Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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THE ASHBURfAN [27] knot is becoming noticeable, end silent messages are daily being transmitted across ever-widening distances from hill-side to hill-side. No small pains are being taken this term to turn out a really smart and business- like Cadet Corps. Two parades are being held every week, which all Seniors attend; but there is still considerable lee-way to make up, and we shall not acquit ourselves honourably at the Inspection unless the drills are carried out with more energy and keenness. Much will depend upon the N.C.O. ' s and in particular upon the sergeants, both in keeping strict discipline in the ranks, and in setting an example of smartness. Boys sometimes make disappointing N.C.O ' s. If requires moral courage to order about one ' s school-fellows — not a little natural dignity to fulfill in a becoming man- ner a position of temporary superiority. Thus the position of sergeant in a School Corps is something of a test of character; it is often the first taste of leadership that a boy gets; but if he has any real grit in him he will prove himself master of the situation after the first few drills. The next three extracts need no comment: In smaller things (of equal importance though) — the proper sporting spirit in all games during the holidays — decent behaviour and manners, a modest rather than a boastful air — an absence of that eternal flow of silly, would-be-smart jokes (all a hundred years old generally) ; in these too great credit accrues, not only to the boys, but to the school to which they belong. If our chaps stand during the playing of the National Anthem, instead of hustling into their overcoats like the crowd, if they attend to the wants of others before their own, if they show respect for the opinions and wishes of their parents and elders, and thus, outside the School show super- iority over others, they will do as much for Ashbury as do those who win the games and pass the exams. Thus the out-of -school test is the only real one. We get to think a lot of our- selves and our powers sometimes. Then we meet outsiders and get a rude but salu- tary jolt . After a while these disappointments have their effect, and we find ourselves improving — really improving. Last term a little surprise was sprung on us all when, in roll call, the Head- master announced that a new honorary position was to be created among us. He called forward M. O ' Halloran and, after congratulating him upon the steady interest he had always taken in the welfare of the College — upon his hard work in coaching the Junior football team to victory, and the attitude he had always taken in putting Ashbury first and self last — greeted him as first Ashbury School Captain. Three hearty cheers and a tiger were at once given the new Captain by the whole School,

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[26] THE ASHBURIAN THROUGH THE YEARS LAST year the Ashburian reprinted some extracts from past numbers and the favourable comment thereon has encouraged us to make it a regular feature. Below will be found some extracts from the Ashburian of 1909, a period when the Ashburian was revived after a short interval. It is to be hoped that these extracts will prove interesting to both past and present members of the school. (The school has not in its possession any copies of the Ashburian previous to 1909. The Editors zvoiild he very grateful for the opportunity of looking at any which may he in the possession of an Old Boy.) The first extract is from the Editorial in the first issue of 1909 and it is in- teresting to notice that we are still making the same appeal without -very great success. Last of our long list of interesting features comes that of original contributions. The editors are anxious to encourage the boys in this. The writing of good English is a rare and valuable accomplishment — and the greatest help to its attainment is the sight of one ' s work in print. There is no better test. In view of the above we invite contributions in prose or verse — on any subject whatever — summer trips, week- end experiences, fiction, or upon any sport. These, if accepted, will be printed under the signature of the author — no anonymous contribution being accepted. Coming under the head of original contributions will be letters from Old Ash- burians. These will be of the greatest interest to the present boys and staff, and it is hoped that any Old Boy who reads this page will confer a favour upon the editors by sending in a letter about his present life, amusements, and his recollections of the College. The reference to Boy Scouts causes one a pang of regret that in a school of this size there is hardly room for hoth Cadet Corps and Boy Scouts. That both were at that time live institutions is seen hy the following passage: Lately — in response to a desire on the part of the Juniors — the Baden-Powell Boy Scout movement was introduced into the College. The work has been under- taken by Mr. Hooper, who was secretary for the Hamilton organization last year, and 0 council, consisting of the Ashbury Staff. As it is not the desire of Scouts to be conspicuous or to advertise their presence, little is being heard of the growth of the movement. The Scout sign, however, is being exchanged between a greater number of boys each week, the significant tie-

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[28] THE ASHBURIAN The game of Badminton — a cross between Battledore and Shuttlecock and Tennis - — has been started in the Gym., where ample room is found for a double court. It ' s only drawback is perhaps the fact that but four players can take part at one time. Last year zve put in a passage about the changing of the colours of the School, and this we do again, making a longer extract as we consider it of some interest and importance. After some hesitation and a good deal of deliberation the Headmaster arrived at a momentous conclusion some two months ago. He decided to change the colours of the School. There were many reasons for taking this important step. The old colours — blue are red — while satisfactory enough for a good many years, are now no longer dis- tinctive. Tuques, sweaters, stockings in different combinations of these two colours have become so common that they are no longer associated with any particular institution — every boy wears them, all shops sell them. Now it is easy enough to know all the rules regarding colour combinations, and not hard to pick out the colours which are pleasing to the eye on a field or rin ' k; but it was found impossible to get any combination of two colours not already adopted by someone else. Then three were tried. Again it was found that nearly all the combinations of three were already taken. However, there was one group that, at least in Ottawa, had not apparently, been thought of; namely, cardinal, white and dark green. This being finally decided on, the question of design came next. The present Editor was given the cheerful task of designing the caps, coats, sweaters, stockings, etc. and he had many a struggle over it. Finally, he produced a set which was approved. Then an artist was necessary to paint the plate for an engraving in colours. One of our boys. Jack Harvey, being sufficiently talented, undertook the task, and carried it out very creditably. To shozu zvhat terribly rough fellows the Juniors were in the Old Days we have inserted an account of a hockey match, just as it appeared, and by way of contrast we follozv it up zvith a paragraph on cricket, emphasizing its high ethical standards. ASHBURY JUNIORS vs. CLIFFSIDE JUNIORS The return match was played on Dey ' s rink on Gladstone Avenue, on Saturday, January 28th. The two teams had agreed to play on January 21st, but owing to some misunderstanding, they found the rink taken by two other teams. The match was therefore postponed until the following Saturday. Unfortunately there was no efficient referee available, and both sides indulged in rough play. In the second half