44Q2 - THE QUINTINIAN, SUMMER 1944

IN the proof stage of the School Notes I have to make a substitution for two paragraphs in which the main theme was the possibility of the School having a very large London branch and a very small "Main School" at Minehead. In almost all cases. parents had expressed a wish for this, and steps had been taken to open another section of the London branch in Balderton Street. The present bombing and subsequent evacuation makes this scheme seem to be inopportune, and it now looks as though most parents will wish to postpone the move until the bombing nuisance has been overcome. It certainly looks as though the special train on Thursday, 27th. July, will not be full of boys and accumulated gear - there are doubts about the numbers even going for holiday at all.

The special train to Minehead is fixed for the 21st of September, and I have had a meeting of billetors who have expressed themselves willing to give hospitality on that date and until things are clearer in the London area.

The position with regard to the new School premises will, I hope, be sufficiently clear by then to allow one to make a definite statement about this scheme, which should help to produce the most important step forward in the School's history since the amalgamation of the two sides in 1920.

All boys and Old Boys will be sorry to learn that this is Dr. Haskey's last term with us. He has been appointed as Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at the South Eastern Technical College, and the promotion is well deserved. Since I have been in the School Mr. Compton and he have undertaken the "Pure" and "Applied" in the Sixth with some effect. We shall miss this work but will remember his humour in class; his keen interest in the "49 Club," his former interest in the Rowing Club, and, for my own part, I shall be sorry to say good-bye to a loyal and keen colleague. The work he and Mrs. Haskey did in billeting here was of invaluable service to the School. Mrs. Haskey's cheerful and willing service for the boys and the School at all times have been a worthy counterpart to Dr. Haskey's efforts in the class room. Good luck to them both.

Sports Day was held in Minehead, and many good performances were put up. A full account is given later by Mr. Newman, who apparently feels that in the summer months, when he is no longer busy with his weekly boxing practice, he has time to turn his attention to other sporting activities.

The boxing, by the way, has been a great success down here, and a large number of boys have taken part. The Inter-House Boxing, too, has drawn many spectators from Minehead, and all have expressed appreciation of the performances put up by the Boys.

Old Boys' news still comes in. Many letters have been received, but as most of the Old Boy news is collected into what, I think, is a very important section of this Magazine, nothing further need be said about it, except to express the School's very great sorrow in hearing of the death of such School stalwarts as Campling, Blackburn, King, and Henley. I have just heard that W. G. Clark is missing from air operations, and we all hope there will be good news of him soon; and E. A. Drake has been reported a prisoner of war and is safe and well.

I keep hearing of boys abroad meeting other fellows from the School, and have heard of cases of boys travelling in the same troopships. Old Dene boys will be interested to find that Doswell has now landed in the same continent as Bill Bidgood, and both are due to hear from me in India.

Last year's Harvest Camp was a great success, as has already been recorded, and it is proposed to continue this experiment this year. Some of the farmers insist on having our boys again even if we do not run a camp, but I have just heard that some 30 boys at the top end of the School are anxious to take part, and so negotiations are going forward to occupy the same site, and I believe the camp will be for three weeks, as before. Miss Collinson, Mr. Chevrollier, and Mr. Coates have volunteered to do a week each in turn, as "resident," to keep an eye on things.

The School Examinations and University Examinations are at present going on and we all hope to get good results again. In Scholarship we are able once more to record the excellent result of two Open Scholarships, namely, an Open Scholarship awarded to Greenberg, to be held at University College, in biological subjects, and an Exhibition to be held at Exeter University College, awarded to Gregory, when War conditions will allow him to carry on his academic career, which he has started so successfully. It is a fitting end to a year as Captain of the School in the case of Gregory, and to an extra year of good solid work by Greenberg.

I have not heard directly, but the Editor has just let me have the information, that W. H. Brown, who left in 1939, has had a remarkable career in the R.A.F. He is now a Squadron Leader and entitled to the O.B.E., A.F.C., and D.F.C. I think this information came in the form of a P.S. to a letter to one of the Masters!

One thing I have noticed down here in Minehead, and that is appreciation by most people who organise any charitable or public-spirited events of the help given by boys of the School. The last occasion was on Saturday, when a large fete was held. One of the organisers met me this morning and asked me to thank the boys publicly. I must say that throughout their stay here the boys on the whole have lived up to the motto of "Service," which I hope they will keep as one of their guiding rules in life. It would be an easy thing to enumerate many occasions when they have lent a willing hand, and it is pleasing to remember these things rather than the doings of those "young rips" who, I am assured, are to be found in all School societies.

In the local Press here quite an account was given of the work of Quintin Hogg and Sir Kynaston Studd in connection with the Memorial appeal, and I think that the point of view I have just given is the one which was very well expressed in these accounts. It was stated that the School has gone a long way to maintain the traditions as laid down by the Founder. I think the best thing I can do in closing these Notes is to stop "stock-taking" of the School in its stay here and wait and see exactly when is the most opportune moment to do it. No doubt we shall have a chance elsewhere to express appreciation of all that has been done for us. Let us hope that before Christmas we shall have some stability and be in a position to make definite, reliable statements on the School position.

HOW do most boys feel about their suggested return to London? The following analysis is gleaned from boys in three Forms in the Middle School who were asked to give three personal reasons why they will be sorry to leave Minehead, and three others why they look forward to getting back to London. It should be remembered that many of them have been evacuated since the beginning of the War - in some cases to other Schools in different parts of the country before they joined us. As one aptly puts it, "I left home when I was nine, and since the War began I have not been at home for more than six or seven months all put together." Another says, "I have been away from home for the last five years and I feel that I am slowly drifting away from it. When I return home for my holidays for the first day or two I am treated more as a guest than a member of the family." A few are worried about affairs at home: "In Minehead I often worry about the family. I am afraid my mother may collapse again as she did last summer. Down here I am not sure of the safety of anyone at home." Surprisingly few give the real reason for their presence at Minehead - that "it is safer and the risk of being bombed is only slight," while one complains, "If I went to London my mother would undoubtedly get me up if the air raid siren went."

It is not surprising that the first reason in almost every case given for returning to London is: "There is no place like home. I should be with my parents, my brothers, and sisters"; somewhat more crudely expressed in "get back where you belong." Almost equally emphatic are the boys who regret leaving Minehead, and nearly all give as their chief reason that they will miss "the beautiful countryside and the sea, swimming, grand cycle rides, and the open, free and easy way of living." The sea has naturally a very strong pull. Not all answers ring sincere, as for instance: "I think 1 may miss the oriflame of the setting sun as it sinks 'neath the crests of the hills outskirting this little valleyed town." And we can ignore the wag who gave as his three reasons for not wishing to return as: (1) Pamela, (2) Audrey, (3) Joan.

Quite a number of boys speak of the good friends they have made and of favourite haunts. "I shall miss many Minehead people whom I have made friends with and I shall miss all the familiar places - the Regal, the fish shop, Woolworth's, the seafront, North Hill, and the Library." "I have far more friends in Minehead," several boys say, and two or three echo the sentiment of "The friendships that I have made with fellow students will become casual 'Hello's' in London."

One or two state bluntly, "I do not like country life," and another complains that "there is nothing to do except homework during the winter months." With many, London has a strong pull, where "Life is more excitable." Many look forward to cricket at Lords, football at one of the many big London clubs, and ice-skating at the Empire Pool, Wembley. One boy says, "I was born a Londoner; the never-ending movement, the buses, and the teeming traffic - I miss them all." Another writes, "The Cinemas, Theatres, Art Galleries, Museums, and the innumerable historical features of London have always fascinated me." Some are keen to see for the first time the Polytechnic buildings in Regent Street, and the playing fields at Chiswick, and others mention the advantages of well-equipped laboratories when they come on to more advanced examination work.

A very real and rather pathetic reason for not returning is contained in "A few months ago I was bombed out and I have no home to go back to. My mother cannot get the house repaired nor get a new house." Many say they will miss the community life of a hostel. "I live in a hostel and therefore have many companions, whereas in London I should only have my small brother to keep me company." Or again, "In Minehead the food is much better. I am in a hostel and so I am able to have regular, well-cooked meals. In London, with our meagre rations, we only manage to have two proper meals a week." This pull of the inner man is not confined to hostel dwellers, for one boy writes, "I have a very good billet and the food is excellent. I have a great many delicacies which are unobtainable in London."

Generally speaking the restrictions which come from living in someone else's home are irksome. "At home I could have a room of my own to work in, and I wouldn't always have to ask permission to turn on the wireless." Few boys look with feelings of discomfort on the prospect of a long journey to School by bus or tube. One or two say that instead of a few minutes walk to School, "In London it is a matter of a 45 minutes' bus journey." Many state that they hope to return to Minehead for a holiday if they ever have an opportunity.

Finally, it should be explained that when all reasons - frivolous and serious, humorous and artificial - are examined, although the more thoughtful boys realised that when they left Minehead they would be missing much that London could not supply, there was an overweighted balance in favour of getting home. It is in the light of that opinion that important decisions have had to be made by the Headmaster.

THE annual athletic sports were held on the County School grounds and provided the Houses with a fine opportunity to display their loyalties and enthusiasm. The standard in nearly all the events showed a high level of achievement and did the School proud. Conditions were not ideal; the wind was troublesome, the sharp bends in the track, and the rising ground at critical points were not conducive to record breaking - in any case School records do not apply to our Minehead stay. Yet two events should be mentioned, qualifying for records - Sallabank, in the long jump, with 18ft. 0½in. (against the standing record of 17ft. 8½ins.), and Sinzheimer, in the 100 yards open, a performance which in normal circumstances, no doubt, would have been a new record.

The Kerridge-Swan House were the champions of the day - their seventh year in succession - with Andrews-Hough a very good second. Heartiest congratulations to the winning House for a very fine concerted performance and good nursing of good material. To Andrews-Hough, too, congratulations are due for the distinction of pulling off both the Senior and Junior relay races.

Amongst many good running performances some individuals stand out. Giachello, who won all his three events, is one of the most promising youngsters we have had for some time, and with good nursing should do well. Calder showed improvement and running strength. O'Neill ran well in beautiful style, whilst Presky in the 880 and the mile gave a big-hearted display. In the Junior Division Peverall, Van Arkadie, and O'Keefe showed highly commendable stamina and style. The Junior jumping, too, was very good. Saxton has a very promising style in the high, whilst in the long Colverd was very good, and so were Bernard and Aitken-Smith.

Finally, more than a word of praise should be given to Mr. Compton and the Sports Committee and all the officials for the fine work they put in making the events follow one another with clockwise succession.

So ended our last athletic competition in Minehead. We meet again at - Chiswick?

I HAVE long suspected that Dr. Matthews dislikes any kind of public congratulation. Nevertheless (and I use the conjunction deliberately), the most recent effort of the School Dramatic Club reached such a high level of production that it is almost a public duty to disclose the identity of its leading spirit. Personally, I am not certain that I am filled with a hundred per cent. enthusiasm in schoolboy acting of any kind, but what does prompt my complete admiration is the insuperable enthusiasm of those who indulge in it. To attempt the representation of a modern comedy (to your possible amazement, the play had a West End run) in a hall which is by turns a refectory, a place of lawful assembly, a chapel, a dance hall, a drill hall, and at best nothing more than a space enclosed by walls and ceiling, impresses me as an exposition of true courage. And further, to invite your audience (no paper here, no deadheads, no complimentary tickets, no "free list") to seat themselves in rows of chairs in nowise designed for the comfortable reception of the semi-recumbent human body; where acoustics are replaced by currents of air; and visual and aural perception is necessarily restricted to the few front seats, seems again to indicate what one might call a "cheerful optimism." But for three nights the County School Hall was filled with highly-pleased and thoroughly-satisfied playgoers, and from evidence of all kinds I can definitely affirm that these performances gave real pleasure and delight to all who witnessed them.

Without any first-hand knowledge of life as lived in Buckinghamshire Manor Houses, I am willing to believe that therein take place many strange and mysterious occurrences. But in these observations (which Mr. Sambrook kindly allows me to make) the play is far from being the thing. What interests me is the stagecraft, the acting, the direction, the decor, the lighting - in short, the requisites of satisfactory production. And most adequately were they effected. G. R. Matthews as a journalist (Ronnie Martin) sharing Narracott Manor with his sister, Sally, gave an interpretation competent in every way. Always an actor of great confidence, his playing was something very much more than the merely accurate recitation of his lines. I criticise unfavourably only what may seem to be a perfectly trivial point. The quintessential factor of amateur acting must, I postulate, always be very closely connected with the idea of pretence: costume, disguise, make-up, mannerisms, &c., become therefore the necessary concealments of a personality well known to us in ordinary life, and, although to a stranger, Matthews might very easily represent himself as a journalist, the Ronnie Martin of Narracott Manor was unavoidably to me frequently reminiscent of G. R. Matthews of the Upper Sixth Arts, merely because his appearance was so clearly recognisable. But to counterbalance all this with what wisdom did not the producer allot the only feminine role (Sally Martin) to Miss Pat Fish? Apart from my dislike of female impersonation on any kind of stage, is it not crying out loud for trouble and theatrical disaster of every description to invite an adolescent schoolboy to represent himself as a member of the opposite sex? Miss Fish played her part with admirable assurance, and I imagine the Club feel themselves greatly indebted to her.

Looking at my programme (for the cast is mentioned in the order of their appearance), I felt tolerably certain that R. W. Stanley, as a medical student (Bill Reid), would both look and play the part. And, indeed, he did. All that was really necessary was for Stanley to be himself and if, for that reason, no particular effort was required to delineate the character, well, is not that a matter for credit to both actor and producer? Entered now that intensely individualistic player, D. Langrish, in the guise of a perfectly incredible "unhandy man " (Price). With a voice and gestures that infused the stage with vitality, he bordered at times on farce, and at others on real character acting. But for all that I was just a little bewildered.

Of our police it is well known that they are wonderful, and the cliché was well borne out by the capable performances of W. G. McVey (P.C. O'Brien) and A. W. Taylor (P.S. Spedding). The appearance of uniformed police on the stage offers an unfading thrill comparable in some slight degree to a horse (or, better still, more than one horse) moving amid stage scenery. To me, however, the chief satisfaction of the evening was the acting of N. H. Newman (Harry Capel, J.P.). I had not previously observed the performances of Newman with any especial interest but on this occasion I became aware of the presence of "real theatre". I was transported momentarily (and with what pleasure!) to the Criterion, Wyndhams, St. Martin's, Whitehall, to a dozen theatres where I have seen a play acted and produced to entire satisfaction. Not for one moment could one visualise Newman laboriously committing his lines to memory, practising or rehearsing gestures that resulted in complete naturalness, cultivating the nuances of voice control, carefully observing the timing of his utterances: so utterly and glove-like did he fit the part. Frankly, his performance was to me pure delight. I may be charged with exaggeration if I assert that in this particular role Newman could fittingly step on to a West End stage, but the theatre has long been to me an absorbing pastime and I give my opinion after considerable reflection.

Finally, there must be no ignoring of the corpse (Soames), represented by R. D, Penrose. If it is the custom of the Buckinghamshire Constabulary to deposit wet corpses (for no apparent reason) on the carpets of the lounge halls of manor houses in their county area, no more vivid (one doubts whether that is a fitting word), no more striking corpse, cadaver, "found drowned," or any other expression, could be desired than that impersonated by Penrose. So ends the, catalogue of the cast.

Almost, I think, that what pleased me most was the mechanical side of the presentation. The smooth, even rolling back of the curtains (and only a producer or a stage manager realises the importance of such things), the easy manipulation of the sliding panel, the highly agreeable incidental music, the arrangement of the set contributed in a superlative degree to the evening's pleasure. G. J. Stopps, B. R. Worsnop, T. B. Walsby, R. Franklin, and A. Taylor are the ones to whom we are indebted. Messrs. S. Merrills and L. B. Webb, with great ingenuity, constructed the manorial lounge. This scene was in many respects the making of the play, and I hope to see further experiments in this direction. Let highbrows be content with hanging curtains; we must consider our audience. They had their entertainment: they enjoyed it greatly, and I think that hardly one failed to comment on the politeness of the stewards who discreetly lighted the steps of the School as they emerged.

THIS term, like most summer terms, has been extremely eventful and the House has gained distinction in several directions. First, the whole House send their hearty congratulations to Gregory and Greenberg on winning open scholarships; and also to Harfield, Watts, G., and Bedford on being made prefects. Watts also deserves special praise on becoming School cricket vice-captain, as well as for the way in which he has captained our Senior cricket team, which has won all three matches it has played so far. Owing to the lack of Juniors in the House, Harfield has had a difficult task in forming a Junior team, and they have, unfortunately, lost both their matches. In the boxing competition held last term the House representatives made a good effort, but better results can be achieved next year with more practice by the Juniors.

The athletic sports were held soon after half-term and the House finished a very close second to Kerridge-Swan, after an exciting afternoon. There were several outstanding individual events, the winning of both Junior and Senior relays being of special note, and thanks are due to the teams which put up this sterling performance. O'Neill, however, must be specially thanked in his capacity of House Athletics Captain, for without his excellent work and encouragement during training we should never have been able to achieve such fine results.

War Savings contributions have remained constantly on the same high level, due largely to Jones' untiring work, and the close co-operation of Mr. Andrews. The House was very perturbed to hear of Mr. Hough's recent illness, but we were pleased to see him about the School again, almost fully recovered after only a few weeks.

The end of term is at hand and we now wish the best of luck to those about to take the University examinations and also to those who will no longer remain with us after this term has ended.

Finally, as this may be our last term in Minehead, I am sure the boys of the House would like to join me in taking this opportunity of thanking the House-masters for their help, and for the time they have devoted to the House during the years of evacuation.

THE summer term always has more to offer of interest, and the item which has the biggest interest is the Inter-House sports. Although our final position could certainly have been better, several individuals put up a good performance; of these Giachello and Tugwood deserve special mention. The younger section of the House has outshone the more senior members, achieving first position among the Juniors, but examination exigencies are probably to blame for this.

In cricket this term our Seniors have won two of three matches and have a good chance of a high position in the finals. The Juniors have managed to win one of three of their matches; they evidently decided to tip back the scales in their sports effort. Cowell and Rosen deserve mention for the good accounts they have given of themselves in the School matches. In the near future some of us will be playing once again on the playing-fields at Chiswick, with Mr. Broodbank and Mr. Robinson with us once more. We may also reasonably expect an infusion of new talent from our London branch. We wish all examination candidates good luck and success to those leaving us at the end of this term.

OUR last notes were given in before the annual Inter-House boxing competition had taken place. Under the enthusiastic guidance of J. Morris the House entered a strong team. In spite of some hard fights and strong competition, we won with 44 Points, our nearest rivals having 33 points. The House extends its congratulations to those who took part and helped to secure the boxing trophy for Hester-Lowe.

At the beginning of the term R. W. Franchi was elected School Cricket Captain, and we are fortunate to have him as our House Cricket Captain. Congratulations to him and to J. R. Morris, who is now our Athletics Captain.

In the sports we came fourth, a notable achievement considering the dearth of Seniors in this House. Holding and O'Keeffe both won the 100 yards, 220 yards, and 440 yards races of their age groups; Illsley and Franchi are to be congratulated, the latter for his winning of the one mile walk, and L. Field, who should do well next year.

The cricket season is not yet advanced enough to allow us to judge the final result, but so far the Junior team have only lost one match.

In conclusion, we should like to thank all the members of the House for their co-operation in making this year a successful one, and we wish those who are leaving the best of luck. Two boys from this House have been made prefects - J. Hampel and J. W. Wells.

HOUSE activities have once again centred mainly on sport. In the House Boxing competition, which was held while last term's House notes were in print, we had a fair number of entrants, and were the runners-up in a keenly fought contest. More boys will have to enter if we intend to do better next year.

Although many boys had examinations at the beginning of the term, much training was done for the athletics competition. In this K-S. maintained a lead all the way through and again won the competition, making it our seventh win in succession. Much credit is due to Branscombe, our House Athletics Captain, for all his work in connection with the sports. We did extremely well in the open events, where Calder and Oggier both put up very creditable performances, but the Juniors did not reach the high standard of previous years, and will have to do better if they are going to carry on the House's traditions.

In the Inter-House cricket competition, which is going on regularly every week, our Senior XI. is doing very well and has, so far, won all its matches. Four of its members - Freedman, the House Cricket Captain, Branscombe, Bawden, and Calder - all play for the School 1st XI. The House Junior XI. is also doing well.

The House would like to congratulate Alison, Castle, and Chapman on being made acting prefects. The last-named is an especially prominent figure in all House activities. In conclusion we would like to wish all those boys who are leaving us this summer success in the future.

Having given publicity to various members of our House, a note must be made of the activities of Bawden during the past year. He was made a prefect shortly after his election as House Secretary. Later he became a regular member of the School 1st XI. football team, and now of the 1st XI. cricket team, as well as of our House team. He has also been prominent in the boxing competition and the athletics competition. Congratulations!

THE summer term, as usual, has provided plenty of news, and since the last notes many House events have taken place. The boxing competitions, which took place at the end of last term, saw the House-with rather fewer points than is customary, partly through bad luck, but mainly owing to a lack of entrants. However, those who did fight fought well.

During the course of the term the House Senior Cricket XI. has played several closely-contested games, but special credit must go to the Juniors, who are particularly keen and promise well for the future. It is gratifying to note that two members of the House - Whiteson and Bence - are in the School 1st XI.

The most important event of the term was the sports, in which the House, under the captaincy of Whiteson, came third. The House put up a very good show and is to be warmly congratulated on its performance. We were particularly pleased when Sinzheimer broke the 220 yards open record by 3/5secs. Unfortunately, as the race was not run on the Chiswick track the achievement will not go in the official school records, but it will, nevertheless, rank high in the annals of the House. The runners in the two relay teams were the deciding factor in pulling the House up to third place.

Congratulations go to Farmer, Lubert, and Whiteson on their appointment as acting-prefects: their task is no easy one and I trust the House will support them at all times. Several more members of the House have passed their A.T.C. proficiency exam., and most of the Senior members now hold this certificate. Ansell reports that Savings have almost completely petered out: this is probably due to the infrequency of House meetings, but a substantial improvement is looked for next year.

I would like to wish the best of luck to those chaps who are leaving at the end of term and Newman and myself would like to thank the House for their co-operation with us during the past year.

AS is usual at this time of the year we have to congratulate some new prefects. This year there are three - Winkworth, Joyce, and Hardcastle.

Although the Junior end of the House put forward a gallant effort at the School sports this year, notably Peverall, who came first in three events, there was a lack of runners at the top end. Nevertheless, we must thank the House-masters for their hard efforts in trying to coax us to a better place than we achieved.

The Juniors have also made a good show at cricket. Out of the three games they have played they have won two and lost the third only by a narrow margin.

Again at the end of this, the summer term, we will have to say good-bye to our few seniors who are leaving. The best of luck to them, and may those who stay do better things in the future.

THE start of the cricket season found us with a good number of last year's team still in the School and we looked forward confidently to some good matches. Our opening match was against the Minehead County School. Owing to the state of the wicket it had to be played on matting, but a good match ensued with the School winning by seven wickets, Bawden taking six wickets for five runs.

On May 27th we visited Watchet and, batting first, we never recovered from a bad start. Losing a couple of wickets before a run was scored, the remainder of the side got rattled and the last wicket fell at 14, towards which Whiteson contributed 8. Watchet then replied with 107 for five wickets, declared, Rosen taking four wickets for 26 runs. On taking a second knock, the School put up a much better show, scoring 41 runs for two wickets, with Reding (30 not out) giving a sound display.

The following Saturday, against the R.A.C., the School lost by three wickets, the scores being 31 and 51 for seven wickets, declared. Cowell scored 12 not out.

On June 17th we were again matched against the R.A.C., and this time the School registered a win. The Army team batted first and scored 82 runs for three wickets, when they declared. The School went into bat and lost two wickets for 11 runs, but Reding and Franchi made a stand of 39 before Reding was dismissed at 50 after a very good innings. The School finally declared at 89 runs for five wickets, Franchi being top scorer with 48 not out.

A House Competition has been organised on the same lines as last year, and again has proved a great success. Some very good matches are played on the Dene pitch, but as yet it is impossible to tell which House will triumph. Mr. Compton has arranged the fixtures, whilst Mr. Sambrook is still supervising and also umpiring the 1st XI. matches.

THE semi-finals and finals in this competition were held at the Methodist Hall at the end of last term and on both occasions there was a packed and enthusiastic house. The Senior members of the Houses had whipped up as many as they could, so that rivalry was very keen and excitement ran high. I must say, however, that, although in the course of the evening some good bouts were witnessed from the boxing point of view the quality was lower than that of last year. It is all very well to display keenness in "mixing it," but boxing has many finer points which can only be achieved by training and instruction. The finest bouts of the evening were between the Juniors, and these had been attending regularly on Thursday evenings during two terms for training. The Seniors, with more examinational responsibility overhanging them, had been lax in their attendance and showed more muscle than brains in their fighting. Boys should not enter the ring without the requisite training. The final placings and points for the Houses were:-Champions, Hester-Lowe, 44 points; Kerridge-Swan, 33; Russell-Matthews, 24: Lambert-Newman, 19; Andrews-Hough, 16; Broodbank-Stevenson, 2.

Final bouts results, in their respective weights, were:- Gracie beat Keohane, Coulter (M.) beat Geiringer, Vanstone beat Saxton, Garrett beat Harris, Illsley beat Munroe, Sofier beat Colverd, Morris beat Freedman (D.), Manners beat Chapman, Branscombe beat Smith (G. C.), Bawden beat Gregory, Freedman (K.) beat Vinten, Reding beat Franchi, Joyce beat Holt.

Our best thanks are due to the officials:- Referee, Mr. H. J. Beadon; judges, Sgt-Major W, Loxton and Sgt. W. Stephens; timekeeper, P. Middleton; scorer, H. Calder ; and M.C., Mr. H. B. Smith. The trophy was presented to Franchi, captain of the winning House, by Dr. Worsnop, who alluded to the interest which the finals had created both among the boys and the visitors. Special reference, too, must be made to Manners, the secretary of the Boxing Club, who throughout the year attended regularly and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the interest of all who wanted any help. Our thanks, too, are due to Mr. W. A. Burgess and his man, Martin, for the erection of the ring.

AT the beginning of the term the postponed proficiency exam. was held. Twenty-five Cadets were successful, and we congratulate them on their performance. In May some half-dozen Senior Cadets sat for papers in the advanced training exam., and we are awaiting the results with interest.

A sports meeting with 133 Squadron has been held to decide the representatives for West Somerset to compete in the A.T.C. Command sports. The results of a very pleasant meeting left us with representatives to go forward in 12 out of 14 events.

The local Youth Movement has also held a sports meeting, at which the K.R.R.C. and ourselves were very successful.

Once again we have to say good-bye to Senior members who are leaving us to continue their scholastic career elsewhere or to join the Forces. Our thoughts and best wishes go with them, together with our thanks for all they have done for the unit.

WE must first congratulate 2/Lt. Hill on becoming an official member of the Corps. This term has been a fairly quiet one with the normal Cert. A training for those Cadets who are not yet in possession of it. A Cert. A exam for a small number of Cadets will probably be held at the end of the term. A successful bivouac was held within a few miles of Minehead, near Bossington, just before half-term. Despite the cold weather it was thoroughly enjoyed by those taking part.

In the Minehead Youth sports the Cadets, as usual, did very well and, together with the School A.T.C., we managed to win most of the events. The winners will represent Minehead in the county sports at Taunton, in July. Another inter-unit sports for the whole County of London will be held during the holidays, and we wish our competitors their usual success. An even greater number of Cadets than usual attended P.T. courses during the Easter holidays and several of these attended advanced P.T. courses.

The Corps will be losing some of its Senior Cadets this term, notably C.S.M. Branscombe, Sgt. Gregory, and Sgt. Smith, and many of our Junior n.c.o.'s will also be leaving, including L/Cpl.s Rapley, Gaylor, Hardcastle, and Norris. There will be subsequently openings for some of the Junior Cadets. We hope to fill our slightly depleted ranks with new members next term and, together with our exceedingly keen Junior Platoon and a good sprinkling of Seniors who are staying on, we expect the Corps to be up to its usual high standard.

Three events of importance will take place at the end of the term. The first is the annual inspection, the second is a prospective farewell dance in conjunction with the A.T.C., and third, the Cert. A exam already mentioned.

We end by wishing those Cadets who are leaving the very best of luck and by thanking them for their co-operation in giving to the Corps its present high standard.

WITH the good weather we have enjoyed this term it has been possible to hold all our Troop meetings in the open air, and this is where we can do the best Scouting. Some members have tried in some form or another the real arts of Scouting - stalking, taking cover, and making bivouacs - and have enjoyed themselves at these things.

Patrol Leaders and others who were able to attend the weekend training camp at Washford had a very enjoyable and instructive time there.

The cricket match against the Air Scouts, after an exciting finish, was ours by a small margin of runs.

Several badges have been gained this term, and Alan Beck is to be congratulated on being the first member of the Troop to gain his Gold Corps and Bushman's Thong.

THE Troop, in its three Patrols, has progressed quite well during the term. It totals now 21 Scouts, with still room for more.

For the first time for a long time we have been able to arrange some boating with a local fisherman. Twice in the last month we have been out. However, we look forward to a boat of our own on the Thames - maybe next term.

During the term two of our number took their 1st Class Journey. They seemed to enjoy it and came back apparently none the worse. On June 16th four boys were invested; one had already passed the tests of his 2nd Class Badge.

THE Troop has lost several of its keenest members, including two Patrol Leaders, to the Cadet Corps and the A.T.C.; they still attend our Monday evening meetings, when they can afford the time, however. At an investiture towards the end of last term boys from each of the four Patrols were awarded their tenderfoot badges, and they are now busy working for the 2nd Class badge. An enjoyable cricket match was played with the 2nd Alcombe Troop, and we hope to have a return fixture, and our revenge, very soon. Another game has been arranged with the 1st Minehead Troop.

The appeal made to all Troop members for assistance in raising money to equip teams of Senior Scouts who are going to the Continent for relief work was most pleasing. Every member contributed by doing his "good turn," and nearly £3 was collected, Hawks Patrol under their P.L. Barrett, particularly distinguished themselves.

By the time these notes appear the history of most of the Poly., and consequently that of the School Dramatic Society in Minehead, will be drawing to a close. It is interesting now to recall the former activities of the Society during the War. Of all the old-established Societies of the School the Dramatic Society is the only one that has flourished consistently in Minehead. Not only has it flourished, but its activities have become even more ambitious than in London. We had the advantage of a small, but otherwise adequate, stage, and time for rehearsal has been more plentiful. With these advantages three-act plays were produced, in addition to the usual activities of the Society, with no mean measure of success.

Soon after evacuation the Society was re-formed, with Elvery as secretary. Their first effort was an evening of one-act plays, which firmly established them in the favour of the public of Minehead. Those of us at the School at the time will still remember Elvery and Methley in "Thirst." In 1941 the Society attempted its first three-act play, "For the Love of Mike," which was such a success that next year we staged Wallace's "Case of the Frightened Lady," probably our most ambitious production.

In 1943, owing to a series of unforeseen circumstances, we had to revert to a programme of one-act plays. Though this was a disappointment to some members, the results were most gratifying. In addition to attracting a wider audience, it gave everyone a chance to show his capabilities. The experience gained in these one-act plays stood us in good stead for the play produced last term. This comedy thriller, "Someone at the Door," was probably the most polished production the Society has put on. The acting was up to its usual standard, but with added advantage of Mr. Merrills' and Mr. Webb's scenery, together with good stage-managing by Stopps and Worsnop.

All these plays have been produced by Dr. Matthews, and it is to him we owe our thanks for our successes in Minehead. Thanks are also due to the people who so willingly undertook the thankless jobs of stage manager, electrician, prompter, business manager, and all the others who have helped us in the past. At Dr. Matthews' suggestion, it is hoped that in London we will be able to form an Old Boys' Dramatic Society. Though this scheme obviously cannot be put into being during Wartime, we hope to establish it soon after the War.

Soon the School returns to London. We, the present members of the Society, hope you carry on the good work in pastures new!

OWING to the amount of time that must be given to the University examinations, cricket, and the sports, there has not been, as yet, any meeting this term. At the end of last term Dr. Haskey gave a very interesting talk on psychology. His objects were to give a brief general survey of the whole subject, and he first pointed out the psychological instincts in our actions. If by clinging to a rock a man was saving himself from falling a tremendous drop into a ravine, he would not loosen his hold if he was stung by a bee. His mind would not let him. Dr. Haskey then spoke of the two major schools of thought, the physiocrats and the freudians. The physiocrats believed that our feelings, such as hope, melancholy, and fear, were due to definite physical actions in the body. Fear, they said, was due to a function in the adrenal glands. Experiments were carried out and the result was found that, though people felt physically like fear, they did not mentally. The freudians believed dreams to be of paramount importance. There was a censor in the mind which only allowed certain feelings to seep through to the brain, but when we slept the censor slept and there was no control of those suppressed thoughts, complexes, and aspirations which form the basis of our dreams. Dr. Haskey ended by describing various experiments which have been made on a psychological basis to ascertain intelligence.

The most important questions which arose in the subsequent discussions were:- (1) The importance of environment, (2) whether it was possible to think in anything else but words, (3) the importance of psychology in child education. Dr. Haskey pointed out that environment had the most powerful effect on our characters up to the age of three and was of little importance above the age of 21. In answer to (2) Dr. Haskey pointed out that in general it was only possible to think in words, but he had known people, Mr. Coleman was one, who could think in other ways. The last question promoted some discussion, but there was no satisfactory conclusion.

I wish to thank all those who have so kindly given up their spare time to come and speak for us, and I hope that next year the Club will continue to function with more frequent discussions.

THE chief activity of the term up to date has been an excursion on the moors and in the woods between Alcombe and Dunster for the observation, principally, of spring migrants and spring flowers. The bird observations were good, without being exceptional. In the early part of the walk a kestrel was very well observed, and the party spent some time listening to a chiff-chaff, a golden-crested wren, and a black-cap, the last-named being in excellent song. On the edge of the moors linnets, whitethroats, meadow pipits, tree pipits, and yellow-hammers were very much in evidence. The party had an excellent view of the acrid dance of the whitethroat and listened for some time to its excited but rather unmusical song, while the tree pipit, one of the best of our songsters, was seen to sing both in the air and from a tree. Sky-larks were also in full song. Yellow-hammers did not seem at all shy, and were seen at very close proximity. Nearer to Dunster a number of willow-warblers, singing their sweet, delicate, and poetical song, were observed. On the edge of Dunster itself a number of goldfinches were seen, and the harsh scream of some jays could be heard, while hosts of jackdaws were calling out their own names - Jack! Jack!

ST. KATHARINE'S boys are much intrigued by the latest School developments and eagerly await the time when the two parts of the School are re-united. I think it will be found that our boys are worthy members of the School. We continue to get a large number of applications for entry, promising well for the future.

We had a welcome visit from the Headmaster yesterday, and he came at a most opportune time. A National Savings Association was formed on November 10th last, with Mr. Broodbank as secretary. He has put in a great deal of very hard work and has been admirably supported by the boys. He had asked for a target of £1,000, to be collected in 52 working weeks, and I confess I thought he was more than optimistic. After yesterday's collection (the 27th week) the total sum had reached £1,000 9s., and we submitted the result to Dr. Worsnop with justifiable pride and satisfaction. The School, too, makes weekly collections for the Red Cross and, up to date, almost £15 has been raised.

No week passes now without a visit from an Old Boy, and we are, of course, always delighted to see them and note their keen interest in St. Katharine's. Most of the information I collect will be found in another column, so I refrain from comment. I went out to tea recently with Surgeon-Lt. Frank Henley,-and I might tell one of his stories. When he went to Ferryville, less than 48 hours after the Axis evacuation, to set up a hospital, a ship was found in the harbour loaded with Victory Medals, ready for distribution to the "victorious" Italians and Germans at the conclusion of their N. African campaign. Henley put his hand in his pocket and withdrew his medal, but it hadn't been presented to him by Mussolini!!!

I wish I could say that the boys were keen on cricket, but this has been a great disappointment. We find it very difficult to get up teams, except in the 3rd Forms. We hope to have a Sports Day at Chiswick on July 5th, and keen interest is being shown for it.

The garden here is a source of great interest. We have raised enough radishes to give indigestion to half the population of London, and enough lettuces to supply Covent Garden for a whole term.

A School Library has been set up and is most popular, for 70 per cent. of the School are members.

All here send their greetings to Minehead and look forward to making many new contacts and renewing old ones next term.

WHEN the Battle of Britain was on most of the civilians didn't realise how bad it really was. But, as well as many people being killed, many had very narrow escapes with their lives. I was one of them. I remember well the day that we were having a geography lesson at a certain school when (with no alert) I heard a piercing whistle and a shuddering crash as the building next door was completely destroyed by an aerial torpedo.

But my most awful experience occurred in the very early hours of the morning, at about one o'clock a.m. The usual siren was on, and my father went to the door of our block of flats to see the "fireworks." He came back with a policeman in a state of alarm. The policeman told us that we would have to be temporarily "evacuated" from our block of flats. It was when we got into the street that we saw why. The petrol depot further along the street was blazing furiously and the fire was spreading in our direction, giving a ghastly glow to the road. Glass was inches thick on the pavement, while all the time, above the droning of enemy 'planes, were whistles, bangs, explosions, and people shouting with fear and surprise. We then headed for my grandmother's flat, which is about 150 yards away. Then we heard a rumble and a crash so loud that there is no word in the dictionary to express it; mingled with it were shrieks and yells. It was the top floor of an eight-storied block of flats which we would have passed under 30 seconds later. The debris was 4ft. high, and we had to climb over it. When at last we reached my grandmother's flat we sat down and examined ourselves to see if we were still in one piece, but discovered that the only injury was to my elder sister, who seriously cut her heel on some glass. Suddenly the door-bell rang. Everyone jumped. The door was opened to reveal a warden, who informed us that a time bomb had fallen in the district, and so for the second time that night we went out. In half-an-hour we found a shelter, where. we thankfully slept on hard, wooden chairs.

WE started out fairly early in the morning with a dozen rabbit nets and two ferrets. It took us about five minutes to reach the rabbit burrows where we intended to start. We laid the nets carefully over each hole, making sure there were no holes left uncovered. Next we put the ferret in (all this from start to finish is done very quietly) and then we waited. Very often, if it is a burrow in the ground, and not in a bank, you can hear rabbits running to and fro under your very feet. Suddenly we heard a scurrying, and my friend to the right of me dived for a rabbit which was entangled in a net and struggling furiously to get free. However, my friend soon had it under control and broke its neck. No sooner had he caught that rabbit than others came running out, and we were all busily engaged. Altogether we caught five and let two escape out of that burrow. The total for the day was 37 caught, while five escaped.

THE wind came tearing out of the South-West, shrieking like a million fiends, thrumming in the heavy rigging and whistling in the halliards, whipping great masses of water from the waves and flinging them in stinging sheets across the plunging ship. Occasionally, as she crashed her bow into a giant sea, a solid pillar of foam would soar straight up, above mast height, before the wind swept it in broken formation across the vessel. In the darkness of the night, great expanses of water would suddenly glow white as they broke in foam, while the tops of the serried ranks of seas showed in writhing white lines as they advanced to the attack. The Mary Selby, taking them in the easiest position she could, on the port bow, plunged her bows heavily downward into each succeeding sea; with its foaming rain pouring across her shining decks and cascading from her open wash-ports, she flung them up, plumed with the flying spray of her victory in defiance of the next rushing monster.

Morning came slowly, and when at last the cold, grey light had widened sufficiently to make things visible, a cheerless prospect met the eye. To windward, as the ship rose on the crest of a wave, a succession of great dark seas advanced to the onslaught, their wildly-heaving tops torn and wrenched on ahead of them by the furious wind. All that day the gale increased in strength, until it reached its maximum force about midnight.

After that the wind blew itself out, and by morning the seas had smoothed to a long, heavy swell. The ship was turned and headed for the southward on her homeward way; a ship so battered by the gale as to be almost unrecognisable as the smart and trim Mary Selby.

ONE day a parrot escaped from its cage. A window-cleaner was cleaning his windows when he saw the parrot in a tree. "Here is a strange bird," he said to himself. "I've never seen one like it. I think I will keep it and see if there is a reward." So he set his ladder against the tree and climbed up to get it. He was just reaching out to grab it when the parrot said: "Now then, my good man, what do you want?" The window-cleaner thereupon said, "Beg ye'r parding, sir, I thought you was a bird," and touched his cap respectfully and climbed down, full of wonder.

OUR Sea Scout Troop, the 3rd.Alcombe, frequently go boating with a Minehead fisherman, Mr. Martin. The enthusiastic members of the Troop crowd round Ralph Worsnop yelling, "I've got sixpence! I can swim! Can I come?" amid the loud yells of "Troop!" or "Shut up, Silverstein, or you'll sweep up the Den," from Bill Allison. Eventually it is decided who shall go in which boatload. Most people want to go in the last boat as it is usually the longest. During this time Fitzer is energetically declaring, "Silverstein can't swim. At least he couldn't when I went to the Pool last!" Silverstein is more energetically declaring, " I can swim, on my back! You ask my brother!"

After much consideration Troop Leader Worsnop decides, "You can go, even if you can't swim." Ralph then says that the Curlews will go first, the Kingfishers second, and the Petrels third.

Each Patrol Leader then decides by private bets who is going to be seasick. Some say that H--------s went a bit green in the face last time, and that J-------n was leaning rather expectantly over the side. Then the Troop start making a monkey bridge. We are about to go home when someone asks what time they have to arrive next morning. The arrangements are all discussed again and Bill says, "We won't go if it rains!" At the same time Masters, jun., is saying that it would be better if we could go on the Emma Louise. Then we go home.

I FEEL inclined to exhort the reader not to turn over this page yet, merely because it looks like a "long and aimless" essay. The Sunday afternoon religious broadcasts start pleadingly with, "Don't switch off your radio just because I'm speaking on religion." But I am digressing. My subject is Nothing. This essay is a challenge to all those who ask, "What can I write about?" There are several thousand words in the English language, and they wonder what to write about.

I refuse to wonder; I regard Nothing an admirable subject, deserving the highest consideration. Notice, I do not commit myself entirely, but qualify my title with, "and Kindred Subjects." This is a term of wide interpretation.

However, my inspiration comes from Robert Lynd, who writes wonderful essays on surprising subjects. Undoubtedly his motto is, "Il faut laisser trotter la plume"; and there is much to be said for the idea. ("Of course, I need not translate," as Mr. Chips would say). Now to my subject, on which I hold decided views. One of the pleasantest ways of spending an odd hour is to do nothing. I believe that the man who said, "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits," was a philosopher of the first water. As Tennyson almost wrote: "Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be doing nothing was very heaven." Nothing, then, is often an enjoyable experience.

Then to consider Nothing in regard to the classroom. There is a scuffle in a corner; the Master, in a manner peculiar to the profession, gazes at the back row, then demands what the luckless pupil is doing. The reply is invariably, "Nothing, sir," or even, "Please, sir, nothing, sir." Nothing here means a whole world of things - the banging of a ruler, the squeaking of a desk, or a synonym for a conversation with a neighbour. Nothing is frequently that which a boy's mouth contains.

This brings me to the close of an analysis of the properties of Nothing. However the essay is, I repeat, intended as a challenge to the "What can I write about?" person. The essay, therefore, has a moral - if Nothing is permitted to have a moral!

IT all started with S------ saying that he would cycle home if he could get someone to go with him. He asked me almost every time he saw me. I refused him again and again, but he still kept on asking me. At last, to get some peace, I said that I would go with him. This was all about three weeks before the end of term, and these three weeks seemed to pass very quickly (especially as there were no exams. that term). A week before the end of term S------ busied himself working out a route and, theoretically, tried to calculate how long we should take to reach London.

Many times I tried to back out of it, but he referred me to my promise, and I had to agree to go with him. Next S------ wanted to leave two days before the end of term. I did not wish to do this, nor did he when the Headmaster threatened drastic punishment to those who went home before the correct time without his permission.

Three days from the end of term he said, "This time Thursday we will be very nearly there." To this optimistic statement I replied, sarcastically, "If we're lucky." He looked at me strangely, but went on to discuss the route with me. After several hours of this we at last agreed upon the route and went on to discuss what time we should leave. He at first suggested five in the morning, to which I replied horror stricken, "No, thanks." At last we agreed to meet at the clock in Alcombe (because everybody seems to meet there) at 7 a.m. That night I could not sleep for thinking of the long journey that lay ahead of us.

The next morning, at School, S------ broke the news to me. He was unable to come. His mother would not let him . . . . I had never felt more thankful in all my life, and gleefully went to buy my railway ticket at the office.

DURING the last War, and even during the Boer War, codes were invariably used in conveying messages between informer and receiver. The sole purpose of the code is to prevent unauthorised persons from comprehending the message should it fall into their hands. Whereas, during the last War most ciphering and deciphering was done by hand, to-day intricate machines often do the work of the Intelligence Departments. In this short space I shall endeavour to show my reader how some of these codes were used. To.prevent confusion, I shall name each code as A, B, C, &c.

Code A is by far the simplest code used; it is to reverse the word, e.g., LONDON becomes NODNOL

Code B is also fairly simple; it is to insert any letter between the original letters of the word, e.g., PKALRGILS.

Code C is a mixture of B and A, that is, first to reverse the word and then insert letters between the original letters of the word, e.g. OSLO - OLSO - OGLKSFO.

Code D is slightly harder than C, B, and A. It is to place each letter of the word one forward, e.g., BERLIN - CFSMJO. This code was then made slightly more complex by placing each letter two forward, or three forward, &c. Sometimes the letters were placed one back, e.g., MADRID - LZCQHC. Then letters were placed two back or three back, &c.

To decipher CODED the following instrument is used. Take ten thin strips of wood about ¼in. wide and 13ins. long (the thickness does not matter as long as they are the same). On each strip mark off 52 ¼in. divisions, and on each division mark in a letter, starting from the top division with A and the next B, and so on until the last division is marked Z, i.e., you write the alphabet twice. If the word is five-lettered you use five strips, &c. Now arrange the strips so that the letters of the word to be deciphered are in line with each other, look down the strips, and you will find the letters of the deciphered word in line with each other, thus revealing the true meaning of the original jumbled word. Sometimes, by sheer coincidence, two deciphered words may appear, in which case the decipherer will have to go by the rest of the text to obtain the right word. Of course, the whole message does not always keep to the same code for each word. Sometimes the first word may be "two forward," the next word "three back," &c.

TO me that ever-rolling stream called Time meant nothing. I waited for years for the Day, but there was no time to imagine the future, or picture scenes of a vast judgment hall. Instead, I heard my name called, and was requested to enter a door marked "G." Inside this office sat St. George - his name was on the door. After directing me to a luxurious armchair he explained that he was in charge of the "G's" and apologised for any delay there might have been in calling up the 1928 class.

He explained that a Reform Bill had been passed in Heaven. "Originally," he said, "all men's sins were marked down in our endless filing system. This required too much work. Nowadays, instead of marking down men's minuses we record only the pluses; it's far, far, easier." "To qualify for Heaven," he continued, "a soul must have shown qualities of faith, hope, and charity. I must say," he added jokingly, "the test is much stiffer than when I passed it."

I timidly asked what happened if one failed. "One has another shot at it in another creation," he told me. "Human beings are like cats; they have nine lives. If you fail in the ninth you are relegated to Hades."

"I have discovered," he said, "that you have qualified in charity and hope, but I am a trifle worried about faith. You see, you have had faith in other people and things, but you had more faith in other people than yourself. Still, I shouldn't like to see a chap like you go to Hell."

"Wouldn't it be better for me to try again and see if I could do better?" I asked, "I've got eight more lives to come."

"Ah, now I can let you through," said St. George, motioning me towards the Golden Door.

LETTER writing has been going on for a great number of years, many more than I can remember, and many people have tried to impart knowledge to the masses by writing books or delivering discourses in schools and at public meetings. Maybe these few paragraphs will serve to enlighten some of you still further.

Letter writing has been brought to a fine art by certain of our fellow humans who wish to extract money from the landed gentry. These letters are generally written by fat, bejewelled men sitting in large, comfortable offices. One such might easily read:-

Dear Sir, - Having herd from a frend of mine that you are a very generrous man I wud like to approach you for help for me and my family. I am 60 years old and have a wife and 7 children. I have no legs and have not werked for 15 yers. I would be very pleesed if you would help by sending muney to the above address.

Dear Mater and Pater, - Thank you for your pecuniary contribution to my funds received yesterday. I have been working hard for the past week and spent every evening doing homework. On Saturday I competed in the sports. Will you please contribute to the games fund, please.

The first statement, of course, is always true. The second omits to mention the name of the particular piece of homework and the price of the cinema tickets. The third omits to say that the games fund is for games such as pontoon and poker. Still, it just goes to show how useful letters are.

Another well versed in the art of letter writing is the lover. A good example might easily be:-

My Darling Honeybunch, - I again breathe the scented air which surrounds your last letter. It will ever remind me of you, and I shall always keep it close to my heart. I hope you have received my last three letters which I wrote this morning. They are most important to us. Please don't forget to comply with my request. My darling, I send my tenderest kisses, which I am sure you will cherish until we can at last be together again.

Next come the official scribes of the Armed Forces. First a comment about these scribes. They are peculiar birds who, when attacked, cover themselves with indents and dotted lines to be filled in in triplicate and they talk backwards. For example, instead of saying, "One pair of black boots with rubber soles and no toe caps, size seven," they say, "Boots, marching, black, Mark II*, size seven, one left and one right." The idea is that it confuses the novice and makes him sign for what he hasn't got. Beware, you future Service men!

From the pen of one of these brilliant specimens may easily have come the following:-

Sir, - Re yours 19th ult. Delivery of blades, razor. Mark III*, 7 cannot take place as the aforesaid commodity has been replaced by blades, razor, Mark VI., which are available in packets of 10. The improved blade will fit all razors, three pin, Mark VIII., as issued, the only difference being in the quality of the steel. If, you are in agreement with the issue of blades, razor, Mark VI. please send in returns on Army Form C21272 within 7 days.

A flustered, bearded Adjutant quickly replies as requested and immediately receives blades, razor, MarkIII*, 7. This goes on ad infinitum regardless of paper salvage and common sense.

I think the best way of corresponding is on the famous Army Field post-cards, such as this:-

I have received/not received a letter/postcard/parcel/telegram from you during the past day/week/month.

I am well/ill/in hospital/serving a term in detention, and will be glad/not glad to see you again soon.

This type of thing leaves little to be desired. All one has to do is to fill in the address on the back, the spaces at the top and bottom, and delete those statements which do not apply. Think of the saving of time that would be involved if everyone used cards such as these.

FOR several weeks now I have noticed announcements in the "Radio Times" that one, Mr. Larry Parry, would officiate at a radio performance by a certain "Radio Rhythm Sextet." Granted that the alliteration in radio rhythm is superficially pleasing, and that the name of the gentleman in charge of the Sextet has a certain attractive jingle about it, I am afraid that in the past I rather ignored this programme. What with the series, "Lift up your hearts," Norwegian news, &c., on the other wavelength, the Radio Rhythm Sextet hasn't actually had a chance to make a hit with me.

The other night I found myself in the house alone with nothing to do save listen to the wireless or swot for Matriculation. Because I had almost a whole week in which to revise the four years' syllabus, I decided to listen to the wireless. I found that I could listen either to a talk by Gwynn Williams entitled "Cantata Newydd i blant," or Mr. Parry and his Sextet. A difficult choice, one must admit. I tossed up, and listened to Gwynn Williams.

Gwynn's talk went very well until he said that "Y hortatum deive guedda'rinth." Well, I mean to say! I was, therefore, encouraged to turn on to Mr. Parry, by Mr. Williams, my abhorrence of work, and by the fact that I had heard a young gentleman, of unpronouncable name and without a School tie, say that what we needed was more Larry Parry.

The eminent Larry announced that the Sextet was going to, play "Chinatown." That sounded hopeful, as I knew the tune well. However, Mr. Parry seemed oblivious of the finer points of the melody. "Chinatown" was subjected to a musical blitz, which destroyed all that was beautiful in it. I was disgusted. This so-called "hotting-up" of the old classics is indicative of the low mentality of the country's youth. The thought that we are entrusting the defence of Britain to young men who demand more Larry Parry is terrifying in its implications. Here we have the reason why Hitler still exists. Here is the true cause of the nation's decadence.

I have only one word to say to Mr. Parry, a word which, nevertheless, sums up the situation admirably - "Bah!"

A FEW weeks ago I entered a fair-sized building, situated in the north of London. It was the "Caxton" Chocolate Factory, whose director, Mr. Lawton, had invited me to see the plant.

Soon after our arrival we went through a door at the far end of the entrance hall. The scene before us was one of a very clean, large hall, containing differently-shaped and sized cream-coloured machinery, the latter being neatly arranged about the spacious floor. Here and there I saw a man dressed in a spotless white coat attending to one or other of the machines. Mr. Lawton and I went to the back of the hall and turned left to go up a slope leading to what looked like a storing place. Half of the floor was covered with bags, which contained raw imported cocoa beans. The sacks were stored neatly on top of one another, reaching to a height of 7ft. In the right hand side corner of the room stood a large machine. I was told that the raw beans went in there to be brushed and cleaned of all dirt and dust. From there they went mechanically into a large roaster. The now very brittle beans, still with their shells on, were transferred into what looked like a huge thrashing machine. Here the shells were removed and the beans, which contain 55 per cent. of cocoa butter, were broken up into small pieces. The latter were put into a machine which squashed the small pieces into a brown, thick cream, which in turn was run into huge storage tanks. To my great amazement, the shells were not thrown away, but were converted into drugs. In another corner of the small hall sugar was milled into fine powder. This was done by a large bulky machine.

Returning to the large hall, the now thin cream of cocoa was run from the storage tanks to what is called a kettle. Here the cream's temperature was raised nearly to boiling point. From there the liquid cocoa was run into a big hydraulic press which can exert a pressure of 6,0001bs. a square inch on the cocoa, thus squeezing the cocoa butter out. When this had been done the pressure was released and I saw large tablets of solid cocoa which were, broken up and powdered, to be sold as cocoa.

The butter was added to some of the cream, which also came from the tank. This was done in a round tub, operated mechanically. Here milk and sugar were also added until the mixture turned into a stiff paste. From there the latter was taken to refining machines, which rolled the mass until it became changed into tiny pieces of solid chocolate. These were automatically pushed on to a conveyor belt, which took the pieces to the first floor. There they were beaten into a paste. This in turn was run again by conveyor to a large, glass-enclosed room, in which stood an enormous machine. The paste was carried through a pipe into a drum, where a mechanical device stirred the chocolate. Some of the latter was squeezed into moulds, which were fixed to a chain driven belt. As soon as the chocolate was in the moulds, which were in rows of six, it was spread evenly by a wheel hitting the rows. The noise in this room was so intense that I could not hear properly for two days after my visit.

The chocolate moulds passed into a large refrigerator, where they were cooled in a continuous stream. The hardened chocolate was tipped out and automatically conveyed to girls who placed them into wrapping machines. After that they were packed into boxes, and sent to all parts of the country to be consumed.

I HAVE come across many examples to show the humbugs of men who indulge in science. They try to make out that it is difficult, whereas we laymen, the wise ones, know that Maths., Physics, and Chemistry and Biology are very easy. My well-known colleague, Dr. Boz, has quoted the words of Mrs. Krause, of Horton, who says: "I don't believe in these new-fangled chemicals people have invented. Things like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are all tosh. I give my children nothing of the sort. All they get is good red meat, plenty of greens and sugar, and good bacon. Proteins, &c., are artificial substances invented to make money. I should know; I have brought up three children." Dr. Boz points out, in his laughing way, that Mrs. Krause had 20 children, 17 died, and the other three were healthy hunchbacks. Surely a creditable feat. Mrs. Krause says she did not intend HER children to be molycoddled and fed on poppycock. Dr. Boz says she reminded him of her grandmother (Granny Krause, as they called her in Horton), who lived till a ripe old age of 34 (all out). She had 18 children and brought up two. Going to the chiropodist one day, she was congratulated on her incredible feat. She blushed and simpered: at the same time a violin and bow fell from her third chin. To cover her confusion she played a neat little Pizzicato. (For those who are reely interested they should read Granny Krause's memories - Collins).

Dr. Boz has described graphically a case where a child was brought to his surgery with both legs mangled. The child was brought in on a stretcher. Dr. Boz was filled with revulsion at pampering the child. Picking, or rather selecting, a whip (sterilised, of course) from his tool bag, or instrument case, he belaboured the child and chased it up the road, shouting "Hola! holal allez-oop-ah!" and similar cries of encouragement, which were, no doubt, reciprocated by the child in question. Sceptical people might call this sort of treatment drastic, but Dr. Boz's whole idea was to flex the calf muscles. The proof of the treatment was demonstrated when the patient wheeled himself out of the surgery 45 years later a healthy old man.

This case, I might point out, is only one of many, and all display the subtle working of my colleague's mind. It is not generally known, but one day he was watching a steam engine and the next day he invented a kettle.

He has been working for years to convert gold into lead, but the process has not proved to be a commercial success. Dr. Boz has also perfected a rejuvenating drug which he gave to Rosen on Sports Day. The amazing results were shown in the performance given by Rosen. I think Matthews also partook of some. He was lucky. He finished the course, whereas the former was finished (for good).

The next article will deal with Dr. Boz. Until then, good-bye, and mind your molecules.

For many terms have I been reading your highly-intelligent and amusing literature, printed in every edition of the Polytechnic Magazine, and have at last plucked up courage to write you this letter.

First of all, let me introduce myself. I am also a struggling Journalist, 5ft. tall, with blue, if somewhat faded, eyes. But, most important of all, I am a lonely batchelor. This really brings me to the point of this letter. I have fallen in love with you, Aunty. From your literature I can detect a character unequalled; the beauty of your articles can surely only reflect your own. Kate, I love the motherly way you talk to the boys; the excellent advice you give, which could only be given by one upright and noble.

I have made plans for the future already. I am a very poor man, but that could not possibly matter. I know you will bring me all the necessities of life - a large farm with rabbits, horses, and goats. I have planned the garden, dear, with its carrots for the pets and soya beans for anything else we need. We must have many children, which you will love, educate, and advise, like Poly. boys. When they get older we can take them for rambles into the surrounding country, which, I am sure, you know well, and study the valleys, rock formation, &c., which so greatly interests me (of course, all children must bring their notebooks).

Darling, in my enthusiasm, I have rambled on on irrelevant matter, as one is often wont to do. Once more, I want to tell you how much I love you. I don't really care what you look like. I love your character and nobleness, and would marry you even if you had a moustache or beard.

Well, beloved, I must close now. Please stop the torments of my soul with a positive answer.

Addresses are available to any Old Boy, but for security reasons cannot be published in this Magazine. The year in brackets indicates when an Old Boy left School.

BANNISTER, A. (1941), in Navy, NOT in Army as stated in last issue. Expecting to go on foreign service.

BIDGOOD, W. A. (1942), Sgt., R.A.F. Arrived in India early in the New Year and writes:- "I'm not exactly anywhere comparable with England's green and pleasant land. I live in a really good sort of desert and it isn't half so romantic as books would have you believe: for the best part of quite a few miles in most directions all you can see is sand, rock,, stones, mud (yes, mud!), and a bit of dry and dusty scrub. There's a certain amount of greenish mossy stuff, too, but you can guess what I'd give to be seeing England in spring. Most of our countryside (what a word!) is flat (though bumpy enough to give you hell when you motor across it), but every now and again there is a long ridge of hard black and broken rock sticking out: there is just such a one behind the camp, and through it runs our communication with civilisation, this being a pretty big city, as Indian cities go. I don't go a bundle on them on the whole. We live in stone billets with roofs of mud and cement, and sleep on charpoys, which are contraptions of rope and wood made in the shape of beds. We are looked after by bearers, who seem to me to be shifty, crafty, and unreliable, and who get paid about one rupee a week per man."

BIRCH, E. T. (1942), now training with the R.C.A.F. in Canada, writes of a visit to New York:- "I managed to get German measles on the ship and was put into an American Army Hospital on arriving, along with five other chaps. We had a glorious time in there with plenty of good food; the only thing that was lacking was a good cup of tea. We managed to wangle a 48-hour pass over the Easter week-end in New York, and arrived there at about 12 o'clock on Easter Saturday. We went along to the Air Force Club and fixed up lodgings for the weekend. We spent the whole of Saturday evening just walking round and looking at the shops, lights, and the crowds in the street. We had something to eat and a few drinks and finally arrived back at our lodgings at about two o'clock in the morning. We went along to the Air Force Club again on Sunday morning and they handed us an invitation to an Easter lunch. We saw the famous Easter Parade, and got quite a shock when I discovered it was just the people walking along. Went round St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York is the only place I've seen people queuing up to go into church), and then went and had tea. Spent the evening dancing and eating. We left at midnight and went on to a picture show and finally got into bed at three o'clock. We caught the 3 p.m. train on Monday afternoon, and arrived at Moncton on Tuesday, after a 23-hour train journey."

BROWN, W. H. (1939), Squadron Leader, O.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C., sends the following interesting news to Mr. Andrews:- "Since getting my wings I've had one long run of luck. I can almost hear you saying, 'Well, the devil takes care of his own.' When I finished my training I joined a Fighter Squadron and had quite a good time with them. In those days you were able to have a scrap with Jerry. Then the powers that be thought I had better have a rest, so they put me on testing Mosquitoes. That was fun for a while, but I got rather 'cheesed off' with it and transferred to Ferry Command. If you want to get around that's the Command to be in. Once again the big wigs stepped in. They said that my flying abilities (?) were being wasted, so they gave me my own Squadron. We are flying Typhoons now and I'm once again very happy. We do mostly train busting, but I'd love to see a swarm of F.W.190's again. Jerry seems to be scared of sending them up. I'm very lucky in being able to spend some time at home and, if possible, I go to the local A.T.C. Squadron and give a chat. One of the instructors there is E. J. N. Archbold, who was at the Poly. at the same time as myself. He was House Captain of Hesters for some time, and we spent a very happy afternoon yesterday chatting about old times."

CHESTERMAN, K. (1939), Corporal C.M.F., gives the following news of other Old Boys in a letter:- "You may not know that A. E. Page (1932-38), possibly the best centre-half Kerridge's and School had in my seven years at the Poly., has now qualified in Canada as a Sergeant-Pilot, R.A.F., and also successfully completed the more difficult navigator's course. He is now in England awaiting posting to an operational command. When I ran into Sergeant-Pilot Joe Payne, another Kerridge's stalwart, and my vice-captain, 1938-9, some months ago, he was flying a Hurricane in an 'intruder' role, and bemoaning the fact that it was dull work!"

CLAYDEN, R. (1939), seen by Menzies in R.A.F. uniform. Was Sergeant Air Gunner, but now permanently unfit for flying duties and on ground staff.

CUNNINGTON, A. B. (1939), Pilot in R.A.F. Developed T.B. when at end of his training in Canada and since invalided out of the Service.

DIGHT, L. G. (1939), Lieutenant in the R.E.'s, writes from Nanyuki, E.A. Command:- "You will note that I have moved since last I wrote. I am, however, still in the Nanyuki area, with its grand climate, superb weather, and lovely scenery. I have not yet attempted the mountain, as climbing even to the snowline entails a safari of several days duration. I will probably make the attempt on my first leave. Work keeps me fairly busy these days, but there is ample to fill my leisure moments. I play for the camp soccer team and, although we have not been very successful to date, we have had some keenly-fought finishes. Much to my surprise the natives here play terrific soccer. All Europeans find themselves severely handicapped by the lack of oxygen at this great height, and 20 minutes each way is enough for anybody. Not so your native, he can play a full-length game flat out, and a good native side is more than a match for most British teams in the area. There are, in addition, one or two Iti. P.O.W. teams locally, so that we are certainly not short of opposition."

DONGWORTH, S.A. (1942), at University College, taking Finals in Engineering this June. Hoping to get into the R.E.M.E.

DRAKE, J. T. (1938), Corporal, tells of seeing General de Gaulle, and General Giraud in Algiers.

EASTWOOD, H. (1941), on way overseas, Officer Cadet. Hoping to gain commission in Indian Army.

EDWARDS, G. T. (1941), Flying Officer with the R.A.F. in Freetown, W.A.F. Hopes to return to England for leave and to get married some time this summer.

EVANS, G. H. (1941), Flight-Sergeant, still with the Middle East Forces. Later writes from Aden.

FAITHFULL, S. (1940), has now left Scotland for Cornwall, where he is on flying operations.

FIELD, P. ( ), was a prisoner of war in Italy and moved to Silesia, where he is working in a coal mine, and is apparently very happy. He writes that he was allowed a day off to go to the pictures on his birthday.

FOX, K. (1943), Signalman, lately started on an instrument mechanics course while he waits to be accepted as a Glider Pilot.

FREEDMAN, A. S. (1942), has a commission in the R.A., and his brothers have recently heard from him from Normandy.

GALLOP, S. (1942), Pilot in the R.A.F. Has, unfortunately, suffered very serious injury. His father writes that he has shown wonderful spirit. He is in a hospital in the Midlands.

GARENT, N. (1932), Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., in command of M.G.B. Henley met him in Southampton.

GIBBONS, J. (1942), at King's College. Finals in June and then hopes to obtain job with Ministry of Aircraft Production (design of air frames).

GOODRICH, H. E. (1937), Pilot Officer, has been met by G. Evans in the R.A.F., somewhere in the Middle East.

GOLDSTEIN, R. (1942), is articled as a pupil surveyor to a firm of auctioneers, and hopes to take his Intermediate F.S.I. Exam. soon. At present he is Peterborough Egg Allocation Officer, Cattle Grading Clerk for the M. of F.

HENLEY, F. (1934), Surgeon Lieutenant. He called at St. Katharine's on June 15th, and Mr. Lambert gives the following interesting summary of what has happened to him since we printed a letter from him in a recent copy of the Quintinian:- Henley has taken part in combined operations, sailed with a convoy to North Russia, been in the North African landings, was on a cruiser tracking down enemy transports between Italy and North Africa, and on one occasion they bagged seven. Later he was torpedoed in the Mediterranean, and then went to Ferryville, where he set up a hospital, pretty well from nothing. On June 17th he was married at Bray Church. He gave news of his brother, Roy.

HENLEY, R. (1933), Lieutenant and Adjutant to Durham Light Infantry. During the battle of El Alamein he was in an advanced position. During the night he went back to H.Q., but never arrived, and nothing has been heard of him since. He is now posted " Missing, presumed killed."

HERBERT, B. H. B. (1943), A.C.1, writes from Ottawa, where he is with Loveridge.

HESS, C. (1943), leading apprentice with Rotol, maker of air screws. Has had two small parts in the films, "Canterbury Tale" and "This Happy Breed."

JONES, D. C. (1942), now a qualified radio mechanic. When in Lancashire met Tony Goode, now a pilot in the R.A.F. Jones writes that with another mechanic they have a big mobile radio workshop in the form of a converted R.A.F. 25-seater transport, in which they travel the country. He says: "We get plenty of chances to fly, but have little time to look round and really enjoy the trips, as it is generally a case of crawling around at the bottom of a cockpit trying to find out why a set of gear which, by all the laws and powers that be, should be working in the proper fashion, but most stubbornly decides not to, until nursed affectionately like a contrary child, or cursed with all the words in a sailor's vocabulary - the last method is generally the most effective."

JOYCE, E. N. H. (1939), a Captain in the Military Air Raid Service, in India. Was with the Fire Service, London, in 1940, joined the St. Pancras Borough Council as a Costing Clerk, transferred to the A.R.P. Control, and joined the Army in "The Buffs," 1912. Left England in March, 1943, and was commissioned last November.

McCOLVIN, M. (1942), in the Army, training in Yorkshire. Expecting a commission.

McMICHAEL, G. (1943), in the Royal Marines. His eyesight prevented him from joining an O.C.T.U.

MILLER, K. H. (1939), now training as doctor at Merchant Navy Hospital, Greenwich.

MORGAN, _ (1937), at University College Hospital, and since then in the Army as a surgeon.

PETHERBRIDGE, P. (1937), Flying Officer, writes from near Benghazi and tells of other Old Boys:- "Two old boys I still correspond with are A. R. Trott, who spurred on by married life, is now at an O.C.T.U., and A. C. Frost, who is a captain in the R.C. of S. and is doing instructional work of an apparently very technical nature. A. J. Laker was a Spitfire pilot when I last heard of him in 1941, and A. J. U. Bull and E. E. Sansome are, as far as I know, still pulling their weight in some sort of reserved occupation."

POZNER, _ (1933), Captain, R.A.M.C., in the Regular Army, on a short service commission.

SAMPSON, W. J. (1941), training as a pilot in Canada, where he has met Fowler and Ridley.

SHERIDAN, A. M. (1943), with a firm of plastics, and had news of F. Grainger, Langrish, and Brandhendler, who was recently in Minehead.

SMITH, E. (1943), A.C.2, training for air crew in the North of England. Recently met Ridley (1942), who is now a Sergeant Pilot.

SMITH, H. J. (1943), working at the National Cash Register Company in the Marylebone Road.

TOM, R. (1943), clerk in Compagnie Maritime Belge. Now in training as a pilot with the Belgian Air Force and is very happy.

WHITTARD, G. R. (1934), Flight Lieutenant with light bombers in the Middle East Forces, writes:- "I was very disappointed I could not manage to visit the School during my recent stay in England. I actually spent six months in the U.K., but my posting overseas came so suddenly that I was away before I had had time to do half the things I intended. You may recall that I spent just over two years in this part of the world earlier on in the War. Anyway, I was an observer then, and whilst there I was lucky enough to get the chance to take a pilot's course, which was an ambition I had held since before the War, as the R.A.F. had 'tricked' me into becoming an observer in those days, or so I maintain. So off I went to Rhodesia, where I thoroughly enjoyed the country and the training, and then, after a short course in South Africa, I had five weeks' leave before returning home after an absence of three years. I managed to meet my two brothers, both of whom are in the R.A.F. as well. One of them, who also went to the Poly. (the Engineering School), is on night fighters."

It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of more Old Quintinians:-

D. B. BLACKBURN was killed in a car accident, at Hendon, near the end of April.

E. F. K. CAMPLING (1939), Wing Commander, killed in air operations.

P. E. KING (1939), who was reported missing in our last number, after a Mediterranean sortie, is now posted "Missing, presumed killed."

R. HENLEY, who was Lieutenant and Adjutant to Durham Light Infantry, is posted "Missing, presumed killed." after the battle E1 Alamein.

As I strolled down the lane the other evening I was enchanted, nay, enraptured, to hear the spinning, whirring note of a lone love-sick nightjar, bubbling away with plenty of spit in his whistle, just like a pot of boiling bacon conflabulating on the hob. My thoughts flew to Doodle Bugs - curse 'em - and thence to our wonderful victory at Cherbourg. There's no doubt we are getting along fine. We have now captured 1/70th of France. Let's divide the rest by ten to remove those parts of France that nobody wants, and that means we've got, say, 1/7th in three weeks. All France in 21 weeks. Now if we take off 10 weeks for the mistakes the Germans make, add on 1 for our mistakes, and 3 for the Americans', and now deduct another 30 for the wonderful Russians, we get an answer of Minus 15, which means the war was over 15 weeks ago. This isn't right. But here's the catch. Watch me closely - your fault if I make a mistake.

We forgot to add on 19, because there's no fighting on Saturday afternoons and all day Suns. There you are! That brings us to four weeks' time; to wit, July 27th, for the end of the War.

The negative answer, owing to the rotation of the earth, being inadmissable, let's say no more about it, so the answer is 4 weeks, which is the same as above, but not necessarily right: but all those factorial wriggles give one a glowing feeling of bon homie athwart the tum.

The upshot of all this doth indickify that our victorious armies navies, and air forces will be beleaguering Berchtesgarten - the last stronghold of the Nazi hordes - on the 24th July. Tokyo will fall on 25th. Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark on the 26th, and the Poly will be back in London on the 27th July, and we shall start School on the 15th October, as ever there was.

I, by the way, have decided again to get married on the strength of all this. I think I should have a chance with all those fellows returning to servile life. If I wait on the beaches I should find someone, don't you think?

But this going back is a problem. We must all think ahead, too. Those senior boys who are already married must decide whether to leave school or become grass-widowers. Those juniors who wish to spend their honeymoons in Minehead must cultivate the good graces of their landladies to the very end.

To conclude, I must just remind you of the order of events during those last fateful hours in Minehead.

The whole School marches out to Dunkery to bid farewell to the woods and moors and distance waves lapping up against the posts.

The night will be spent in meditation and fasting, and at the crack of dawn sackbuts, psalteries, ciderbuts, and harps will make the welkin ring with merrie minstrelsye.

The 3's will cut capers, the 4's cut garlands of wild roses, the 5's cut homework, the staff cut for deal for the last time, and the 6's drink deeply of the scent of the wild woodbine.

Lastly, on the mountain top we shall unite in a Phoebus-Apoly-o hymn to the dawn preparatory to snaking, ceremonially, down to entrain for home!