VICTORIA COLLEGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9694, 23 June 1917, Page 5

VICTORIA COLLEGE

V CAPPING CEREMONY GATHERING AT THE TOWN HALE. The public presentation of the graduates of tho Victoria University College took place at tho Town Hall last evening. There was a large attendance in the body of the hall, and tho students, who wore hilariously inclined, were given the opportunity in a set programme to provide amusement for themselves and lookers-on. There were numerous students’ songs set down, which were indulged in in a casual way, with many discordant noises in accompaniment. But, on the whole, the vocal programme was sad and dull. Probably it was the influence of the war. To start with, one or two attempts were made to sing “When tho War is Nearly Over.” Then tho youthful crowd broke into “Here We Are Again,” with cat-calls and canine imitations.

Tile entrance of the Governor and Lady Liverpool, with tho Lmversity professors, the Mayor and the members of the College Council was signalised bvjhc singing of the National Anthem. Then the regular programme was started with “The Song of Victoria College” (in Latin). Caudeamus” followed, and later on “The College on the Hill” and “Tho Graduates” were sung iu the vulgar tongue. Towards the end of the proceedings “Absent Friends” was given with some feeling. , , . Mr C. G. G. Watson, the chairman of the College Council, in the course of an address, offered the graduates hearty congratulations, and expressed the hope that they would become useful citizens. Making reference to those who had gone to the front, he mentioned that no fewer than 400 had left the college, and arrangements had been made to fill the place of several lecturers. Still, the work of the college had gone on satisfactorily. It was a , notable fact that_ fifteen holders of Rhodes Scholarships had fallen at the front, two of them having gone from New Zealand. Tho address of tho chairman was pursued amid many interruptions, especially when he dwelt upon lofty Ideals, and ho was rather upset \vhen there was a concerted chorus of voices, “How long, oh, Lord I how long!” The Hon. A. L. Herdman, the At-torney-General, followed with a short speech, couched in terms calculated to excite the good humour of the audience. He alluded to the commercial changes that were likely to take place after the war. The Britain of yesterday, he said, was dead. Now she was alive and - active, and the experience she had passed through in association with her Allies would never be forgotten.

The Minister was interrupted with cries of “What about 6 o’clock closing?” Mr Herdman pursued) the even tenor of his way and pictured the commercial prosperity of Britain after the war. He predicted that she would emerge from the furnace stronger than ever. The war had demonstrated that while it had taken 40 years for Germany to develop her organisation, in the space of three years Britain had been able to catch up. It had been shown that milltarv training was _ necessary right throughout the Empire. He hoped that as a result of the war there would be one great Imperial Navy cpiite free of interference from tbe individual politician, who prated on matters of which he had no knowledge. No doubt in the future trade between Britain and her colonies and her Allies would be fostered considerably, and trade with her enemies would be severely restricted. Touching upon the deeds of New Zealand soldiers at tbe front, Mr Herdman paid a tribute to the courage and prowess which had been shown. The Germans, he said, would be described as great soldiers and great blackguards, but Britons and Anzacs would be recognised as men of revklese and splendid courage which would inspire future generations with emulation. (Applause.) The presentation of graduates to the Governor and Lady Liverpool afterwards took place. LIST OF GRADUATES. The list of graduates feu: tho year ia as follows: — Masters of Arts (with honours). — *Catherino 0. Braddock, William H. Gould, Selina B. Oliver, Eileen N, Sampson, Olive B. Sutherland, Boland D. Thompson. ('“■Jacob Joseph scholar). Masters of Arts.—Fanny L. Ross, Albert H. Tocker. Bachelors of Arts.—Ethel M. W. Bell, Edith J. Crawford, Joseph J. Cullen, Eileen M, Duggan, Leonora J. Frayno, Dorothv F. E. Junker, Thomas Lyons, Annie A. Mackenzie. *Hugo A. Mackenzie, James MoMaster, Leonard J. Collenn, Robert B. Ryder, *Constance H. Shielrs, Francis A. Tockor, Irene B. Webb, William H. Cocker (Canterbury College), Geoffrey A. Revell (Canterbury College), Maxwell R. Holgate (Otago University). *Senior scholars. Bachelor of Science.— Ernest Glynn Jones. Masters of Laws (with honours), Carl A. Berendse.n, Henry H. Cornish, Oswald C. Mazengarb. Masters of Laws. —Robert William McConnell.

Bachelors of Laws. —Harry D. Chrisp, Frederick G. Hall-Joncs, Joseph W. A. Heonan, Eric IV. Inder, Leyon M. Moss. Samuel J. Poole, Lancelot A. Rogers, James McO. Tudhopo, "William. H. Cocker (Canterbury College).