UNIVERSITY HOAX.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9425, 22 April 1909, Page 6

UNIVERSITY HOAX.

An amusing hoax was carried out on a recent Wednesday night at Cambridge by some fun-loving undergraduates. By bold advertisement it was made known that Mrs Carry Nation would speak In the large lecture-room at Cains College on the evils of smoking and drinking. The authorities of the college had been induced to grant the nse of the room in the belief that the lecture was a genuine affair. In the town it was asseverated that Mrs Nation had arrived on the Wednesday morning, 'and a local paper solemnly announced the fact. The result was that every college in the University sent its quota of undergraduates, and the hall was packed with an audience of young men, all smoking hard, because Mrs Nation objected to tobacco. One young man placed a cigarette and some matches on "the table in front of Mrs Nation’s chair. * The lady’s arrival was signalled hy wild cheering and oat calls. She was accompanied by the committee, all in evening dress. She wore black, her features being somewhat hidden by a thick veil. She carried an umbrella, some notes, and a small hammer.

Having been introduced, she rose to her feet, hnt it was some moments before she could speak. “My friends,” she began, In a rather deep husky voice—(cheers) — ‘my friends—(cheers). I am here just to say a few words (cheers). Yon won’t frighten me by your noise. I am going to speak to you for a few minutes, and then I am going to sea Mr Stanley Gardiner,” It may have been that the voice had a familiar ring to some, and perhaps others thought the lady rather tall for Mrs Nation. But the speech went on", “I have come over from America, (dries of ‘Liar,’; ‘Never been to America in your life. *) I landed at Glasgow. I have appeared at two music halls in Loudon —(‘Shame!* ‘Oh music halls, my friends, are places where no respectable people can go. (‘Yon went.') Yon mustn’t Imagine.that lam a mnsio hall artist. (‘No, no.’) lam merely trying to use the musio halls to say a few words. (^Oh.*) “l am coming back to Cambridge on Saturday when, I bear, yon are going to have one of your ‘dmaks,* (Loud cheers. J I have left my hatchet in America, but I have here a substitute (holding up the hammer). I would have you remember' that you have, at any rate, one friend, your home defender. Carry Nation. ”

Though many of the audience now realised that they had been hoaxed a vote of thanks was solemnly proposed and seconded, both speakers severely criticising the meeting fos;« their behaviour with a lady. “Mrs Nation” then left the room, and the meeting broke np in an uproar. 1

“Mrs Nation” was conducted to Mr Stanley Gardiner, the senior dean of but the interview lasted rather longer than was expected, and was understood to he an uncomfortable one.