UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 14053, 7 May 1909, Page 6

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.

The following is the annual ‘ report of the Otago University Students’AsscPciation to oe presented at the annual general meeting this evening:— The membership for the past year shows an increase on that of the previous year, the total number being 530, made up as follows: Arts faculty 98, medicals 82, law 73, mining 10, - ladies 87, graduates 170. The calls on the funds of the Association during the year have been somewhat heavy, bnt there is a substantial credit balance of £44 18s sd. The capping carnival resulted in a profit of £75, and members’ isubscriptions amounted to £7O. As regards the expenditure, the principal! items are as follow:—Kano (final instalment) ; deficit on annual ball, £32 10s; grant to tennis court, £3O; and grants to the various clubs, £4O. The debating society, under the presidentship of Professor Gilray, held ten meetings during the year, all of which were very_ well attended by members. Again the impromptu speech competition was the most successful item on the syllabus. The society had a very energetic secretary in the person of Mr W. T. Foster. The thanks of the society are due to the ladies and gentlemen who so ably assisted in the musical parts of the programme. Messrs J, L. Robinsou _ and W. Pettit represented the society at the interuniverity tournament held in Wellington last Easter. The capping carnival was held as usual in the_ first week of July, and justified its existence both socially and financially. The financial result was largely due to the fact that the business management was again in’the hands of Mr E. S. Wilson. After having lapsed for one year, the annual ball was again held. Owing to the lack of interest displayed in this function by the professors, students, and more especially by the general public, it is a matter for serious consideration whether it should be continued. The enthusiasm displayed in the various branches of athletics was as great as ever. The hockey club , again won the championship, and were well represented in the Otago provincial team. Owing to the loss of so , m fny prominent senior players the first lot ball fifteen were not so successful as in the previous year. The third grade team occupied the position of runnersj up for the third grade championship, and tms augurs well for the coming year. The tennis club are to be congratulated upon having had another court put down. Players will now have a better chance of improving the standard of tennis at the University. The ladies hockey club entered teams in the A and B grades respectively. Both teams met with a fair amount of success. During the jear the Association instituted a Blue, which on certain conditions is to be awarded to the members of the various senior teams. In the course of the session five numbers ths Review ’ were issued. It is a pleasure to report that interest in this magazine gradually increased. At the last ucuree examinations five members or tim Association obtained first class honors, and one member won two senior university scholarships. In conclusion, your Executive have to place on record tnen- appreciation of the services rendered by the officials during the past year, and trust that the incommg Executive will have as success:ui a session as that of 1908-09. _________ _ *