Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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7 An Interesting Trip to Canada Last summer, my father, a Presbyterian Minister, decided to take a vacation, the first for many years. We were to meet my two sisters so that there might be a family reunion. Accordingly my father wrote to an old friend of his, a Doctor Glenn, and asked him if he knew of any Canadian Presbyterian Minister who would be willing to exchange pulpits, and at the same time enjoy a vacation. After the usual letter writing, an exchange with a minister living in the small but beautiful city of Guelph, was arranged. Any one who has travelled knows the feeling of excitement and expectancy which always precedes the start of a vacation. Going down to the airport we felt just as if we were going to see someone else off ; indeed it was not until we were seated in the aircraft that we realised what was about to take place, and settled back to enjoy ourselves to the utmost. The journey was perfect. Bermuda, from the air, looked like a model Garden of Eden, with white surf foaming over the deep brown of the reefs and the white expanse of the beach shining in the evening sun. As twilight fell over the ruffled sea, the setting sun cast a long pathway of light. It was night-time when finally the ' plane nosed its way down into the fairyland of lights which is New York. Despite the fact that we had slept part of the time on the ' plane, it was with wide open eyes that we emerged into the bustling activity of the La Guardia field. After a speedy passage through the Customs, due to dad being a minister, we emerged in New York to be greeted by our friends with whom we were to spend the night. The first thing that attracted my attention was the colossal scale upon which every- thing was constructed. Then of course there was the speed. Passing through New York we were soon speeding along at fifty miles an hour towards New Jersey, by which time everybody, including myself, was half asleep. I shall never forget the strange sensation of excitement and happiness that came over me when I awoke the next morning. Lying on a camp cot, I watched the various activities of the neigh- bourhood. In New Jersey, the food was delicious, the people friendly, and the rolling countryside quaint and beautiful. The nouses were built back from the road, all in a line and with no dividing fences. Beautiful trees lined every road in the suburbs. In the city, the first thing that I noticed was that you could stand in the street and see the road stretching for miles, with stores on each side and tall buildings everywhere. New Jersey was certainly a wonderful place. The flight up to Toronto was a little more interesting than that from Bermuda, as we were flying over land all the way. As before,

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6 Admiral ' s Empire Day Address at Saltus The boys of Saltus Grammar School were again privileged to hear an address by Vice-Admiral Sir R. V. Symonds-Tayler, Com- mander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station, in connection with their Empire Day celebrations on Wednesday morning. Ac- companied by Lady Symonds-Tayler and the Flag Lieutenant, the Commander-in-Chief inspected a cadet guard-of-honour prior to the assembly in the hall, where the Headmaster, Mr. H. J. Hallett, conducted the service and introduced the distinguished guest. The Admiral said that it gave him great pleasure to be with them for a third time on that great occasion. Speaking first of the significance of Empire Day, he said that Queen Victoria ' s prestige and greatness had done much to bind together their family of nations, which had emerged as the British Commonwealth; and so it was very fitting that Lord Meath should choose Queen Victoria ' s birthday as the day to be set aside for the inspiration of loyal citizenship. Loyalty was the central and the essential idea. It was some- thing which was born in them all, but it had to be developed too; and for those born under the British flag it was a duty to develop it so that they might become loyal citizens of the Empire. Loyalty started from an early age at home, loyalty to parents and family. It continued through school; it was of the greatest importance in their games, for loyalty was the foundation of the team spirit. In fact, the sense of loyalty was being built up and strengthened throughout their life, and it was epito mised in loyalty to King and Country. At school they learned to be loyal to the superior authority. The spirit of emulation could also be a powerful influence in their lives; they would do well to choose some national hero of the past and to take his life as a pattern to be followed; but he wanted them at the same time to think for themselves. While remembering the great part played by the heroes rof the past, let them bear in mind that they too had a part to play, fo they were all links in the chain that bound the Empire together. One and all they could help to mould the Empire by being loyal members of the team. J. H. K.

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8 everything appeared in miniature, the little houses, the long ribbons of the highways with little cars crawling over them. There is nothing to compare with air travel, with its speed and smoothness and cos family atmosphere. After landing, we were driven by the friends who had met us at the airport, into the large, smoky and chilly city of Toronto. I was fascinated by the network of street cars and the bustling activity of the place. Everybody seemed to be hurrying. In time I was to become familiar with Toronto, and grow to like the place. In a few days time I had my first experience of an express train ride, from Toronto to Guelph, a distance of about sixty miles. Guelph is a beautiful little city, noted for its agriculture and the beautiful Ontario State Penitentiary building. The atmosphere is similar to that of New Jersey. It is a strange experience accustoming oneself to a new city. Time and time again I walked round blocks always coming out in unexpected places, yet always able to find my way home again. It was not long before I applied for my driver ' s licence and my sister and I spent many pleasant afternoons exploring Guelph until we became familiar with it. Then we started to take trips to other cities and to explore them. It certainly is an experience which we do not have in Bermuda, driving on a long, straight, smooth highway at fifty miles an hour, with the car clicking along beneath you. Whilst I was at Guelph, which, as you perhaps know, is situated many miles from the water, I had a rather amusing experience. The residents of Guelph do not know what it is like to swim on warm sandy beache s. I accompanied a friend of mine to a very popular Summer Resort about a hundred miles from Guelph. We stayed with his family, in a small log cabin close to the beach, which was on the shores of The Great Lake. The water, which he considered to be perfect, was bitterly cold, fresh and the ' surf came in in little ripples. Everyday my friend insisted upon going swim- ming, no matter what the weather. Many times we went in pouring rain and icy wind to the beach, collected all our courage, and plunged into the icy water for a few minutes, emerging blue, and chilled to the bone. To him this was just perfect. What beach could be better? he wanted to know. When we returned to Guelph, my family decided to drive to the Niagara Falls, which were about five hundred miles away to the South-west. It was a lovely drive along the Queen Elizabeth High- way, and, upon arriving, we stayed for a few days at a friend ' s house. The city of Niagara lies right at the base of the falls, and to the residents, the Falls are not spectacular but commonplace. To us, they were wonderful. Tons of water cascaded with a dull roar over tall cliffs, spray rose like mist, high into the air . . . it was new to me but not to the family. That evening we saw the Falls illuminated with coloured lights. The mist was transformed into multifarious