Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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a visit to the School. The turn-out generally was very smart and we hope that we created a good impression. The departure of Mr. Profit for America has been a severe blow to the Troop. We owe a great deal to his experience and energy and it is impossible to fill his place adequately. The most that we can do is to unite all our efforts in the endeavour to maintain the high position that he bequeathed to us. At the time of writing there are a number of schemes on foot, or perhaps one should say afloat, for increasing the interest and efficiency of our work as Sea Scouts. For soma months now we have been hoping to obtain a Naval Whaler. A variety of reasons has delayed the fulfilment of this hope, but there is a real chance that we shall not have to wait much longer. Recently, too, another possibility has arisen. The suggestion was made that we should try to buy one of the lifeboats of the Cristobal Colon , the Spanish ship that was wrecked here in October. On inquiry it was found that this might well be pos- sible, but that of necessity some delay was inevitable, as we should have to wait until the underwriters disposed of the ship and its effects. There is also a plan being considered to buy an old hulk and fit it up as Troop Headquarters, instead of meeting in the school. It should be possible then for the patrols to take it in turns to spend a week-end on board, thus adding variety to our activities and giving an opportunity for practice to those who wish to get a badge for cooking. Whether this scheme materialises or not, I am hoping that it will be possible in the spring to arrange week-end camps for those who can attend, either on our own or in collaboration with one of the other Sea Scout troops in the Island. That, after all, is the sort of activity that Sea Scouts should aim at, rather than indoor meetings once a week on dry land. We have a few recruits this term, and they are displaying the proper spirit and enthusiasm in working to pass their tests. Crawford, indeed, has already passed his tenderfoot test within a week or two of joining the Troop. Finally, it is worth men- tioning that the value of the Scout tests and Badges was strik- ingly shown in a recent football match, when one of our opponents sprained his wrist badly and Adams had him properly bandaged and comfortable within a few minutes. The strength of the Wolf Cub Pack has been fully main- tained this term, and it has even been necessary to make Sixes more elastic to accomodate recruits. Sixers Floyd and Burland 3 have left, and their places filled by Outerbridge 2 and Trott 2. A new system of points for Attendance, Test Passing, Tidi- ness, etc. has been instituted and is working with good results. 9

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House has ever won the Ci icket Cup and Butterfield are bej in- nin to think that they own it. With the beginning of this term, the Football season opened and the prospects of a good season appear to be quite promis- ing. Three old colours remain from last year ' s 1st. XI, includ- ing the Captain, N. H. Williams, who, no doubt, has profited greatly from last year ' s experience. Matches have already been arranged for the 1st. and 2nd. XI ' s, 2nd. Division and Colts, and it is expected that we shall have some excellent games. 0 Cadets. There seems to be a certain amount of doubt as to what are the objects of Cadet training. Although the training in the School corps is primarily physical, it can be said to be both mental and moral also. Perhaps its aim can be summed up in the word co-ordination which has a double significance — co-ordination between mind and body, and co-ordination between one individual and another to make a completely unified whole. No one can deny that these principles are good; they help to fit a boy for every day life as well as for a national emergency when the safety of his home and country is at stake. But that ' s all very serious. The fact that we are staid on ceremonial occasions does not prevent us from having some splendid laughs when we are standing easy . We are like so many marble blocks when His Excellency comes to inspect us; we are still as statuesque (but hewn out of a somewhat warmer substance) in front of the Cenotaph on Armistice day. But we are positive tigers as we launch an attack on some corner of the field, inoffensive as it might be. It is very satisfactory to find that they can enter into the spirit of the thing so well once they get started. They do like the sound of their ow n voices though, and therein lies their greatest failing. It may be mere exuberance, but it must find different expression. As they come on to parade, I wish they would remember the words of that rather charming hymn — Peace, be still. 0 The Sea Scouts and Wolf Cubs. Soon after the beginning of t he term a select body of the Scouts, as part of the guard of honour, had the privilege of being inspected by His Excellency the Governor, when he paid 8

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The Cubs were inspected by H. E. the Governor of Bermuda on 19th October and he remarked on the good turn-out of the Cub Pack. This praise comes from a keen supporter of the Scout Movement and is therefore not unearned. The Pack is the Junior School for the Saltus Scout Troop. Meetings are held for the purpose of making it easier for Cubs to become efficient Scouts eventually — by passing elementary tests, by learning to be smart, useful, and orderly, and knowing the first principles of the movement — the Law and the Promise. The Debating Society. By J. H. K. Debating activities have been renewed during the current Term, and up to the date of going to Press three meetings have been held: — The following Officers were elected for the Christmas term, 1936. Sept. 18. General Meeting and Election of Officers. President : Mr. J. H. Kerry Secretary : T. M. Adams Committee: F. G. Lines, W. R. Kempe, L. Gibbons, and T. M. Adams (ex-officio) .Oct. 22. Debate on the Motion, That the World of To-day attaches too much importance to the Colour of a Man ' s Shirt. Proposer: T. M. Adams Opposer: F. G. Lines Third: W. R. Kempe Fourth: H. G. E. Masters The Motion was carried. Nov. 12. Debate with Whitney Institute on the Motion, Tha t Competitive Examinations should be abolished. Proposer: F. G. Lines Opposer: R. Outerbridge (Whitney) Third: R. Lowe Fourth: W. B. Kempe (Whitney) F. G. Lines ' (S. G. S.), proposing, suggested that competi- tive examination gave rise to excessive rivalry among the com- petitors; yet there was a danger that the best boy might fail 10