Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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6 THE ASHBURIAN LIBRARY NOTES In looking around the library it is possible to notice a change during the past year. Another bookcase has been added, and sev- eral minor improvements have been made. The greatest change, however, has taken place among the books themselves. A large number of worn out and incomplete copies have been removed, and in most cases replaced by new ones. Many purchases have been made ,and quite a few books have been presented, so that it may be said that the physical condition of the library has never been better. Much, however, remains to be done. Each library is open five times a week and they have been used more and more, which is a good sign. But this has led to overcrowding, which is particularly acute on Sunday mornings. At this time, indeed, a group of Seniors are usually found in the Assembly room, to which they have migrated in search of peace and (comparative) solitude. More congenial surroundings are urgently needed. A library and a school-room have little in common ; certainly it is no place for a blackboard and chalk, for a Prefect ' s or Sixth Form room, or for the nightly consumption of biscuits and milk. It is therefore our earnest hope that as soon as the physical well-being of the school has been attended to our mental needs — no less, in importance — will receive equal consideration. The Committee have very generously presented several novels, especially Mathias, Gait i, and McGuckin. Our thanks are also due to Southam i, Ritchie, Dawes, and others for similar gifts. In ac- knowledging these we wish also to say that it is to be hoped that this excellent practice will continue. For in addition to making such books generally accessible, it leaves the library funds free to buy volumes for which there is a pressing need. Looking down the list of authors of books purchased we see the names of Swift, Conrad, Shaw, Longstreth, Cervantes, Kipling. Wells, Benson, Ian Hay, Curwood, Bramah, Conan Doyle. Space does not permit more than mere mention of three particular fav- orites : A. J. Evan ' s ' ' Escaping Club, Pepy ' s Diary, and Thorn- dike ' s ' ' Dr. Syn. The record shows that the adherents of Wode- house have declined in number, but the reign of Wallace is by no means at an end. However, the main thing is that these two no longer enjoy a virtual monopoly. A Card Index Catalogue has been made. This has entailed considerable time and trouble but it will be of permanent value if kept up to date.

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THE ASHBURIAN 5 and that the new Infirmary would have been able to be opened for use this coming Fall. Although there has been a very generous res- ponse by a few of the parents of the supporters of Ashbury, and we take this opportunity of sincerely thanking them, there has not been the general support that we had anticipated. So far we have received about Ten Thousand Dollars only, and it looks as if we shall have to postpone the building of the Infirmary until next Spring and to look forward to having it in operation when School reopens in Sep- tember, 1930. An appeal is being sent out to all old boys, who are strongly urged to follow the example of the old boys of other important Canadian Schools and to do something that will really be a help to their old School. There are a number of wealthy persons who have, or have had, sons at Ashbury. May we venture to suggest to these that a sub- stantial donation to our Infirmary fund will be a very practical way of showing their interest in this School, and will at the same time greatly promote its increased efficiency? Donations, or promises of such, may be sent to the Headmaster and will be most gratefully received. Since the publication of the last number of the Ashhurian ser- mons in the School Chapel have been preached by : — The Rt. Reverend J. C. Roper,, Bishop of Ottawa. The Reverend J. H. Dixon, Rector of St. Bartholemew ' s Church. The Reverend C. Roach, Curate of All Saints ' Church. The Headmaster. The Reverend H. N. Myers. DETENTION IN R. Here in this little room. Full of scratching pen and weary breath. This afternoon, For somnolence, attempts at stealth, For unstripped bed and turned on Hght, I sit and write. For want of me the cricket does not stop, When all the work is done outside I ' ll go, And while our tutors stout their brows do mop, Not one will care whether I repose or no. Anon.

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THE ASHBURIAN 7 These notes would not be complete without a word of thanks to the Committee and to the Prefect, Morgan, for his unostentatious efficiency. It will not be easy to fill his shoes. HOCKEY 1929. Except for a disappointing game with B. C. S. the past has been a very satisfactory season. We started the season with eight old colours, and considering that they were more experienced and bigger than last year, we were hopeful of equaling or beating the 1928 record when we did not lose a school game and only lost three local games — a record season for an Ashbury team. However this was not to be, this year. We won four and lost three school games. We had a good team, every member of which could play sound hockey. On two occasions, one against L. C. C. in Montreal and the second against U. T. S. in Toronto the team played very impressive hockey which was com- mented upon bv the hockev critics who were watchinQ . Perhaps if we had played fewer local games we should have had a still better record. There was a large number of these games played, which added to the games some members played outside the school tended to produce staleness. On some occasions there was a certain laziness and lack of enthusiasm in some of the team, which should not be. We were very fortunate in being able to make a trip to Toronto this year. This was rendered possible by help from the Ashburian and- the hospitality of U. C. C. who very kindly put us up and en- tertained us while in Toronto. Our thanks are due to the Head- master, Dr. Grant, the Staff and hockey team of U. C. C. Nor must we forget Mr. and Mrs. Woods who so kindly entertained us our first evening in Toronto, and in addition helped to defray our expenses. We left Ottawa by the 1 1 o ' clock train on Monday, March 4th, which we caught in spite of the Ottawa Bus Co. The C. P. R. pro- vided a private sleeping car both to Toronto and back.