Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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21 the greatest of interest that we met to see the film Rebecca. ' ' The acting of all the cast met with the most profound approval, while the scenery throughout was also superb. Our next outing was to the Agricultural Station. Here we were met by Mr. Russell, who first gave us a short history of the station, teUing us how it was organized and run, and what pui pose it had to fulfil. We then made a tour of the grounds, accompanied by Mr. Russell, who explained any questions that arose. Our thanks for his kindness was voiced at the end bv the secretary. . A visit of lasting interest was paid to the society by Dr. Moore of the Biological Station. The few that were present were well rewarded by an interesting account of ocean currents and marine life. At the end of Dr. Moore showed us a moael that he had made of the Biological Station ' s reseaich boat the ' ' Culver, which was made correct in every detail. On the evening of the twenty-ninth of January, Cult A, through the kindness of Mrs. Witheford, attended the first per- formance of the Censorship players at the Bermudiana Hotel, where three one-act plays were presented to a very appreciative audience; the plays were Villa For Sale, The Dear Departed and the Twelve Pound Look. On May the fifteenth we saw the second performance of the Censorship players, which again con- sisted of three one-act plays, entitled, Half an Hour, Today of all Days and How he Lied to her Husband. All members of Cult A are looking forward to another successful year, and with Major Welch as our leader, we are confi- dent that we shall not be disappointed. Reason and relevancy were aims suggested to the Society at the opening of the debating season, and we believe that in this respect we have at least maintained our standard; while the ether around us has pulsated with the vitiated utterances of modern propaganda, we have tried to speak calmly and dispassionately, and to keep in our debates that sense of fairness which the English race values above most other things. It has been a good debating season, our num- bers have increased, and keenness has been displayed throughout. The activities of the season have included: — Oct. 17. — General meeting for the election of officers. Debate on the motion: That the radio is the greatest means of education in the world today. Proposer: H. C. D. Cox Opposer: A. J. Motyer A. J. M. Debating Third: H. A. Leseur The motion was carried. Fourth: S. M. Green man

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20 unfortunate that the talent which I beUeve to be as yet undeveloped in the school could not be revealed, but this, as yet, cannot be helped. The most crying need in the school at the present time is a good piano. The instrument now in use is in its final death throes and may be expected to expire at any moment. It woulo be well worth the money, as the instrument at present is abominable. The most significant achievement which the choir can boast is our performance of Stanford ' s ballad, Phaudrig Crohoore. This, with the help of Mr. Goolden, we put on three years ago. Feehng confident of ourselves, we then tackled C. H. H. Parry ' s Pied Piper of Hamelin. We were left without any doubt, how- ever, that this was too difficult for us and it had to be abandoned unfinished. Mr. Goolden having left school this vear we resorted again to ' ' Phaudrig. It is much to Mr. Bridge ' s credit that this cantata which took us over a year to do before, we now can do in less than two months. Phaudrig will be performed in public in June and the proceeds derived therefrom will be devoted to pro- curing copies of Handel ' s great oratorio, The Messiah. We realise the great difficulty that confronts us, but, ' f nothing else, we can sing a few arias from it. We may finish it before we all are dead. The thought of attempting anything harder than Hymn 165 before Mr. Bridge ' s time was unheard of; now we are attempting the Messiah. With but seventy unmusical boys to work with, the results Mr. Bridge gets are much to his credit, as it is he who has made the choir a credit to the school and what it is t6day. Cult A At the outbreak of the war. Cult A was greatly affected by the loss of a truly enthusiastic leader, Mr. Goolden, who left the staff to take up a position in the Royal Navy. Hi.s enthusiasm and zeal for the society was so great that we all caught asparkof it and from the very beginning it was evident that the fruition of the society was owed to his early leadership. Until the beginning of the Christmas term last year, the activities of the society had been suspended owing to his absence, but with the arrival of Major Welch on the staff of the school, we again welcomed an ardent leader who was willing to reform the society, and once more put it on the path of success. The main idea of the society is that any branch of cultural activity be oui concern, from play-reading to play-acting, and from the theatre of local industries. Our first effort, that of play-acting was unfortunately unsuccessful, owing to the scarcity of time in the school curriculum for rehearsals. We then decided to devote our time to the theatre and local industries. It was, therefore, with

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22 Oct. 31. — Debate on the motion: ' ' That the best lessons are not learned from books ' Proposer: A. J. Motyer Opposer: T. N. Fall Third: D. E. Campbell Fourth: S. M. Greenman The motion was carried. Nov. 14. — Debate on the motion: ' ' That man ' s modern dress should be radically reformed. Proposer: H. P. Watlington Opposer: H. C. D. Cox Third: D. J. Rutherford Fourth: H. A. Leseur The motion was defeated. Jan. 23. — Hat debate. Each member made one or more im- promptu speeches. Among the subjects were these : — Horses should wear rubber shoes. He laughs longest who laughs last. Slates and pencils should be used to save paper. Why are trees green? Education should not be compulsory. Should the school drinking fountains supply ginger beer? Bicycles should be abolished. Feb. ?? — Secret debate behind closed doors; and the windows were closed too. Names of speakers: A close secret. Result: The atmosphere was appalling. March 20. — Debate with Whitney Institute on the motion: That man has no control over his own destiny. Proposer: H. C. D. Cox (S) Opposer :Miss D. A. Outer- bridge (W) Third: D. Divall (W) Fourth: D. Rutherford (S) The motion was defeated. Officers for the Year 194041 President Mr. J. H. Kerry Secretary S. M. Greenman Committee: A. J. Motyer, T. N. Fall, D. E. Campbell, H. A. Leseur. H. P. Watlington and S. M. Greenman (ex-offic ' o). J. H. K.