Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

Page 9 text:

7 height she sprang a leak and began to sink. Cargo was jetti- soned, but she continued to lose height, until finally the passengers were confronted with the disagreeable intelligence that three of them must follow the cargo if the fourth was to be saved. Who should it be? Which of them was to be considered of most service to the community? Each of them in turn spoke to establish his claim to salvation. With a slight impediment in his mouth and test tube in hand Dr. Uranium claimed to be something of a rara avis; he ' d split the atom once, and there was no telling what he ' d split next if he were allowed to live. The appeal on behalf of his sixteen children appeared somewhat irrelevant, but some were visibly affected by it. Mr. Opt. Pessime ruffled his gown and tossed the tassle of his mortar-board with a show of confidence. It was he who had given Dr. Uranium his early training and had inculcated him with the desire to split things like atoms. It was the schoolmaster who trained the young; if they dropped him over- board they would be literally dropping the pilot. Mr. I. Skinyu adjusted his wig as he branded the atomic scientist as a public menace, accused the schoolmaster of stif- ling young genius, and view the liquor merchant as a purveyor of slow poison; whereas the lawyer stood ready to help all and sundry . . . for a moderate fee. If they chucked him out, who would make their will? Mr. Wetyer Wissle carried a bag of bottles to reinforce his remarks. He claimed to belong to a very respectable and highly skilled trade which gave generously to charity and brought warmth to many a heart. Mr. Maundrill said he wasn ' t much impressed by any of the occupants, and thoug ht it would be of no great loss to the com- munity if they all fell out; but if they had to retain one, then he felt it should be the schoolmaster, for at least he was harmless. D. B. Wingate thought that a man with sixteen children could be trusted not to take any risks with the universe. His genius was rare, and like all rare things should be preserved. D. E. W. Lines saw in the liquor merchant the only one who brought pleasure to people. The other three were symbols of danger, work, and trouble respectively. After several other members had aired their views the matter was put to the vote, with the result that Dr. Uranium was preserved for posterity.

Page 8 text:

6 The same holds good of nations and empires. Once a nation allows itself to be actuated by motives of greed and fear it is finished. We, in our empire, have a record of which we are justly proud, and in the recent war we nobly upheld the honour of our country. We did not hesitate to fight the forces of wrong and we did not flinch when the odds were over- whelmingly against us; we did not stop to reckon the cost nor the odds but fought on when all save honour seemed lost. We were all in it together. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Colonies including this, the most ancient of them, did not argue that the danger was far and might be avoided by discreet neutrality. They did not pause to consider whether dishonourable neutrality might not be more profit- able than war. They fought because it was the honourable course and disregarded the consequences. That is the spirit and while we have it we are a great empire, when we lose it we ' re finished. No matter what losses we have sustained, what difficulties we have to overcome, nor what hardships we suffer, while that spirit lives we are great, when it dies we sink. The mantle falls upon you, the rising generation. You will hear people advocating this or that because there is more profit in it or it avoids risk. Make profit if you can but if there is the slightest taint or dishonour in any of the proposals, re- sist them with all the force you possess. Remember Nelson ' s words and never consent to sacrifice one jot of the empire ' s honour. The Stamp Club As so often happens with a club of this kind, enthusiasm is succeeded by apathy. To offset this, it was decided to hold meetings fortnightly instead of weekly during the Easter Term. This had the desired effect. Towards the end of the term there was an influx of new members, chiefly among the lower school. Consequently we are now looking forward to a very success- ful Christmas Term. The Debating Society The balloon went up on November 22nd. The four passen- gers were: Dr. Uranium, Atomic Scientist (M. G. Marsh); Mr. Optimus Pessime (Schoolmaster), J. M. Berridge; Mr. I. Skinyu, Lawyer (D. V. Ridgeway); and Mr. Wetyer Wissle, Liquor Merchant (C. W. Kempe). When optimism was at its

Page 10 text:

8 In more serious vein was the debate held on November 8th — This House enjoys reading a good ' thriller, ' and believes that it serves a useful purpose. Proposer D. E. W. Lines Opposer D. B. Wingate Third C. W. Kempe Fourth M. G. Marsh The motion was narrowly defeated by one vote. The Easter Term programme opened with a Hat Debate on January 24th. Among the subjects drawn were these — You have to appear on a television show for three minutes: do your stuff. Would you like to hear that oil has been discovered in large quantities in Bermuda? Which you would prefer, a big appetite and no meal, or a big meal and no appetite? Can the United Nations keep the peace? Would you take the opportunity of being a passenger on the first rocket to the moon? Supposing you are to be shot at dawn, state your last request. On a show of hands the award for the best impromptu speech went to B.E. Wheelwright. On February 14th the Society met to debate the motion — This House deplores the decline of chivalry in this modern age. Proposer D. B. Wingate Opposer J. M. Berridge Third G. H. Grayston Fourth B. E. Wheelwright The motion was defeated by three votes. The third meeting of the Easter Term, on March 6th, was devoted to the Visitors ' Debate, when the Society was pleased to welcome Mr. L. J. Profit and Mr. Stuart Outerbridge. The president recalled that Mr. Profit had been one of the four principal speakers in the first debate held by the present society in 1935, while Mr. Outerbridge might be described as a founda- tion member, for he had been a member of the original consti- tuent committee. Some ingenius arguments were heard for and against the motion — Money is the root of all evil, which was defeated by five votes. Proposer G. H. Grayston Opposer ....B. E. Wheelwright Third Mr. L. J. Profit Fourth Mr. S. Outerbridge