Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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Th Branksome Slogan 27 The Pitch Lake of Trinidad One of the wonders of Trinidad is the Pitch Lake. It is the only one of its kind in the world, with -the exception of one just across from it in Venezuela. Although the Trinidad Hake is only about one square mile in area, there ihas already been enough pitch extracted ' to pave a road twenty feet wide around the world. This is due to the fact that whenever some is taken out, the space is immediately refilled. The lake appears ito ' be a huge ink blot. It is quite soft in some places and there are small pools of water through which the pitch bubbles. Negro workmen extract the pitch with ihuge shovels and load the great lumps on trolleys that carry ithem to the refinery, where the pitch goes through several processes and is finally poured into barrels which glide down on wires to the isea. It is especially fortunate that this lake is near the sea so that the pitch can be easily exported to every part of the world. The next time your heel isinks into the pitch used in preparing side- walks, think O ' f Trinidad ! SALLY MORTON (Clan Oamjpbell). Welcome to Honolulu As the ship rounds Diamond Head, the grim guardian of Honolulu, one sees a faint gilimmer in the distance, which gradually takes the form of a city whose tropical beauty is amiazing. Honolulu is set cozily between the mountains and the sea and extends along the Southern coast of Oalu for at least two miles. It seems almost alive as it basks in the golden imorning sun, while smiall fleecy clouds skim across the intensely blue sky land s ' hady cocoanut palms fringe the curving shore. From the iship can be seen a long, wide stretch of white sand, dotted with innumerable coloured umbrellas. This proves to be the famous Waikiki Beach. Through the foaming surf can be distinguished the surf riders, making la thrilling, if hazardous journey, towards the shore on their slender boards. Beyond the beach one sees the famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel, with its beautiful grounds and sunny terraces. The Moana Hotel, not so gor- geous as her sister, but just as beautiful, peeps forth from a row of Royal palms. Below us, is a school of flying fish, leaping gracefully into the sunlight. Soon these are replaced by diving boys w ho have paddled out on their surf boards to meet the incoming ship. They dive for coins and never seem to miss one.

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26 The Branksome Si OGan discussing the p - ' sin teng festival. Suddenly a strident voice rose above the babbie : There you are! She tried to run away again last night. It must be evil spirits — w e always gave her enough to eat. For a momenit ' the oither topics of conversation were forgotten and la chorus of varying exclama- tions arose, some of sympathy, isome not unmixed with apprehension for the victim. Interest was only partially diverted by the peanut vendor, who had almost swallowed his pipe again. Did you call in the witch-doctor? inquired her neighbour, grabbing for the heel of her baby, who had crawled under the seat with a stolen stick of sugar-cane. Yes, there he is, replied the woman, indicating an angular man snoring ponderously nearby. Just at this moment the bus lumbered round a curve and came out upon the bank of the Tamsin River, one of the most beautiful spots in that beautiful island. One look at the solitary mountain looming up high into the sky across the iriver, another out over the blue Pacific with its skirting froth of breakers, another over the sweeping coastline and distant purple hills sihould satis ' fy most of its distinct claim to scenic beauty. Man had done little to mar it. Only a lighthouse winked down the coast ; a few Chinese junks nodded their brown sails and the humble lights of Tamsin began to glimmer uncertainly. Near at hand the bus jolted past ifamiliar sights and sounds of eventide in Formosa — a flock of ducks waddling homewards ; the sleepy chirp of a cicada ; a child on a doorstep with his bowl of rice. Conversation in the bus reached a climax as the motor bunted through the narrow streets of the town, sending a swarm of chickens, dogs, and children scrambling hastily to safety. Finally the human and inanim ate freight was unloiaded, and the cheery din died away. Only the peanut- vendo-r remained behind, pipe in mouth. He paused to pat the dusty seat. I really did get my money ' s worth! he murmured as he climbed slowly out. ANNA MACKAY (Clan Douglas).

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28 The Branksome Slogan As the ship (pulls iri ' to the enormous concrete pier, an Hawaiian band greets us with the beautiful strains of the Song of the Island and brown Hawaiian women run up the gangway, throwing flower leis ' around our neck. In this way begins the first of many :happy Honolulu days. ELEANOR BONE (Oan MacGregor). A Picturesque Road One of the met picturesque roads in Nova Scotia follows the Lahave River from Bridgewater, its source, to Crescent Beach, its mouth, a distance of a:bouit eighteen miles. Bridgewater is a little town situated on a high cliff overlooking the river. Small boats and large boats, speedboats and tugboats dock daily at the wharves. Passing the shipyard we left Bridgewater for the country road close to the river-side. As we motored along we noticed, on the opposite side of the river, several summer cottages, one of which attracted our special attention, lit was a dull, red colour with gray trimmings. A large verandah encircled the whole house. On this were seated groups of people in hammocks and com- fortable camp-chairs. In front of the cottage a long ,pier stretched out into the water with a diving-board at the end. On one side of the pier, a few yards distant, was a raft. Several young people were swimmiing and diving there- abouts and from watching them we could tell that many gay, amusing after- noons had been spent in the same way. Following the road still f arther dov m the river, we passed similar cottages and went through small fishing villages. On large tables between the shore- line and ithe roadside were spread fresh codfish. These had been broug ht in from fishing trips and had been laid here to dry and to be salted. In a few weeks they would probably be shipped to different parts of the world. After passing many large and small fishing schooners, lying at anchor