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The Spike or Victoria College Review 1937

The Blue Lion

The Blue Lion

No! Not a pub; nor a boarding house. This heraldic emblem has been chosen as the sign of that section of V.U.C. resident at Weir House. (Quite distinct from the Red Lion, y'know!)

If neither pub nor boarding house, what then is Weir House? Opinions vary. A glance at the College Calendar tells us prosaically that "the accommodation provided is of two types"; in his foreword to the current issue of the "Weir House Magazine," the Warden says "that Weir House has established a good reputation and worthy traditions"; while Mr. Horsley would have us believe that it has degenerated into a glorified kindergarten whose "infant warriors" are scarce rid of their "swathing clothes." Actually, of course, in spite of the lack of unanimity among these great minds. Weir House is one half civil servants, one quarter Training College students, and the rest that collection of beings peculiar to Universities, known as "full-timers."

As usual, the equilibrium of the House was disturbed at the opening of the session by the departure of all our Old Contemptibles. It has now become a matter of course that once a man climbs to the giddy eminence of house affairs, he is sent toppling down by a very worldly factor in the shape of the Management Committee. For three years in succession our Presidents have seen their year of office followed by the fate of expulsion merely "for an accident of birth."

However, youth has carried on and the past year has not been without its moments. Occasionally the gods have deigned to smile on us.

The beginning of the year brought a new Warden in the person of Professor T. A. Hunter.

Dr. I. L. G. Sutherland left in February and the throes of matrimony to fill the Chair of Philosophy at C.U.C. The enthusiasm aroused at his farewell supper extended to a celebrated lawn in Talavera Terrace, known to its habitues as the "Fairy Ring."

This superabundance of vitality has also been displayed at intervals throughout the year. Capping Week saw the usual haka party at work both in the Opera House and in the sanctity of the parlours of the more well-known local hostelries. We also understand the residents attended a recent debate at the College (a full account will be found elsewhere!!).

Readers are advised not to be led into believing that this phase of our activity is representative of the whole. Weir occasionally shines in the academic sky. This year we add to our collection another Senior Scholarship and yet another Post-Graduate Scholarship, not to mention the Sir George Grey Scholarship. We still marvel at this amazing exhibition of the triumph of mind over chatter.

The youths have also made their small mark on the field of sport. Last Easter we swelled the numbers of both the fighters and the camp-followers in the Crusade to the Holy City. It is said that the haka party was again a feature of the Tournament. At home the first annual match against Massey College seconds resulted in a win, while the next week or two should see the contest for the Kelburn Keg. The big match of the season against the rest of the College is imminent and we can confidently say that the House team is expected to lift the Ruru Shield this year. We have held our own in other branches of sport, having collected our fair share of Blues and contributed towards all College activities.

In other words, in spite of the blowing of our own trumpets to the extent of the preceding paragraphs, life at Weir has followed its usual course. We held our elections; we have a House meeting occasionally; we complain about the food; we sometimes play billiards; we sing and tell yarns around the fire on Sunday nights; the T.C. boys, in spite of their taking ways, do childish things at times; the Committee has supper with the Warden; the janitor sometimes forgets to . . .