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

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THE RAG CONCERT One evening in the good old days, when numbers were few but enthusiasm keen, an impromptu programme was arranged to add zest to the school life. From this humble beginning grew our present Rag Concert, an annual event eagerly looked forward to by all. While it is no longer impromptu, yet to the casual observer who views the spectacle for the first time, it may appear very much so. Originators of the idea feel, however, that the prepared version lacks the spontaneity which gave to their performance that sparkling humor so entertainingly provided by unexpected diversions from the plot. The Thirty- N iner s say, Our performance was of a higher calibre than that of the present day. But the Forty-Niner ' s say, It ' s getting better every year. So, the assessment of the true worth of the finished product would appear to depend largely on the viewpoint of the beholder. Each may well say: J wad the guid Lord to others wad gie The gift to see myself as 1 see me. However, since opinion striking against opinion ignites the spark that kindles the light of truth, there is every reason to hold high hopes for the future. The curtain-raiser for this year ' s concert was provided by Forms I and II in their play, The Mad Tea Party , a scene from Alice in Wonderland. King capably portrayed a golden-haired Alice; Lawson II, Burns and Jordan together painted in the somewhat hazy features of the Mad Hatter; Robertson, Vandersluys and Hutton sketched the foibles of the March Hare; and Ford, Ferris and Lawson I slumbered through the action as Dormice. In the Remove B skit Parkinson led the singing in a touching song to Mother in One Big Happy Family , and displayed rare musical talent which Mr. Galliford had not hitherto suspected he possessed. Groves ' House presented a satire on boys who suddenly acquire convenient ailments, but who, under the spell of modern medical tech- nique, convalesce with amazing rapidity. In the ready response to applied quackery of such rare maladies as inflammation of the imagina- tion, many highly amusing situations were provided. Putnam, as prosecuting attorney in Ripley ' s mock trials supplied a little comedy. Riley, as judge, meted out justice without fear or favour to all miscreants brought before the Bar of Justice until one Mrs. Trician (Casselman), by her womanly wiles and wistful smiles, quite upset his judicial equilibrium. Lake ' s followed with a beauty contest in which several engaging young ladies vied for honours. Judges Callahan, Berry and Wright, differing widely in their tastes, experienced some difficulties in placing the sparkling beauties; but there is little doubt that Harvey ' s grace and charm would have received the official nod had it not been for the burlesque entry of Tuttle just at that time, which threw the proceedings into complete confusion. The Upper Fifth staged a melodramatic performance in which the realistic acting of Webster and Pinkerton stole the spotlight. 10

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THE CADET CORPS In addition to the fundamental training, in which every cadet must become proficient, we have, during the past year, held classes in map reading, internal combustion engines, signalling and radio operation. Second-Lieutenant Hyde-Lay has made a most energetic and successful effort to instil into the Cadet Corps some enthusiasm for range practice. Because of the intensely cold weather, the Range was little used during the winter months; consequently, we were unable to compete in many competitions. We did, however, fire two or three postal matches with Qualicum College and Ridley College Cadet Corps. In the latter shoot, our first and second teams both won. The team averages were: 1st Team, 90.4 to 88.5; 2nd Team, 84.3 to 80.75. The Annual Inspection was carried out by Major-General H. F. H. Hertzberg, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., M.C. Cadet Major Pearkes, who was suffering from a damaged knee and was therefore unable to command the company, acted as A.D.C. to the Inspecting Officer. Cadet Captain Parke acted as Company Commander. The drill and other activities were well done; each cadet seemed conscious of the truth that the success of the inspection depended mainly on the part which he himself had to play- The Inspecting Officer took a lively interest in every phase of the inspection; he criticized faults in discipline and training, and he offered many suggestions which should prove helpful in the future. The Physical Training Exhibition was very good and smartly carried out. It was short enough not to be tiresome by having to watch vain repetition and yet long enough to show that every boy knew his job. The Tumbling was extremely good and the Box Horse work was the result of really good and careful training. The whole exhibition was undoubtedly the best we have seen here since 1939 when Mr. Stoddard was our instructor. 9

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Society in the helicopter age was the theme chosen by the Sixth Form for their play. To escape from relatives and friends the young married couple decided to honeymoon via helicopter. But on receiving prompt visits from the mother-in-law, her friends, the Fuller Brush Man, and sundry others who helicoptered in on them unannounced — and finally by a troupe of Boy Scouts who came jettocoptering through the airways, all hope for peace and quiet was shattered. The groom added the necessary touch of tragedy by suiciding his way out of this mad new world. In The World In Which We Live the Lower Fifth depicted the Masters at work and the boys at play. Some new light was thrown on classroom methods and procedure, and it is rather interesting to note that since the presentation of this skit, the mortality graphs of school masters have shown a decided up-trend and, as a consequence, insurance rates for all pedagogues have sky-rocketed. The Seventh Form provided a good-looking and variegated octette travelling by air-liner. Their several conversations were delivered with polish and aplomb; the air-hostess got these successfully mixed up as she made her rounds, and the result was a devastating hodge-podge nicely salted with topical slander. DRAMATICS Two plays of considerable merit were staged during the Lent Term. On the evening of March 28th, six brave boys appeared before the footlights to present Clemence Dane ' s Shivering Shocks under the able direction of Mr. C. M. D. Eales. A clever bit of detective work by Tuttle, who successfully ad-libbed his way through his part, prevented the discovery of the secret formula . Elmaleh, as the Scientist, and Louis I, as Captain Dallas, played their parts like old stage hands, while Bellm, Bayly and Patrick lived up to the reputation of all good boys, by being often seen but seldom heard. This was followed by Ici On Parle Francais , presented by an able sextette, directed by Mr. Larsen, who played the role of landlord in his usual pleasing style. Experimenting on an appeal to attract tourist trade by pretentions to the French language placed this enterprising gentleman in some hilariously embarrassing situations. Much to his chagrin his venture in the world of business bore little fruit — except the acquisition of a new son-in-law, in the person of one Victor Dubois, admirably played by Mr. Hyde-Lay, whose Je ne sais quoi lent to the whole a distinctly Parisian atmosphere. The demonstration by Burr of how an irate husband can successfully and unrestrainedly blow a fuse will long be remembered. Webster, Pinkerton, Loughary and Clark rounded out the cast in a delightfully refreshing manner. It was a difficult play very effectively performed and skillfully directed. 11