic. Three wins and one draw, is under the circumstances quite a satisfactory record, and the team had the distinction of being one of the only two teams to defeat the championship winners, Karori.

The Senior B "A" team was a very strong combination and, as was expected, had no difficulty in winning the championship, suffering only one loss. Several members of this team could have played in the Senior A grade, and the performance of the team as a whole was well up to Senior A standard.

The Senior B "B" team included several of last year's Senior B team and put up strong opposition to every other team in the. grade, although not winning as many matches as could have been expected. A gratifying feature of this team's work, in view of the poor standard of forward play in the club, was that three of the forwards were selected to play in the Town v. Country match for this grade.

The Junior "A" team finished up in a fairly good position in the grade, and the performances of several members of the team who last season played third grade was very meritorious.

The "B" team also did well, and not only did it on several occasions beat the "A," but it secured the honour of getting one of its members in the Town team for the Town v. Country junior fixture, whilst another was selected as emergency.

The Third "A" team had a very successful season.

Women's Hockey Notes.

At the beginning of the season the University Senior A team was easily defeated by Swifts, with a score 8—0; at the end of the season, Hutt A, the champions, won a difficult victory over it by one goal.

The bi-weekly practices on Kelburn Park, in conjunction with some of the members of the men's team were mainly responsible for this improvement, which enabled the Senior team to reach the semi-finals in the seven-a-side tournament.

The career of the Junior A team was marred by the erratic attendance of some of its members, which rendered combination impossible.

This year a Women's Hockey Tournament between the four Universities was inaugurated at Wellington concurrently with the Men's Annual Hockey Tournament, May 31st-June 3rd.

The Otago team carried off the trophy—a handsome silver vessel, by some called culander—which will be the award of victory until some sympathetic body donates a more dignified prize (a hockey stick with silver shields for the names of the victors would be very acceptable); Victoria were runners-up, and Canterbury had to be consoled with the tin of minties.

A N.Z. University team was selected to play Wellington, by whom they were defeated.

Misses Campbell and Butler won their N.Z. University "blues."

The women's hockey team wishes to thank Messrs. MacDuff. Bishop and Plank, of the men's team, for their help in organising the tournament.

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