Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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capital, St. John ' s. Here on this historic site today stands a splendid memorial to New- foundand ' s sons who fell in the Great War. St. John ' s is situated on the east coast and overlooks a beautiful natural harbour. The entrance to this harbour which lies between two high rugged cliffs, is commonly called The Narrows. On the summit of one of the cliffs. Signal Hill, Cabot Tower was erected and named after the discoverer. It is used today to signal vessels and steamers coming to St. John ' s. When France and England were at war, a battery of guns com- manded the Narrows — relics of ancient cannon, gin-emplacements, and magazines can still be seen. It was, also, on the top of this hill that Marconi received his first wireless signal from Cornwall in 1901. Just outside St. John ' s is some very picturesque scenery. About three miles from the city is a beautiful park and playground, presented to the city shortly after the war. The park contains some small war memorials, also an exact replica of the famous statue of Peter Pan erected in Kensington Gardens, London. About sixty miles from St. John ' s is Harbour Grace, a small town which was once the capital. Near here in 1610 John Guy established a colony of settlers, who came from the West of England. Since then Harbour Grace has acquired some fame, by being the starting-point of several trans- Atlantic flights; some of the well known are Kingsford- Smith, Chamberlin, and Amelia Earhart. Some other places with historic interest are Placentia, on the south coast, known as the old French capital which was once fortified; Heart ' s Content, the western terminus of the trans- Atlantic cable laid in 1866; Ferryland, a small town on the south coast. Here Lord Baltimore established a settlement in 1627. He went also to the United States and the city of Baltimore is called after him. It is said by local tradition that he at some time or other returned to Ferryland and is buried there. The scenery of Newfoundland has often been likened to that of Norway. The island has an unusually large number of lakes and ponds. More than a third of the area is supposed to be occupied by water. Some of its bays and rivers run as far as ninety miles inland. The island is rich in minerals. Mines of iron ore, lead and zinc are being opened in different parts of the country. The greatest resource is the fishing industry, lobster, cod, salmon and other fish are exported to many parts of the world. Another important industry is pulp and paper. At Corner Brook, on the west coast, the International Paper and Power Company have a large mill, and export paper to the United States; at Grand Falls, mid-way across the island, the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company exports newsprint to such well-known London papers as the Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail . At Botwood, not far from Grand Falls, a huge airport is being built by Imperial Airways. Here the Caledonia and the Cambria and the Pan-American Clippers landed on their experimental trans-Atlantic flights between England and America. Nearly four hundred and fifty years since it was discovered, Newfoundland is in its early stages of development. By the growth of aviation and new industries, and agricul- ture, Newfoundland, it is hoped, will become more prosperous and better known throughout the world. Mavde Fox, Form Vb, Ross House. [26]

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TO SPRING Sing to the birth of Mother Earth, ' Tis Springtime! ' Tis Springtime! Sing to the birds, who, without words, Trill Springtime! ' Tis Springtime! Brooks are a- twinkling. Over rocks tinkling, — And trout dart to and fro. Suddenly gliding. In shadows hiding. Far from the fisherman ' s throw. Sing to the violet, the crocus, the tulip — ' Tis Springtime! ' Tis Springtime! Sing to the showers which freshen all flowers. For Springtime, in Springtime. Green grasses growing, Gentle winds blowing, White clouds across the blue. And willows weeping. Tiny buds peeping. Each morning are covered with dew. Sing to the seeds, to damp, fresh meeds. In Springtime, in Springtime. Sing to the frogs, a-croaking in bogs — ' Tis Springtime ! ' Tis Springtime ! Maple sap, glowing Golden brown, flowing Into the shiny pail. Trees of the Woodland Robed misty green, stand — Beautiful Springtime to hail ! Mary Lindsay, Form Vb, Fairley House. BRITAIN ' S OLDEST COLONY IN 1497, when Henry VII was King of England, John Cabot discovered the Island of Newfoundland which lies across the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The island being only 1,640 miles from Ireland, soon became very well known to the adventurers of the early six- teenth century. Its fishing resources brought many men from France, Spain, Portugal, and the West of England. Eighty-six years later, 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert took formal possession of the island for Queen Elizabeth. He raised the British flag on the shore of what now is the [25]

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HOW PERSEUS SLEW THE GORGON An ugly, wicked chief was he That ruled that lonely isle, But Perseus was afeard of naught, And danger made him smile. So loudly spake the age-old chief : And who among my knights Will brave this hydra-headed beast That hisses fire, and fights? Medusa, the Gorgon, whose head I would have, Her snaky locks all dead. Whose scaly legs, and brassy arms Our boldest have mislead. Then answered Perseus, fine and tall, Yea, master, I will go, I ' ll slay this monster with one stroke And bring her proud head low. Then off he went on winged feet. And with a golden shield ; A magic helmet on his head Which Mercury did yield. A magic helmet on his head, A magic sword in hand. To smite the Gorgon, which had spread Such terror through the land. Then to the cave did Perseus hie. And found the sisters, three. The three, gray sisters, there they were, A-sitting ' neath a tree. And quietly did Perseus creep. To snatch from each old crone: A yellow tooth; a bleary eye; A large, and meaty bone. [27]