GRADUATES' DINNER

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2157, 25 May 1914, Page 6

GRADUATES' DINNER

COLLEGE IDEALS

REFERENCES TO THE FUTURE

A dinner in honour of Victoria C'ollcgo graduates of the year was given at tlio .Hotel Cecil on Saturday evening. The function proved' an enjoyable one, and tho iiHw dining-room at tho hotel, used for thi> first time, presented a picturesquo' scene. Mr. G. G. G. Watson, M.A., LL.B., presided, and among those present were Lady Stout, Professor and Mrs. D. K. Picken, Professors J. Rankme JJrown, T. A. Hunter, Adamson, Lnsterfield, and Kirk, Mr. and Mrs. G. 1-logben, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilson, and Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Fleming. Apologies for absence woro rtccived from Sir Robert Stout, Mr. H. II: Ostler, and others.

After the usual loyal toast, Mr. S. Eiehelbaum proposed '"'The Graduates of the Year." His speech, which was brief, was couched ma hunVorous vein. Miss N. E. C'oad, M.A., replied in a neat little speech. She commented on the previous speaker's remarks in a manner that caused hearty laughter Mr. J. C. M'Dowell, B.Sc, in responding on behalf of the men gradu-, atos, commented on the capping carnival. This year, lie stated, had marked the first of a series of capping ceremonies which the'public would in future take a largo part in. That, in turn, would mean that Victoria College wouIS now he brought more prominently before the public. It was disappointing that Victoria College was practically not known by many of the business men of Wellington, but that was a fact. Residential Quarters Wanted. The toast of "Tho University" was proposed by the chairman. in the course of his remarks Mr. Wntson said one of the difficulties which they were labouring under at present was the urgent need for residential quarters for students. As-long as the present conditions continued tho scopo of the student In New Zealand would bo limited. The speaker then called on Mr. Hogben to reply to tho toast in tho absenco of Sir Robert Stout, who, owing to pressure of judicial business m Palmerston Noi-th, was unable to be present.

Mr. Hogben spoko of the different dilemmas with which the Senate had been faced in the past, and how that body had eventually asked the Government to frame a' Bill, to enable it to consult tho professors.'"Thoy were now agreed," said the speaker, "not to differ, but to agree." Another thing which he thought would help the Senate would be t<) have lady graduates taking a place on that body. ' They might* well do with women on the Education Boards, too. Education was as much a women's business as a man's. Referring to the previous speaker's remarks regarding the want of residential quarters for students, Mr. Hogben lemarkod that, if the proposal meant taking students away from homo he did not agroo with it. On the other hand, for students with no home in the city, it was an excellent idea.

Wanted—Co-operation. "The- Victoria College Council" was proposed ,by Mr. G. S. Strack. 8.A., and was responded to by, Mr. Fleming in .the absence of Mr. H. H. Ostler. Mr. Fleming said that ho liad been a member of the College Council ever sinco it had been established, and It always taken the greatest interest in the -college, while, on the whole, tho feelmg existing between council and students had been of the best. "Wo, as a council," he added, "feel proud of the spirit tliaflias existed amongst us, in spite of statements of storms and rows, and 1 feel sure that the good relations between tho students and tho council which havo existed in the past will continue." Mr. W. i\ Hogg proposed "The Profe.isorial Board." In responding, Professor Pickon said that Victoria College alike owed much ta its students and much to its professors,- and it remained to thorn all to give it a , great future. The College Council had como to realise that it could do nothing without tho co-operation of students: "I believe to-day," tho speaker said, "that wo can see all bodies working much Letter than they ever have done.". In conclusion, Professor Picken remarked that tho Professorial Board had had too many burdens in tho past. They wanted tho help of graduates and students to inako the college a much bigger institution than it wns. Tho toast list -was interspersed with musical and elocutionary items, to which tho following contributed: —Professor Picken, Messrs. J , . S. Barton, F. P. Wilson, and J. C. M'Dowell.