MERRY UNDERGRADUATES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1144, 3 June 1911, Page 6

MERRY UNDERGRADUATES.

MOTLEY PROCESSION IN AUCKLAND. (By Tcleeraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, June 2. University undergraduates, who for threo hundred and sixty-four days of tho year obey tho sober laws of decorum, more or 'less, in their leisuro intervals and "swat" for exams, hold ■ the . odd day, yclept "capping day" in tho calendar of the college sacred to thenselves, and for such a day to pass without a demonstration of more or less vouthfiil vigour would bo to these embryo lights of learning a truthful forry evidence of decadence. In Auckland, heretofore, the undergraduates have contented themselves with good-natured interruptions and parenthetic remarks and songs during the august proceedings of degreegiving at the Choral Hall; but this year tho spirit of budding genius moved them to bigger things in the shape of a parade through tho city, interspersed with mock addresses along tho rente. Preparations have been afoot for somo time, and about one o'clock this afternoon a triumphant procession left the vicinity of the Alma Mater at Parliament Street in tolerably fine weather and set off citywards, headed by what was facetiously termed "the banned," drawn on a lorry by four fine greys. Following "tho banned" and its uproar came a motor-car, . containing "Sir Joseph Ward," "Mr. Massey," and a number of lesser political lights, the got-up having as much regard as circumstances would permit to physical characteristics, and the car being placarded with'such inscriptions as "Ward, Massey amkCo., to say nothing of Parr," and

"We are the People." The. "scentsus" lorry had next honour, bearing a number of painted ladies and whiskered gentlemen, labelled variously according to the humour of the presiding wits, "Wellington all wind," "Christchurch, City of Flats," "Dunedin wants moro pamtch," and. "Auckland, tho full-blown champion," being somo of the pleasantries. The agricultural display appealed to tho risibilities of the onlookers along tho route by its quaint conceit, agriculture itself being by the portrait symbolised by a sorry-looking cow whose tail was kept off by lusty-looking young Natives from swishing the milkers in the shape of land agents, produce exporters, lawyers, and sundry others. The A.U.C. Coffco Palace on wheels camo near a divorce from the procession altogether, for the horse that dragged this peripatetic restaurant showed a disposition to walk out of the shafts. "Tho Prison Reform,"

"Pakatoa," "Military Training," and "Sheffield Choir" lorries were others which tickled the crowd hugely, while among tho remaining displays were caricatures entitled "Law Display," "Wowser," and miscellaneous, which last term could in the truth bo applied to tho whole turnout. Some of tho making-up showed ingenuity and originality, while the vocal energy shown by most of the students would havo done credit to a zoo. At tho Grey Statue a halt was called, while several of tho eminent "politicals'" delivered speeches, the parade ending rather hurriedly by way of tho Choral Hall back to the university, where tho motley "rigs" assumed had to be doffed in pretty quick time to enablo the wearers to present themselves in more becoming garb at the Choral Hall.