NO CAPPING CARNIVAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25385, 17 November 1943, Page 2

NO CAPPING CARNIVAL

GRADUATION DANCE ONLY UNIVERSITY COUNCIL’S DECISION The council of the University of Otago at its meeting yesterday afternoon agreed to a recommendation by the Professorial Board that no capping carnival procession or concert be held next year, but that a graduation dance should be allowed, provided that the hall was not decorated. The matter was discussed at the previous meeting of the council, when it was decided to refer it to the Professorial Board for a report. A further recommendation by the board, that the graduation ceremony be held on May 12, was also agreed to. A letter was read from the .capping controller of the Otago University Students’ Association, Mr E. P. Brasted, asking that the capping-procession be held in full in 1944. He pointed out that the proceeds from the carnival would be given for patriotic purposes. Letters were read from the other university colleges, Canterbury, Wellington, and Auckland, stating that no capping processions were held this, year in those centres.

College Warden’s Protest

The warden of Selwyn College, Archdeacon L. G. Whitehead, wrote stating that as the residential colleges generally provided the largest single contribution to capping concerts and processions, he had been asked, on behalf of Knox College. Stuart House, and Selwyn College, “ to let the Professorial Board know of the serious difficulties which will arise if these functions are revived under present conditions.” “ If the colleges are to do their part in the capping function,” Archdeacon Whitehead continued. “ it will be quite impossible for the resident students to avoid being involved in much that interferes with the normal course of their studies. As the arrangement of the terms now stands, capping will take place seven weeks after the arrival of the first-year students. The result will be that these men will spend their first weeks of college life in a turmoil that will be ruinous to them. “ Some time ago,” he said, “ the colleges appealed to the council to use its influence with the man-power authorities to help them in their serious domestic difficulties. Nothing has been done, but the revival of the capping concert and procession would increase those difficulties.” He added that he wished to enter a protest against the war-time revival of capping concerts and processions. He also thought that the general public would look with disgust on the proposal “ that privileged young men should be allowed to' amuse themselves in public while their fellows are fighting for their country.” A letter was also read from the Mavor, Mr A. H. Allen, a member of the council, who was unable to be present, stating that, though he dis liked differing from the Professorial Board, he felt that the capping concert should be allowed, although the procession perhaps should not be held. Fear of Absenteeism Moving the adoption of the Professorial Board’s recommendations, Dr R. J. T. Bell said that the university terms had been altered for next year in order that as many students as possible could engage in essential work. The vacation period had been cut down, and this had placed an extra burden on the staff. If the carnival was held as usual he felt that much of the first seven weeks of the term would be wasted and that there would be a good deal of absenteeism, and on this account the Professorial Board was unanimously and strongly opposed to the holding of a procession. The board also felt that the holding of a concert would have equally serious results as far as the work of the University was concerned. The motion was seconded by Dr E Hercus. Mr J. Robertson: What is the objection to decorating the hall for the graduation dance? Dr Bell: Because of the time that would be taken up in carrying out the work. The motion was carried without further discussion.