STUDENT SERENADERS

Evening Star, Issue 22308, 7 April 1936, Page 8

STUDENT SERENADERS

“SHAKESPEAREAN” ACTIVITY AT NORTH END POLICE ON CYCLES INTERVENE In massed formation a modem Romeo and Juliet party was staged in Dunedin last night. However, it could hardly be said that it followed Shakespearean tradition. After an initiation ceremony of freshers at one of the University colleges, a combined journey round the sister colleges was undertaken soon after midnight and a lively serenade was staged. “ IVlotley ” would barely describe the dresses of the serenaders, whose garb varied from football jerseys and shorts to miscellaneous garments of distinct Chinese pattern. Numbering over 100, they literally besieged the ladies’ stronghold of Studholme House. A bugler, able to play at least three notes, a bell-ringer capable of ringing both staccato and obbligato bursts, and many tin-cans were aids to raucous vocal effects—if such aids were needed to complete the din. For illuminations many red hurricane lamps were used; these, to quote the words of one reveller, “ had been left by some careless workmen alongside a hole in the road.” Despite vigorous entreaty, the Juliets refused to appear at the balconies. Possibly it was this refusal that made the din more vociferous and encouraged one or two of the more venturesome Romeos to climb on to the roof of the hostel. The neighbourhood was soon awakened, and by the time the revellers, still en masse, had reached another college in Castle street, two representatives of law and order, in response to telephone complaints, arrived on the scene mounted on cycles. Their arrival was welcomed with freslj “Hurrahs!” but bravado soon gave place to discretion, and immediately a north-bound street marathon was staged. The students were the winners, and two perspiring policemen returned to headquarters. The outing followed a ducking ceremony of new arrivals to the hall of learning, and water, literally in the air, was dripping from the garments of many. A ‘ Star ’ man, aware of the close proximity of the Leith, literally took the bit between his teeth when two attempts to stop his car were made. A well-directed missile of soft substance found its mark, but no harm was done.

The north-end misses the student pranks of former years, and, with better motive and more organisation, it would still appreciate an occasional outburst of pent-up student vitality. With more brainy interludes, student days can still provide welcome entertainment for residents of the University city.