UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 230, 27 August 1938, Page 12

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

CIVIC WELCOME EXTENDED. MASSEY COLLEGE’S PROGRESS. Members of tlie Rugby' teams to contest the New Zealand University North Island v. South Island match to-day, members of the debating teams to engage in)competition for the Joynt Scroll, and delegates to the University Students’ Association special general meeting were accorded a civic reception at the City Council Chambers, yesterday afternoon. The deputy-Mayor (Cr. G. Tremaine) was the principal speaker. Cr A. Grigor, Mr A. W. Hudson (president of. the Massey College University Football Club) and Professor G. S. Peren, principal of Massey College (the host college) were also in. attendance. There was a large gathering of Massey College students and visitors.

Cr Tremaine submitted an apology for absence from tbe Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford), who was absent from Palmerston North on civic business. “In his absence it is my privilege and pleasure to extend a very cordial and hearty welcome to the city to representatives of the various university colleges who are taking part in the ’varsity football match, and also to those members of the various colleges who are competing for the Joint Scroll, a trophy presented by a former Registrar of the University of New Zealand for debating,” said Cr Tremaine. “This occasion marks a mile-stone in the history of Palmerston North in that this is the first occasion on which the North v. South Island ’varsity football match is being played here, and also the first occasion when residents of Palmerston North will have an opportunity of listening to one of your series of debates. “I believe that this is the first occasion, also, that either of these contests have been held away from the four main cities, a departure which we appreciate. The debating contest was originally confined to the University Colleges of Auckland, Wellington, Chrstchurch and Dunedin, but the rules have been altered to admit Massey Agricultural College, and this is Massey College’s debut. “It is to be hoped that the citizens df Palmerston North will take advantage of tlje opportunity offered and will attend in force to listen to these debates and by this means ensure that Palmerston North will have its shareof similar opportunities in the future'. It is now almost ancient history that Palmerston North encouraged the establishment of Massey Agricultural College here by the grant of land upon which the main college buildings stand. “We are proud of the college and its associations, and realise that the institution has helped very considerably to put Palmerston North on the map. We hope that your stay in this city will be a very happy and pleasant one and that you will come back on various other occasions. Need I point out that Palmerston North is the most convenient centre for the holding of your various contests ? The air services which radiate from here bring the other cities to our back door, and none of you is more than four hours away by air. Wellington is only 25 minutes away, and is fast becoming an important suburb of Palmerston North. (Laughter.). We appreciate your visits and hope that on future occasions we will see you here again. As regards your football, we hope that you will have a hard and enjoyable game, with the better team winning. The fact that a large proportion of the players are provincial representatives will ensure a game that will be worth watching. “As regards your debaters, I trust that you will enjoy your own and your opponents’ arguments. If you can do this, then the contest will be a decided success. It is interesting to know that the debating contest was formerly held in conjunction with the inter-varsity tournament, but facing the students in festive mood was too much of an ordeal—an ordeal which every speaker on capping day lias to face and try to make, out he enjoys it.” GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Professor Peren took the opportunity of extending a welcome to the visitors on behalf of Massey College. He said it was most gratifying that the college had been reconiseil for the holding of the various activities. The college was but 11 years old, but a lot of very hard work had been put in by the staff and the students in building up the life of the college and its traditions. The holding of the various activities in Palmerston North this week-end was a recognition of the college, and there had also been further recognition in the passing of a Bill which gave the college representation on the University Senate and conferred on it recognition as a School of Agriculture. In spite of the fact that it required time for a college to “settle down,* a great deal had been done in the first ten years and there were high expectations of the results of the next ten years. There was to be seen a building up of esprit de corps -and other facets of college life which would add to the advancement of the college. It had distinct advantages in residential matters, but accommodation was restricted with increasing attendances. Another hew dormitory was required and plans for it were now ready, with an application for a grant before the Government. Enrolments for next year indicated that the total would be a new record. The speaker thanked the city of Palmerston North, not only the City Council, but also various organisations in the city, for the help they had accorded the college, which was very much beholden to them. - Mr C. A. Blazy (Wellington), for the Rugby players represented by the University Rugby Football Club, commented on the warmth of the welcome and said it had indicated that no mistake had been made in deciding to hold the match here. For the Joynt Scroll debaters, Mr A. Stewart (Massey College) extended thanks to the civic authorities and commented on the importance to Massey College of the various activities to be held in Palmerston North.