IN THE STREETS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1787, 27 June 1913, Page 8

IN THE STREETS.

TOPICAL EVENTS HIT OFF. "GUV'NOR'S 1 ' SPEECH. If it be true that "A little folly now and then is relished by the wisest men," the students of Victoria College aro to be congratulated on tho capital street display organised in honour of Capping Day. Most of those who saw the display will no doubt concede that it waa of fho very best of its kind. Tho procession was heralded by an Indian brave and his squaw in war kit, on an "Indian" motorcycle, proud in the possession of tho Chancellor's scalp. Spectacled, hardfavoured Suffragettes also bestrode motorbikes, and a wliolo colony of them raged and ramped in tho most "approved" stylo from a wagon. At intervals, one would throw a "bomb," for which act tho offender would at once bo arrested and carried upside-down to a military tribunal, who forced her to eat yards of sausages. . Now and again the unsuspecting orowd would be startled by a fleeing figure in prison garb with a posse of pOlico and warders after him. It was Donovan travestied. Tho domestic-science movement had a motor-wagon all to itself, where the students (grotesque examples of tho fair) washed, ironed, and cooked with great vigour. The military —and those locally famous in arms—wcro humorously caricatured. They were followed by a sample of the new canincooker, which was kept going at full blast throughout the gay fray. Perhaps tho most popular hit was a representation of H.M.S. Now Zealand, with Captain Halsoy and tho Prince in charge. At frequent intervals tho pair were smothered -with - kisses and red paint by buxom burlesque damsels. A. lively war party of Maoris also made free with tho public and its property.

Tlio procession followed the usual route 1 down Cuba Street, Manners Street, Willis Street, and Lambton Quay, to tho Post Office Square, where a crowd of at least 7000 or 8000 people listened to tho speeches. Tho gem was tho "Guv'nor's" speech, delivered by a very good make-up" of Lord Liverpool. Addressing tho "Houso of Representatives," "His X" said that he had much pleasure in calling them together to once more make fools of themselves. He rejoiced at tho happy relations existing between capital and labour. True there hod been 200 or 300 strikes during tho recess, but he regarded such pleasantries as a happy means of extending holiday privileges. During the recess his Ministers, wlio had onoe held tli® opinion that other Ministers spent too much time and money on travelling, had changed their opinions, and had travelled every corner of the country with iinich beneflt to their health. The members of the 'Hupper 'Ouse he congratulated on the exemplary manner and amazing regularity with which they lifted their legislative burdens and salaries. Dealing with finance, "His X" said that excessive borrowing must cease, but in order not to put too sudden a stopper on public works, it was proposed to barrow from £30,000,000 to ,£10,000,000 for immediate use. This they were sure they could get as low as 15 per cent. It was proposed in reviewing the Customs tariff to remove one amazing anomaly— tho fact that thero was a heavy duty on babies' socks and none on 'coffins. They would remove the duty on babies' socks, and would pnt a heavy duty on coffins, to discourage people from leaving the country. His Minister of Marine was appalled at tho catastrophe to the Indiarubber, and to avoid such occurrences it was proposed to makei certain alterations in the coast-line, and remove all rocks and sand therefrom. A Bill would also be introduced compelling Mr. Bates to keep the sun coing day and night. This period of darkness once a day was all nonsense, nis Ministers regretted tho eariy departure of Sir Sobert Rout. but it was found that his continuous interference with the 'liberty of individuals, .and his quarrel with undergraduates, professors, and other criminals, rendered his retirement desirable. Tn tho way of prison reforai. his Ministers announced with Bpecial pleasure the proposal to include a morning stroll to the Royal Tiger, with beer and cigars supplied, for all inmates of the Terrace State Accommodation House. , After this harangue, the Band struck up the National Anthem, and the procession departed townwards for-the college. IN THE EVENING. In the evening the students gave an entertainment iu the Town Hall. Thero were 3000 people present. Brightness ran all through tho gathering, which was studded with topical jests. College songs, set. to popular airs, were particularly entertaining. "The Shaming of the Shrews," or "The Conquest of Atlantis, was the "drama" served out. Styled "a shrewd conception of life, .... ridiculous, senseless, idiotic, but laughable," it was Alleged to bo perpetrated by P. Grey, H. 11. Daniell, P. B. Broad, and A. E. Cnddick. During this skit on tho Suffragettes, several well-known figures woro parodied, including that of the Chancellor The music was provided 'under tho direction of Mr. W. H. Stainton, Miss Harper was pianist, Mr. A. E. Caddiek was stage manager, and Mrs. Hannah scenic artist'.