A Question of Manners.

Dear "Smad,"

Lately I have been listening to the various burblers advancing their opinions on Student activities, and one thing amazes me extremely—this is, the conceit we students have of our importance. It must be conceit, for what else could make us consider that we have the right to disregard even the elements of good manners?

In particular, this thought was aroused by the adverse criticism of some people, many of whom one would think would be capable of taking a clearer view of affairs, on the behaviour of students at the Capping Ceremony. As we all know, it was probably the quietest public Ceremony on record, and some individuals seem to consider that this fact was a reflection on students in general—that the men have lost their kick or that they were cowed by the authorities. In reality, it was merely an exhibition of good manners; that at last we have realized that at the Capping Ceremony we are the guests of the University Council and the Professorial Board, and that the least we can do is to show our appreciation of their permission to attend one of the most important—no, The most important—functions in a student's career at the University, by behaving in an ordinary well-bred manner. At our own functions. the Undergraduates' Supper, for instance, we always accord our own speakers a cheerful but courteous hearing. We should not put up with a gang of rowdies interrupting in a continuously rude manner. and yet our hosts at the Capping Ceremony have tolerated our discourtesy, to themselves and to their guests, for years.

So. hearty congratulations to this year's Haeremai Club, who demonstrated so effectively that "Undergraduate" is not synonymous with "hoodlum," nor yet with "sap." The men have not lost their kick, but simply show the judgment that one has a right to expect from the University Students.

Sink Prwejudicio.

The Modern Woman!

Dear "Smad,"

What a glorious bite I got! Did you read Maid Militants martial reply (banners flying, and all that) to my sympathetic apology for the Modern Woman ?

I've been slinking about the College ever since, thinking every moment was going to be my next, expecting at every turn to meet the cohorts of Maids Militant advancing in serried array, with peerless eyes flashing and haughty cheeks full-flushed, to "dispossess the Swain!"

Do you know. I find the fact that a woman has just flown the Atlantic distinctly demoralising I certainly never intended, when championing their cause, that they should go further than puffing at a few limp tags and getting sick, or guzzling a few flagons of "distilled damnation."

Truly we men are in a sorry case, and should without delay enrol as "Specials" to defend our immemorial but apparently not inalienable rights.

With that I leave you, considerably shaken, but still

Magnanimous.

Military Matters.

Dear Smad,"

The following is an open letter to all students over the age of eighteen years and under twenty-five:—

Four years ago the greater part of "C" Company of the 1st Battalion The Wellington Regiment was comprised of students attending V.U.C'. or the Training College. In those days parades were undoubtedly irksome to a few, and to many they were inconvenient, and the prospect of an hour) and a half of "Form Fours" and marching around and around inside the Drill Hall did not appear at all alluring. A visitor to the Hall now could not but notice the change that has taken place for the better. The work done during parades is very interesting, and for most of it. a high standard of physical fitness is necessary. This is attained through the playing of Army games.

No longer is it the aim of hectoring S.M.'s to make a man feel as a microbe in the presence of the magnificent. The appearance of the soldier has been improved by the substitution of riding breeks in place of slacks, and where, before, the appearance of a Territorial was prone to provide indulgent amusement lor some, the appearance of smartly-dressed soldiers now attracts admiration.

The keynote of the present efficiency of "Drill" is that enlistment is voluntary, with the result that the men who comprise the Company are enthusiastic. The only trouble is that there are only too few trainees.

The syllabus of training contains such subjects as Lewis (run training, Mock Battles, Army Games, and Rifle Shooting (both ordinary and automatic), and is drawn up so as to provide a sound Military training which is at the same time interesting.

Are there Sufficient Men In V.U.C. And The Training College To Provide A Complete Company (Officers And Men)? or if there are not, are there sufficient to form a complete platoon? Here is surely a common interest for. the belligerent souls. Therefore, when this appeal meets the eyes of those interested, please pen a note giving name and address, and leave it in the rack for me. and I will see that full particulars of the service required and privileges attached thereto are forwarded.

Write Now and Restore "C" Company to its Past Splendour.

Food for Thought.

Dear "Smad,"

For many years I have been inclined to the opinion that our University should give some lead to public opinion on questions of social, political columns of your small paper you have the oppor-coloumns of your small paper you have the opportunity of creating an interest on such questions, and I would consider it a considerable advance, if. instead of mere gossip and foolish innuendos with which so many occupy themselves, some of our graduates, our wits, our reformers would give a lead on such questions as are busying the minds of the thinkers of our day.

Advance.

The Executive Replies.

Once or twice prior to Tournament and during the current Association year the Executive has taken action as to liquor being brought to student functions. but nothing took place that would warn us of what was to come fit Tournament.

At the Tournament Rendezvous, however, some members, not all from this College, so overstepped the bounds of propriety that stern disciplinary measures had to be taken. As host, our College has little to be proud of in the conduct of the Rendezvous, and instead of our status among the Colleges being raised, it was lowered.

The behaviour of most at the Ball was exemplary, but there, again, a few supped "not wisely but too well." Whilst not; wishing to give the impression of unbridled license, it is useless to beat about the bush and say that neither the Rev. Howie's sermon nor the remarks in the "Free Lance" were totally unjustified. Though most of the noise was due to hakas and exuberance of feelings, objectionable behaviour did take place, as was admitted in the public press by an ex-student of this College.

We knew, as will be explained later, that the Professorial Board and the College Council were taking official cognisance of complaints that had been made.

These, then, were the facts which the Executive had to face after Tournament and when Capping arrangements were in train.

As a result the Executive decided to publish the terms of a motion passed by them and distribute with every invitation and Ball ticket a slip reading:—

"Important.

"Your attention is drawn to the following resolution which was carried Unanimously at a meeting of the Kxecutive of the Association on 14th April:—

"That on this occasion of the Capping Ball, as at other Students' Association functions, no intoxicating liquor may be brought to or consumed within the hall or its precincts. Any person who in the opinion of the Executive attempts to violate this rule shall be required forthwith to leave."

The strictest compliance with the foregoing rule will be an essential condition of attendance at the Ball."

This was sent to outsiders and members alike, as the bad behaviour at Tournament was caused not by members alone, and it is impossible to discriminate. The idea expressed in the motion is not new to members.

Action had to be taken in one case only, and our policy was successful, as nothing objectionable took place, which view was confirmed by the Chairman of the Professorial Board, who was at the Ball.

The attitude of the Professorial Board and College page 12 Council is worthy of mention. Several letters had been received by them concerning misbehaviour at Tournament, and though they had contemplated shutting down the functions in the Gymnasium tor a period as a disciplinary measure and had set up a special committee to go into the whole question, yet they took no action in the matter when they were advised of the action taken by the Executive. Thus we see that as long as we govern ourselves properly the Authorities will not interfere.

At the present time, the reference to what takes place at Otago University, is to those who read the daily papers, rather unfortunate. At Dunedin. we regret to say, almost all of the Students' Capping functions have been either compulsorily abandoned or considerably curtailed.

On the other hand, we have not had any restrictions placed upon us, and, in fact, have, by giving guarantees of gentlemanly conduct, been able to have the time of our Capping Ceremony altered from an afternoon to an evening.

We submit to members that our policy has raised the status of the Association in the eyes of the Council. the Hoard, and the public generally. It is for you to say whether this policy is to be carried out in future.

The Executive.

Something for the Executive.

Dear "Smad,"—

This is not a growl, but a suggestion. As everybody knows, this Col lege is blessed with somewhat primitive provision for the development of the social side of College life, and apart from one or two diminutive Common Booms and a dog-box yclept the Common Common-room and chance meetings in draughty corridors, the students have little or no facility or getting to know who's who in the College, How many of us know all the Executive members?

I agree that it was a splendid move of the Executive Committee to provide that Executive meetings should be open to students (except when in committee), but I feel that a further valuable improvement could be effected by members of the Executive wearing a distinctive badge, as, for example, is done at Auckland and Canterbury. It would be a good idea also to put a photograph of t he Executive members on the Notice Board. These measures would greatly conduce to a closer and more effective relationship between the Executive Committee and the Student Body. As it is at present the Executive, by walking in our midst in full mufti, call to mind the bishop who used to say with modest pride that he "wore no clothes to distinguish him from his fellow-men."

In reference to the above letter, which was held over from last issue, we devoted a column of that issue to indicate, for the information of students, the identity habits and qualifications of members of the Executive, several of whom were new members.

The purpose was apparently not grasped by some, who seemed vaguely surprised, not only that a mere Executive should receive so much of our valuable space, but also that there was an absence of ridicule in our remarks.

We suggest that the students get to know the Executive members first, and then criticise constructively or destructively according to their lights.—ED.