GRADUATION DAY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 111, 11 May 1923, Page 4

GRADUATION DAY

SOME ROWDY STUDENTS

SPEECHES MADE WITH DIFFICULTY

Tlie annual graduation ceremony in connection with the Victoria College University took place in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. There was a very large attendance, and, as usual, the students were in a. lively mood. They seemed not to care for any authority, und the customary speeches were made with great 'difficulty. By one speaker the students were shamed into quietness. Another refused to tolerate interruptions, and abruptly resumod hip seat. Each student had a newspaper, the pages of which were turned over anil over as noisily ag possible. At one time all the students feigned sleep, but the snoring sounded realistic enough. Mr. P. Levi, chairman of the Victoria College, expressed, when he couid, his pleasure at presiding over the annual function. He did not propose to inflict upon them a speech. (Applause,) The college 'vas very prosperous. (Uproar.) The number of students attending the college this year was larger than it ever had been, the figure being 754, as against 728 the previous year, and 742 tho year before that. Prior to 1920 the attendance was much smaller. (More uproar.) This year more graduates were taking the M.A. and M.Sc. degrees than in any previous year. (Continued interruption.) It showed that more students were taking the honours course. and that was very gratifying. He referred to the loss of Professor Marsden from the staff of the college, and welcomed Professor Florence, who had taken hin place. Mr. Levi next referred to the munificent gift to the college of Sir Walter Buchanan. (Very loud applause from the students.) He hoped that thft would be followed by similar gifts from tiia wealthy. (The speaker was at this stage counted out.) "I will not weary you any longer," said Mr. Levi amidst applause, "and I will call on the next chorus."

The next -speaker was Professor Easterfield, who, af the outset, congratulated Professor J. Rankine Brown on his election to the vice-chancellorship of the New Zealand University. (Loud applause and continued interruption) The professor said that he was an invited guest, and if the students did not w,ish to hear him he would leave the platform. Tiz.is secured quiet for some time.

The professor said 't gave him great pleasure to return to a Victoria College meeting. For over twenty years he was closely associated with the' college, and ho was glad to renew acquaintances. He was glad to recognise among the graduates some ot his; old students. It gave him pleasure, too, to see a record number of graduates this year. His mind went back thirty-five years, when he secured his first degree. It had been said by some that graduates were liable to get swelled heads. All graduates knew that before houour came humility That was his experiencp of the graduates of New Zealand. ProEescor Easterfield recalled the establishment of Victoria College—-the early efforts to secure a home. For many years the class rooms were scattered over the city, but this did not seem to interfere with the studies. The students took a. keeq interest in their work, and the disabilities under which they studied seemed to spur them on to greater efforts. It was for a university not only to impart knowledge, but to advance it, and he trusted that that - spirit would not be lost sight of. He looked for the development of the University of New Zealand along lines that would be a credit to the Dominion.

The degrees were then conferred, amidst some interruption, by Professor J. Rankine Brown, vice-chancellor of the University of New Zealand, Professor Rankine Brown, told the students that if the degrees were to be conferred that afternoon they must be quiet. If thejf were_ not quiet he would confer the degrees in private. The student? permitted the ceremony to continue. At its conclusion, Professor Brown congratulated the graduates on. the successful conclusion of their University course. He wished them all a successful career. Speaking as vicechancellor of the University—he was not permitted to proceed. Instead, the students sang "John Brown's Body." Three cheers were given for the gradu. ates, and the proceedings concluded with the National Anthem.