PROTEST MADE BY STUDENTS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21745, 30 March 1936, Page 19

PROTEST MADE BY STUDENTS

CAPPING CEREMONIES CURTAILED ' DECISION OF VICTORIA '• COLLEGE COUNCIL (raws tsaocMTios t>uk mu.) WELLINGTON, Match 28. the ‘Victoria College Professorial Efi«rd. following incidents at last year’s lapping ceremony, has decided this year that the capping will be held in 4be afternoon instead of at night, and la the concert chamber instead of the fawn Hall, and admission will be by ticket only. Last jear there were periodic disturbances in which a considerable sec. don of the student audience conducted § series of flour-bomb battles during which the proceedings were compjeteiy interrupted. The students sent a deputation to the College Council to appeal against the Professorial Board's decision. The discussion was taken in committee. The council received a letter from the Processor ial Board stating that the students’ representations had been drily considered and the board had adhered to its previous resolution. The students* Journal, “Smad,” makes the following comment. "It appears that the badinage, the raillery, that indefeasibly infectious accompaniment «f all student activity, has year after year been the secret shame of the Professorial Board. Year after year they have seen It as a devouring flame, playing destructive havoc with the dignity and moment of the ritual called sapping; and this time the board has determined it shall be conducted with the solemnity, faultless regulation and Sbapa the grace of which the Prownal Boards have dreamed for decades. Student drollery is so regular as to be traditional. It has always been received by an interested public with good-humoured understanding and tolerance,"