Something Attempted.

By the Executive of V.U.C.S.A.

Since the last issue of "Smad" burst upon an eager band of freshers, thirsting for knowledge and wisdom, the Executive of the Association has had its tine fully occupied. While some three hundred students crowded the Gymnasium at the Freshers' Welcome Dance, the Executive held a brief meeting downstairs to consider the belated announcement of the reduction in bursaries. After an offer to cooperate with the Professorial hoard and the Council had been rejected, the Executive arranged a deputation to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education. Authority to represent the three other Students' Associations was procured by telegram, and after some delay an audience was obtained with the Prime Minister and his colleague. Messrs W. P. Rollings, W. J. Mountjoy, and J. L. MacDuff, as the Association's spokesmen, were given a courteous hearing, and were extensively, though not adequately, reported in the Press. Prior to the deputation a hurried census was taken of students affected by the reduction, and the Executive now thanks all those that replied, giving valuable and convincing information that was used by the speakers. A promise was obtained from the Prime Minister that in any case where the reduced bursary would entail the giving up of a career, he would give favourable consideration to granting the whole bursary. Beyond this concession, little was accomplished. as the Government's Economy Committee has made recommendations along certain lines, and the Cabinet has apparently determined to carry them out without modification. The extent of the interest taken in students' welfare by the Professors and members of the Council may be gauged by their inaction on the bursary question. We believe that every other Council, whether it made a spirited protest or decided to take no action, dealt with the matter almost immediately; but after trilling with the motion of sending a deputation, and timidly decrying the promptitude of the Canterbury College Board of Governors, our elders and betters weakly desisted, and left any public action to the Students' Association. We should like here to acknowledge the helpful attitude of the Chairman of the Professorial Board, which was encouraging as the comments of certain other College officials were discouraging; but on the whole the inaction of our College authorities in this and similar matters raises the question of one of our College poets:

Look back and see if in those walls
You helped to build, and cherish.
Truth walks with courage, sword by sword.
Or both before some overlord
Fall down and feebly perish.

Next in order of importance is the defeat of the College of Electors' proposals, and the consequent resignation of the Secretary, Mr C. S. Plank and a highly emotionalmembers of the Executive re-Committee member. Mr J. L. MacDuff. Their places have been filled by Mr. M. E. Mahoney, as Secretary, and Mr. F. Cormack, as Committee member. Completion of the new constitution has been delayed, pending the rush of business occasioned by capping and extravaganza. An extravaganza entitled "Willium the Conk" has been adopted, and will be produced in the Town Hall on May 4th and 5th. A large caste and army of assistants will be needed, and all students are urged to offer their services and to attend regularly at practices.

As the result of representations made by the Executive, extensions of time have been given by the Council for the payment of fees by bursars. Details are announced on the Registrar's notice-board. The Business Manager of "Spike" has resigned, and Mr. I. D. Campbell has been appointed to till his place We wish him every success.

Early last year an elaborate scheme for improving I the tennis courts was discussed by a joint committee of the Executive and the College Council, and definite arrangements were made whereby the Council would provide the greater part of the finance by way of loan to the Tennis Club, guaranteed by the Students' Association. Owing to the financial stringency. the Council's grant for the year will probably lie reduced by at lease 10 per cent., and the Executive has accordingly written to the Council voluntarily accepting a postponement of the scheme. At a more propitious time it should be revived, as the improvements are urgently required.

Again, owing, no doubt, in some measure to the "financial stringency." the notice-boards were plasteerd with sale notices at the beginning of the term, and became such a nuisance that a book-stall was established in the CommonCommon Room, conducted by the Local Hooks Committee of the National Union of Students. It proved a success, and next session a similar arrangement will probably operate from the commencement on a large scale.