THE CENTENARIES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2525, 15 September 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CENTENARIES.

* (own cokrespondent.) I might devote a paragraph to an occurrence that took place at the Exhibition some few evenings back, which I did not think worthy of mention at the time, but may do so now as all the papers have taken the matter up. At about 8 o'clock I was just leaving the building, when lo and behold! about thirty young stndents from the Melbourne University appeared with a whoop on the scene. They forced their way through the gates without paying, by the summary means of jumping the barriers. Then they formed themselves into rank, and each one in cap and gown, and carrying a bliick flag with cress-bones, they paraded the place, whooping, hurrahing, and going on like young larrikins. Thun they set up a melodious howling, of what they called an Exhibition Cantata. Here is a verse of it :— The mighty Cowen's here, He didn't want much rnusincr, Since he got his board and lodging paid, With a douceur of £5,000. The whole proceedings were senseless and unseemly in the extreme, and no excuse can be offered for these young University bloods. All old 'Varsity m> n know that at the annual " commencements " an unwritten license 19 given the students for giving vent to the exuberance of their spirits. But the case is very different when they have the temerity to invadu a public place of resort, and forgot that they should act as gentlemen—even if they are not. When partrolling tho Exhibition I always feel sorry for the visitors from the country I meet. Those who have not tried it can hardly tell how dreadfully tiring it is to tramp over hard, irresponsive boards. It is had enough even for as townies ; but when, one has been accustomed to tho soft, springy grass underfoot, or clastic mother earth, the strain on the feet must be dreadful. I always notice a tired and weary look on the faces of our country visitors, and they drag jlong in a listless way after an hour or so's strolling about, that shows all enjoyment is killed by fatigue. Exactly in the same way do the new wooden pavement affect the horses. Our biggest livery-stable keeper in town told me the other day that horses get windfalls, splints, swellings, kc. (in fact, as he expressed it, "go quicker in the legs,") through the wooden blocks more than from any other cause. As to the Exhibition, I wisli there was more matting and less wood ; for no one can really enjoy himself or herself with aching legs and feet.