STUDENTS' HOAX

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17156, 5 October 1926, Page 12

STUDENTS' HOAX

MAN ENTERS BEAUTY CONTEST. The University student is a small respecter of persons, cult or movements when there is a chance of a good " rag,", and in this respect the Dunedin student is no exception. His powers of impersonation, which, as a rule, lie dormant for the twelve months which elapse between capping carnivals, are easily roused to life if the opportunity, oilers. Dunedin is still chuckling over the latest exploit• ■■ of a humorist from tho University. Every happening in town is considered! by the student fraternity in terms of its opportunities for burlesque, and the keen wits' of one; party, at least, saw in the beauty contest now being run by the evening newspaper a chance of a " rag " which would not keep till the capping season in July next year. Accordingly the; iron was struck while it was hot. A member of the medical faculty at the university this week conceived the idea of entering for the beauty contest. With the aid of much paint, artificial hair and borrowed! plumes, his companions decked him out in the ruling fashion, and the " girl " duly appeared at the studio of the official photographer to have his picture taken. After sailing perilously close to the wind under the critical eyes of thei camera man, the student emerged from the studio in his borrowed finery to await the delivery of the proofs* from which he was to choose the likenessi which was to be published. In the course of time the transaction was completed and l the student population of Dunedin held its breath for a day or two until one night there appeared among a bevy of genuine beauties tho photograph of a mere man, clad in the raiment of tho opposite sex, to all intents and purposes a, woman—and a rather attractive looking ono. The publication of the photograph, eliminated any need of secrecy that had existed, and to-day barbers' shops and street corners resound with tho varying account of still another hoax perpetrated by the irrepressible student, who has not yet goaded a tolerant community beyond endurance. ;