We welcome freshers with song and dance

and President H. R. C. Wild harangues them

An atmosphere of carefree enjoyment, a crowded dance floor, and a pervading spirit of informality were features of what must have been the most successful Freshers' Welcome staged in the Gym for several years. Definitely everyone who was anyone at V. U. C. was there, and very pleasing was the number of freshers who accepted the College's open invitation to be in and enjoy themselves. The sing-song gave the proceedings an excellent start and Dick Wild somehow managed to make a speech which was not quite the same as the grandfather cum parson effusions which usually mark this occasion. As for the Dance itself-well, the orchestra was good, and in a happy crowd there was lots of fun if not much good dancing.

"Smad" arrived up at the Dance (a few minutes late for which we apologise to our readers) to find Dick Simpson with delightful spontaneity and care-free abandon leading the freshers, freshettes, and others in a series of songs which were somehow vaguely familiar. Extrav. and Dramatic Club "hits" during the past four years or so, and also some of the old, old songs which were in vogue when time and V.U.C. began were rendered lustily by those present, and they were not a few. The spirit of revelry seemed in the air, and even hardened old men such as Scotney, Tahiwi, and Aimers, could be seen (and heard) piping merrily like cherubic choir boys. Dick Hutchens (at the piano) and Derek Christensen lent Dick Simpson excellent support. Professor Miles was observed sitting coyly in the front seat, and seemed to have some difficulty in restraining himself from leaping to his feet, throwing his hat in the air, and leading the singing himself. Other Profs, may have been at the sing-song, but despite straining and twisting to the extent of a badly ricked neck, "Smad" was unable to single them out in the crowd.

The last of the songs gradually came to an end, the voices died down, and quiet reigned. A sound Of footsteps, a roar of V.U.C. applause and President Wild was observed upon the platform. As the great man poised himself gracefully upon the edge of the platform, a hush fell upon the gathering such as precedes the opening of a violin solo by Kreislec—for the President was about to talk to his flock. Freshers and freshettes gazed in awe and wonder at the Varsity Premier, their subconscious minds no doubt vaguely reciting:

"This is the happy warrior this is he

That every man in arms would wish to be."

Mr. Wild, with paternal, nay, almost maternal kindliness, proceeded to give a few words of advice to the freshers. They were told that they would find their contact with the Prof. Board somewhat different from their relationship with the stair of their schools. They should take an active part in life hen and do their very best to assist with Capping, "Smad," and Tournament. We were told that the Students' Association consisted of more than the dozen hacks who occupied the Executive Room. McCaskell. Scotney & Co. rendered Mr. Wild invaluable aid in this address, filling in stray blanks, supplying the word both appropriate and inappropriate when required, and, crowning glory, inserting the necessary punctuation marks when required.

The Dance upstairs went with a kick, and everyone mingled and had a jolly good time. The College Staff were all invited, but only Professors Kirk, Hunter, Gordon, Miles, Dr. Keys, Mr. Campbell and Miss Reid appeared (we apologise for any omissions). About 11 o'clock the usual set of scroungers (God bless 'em, but we won't) entered free of charge and took their share of all the food and fun going. Executive members solemnly discussed all V.U.C's problems with the members of the Prof. Board present (was the Building Fund one of these, we wonder?) or bustled busily around the supper room. Messrs. Wild and Marks were seen together in a corner, presumably discussing the tatter's scheme for reforming the New Zealand and world Universities. Although "Smad" kept its "weather eye" well cocked, no sign could we see of that seemingly sine qua non of our dances, the dear old Commissionaire. And "Smad" went home very tired but happy.