St Michaels University School - Black Red and Blue Yearbook (Victoria, British Columbia Canada)

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At this point in the proceedings Mrs. McBride, who ac- companied the Premier, was the recipient, on behalf of th-e boys of the School, of a beautiful bouquet, tied with black and red ribbons, at the hands of Cadet Donald Thomson. Rev. Mr. Bolton, in expressing his thanks to those who attended the ceremony, referred to the time, twenty years ago, when he had endeavoured to interest the public of Victoria in just such an institution as the present, and paid the highest tribute to Mr. Matson for the unswerving kindness and business ability which had made his early dream an accomplished fact. This, h-e declared, is only a beginning, but in time we will make it an institution of which we may all be proud. We propose to turn out young men who shall be' first Christian men, then manly men, and, thirdlfy, capable men, who will be a credit to Canada. We want to have among our alumni in years to come, a Chief Justice of British Columbia, perhaps a Minister of Education, and, we hope, a Premier. After the ceremony, tea was served in a marquee on the grounds. THE NEW SCHOOL The new buildings of the University School are situated on the south-western slope of Mount Tolmie. The School is about three miles from the centre of the town, but is reached by a car-line, on which a car will b-e run past the gates twice a day, as a convenience for day-boys. From the School building you get a fine view over the whole city of Victoria, while from the summit of that rugged rock, Mount Tolmie, which stands isolated amidst broad farms, there is an unequalled prospect of the Straits of juan de Fuca, the snow-capped Mount Baker and the Olympic Mountains. These, especially at sunset, are a glorious panorama of ever-changing purple, pink, and gold, Pwhich, in contrast with the clear waters of the Strait, form a picture of exquisite beauty. The surrounding country is fairly -Hat, except for a f-ew hills near the water, Mount Tolmie and Cedar Hill, which is of the same rugged nature as Mount Tolmie, but much higher, being at least 6oo feet in height. The country is pleasantly diversified with groves of oak-trees, and is well suited for cross- country runs, skirmishing, and paper-chases. The grounds are fairly spacious, covering fifteen acres, and are only a mile and a quarter from Cadboro Bay, the best bathing b-each near Victoria. The grounds slope away from Mount Tolmie Avenue, along which is a fringe of noble oaks, and a portion is being already ploughcd and levelled sufficient for two football fields and several cricket pitches. In front of 6 .

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he trusted that the parents of the boys who are yearly being sent to Schools outside this Province, would appreciate the fact that right here in Victoria will soon be an institution which should meet with their h-eartiest support, and at which an edu- cation such as every young British Columbian should possess could be obtained. If the efficiency of the youthful Cadets whom he had had the pleasure of reviewing was any evidence of the thoroughness of the training given by Mr. Bolton and his associates, he could look ahead to the future progress of the School with the utmost. confidence. The magnificent location, the splendid architectural beauty of the proposed buildings, showed clearly that those b-ehind the enterprise had been up and doing. It was with the utmost pleasure that he referred to the 'efforts of Mr- S. H. Matson, to whom, he understood, was due the successful accomplishment of the enterprise, and to each and everyone of the gentlemen interested in this most Worthy institution, he heartily wished -every success, and to the assistants and pupils a most profitable future. Hon. Dr. Young, Minister of Education, seconded the Premier's congratulations and good wishes. It had been his good fortune to keep close account, during the past two years, of -educational matters in this Province and throughout the Dominion, and stated that British Columbia could be rightly termed the banner Province in matters educational. In the past two years British Columbia students have taken the highest honours in the McGill Matriculation Examinations, capturing the Governor-General's silver medal in both years. Gut of a total of eighty-eight successful students in that examination, no less than sixty-seven were from this Province, and of these forty-two were Victoria students. Last year there were about 250 British Columbian students taking University courses, and itfwas a matter of great congratulation that in a, Province so sparsely settled as this, there should be so many Htting them- selves for an University care-er. He praised Mr. Bolton, Mr. Barnacle, and Mr. Harvey, and expressed his belief that under their capable direction the University School for Boys would reach a high standard and become an institution in which every educationalist. could have the greatest confidence. The func- tions of the modern Private School have shown great change tfrom the earlier y-ears. Much that they now teach is not only academical, but also national, and he hoped that at no distant day the splendid corps of Cadets which he saw before him would have its counterpart in the Public Schools of the Prov- ince, thus aiding in building up the nation on the lines sug- gestedi by Lord Roberts. The Rev. Mr. Bolton, he concluded, has the right to the heartiest co-operation of the public of Victoria and the Province. ' 5

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the building and a little to the east is a well of pure water, which is pumped to a tank at the top of the house. Every one who has visited this ideal and picturesque site must agree that it must be a h-ealthy and invigorating spot. The main building is of red brick and concrete, three stories in height, and loo feet in frontage by 75 in depth at the wings. On the ground Hoor there are six class-rooms of ample dimensions, a small library, and a playroom 24 feet square. On the next floor are four large dormitories, holding from ten to fourteen boys each, with five bath-rooms, and studies and bed- rooms for the Principals. The top Hoor is arranged in a similar way, with accommodation for the matrons and staff. To crown all is a huge cistern of one thousand gallons capacity, in ,a glass-roofed cupola, with hydrants on each floor in case of EIire,'besid-es outside escapes. The house will be heated by steam, and provided with electric light throughout. Behind the School is a large frame building connected with it by two covered ways. This contains the dining-hall, which will accommodate one hundred and fifty boys, and the kitchen and pantries. At the other end are the lavatories and changing- room, with 'its lockers and shower-baths. A large gymnasium is contemplated, and will probably be built adjoining the cov- ered way leading to the changing-room. The building and grounds will certainly eclipse anything that has ever been attempted in this Province before, and ought to become the leading School of the West. G. E. AMBERY. FOOTBALL MATCHES University School vs. Collegiate School Our first match this season was a game with the Collegiate School on the jubilee Hospital' Grounds on Wednesday, Octo- ber 21st, It was Trafalgar Day, and a notice appeared on the board that morning, to the effect that Mr. Barnacle 'expected that every boy would do his duty. That evening someone added in large characters the inscription, WE DID IT! Both sides appeared in the colours of their respective Schools, and Mr. Newcombe, the referee, lost no time in start- ing the game. Each School sent a large contingent of sup- porters, who lined the touch-lines, and did their best to en- courage their champions with stentorian bellowings. The Collegiate had the kick-off, and from the start their well-packed scrum managed to secure the ball every time, and heel it out to their backs. But our backs knew something about tackling, 7 x