A MASTERTONIAN ABROAD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9008, 18 December 1907, Page 7

A MASTERTONIAN ABROAD.

A YOUNG MASTERTONIAN'S

IMPRESSIONS

Mr Kcmble Welch, a young Mastertonian, who, with Mr A. H. Sutton, also of this town, recently went to America to continue further his studies in dentistry, writing to Mr H. C. Swan, of Masterton, from the University in Philadelphia, U.S.A., makes some interesting: remarks concerning things generally in America. After detailing the nature of his studies and generally describing the University and the facilities i A . offers for the study of dentistry, Mr Welch briefly refers to the first game of American football that he witnessed. Ths game, he states, is not fo open as Rugby. It mainly consists of a series of rushes with the ball amorg the players. The latter are very rough, and each time a rush is on, obstruction is noticed all over the field, and for this reason quite a number of players are "laid out" temporarily. Describing life at the University, whidjfconsists of 34 building?, spreaG" over 60 acres, the writer says that the "freshmen"—first year students — and "sophmores" second vear students —a'*e nearly always fighting. When the "freshies" arrive they are "iiazed," viz., ragged, in a mild way by the "sophmores" and they also have to fight, stripped to the waist', in which the main object is to obtain possession of a pair of trousers worn by the leaders of the "sophmores." "The'freshies," says the writer, "attack, and the 'sophs' defend, and a, general melee ■ ensues. Recently the 'freshies' captured a few 'sophs," and started to 'haze' them. The 'sophmores' turned out in full force, and gave the 'freshers' a good hiding, in which one of the latter was nearly killed." Referring to the cost of living ' in America, Mr Welch stated that it is very dear compared with England. Four dollars for'board and two dollars for lodging, each of which is obtained in separate bouses, is the usual thing. It is only in a very few houses that board and lodging can be obtained together. He, however, managed to secure a good house, and his companions comprise four Australians, two New Zealanders, one American, and one Filipino. Clothes are, also, very costly, suits running into about £8 or £9, and everything else is in proportion to that. As to his future movements, Mr Welch thinks he will remain in America taking various courses, •jjntil the middle of February. Then dpK? will return to England. He expects to arrive back in New Zealand about August, 1908. .