Shawnigan Lake School - Yearbook (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Canada)

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However, these delusions are gradually disappearing under the benevolent ministrations of our veterans, and we are more disposed to regard these unsophisticated specimens of primitive man with compassionate toleration when we think of the bene- fits they will derive from sundry rounds with the gloves with some of our past masters in the manly art, and the chastening effects of other forms of more or less moral suasion, which it is the painful duty of our order-loving, older members to dis- pense, and the privilege of new boys to receive. The former altruisically declare that the duty is not painful, the latter asseverate that it is. Perhaps it is a question of the point of view. However this may be, the educative effects are undoubt- edly excellent, and when to these are added the minor results of the form masters ' strenuous efforts to illuminate their mental darkness, even though his success may be more nearly meas- ured by his expectations than by his desires, we begin to see in this primeval protoplasm the potential raw material which may be fashioned into the highly finished product, the polished and accomplished gentlemen whom the presiding genius of the Form above always receives with such hearl-fclt gratitude. FORM I. The Orchestra Someone made a wild suggestion at the beginning of the term, namely, that a School Orchestra should be begun. It was! Miss Lonsdale proceeded with the task of procuring instruments, and is now undertaking the difficult task of bring- ing about the evolution of makers of squeaks and groans into amateur musicians. Although it meant a lot of hard work to orchestrate the different pieces proposed for the concert, Miss Lonsdale has done it, and has added, as recent additions to the orchestra, a flute, oboe and ' cello. Although the inhabitants of the dormitories are kept awake until unholy hours, though the Hill House boys ask rude questions as to whether cats are legitimate game to tor- ture, though the population of Shawnigan toss on sleepless beds, it is all for the best, as will be shown by the concert next year. 18

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of the Northern Pacific and the penuriousness of the McDon- ald Government denied them. Col. Broome showed no rancour at this lack of support and was unstinted in his praise of the Am ericans for their help at a critical time of the flight and for the assistance rendered by the Canadian Government. No spoken word of condemnation could have been more impressive, coupled as it was with a frank recognition of the thoroughness of the American preparations and the efficiency of their flyers. Palmam qui meruit ferat. Col. Broome would be the first to award this palm to his successful rivals, but there is another honour often greater than victory — the honour of fighting a losing game against overwhelming odds known from the first, and faced with unflinching bravery to the last. This is the honour won by Col. Broome and his associ- ates. Letter from Form L We, the members of Form I., respectfully offer to the Editor our sincere congratulations upon the second anniversary of his editorial birthday. It is true that his corporeal person- ality is changed since last year, but his high office still remains. The Editor is dead, long live the Editor! We are ourselves young, and, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, we clap him on the back as high up as we can reach, and acclaim him with words of encouragement in his arduous task. It may be mentioned that we are not without our own troubles, which have come to us in the form of a surfeit of new boys, taxing our assimilative powers to such a degree as to cause a kind of mental and moral indigestion. Our Old Guard, steadied by long discipline, and trained in all the finer points of etiquette of scholastic life, were at first inclined to look askance at this barbaric horde and their untutored ways. Many of the newcomers seemed to think that ink was intended for bathing purposes; that window glass was made especially for the purpose of being broken by hurlin g small boys and other missiles through it; that masters, and even prefects,, were mere mortals, to be approached and addressed with the lack of reverence and the debonair freedom with which the modern youth is accustomed to treat his seniors. 17

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The School Concert The Annual Concert was held in the Big School on April 2nd. Some two hundred parents and other visitors arrived, and appeared to enjoy the concert and physical drill. The chief feature of the concert was, undoubtedly, the accompany- ing of Weld ii, Garrard and Bishop. We will not write details of the programme, as the following letter sums it up very well: AN OUTSIDER ' S POINT OF VIEW I went there a stranger, unknown to my host and hostess, not knowing even the name of any of the boys. I went ex- pecting to be bored, and remained to be interested and charmed: to find the programme all too short, and to be convinced that Miss Lonsdale, through her musical powers and patience has worked wonders with her material in the very limited time that the school hours allow for practising — ten minutes every morn- ing and half an hour once a week. Knowing how this little time would be over before it had scarcely begun, I can not say too much in praise of the tone, tune and time of the singing of the delightful but far from easy part songs which charmed my ears. It was pleasant, too, to see the keenness of the singers and the accompanists — they wanted to sing and they wanted to play, and, as a doctor friend beside me said, they could not have had a more healthy exercise, good for minds and bodies. The attitude of the boys in the audience added much to my pleasure. It was an example for many a grown-up — no talking or ragging — all interest and silent attention. The Physical Drill turn came in the interval, and while enjoying the excellence of the discipline, one could only mur- mur blessings on the British Navy — may its shadow never grow less, axe or no axe. What more can I say of my pleasure in a delightful after- noon except that I hope to be allowed to enjoy another like it next year. THE PROGRAMME Songs — The Sea King (Barry Cornwall) Stanford Blow Winds (Anon) Stanford 19