1907] Capping at Auckland 



altogether by unruly undergraduates. This was going 

 a little too far, and the repentant students afterward 

 asked as a special favor that the chancellor should 

 deliver to them the smothered address. 



The mildest fate which can overtake a speaker is 

 shown by the following extracts from a report in the 

 New Zealand Graphic of June 8, 1907, of the then 

 recent capping ceremonies in Auckland University 

 College : 



The chairman. Sir George O'Rorke, said: "I do not intend to Cheerful 

 speak at any great length. ("Hurrah!" said the students.) It is Capping 

 very creditable that students can obtain in New Zealand degrees 

 which are entitled to rank and precedence in all parts of the 

 British dominions. I must also congratulate the young ladies on 

 being able to obtain degrees within the Colony, although I 

 regret to have to add that those rights are still denied in the 

 two great universities at home. ("Oh!" said the students.) I 

 trust the time is approaching when the ladies will be entitled to 

 the same privileges at home ^ as the gentlemen are in respect to 

 university degrees." ("Hurrah! let 'em come," said the stu- 

 dents.) Professor Egerton, the next speaker, said that as 

 accomplished orators were to speak he would not address them 

 at any length. ("What about yourself.''" said the students. 

 "Don't blush, good old Pro.," they continued, "don't blush.") 

 The retirement of the registrar, Dr. Runciman, would be 

 regretted by all. (In this the students concurred.) They would 

 regret the retirement of the registrar's daughter. ("Oh! oh! 

 you a married man, too," said the students.) The professor 

 trusted that they would yet have new buildings of which the 

 citizens might be proud. He had heard the present ones referred 

 to in such language he would not care to repeat in such an august 

 assemblage. It might be a long time or a short time before they 

 had the new building, but he hoped to see their college a building 

 which looked like an abode of learning and not like a shirt 

 factory. (In all this the students cheerfully acquiesced.) 



The Anglican bishop, Dr. NelHgan, also did not propose to 



1 Curiously enough, in Australia and especially in New Zealand, Britain is 

 "home," even to those who have never been there. 



C 209 "2 



