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

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Shawnigan Lake School Magazine CONCERT IMPRESSIONS As I wandered along corridors and in and out of common rooms on the evening of November 11th, I heard strange excited murmurings from the junior section of the school. Wondering what it was all about I at last elicited the desired information from a strangely coherent young person, who was able to tell me that there was to be a rag concert at seven thirty. As it was almost that time I drifted along with the crowd in the direction of the big school. I was able to procure a comfortable chair in which having settled myself to my own satisfaction I began to look around. The first thing at which I looked was the stage where what hit me in the eye — to use the expression of our eminent stinks master — was a large and revised edition of the school coat of arms on a grey background. After a quarter of an hour ' s wait punctuated by sundry grunts and squeals from behind an upright piano, the curtain rises to disclose divers objects draped in large sheets and weird headgear, who ask several questions of people who are evidently in the audience but promptly answer them themselves completely to their own satisfaction. The curtain falls and almost at once rises on the same group, but now surrounding a personage strongly resembling a Roman Catholic cardinal, but who turns out to be Old King Cole. He calls for his three masters who appear shouting dire threats of satisfecit; then for his three matrons, young maidens lightsome as the dawn ; and finally for his three prefects. After this there comes a master in full regalia to teach a group of imbecile boys but before he can well begin his form has dwindled to nothing. From the schoolroom we are transported to the dentist ' s chair where we see a young lady has just had an anaesthetic administered. Whereupon all the lights go out, or ought to, but the producer can be heard muttering imprecations because one remains on. In the eerie light of scene two we see the would-be-murderer stalking the girl who eventually lets out a howl which would not disgrace a hyena and as the lights go up to end the tension we see the dentist standing triumphant with the extracted tooth. In the fourth item the stage is filled by a succession of figures in various uncomplimentary positions, being the first fifteen as their coach sees them. The word Palaeontology on the programme leaves me in some doubt as to the next act, nor do the stage properties, one tree and one rock, throw any light on the problem. Eventually we see one tramp gorging himself, whilst another drinks from the first tramp ' s bottle labelled goat ' s milk (contents doubt- ful) unperceived. The scene closes with a general free-for-all, and a con- venient pair of wheels enables the corpse to be disposed of. After the interval some earnest young musicians performed two pieces written for a percussion band quite creditably. There followed a skit on the Croquet Party from Alice in Wonderland by some rather lighthearted young players. The scene changes and we are faced by some seeming gangsters who begin to plan what appears to be a large robbery but is actually their next rugger game. Unfortunately, before this point could be elucidated, the curtain descended prematurely. Victoria ' s Cadborosaurus had to be dragged in some- how and proceedings were brought to a close by two hearty, if rather raucous cowboy songs. — C. T. C. 22

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Shawnigan Lake School Magazine R. F. Pearce — Started the season quite well but did not become as useful a bat as had been hoped. Quite a useful slow bowler at times. Much better field. J. F. Mackie — His batting is much too cramped for his physique, but he should improve. Has the makings of a useful medium-paced bowler when he learns more control. Fair field. G. S. Covernton — As a wicket-keeper he had more courage than skill. He must try not to get upset if he makes a mistake. A batsman of the agri- cultural variety. W. D. Kennedy — A very disappointing bat, who always looked as though he should make runs, but never seemed to come off. A slightly improved field, who must make an effort to go for the ball whatever speed it is travelling. R. P. Mainguy — Has the making of a useful bat, but is at present too slow. Greatly improved his fielding mainly by his own determined efforts. M. C. Adams — A hitter but rather lacking in discrimination. Quite an energetic field. THE HART HOUSE QUARTETTE On Saturday, November 2 5 th, at the invitation of Mr. C. W. Lonsdale, the Hart House Quartette visited Shawnigan Lake School, and later kindly gave a concert at Strathcona Lodge which was attended by both schools. Mr. de Kresz gave a short explanation of each number before it was played, which added considerably to the audience ' s enjoyment of the pieces. The first item en the programme was Mozart ' s Quartette in B flat major. Of the four move- ments the one that seemed to have the widest appeal was the Hunting quar- tette with its splendid impression of horns and galloping horses. The next number on the programme was Hadyn ' s Theme and Variations, more widely known as a favourite hymn tune. Mr. de Kresz gave a very interesting ac- count of how this piece came to be composed and explained to the audience wherein lay the particular beauty and skill of the composition. The number was beautifully rendered with each instrument playing the theme in turn, while the others supplied the variations, and in spite of the fact that the air was played over five times in succession there was no sense of monotony at all. The final item was Schubert ' s Quartette in D minor, or the Death and the Maiden Quartette. The players ' interpretation of this work was so stirring that the applause at its close forced them to come back and give an encore. The number chosen for the encore was Haydn ' s Serenade, a delightfully soothing little air which was played very softly by the first violin while the other instru- ments supplied a pizzicato harmony. This piece was pleasantly lulling after the wilder movements of the previous number, and left the audience delighted with a high class entertainment of classical music. 21

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Shawnigan Lake School Magazine TENNIS ALTHOUGH tennis was not played as much this year as usual, owing to the poor weather in the summer term, the tournaments in June showed that play was well up to standard. In the final of the senior tournament Brad- ford beat Bell by two sets to none. The best game which produced some really good tennis was the semi-final in which Bradford beat Mainguy. The junior tournament was won by Torland 2 who beat Hyde 2 in the final by two sets to one. SQUASH AND BADMINTON Both games have been played quite consistently this year, and there are plenty of promising players especially among the juniors. In the Mid Island Badminton Championships Bradford and Homer-Dixon won the men ' s handi- cap doubles. In the handicap mixed doubles, three of our four entrants, play- ing with partners from Strathcona Lodge School reached the semi-final round. Dawson and Covernton both reached the semi-finals in the boys ' singles. At squash, ladder competitions for seniors and juniors have helped to en- courage the game. At present Dawson is at the top of the senior ladder and Hayward of the junior. FENCING Much keenness has been shown, especially among the juniors, and although the standard is not yet very high there are several boys who show promise. In a competition held in June, Bradford was successful, winning by four hits to two from Lake 1. Pownall 1 and Bird also fenced well. ROWING After a lapse of several terms, it has again become possible to use the shells on rowing afternoons. Each house has two crews, while Groves ' even aspire to a third. And it is possible to say that great headway has been made, particularly in view of the fact that the majority of those taking part are new to the art. The composition and order of these crews are by no means settled as yet, since it takes some time to discover the most promising oarsmen and the posi- tion in the boat which best suits them. The basis of the crew is the individual. For this reason it has been quite sufficient for this term to give every one a grounding in oar, slide and boat-control. These three things are the ABC of rowing and are essential to the forming of a decent crew. Beyond them the most important element is human control and that consideration will inevitably bring changes. If the present rate of progress is maintained, the school can look forward to some good racing in the summer. 23