The consequences of the rag of 1922

The 1922 quad battle was viewed with alarm by the College authorities. The Union reminded students that the quadrangle was a 'dangerous and unsuitable place for…rags' and the editor of the King's student journal went as far as to suggest a premeditated and deliberate aspect to the violence. It was, he said, 'a good rag…but got out of hand. It is a pity that the blinding of Mr Johnson…has not taught us that there is a limit'.
The collapse of the balustrade was widely reported in the press with the Daily News describing a 'Rag Beyond the Limit' and speculating that a release of liquid oxygen stored below the accident area might have led to a violent explosion. The King's Principal and University College's Provost both agreed that although it was a tradition that any damages caused by a rag should be borne by the students responsible, that in this instance the repair bill of £237 should be collectively shared by students of both colleges.