The Suttonian 1950 (Lent Term)

SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL MAGAZINE

LENT TERM 1950

SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL MAGAZINE LENT TERM, 1950

No. 211 (No. 5 of Vol. XXVI)

Editorial elders are constantly complaining about the lack of interest taken by their O UR juniors towards that somewhat controversial subject—polities. They maintain that what will one day become the governing body of our island knows next to nothing about its machinery of government. If only they were to spend election week in one of the schools of England, they would perforce eat their own words. There has been no greater attraction for many a long year such as that with which we have been provided this term. The 1950 General Election (for that is this same attraction) has stamped on the schoolboy's mind an immovable impression.

Perhaps the members of the Junior School are the most enthusiastic, although they do not fully understand the true whys and wherefores of party politics. Theirs is a noisy fervour, each upholding the merits of the candidate standing in his home constituency and championing the claims of the Party one day to gain his vote. To air their views more openly, they have made full use of that versatile piece of furniture, the classroom blackboard. All the latest Party slogans are chalked up, greeting the first-comers to Morning School like the earliest rays of the sun—and some of the slogans would have done credit to the Daily Express Competition.

The more serious view is taken by the Upper School, most members of which profess to possess a certain amount of political knowledge. These divide themselves into different categories. There is he who discusses the state of the Parties in his own private circle, speaking in a persuasive and almost bedside manner. Then there is the fanatical tub-thumper who preaches his Party policy as though from a soap box in Hyde Park. The last, and wisest, class is of those who have the courage of their own convictions, and who explain plainly and openly the truth of the whole matter.

The attention afforded to the Election becomes most apparent on the day of results itself. Some keep the score on special charts, while others go to such ends as to excuse themselves from a lesson to glue their ears to the wireless. The less fortunate have to content themselves with the scores spread by fickle rumour, who adopts our soap box fanatic as her agent. There is no lack of political interest at Sutton !

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School Officials Head of School : J. W. Lewis School Prefects :

P. G. F. Bryant

C. B. Kerr

House Prefects : St. Margaret's Westminster : F. C. Carter

F. R. Williamson 0. G. D. Goldfinch J. A. Brazier J. Robbins

A. J. Knight J. L. Hough J. W. Bassett F. W. P. Bentley H. K. Sawtell C. D. N. Harloe

Day Boys : S. W. T. Cullen M. A. Whittaker Sports Committee : The Headmaster (Chairman)

R. L. Kay, Esq. A. J. Knight E. A. Craven, Esq. J. A. Roper N. P. Bentley, Esq. J. C. Hunter C. B. Kerr M. A. Whittaker J. W. Lewis Rugby Football :

C. B. Kerr (Captain) C. D. N. Harloe (Secretary) Athletics (Track and Cross-country) : J. W. Lewis (Captain) Fives : J. L. Hough (Captain) Shooting : F. C. Carter (Captain) A. J. Knight (Hon. Secretary) Library Committee : The Headmaster (President) L. N. Harvey, Esq. (Librarian) P. G. F. Bryant (Hon. Secretary)

0. G. D. Goldfinch J. A. Brazier J. W. Bassett

W. H. Jelpke F. C. Carter J. W. Lewis

Magazine Committee :

P. G. F. Bryant (Editor)

0. G. D. Goldfinch

W. H. Jelpke A. K. Bartlett T. G. Booer

Secretary of Societies :

J. W. Lewis

School Notes P. G. F. Bryant has been appointed Head of St. Margaret's and a School Prefect.

J. A. Brazier and J. Robbins have been appointed House Prefects in St. Margaret's.

C. D. N. Harloe has been appointed a House Prefect in Westminster.

A. K. Bartlett and T. G. Booer have been appointed to the Magazine Committee.

J. W. Lewis has been elected to the Library Committee.

A. J. Knight, J. A. Roper, J. C. Hunter and M. A. Whittaker have been elected to the Sports Committee.

Football Colours have been awarded to A. J. Knight and F. C. Carter.

2nd XV Colours have been awarded to P. A. Long.

Athletics Colours (Cross-country) have been awarded to I. N. Wilcockson, J. D. Bidmead, J. W. Bassett, 0. G. D. Goldfinch, J. K. Randall, B. A. Fothergill, G. L. Plommer.

Fives Colours have been awarded to J. A. Roper, A. J. Knight.

At a Meeting of the Sports Committee, A. J. Knight was elected Captain of Cricket, J. W. Lewis Captain of Athletics, J. L. Hough Captain of Tennis for 1950, J. K. Randall Hon. Secretary of Rugby Football, 1950-51.

At a meeting of the Governing Body on February 25, Mr. W. P. D. Aspinall, 0.B.E., was unanimously chosen as Headmaster Elect of Sutton Valence School.

We thank the Headmaster for granting a half-holiday on Thursday, March 9, in celebration of the birth of a daughter to Mrs. Janace Heslop (nee James), to whom we offer our heartiest congratulations.

We should like to thank Mrs. Preston for her generous gift of some photographs

SCHOOL MAGAZINE of the village. Mr. Richards has kindly framed them. They will be hung in the Tuck Shop.

At the end of last term we were sorry to say good-bye to H. E. Hogg, Esq., M.A., who has gone as a lecturer to Manchester University.

We welcome as assistant masters E. E. Bailey, Esq., B.A. ; and M. H. de Lisle, Esq., B.A. , who has replaced N. P. Bentley, Esq., on holiday in South Africa.

On Friday, February 24, we were delighted to receive a party from Ashford High School at a dance, held in the School Hall. We thank the Headmaster, Mrs. James and Miss Thorn for enabling us to spend such an enjoyable evening.

We were very sorry that Miss Brake, Headmistress of Ashford School, was unable to be with us.

The name of Bentley House has been changed to Holdgate House, in memory of the late Rev. W. W. Holdgate, Headmaster 1910-31.

The Captains of Football, Athletics and Fives thank all masters who have helped with games this term.

The Magazine Committee thanks all contributors to this term's Magazine.

Valete C. B. KERR (L. By. and W.-1942).--1944, Junior Soccer XI, R.L.S.S. Elementary Cert. ; 1945, R.L.S.S. Intermediate Cert., Capt.

Under-14 XV, Colts XV Colours ; 1946, Under-14 XI, R.L.S.S. Bronze Med. ; 1947, Junior Athletics Team, House Shooting VIII, School Cert., House XV, Football Colours ; 1948, Cross-country Colours, House and Senior Athletic Teams, Public Schools Seven-a-Sides Team, Bath Squad, House and School Swimming Teams, House Life-saving Team, R.L.S.S. Bronze Cross, Hon. Sec. Rugger ; 1949, House Prefect, House Tug Team, Public Schools Cross-country Team, House Tennis VI, School Tennis VI. Cert. " A," R.L.S.S. Award of Merit, Cpl. in C.C.F., Captain of Rugger, School Prefect, Sports Comm.

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Salvete Ram LOWER IV.—D. A. Collett (H.), M. J. W. Duncan (Bt.).

FORM III.-D. G. Jenner (L.).

Fosat IL—D. E. Glenister, J. P. Wallis (L.).

Chapel Notes Last term the traditional Carol Service was held in Chapel on Sunday, December 18.

We are grateful to the Reverend C. E. Payne, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Maidstone, and the Venerable Julian Bickersteth, Archdeacon of Maidstone, for preaching to us this term.

Next term the Archbishop of Canterbury will hold a Confirmation on Thursday, June 1, at 3 p.m.

Library Notes , The following books have been presented to the Library this term : "Scribbling Lark," by Henry Williamson, presented by H. M. Brodie, 0.S. ; "Locomotive Practice and Performance in the Twentieth Century," by C. J. Allen, presented by G. Pember, 0.S. ; "Teach Yourself Geology," by A. Raistrick, presented by J. H. Keating, Esq. ; "The Industrial Future of Great Britain," presented by P. W. H. Roffey, 0.S. : "Both Sides of the Road," by S. Rogerson, presented by E. P. Day, Esq. The following books have been purchased by the Library Fund : "Back to Methuselah," by G. B. Shaw ; "Political Thought in England," by G. P. Gooch ; "The Debate on the American Revolution," edited by Max Beloff ; "The Formation of the Continents by Convection," by G. F. S. Hills ; "Physical Geography," by

P. Lake.

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Scout Notes HIS has been a Patrol Competition and Badge Class term for the Junior Troop.

In the Patrol Competition, with the Scout's Pace, Kim's Game, Scout Law and Firelighting tests of the competition completed, the Hawks (P.-L. Maberly), the Otters P.-L. Gaunt), and the Squirrels (P -L Mair) are the first three, with the Signalling and Knotting tests to come.

The work for the Patrol Competition has given the P.-L.'s a real chance to lead and train their Patrols, and the fruits of their labour will be shown in the last two sections of the competition.

On Fridays the 2nd Class Scouts and " nearlies " have divided their attention between the Master-at-Arms, Jobman, Observer and First Aid Badges, while the rest have made considerable progress towards 2nd Class.

The Senior Troop has embarked on a Meteorologist and Weatherman Badge course and joined the 1st Suttons Troop at their party at the beginning of the term, and also entertained them at a meeting in the gym.

We hope to report a King's Scout Badge and two more 1st Class Badges before the end of the term. Considerable progress towards 1st Class has been made out of meeting times.

At the beginning of the term G. L. Plommer was appointed Troop Leader and P. F. Waller, R. F. Budd, J. W. Nickolls and M. C. Allen are the U.S.S. Patrol Leaders.

J. R. Gaunt, B. G. Keeble, B. Strange and R. Overy were appointed Patrol Leaders in the Junior Troop and M. St. J. Candy has taken over the onerous duties of Quartermaster.

Plommer, Nickolls, Budd and Allen have given invaluable help with the Junior Troop this term.

The final events in the Patrol Competition have been postponed until next term owing to the 'flu epidemic. On March 28 J. W. Nickolls was presented with his Bushman's Thong and 1st Class Badge, and B. S. Masham and B. G. Keeble gained their 1st Class Badge, Keeble being the first boy in Lambes to win this badge.

C.C.F. Notes

HIS has been an extremely successful term. We have welcomed to our ranks

T 2 /Lieuts. E. E. Bailey, R. A.E.C., and M. H. de Lisle, R.A., with the result that we have

only been one officer under establishment instead of three. Thereby the O.C. has been relieved of many practical training duties in order to attempt to cope with the rising tide of bureaucratic administration. The O.C. is grateful to these officers for their help and also to Lieut. E. N. Mackay, R.A., for his handling of " Q" matters and for the work he has put in with planning future training programmes in line with the new pamphlets to come into effect next term.

The climax of this term's activities took place on Tuesday, March 14, 1950, when a large field was entered for a Cert. " A " Board, convened under Major C. H. Keenlyside, R.W.K., O.C. the R.W.K. Depot, and the remainder of the contingent carried out a fullday series of field exercises in the grounds of East Sutton Park, Out of eighteen

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candidates for Cert. "A ," Part II, sixteen were successful.; twenty-four Part I candidates were successful.

As for Operation " Duplicate " in the morning : No. 1 (Westminster) Platoon moved off to occupy the high ground immediately to the south of East Sutton House, with orders to deny access thereto by the enemy. (The O.C. had previously come to the conclusion that the position was impregnable.) No. 2 (St. Margaret's) Platoon, under Sjt. Williamson, laid on a copybook attack marred by trivial shortcomings in fieldcraft ; far too many trouser seats were visible over folds in the ground. Roles were reversed in the afternoon, and Sjt. Harloe, of No. 1 Platoon, who had conducted a spirited defence in the morning, tried the methods of the late General Patton in the afternoon, and attacked with vigour and a minimum of patrolling, first from one flank, then another, before finding, as Williamson had done, that the position really was too tough a nut to crack. Signals functioned without any serious hitch, operating three separate wireless nets, which speaks volumes for the efforts of C.S.M. Lewis and Sjt. Bassett and their reconditioned equipment to raise the section from last term's slough.

The 0.0. would also like to thank the R.W.K. Depot for the occasional use of their range ; the Kent Yeomanry for the services of R.S.M. A. I. G. Stephens, who has made himself responsible for the technical training of the Artillery Section ; the Models Society for a large number of " medium-fidelity " miniatures for the sand table ; the Matron for her sustaining haversack rations and special meals at unconventional times ; and generally to thank those senior N.C.O.'s who, both in the field of instruction and that of administration, have worked extremely hard to improve the general standard of the contingent as a whole with most gratifying results.

PROMOTIONS To C.S.M. : C.Q.M.S. Lewis, J. W. (w.e.f.

Travers, A.; Bidmead, J. D. (w.e.f. Jan. 19, Jan. 19, 1950).

1950).

To L/Cpl.: A/L/Cpls. Northover, C. F.; To C.Q.M.S. : Sjts. Bryant, P. G. F.; Carter, Petters, R. B.; Edgar, J. R.; Padgett, B. S.; F. C. (w.e.f. Jan. 19, 1950).

Moise, J.; Shallcross, W.; Smith, C. F.; To Sjt. : .Cp1s. Bassett, J. W.; Harloe, Wilcockson, I. N. (w.e.f. Jan. 19, 1950).

C. D. N.; Goldfinch, 0. G. D.; Robbins, J. To A/L/Cpl. : Cdts. Fothergill, B. A.; (w.e.f. Jan. 19, 1950).

Fulljames, J. S.; Dodd, D. C.; Patton, A. M. • To Cpl. : L/Cpls. Brazier, J. A. (with Hon. (w.e.f. Jan. 19, 1950) ; Gower, B. C. (w.e.f.

Rank of Bdr./Actg. Sjt.) ; Roper, J. A.; Jan. 26, 1950).

CERTIFICATE " A " RESULTS Part II (Section Leading) :— Clam " W" (Easy Pass).—Cdts. Crundwell, V. C.; Davis, M. J.; Dodd, D. C.; Gower, E. J.; Holloway, J. C.; Longford, P. M. L.; Mendel, J. R.; Norman, N. M.; Overy, J. H.; Patton, A. M.; Waller, P. F. Class "X" (Pass).—Cdts. Apthorp, P. V.; Candy, M. St. J.; Cullen, S. W. T.; Orringe, J. R.; L/Cpl. Parrett, G. G.

Part I (Individual) " W ".—Cdts. Aisher, R. B.; Aisher, T. J.; Anderson, P. R.; Cullen, C. R. G.; Everest, M. S.; Fermor, M. V.; Goddard, E. M.; Harbott, J.; Henniker, K.; Hills, T. R.; Hobbs, A. J. P.; Hoeltschi, G.; Hull, P. D.; Lines, P. E.; Noyes-Brown, N. J.; Osborn, R. E.; Playfair, R. D.; Potter D. A.; Prentice, D. S.; Price, J. G.; Stubblefield, P. J.; Wood, J. R.; Wright, A. C. Clasa "X ".—Cdt. Baron, D. J. M.

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Shooting Notes HIS term's activities have been devoted to practice for the Country Life Competition and the shooting of weekly postal matches. All shooting was severely hampered during the first month of the term by south-westerly gales which made shooting on our open range impossible. The fact that the gales returned for the week in which we had to shoot the Country Life, and we are none too ill-pleased with our consequent score, only goes to show that, where shooting is concerned, there are few things which are impossible.

New conditions for the Country Life have made the competition more difficult than before (a half-inch group on the " Snap " collecting per capita a bonus of five points) and we therefore got down to some serious training. The results of last term's careful coaching of Tyros soon became apparent, and we began to obtain some good scores ; also we obtained some unaccountable lapses.

T

As an experiment, the House Match was shot on the Indoor Range at the R.W.K. Depot. After a close match, when there was never a difference of more than two or three points as between details, Westminster House won by 564 to St. Margaret's 558, and A. J. Knight won the Individual Shield with a score of 81. The low scores, and the absence of a snap-shooting device, led us to decide to shoot the Country Life on our own range whatever the weather might be.

We duly fired, as we have said, in the midst of a south-westerly hurricane, and the results were highly satisfactory. On the Practices, which have remained standard from last year, we added 27 points on last year's performance (when we were placed third). We must now live in hope that the results, when published in May, will give us an even higher place.

The following are the results of postal matches shot during the term :— Date

Feb. 11 Feb. 18

Feb. 25 Mar. 4 Mar. 11

Glasgow Academy . .

King's School, Canterbury Oakham School. .

King's College School.

Charterhouse . . . .

Uppingham School .

Radley College . . .

Bloxham School . .

Aldenham School Trinity College, Glenalmond ..

King's School, Worcester . . .

Allhallows School Victoria College, Jersey .

Sherborne School . .

Kelley College . . .

St. Peter's School, York .

.

.

.

.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

• . . . . . . . . . . .

. .

• . .

• . . . . . . . .

606 606 628 628 646 646 646 646 618 618 618 638 628 628

Against

Result

g.DZZ Z F g g+.

0 on 0D 000m 0000'2 0, 0C °

Feb. 4

For

Opponents

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Society Notes School Societies are still a problem. The reports and remarks made over the TFIE last few terms in these columns are at last causing some to regard the situation more closely. The Hunting Society this term held a debate which closely concerned the other Societies. The report of that meeting can be found elsewhere, but one word can here be said about it. In the varied opinions of the members present one thing seemed to stand out—the societies are very few, but are those few defunct ? The answer was, no.

This, then, is the state of the School Societies. There are officially five societies and by all reports and appearances four are doing fairly well.

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY: By the formation of a beginners' section it has been rendered possible to increase the membership considerably. In spite of the season, everyone has shown great enthusiasm, resulting in some good progress. The foremost interest is at present on the archaeological work where great pains have been taken to get good reproductions.

Preparations are already in full swing for next Speech Day when even some beginners, under the patient tuition of their instructors, will be contributing.

THE MODELS SOCIETY: Again a successful term is reported and more tools have been acquired. The membership has increased and work had been done on Corps Models. The main interest is on railways—for the Speech Day exhibition.

THE JAZZ CLUB: This society has started up again properly and is extremely popular. Its attendance, though small, is fervid and several "sessions" have been held, the two most notable being on Muggsy Spannier and Louis Armstrong. Other " kings " are to be heard at a later date.

THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY: New members are reported here, too. The society is now in two branches—bird specialists, and insect specialists. Some members have given talks on their special interests.

THE PING-PONG SOCIETY: This meets in St. Margaret's but is practially the same as the old Reading Society. This, however, is practically unavoidable with but one table.

Those are the five School Societies and their conditions. They appear keen, by all reports, but the number is so small. One might say it is better to have a few, enthusiastic, groups of people working on what are truly their hobbies, than to have large, but lax, groups. It can be safely said that those Societies are progressive, but they are small. There are still a large number who are in no Society at all, who eat, slouch around wasting everyone's time, or make a general nuisance of themselves.

A few work—that is good. A few do games' training—that, too, is good. The problem lies in disposing of the rest. Until that problem is satisfactorily solved and no " unemployed ' remain, these columns never can, and never will, say that the $eliool Societies are flourishing.

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Hunting Society President : The Headmaster Vice-President : F. T. W. Blatchley-Hennah, Esq. Chairman : F. C. Carter Hon. Secretary : P. G. F. Bryant Clerk of the House : W. H. Jelpke Committee : F. R. Williamson Guardian of the Gavel : J. W. Lewis LTHOUGH the attendances this term have not, as a rule, quite reached the dizzy heights of last term numerically, nevertheless the debating has continued to be of a high standard.

Of the last two debates at the end of the Christmas Term, the first, that " In the opinion of this house, politeness can be carried too far," was not very inspiring, the motion being carried by seven votes to four with three abstentions. The second, that " In the opinion of this house the works of William Shakespeare should be withdrawn from a School's syllabus," which L. N. Harvey, Esq. kindly proposed, was a very interesting, although somewhat one-sided, debate, the motion being carried by seventeen votes to nine with two abstentions. The speaking, on both sides, was of the highest standard for some time.

The first meeting of this term, on January 24, was, as usual, devoted to the election of officials for the term and to suggestions for debates. The Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Clerk of the House were re-elected, while Mr. Williamson was elected to the Committee and Mr. J. W. Lewis to the Guardianship of the Gavel.

There has been a growing tendency, becoming most marked of late, for the Committee to appropriate for themselves the duties of proposer and opposer for the debates most likely to be of interest, before giving an opportunity to the rest of the house. A motion was therefore proposed, at the first routine meeting of the term on January 31, that no names of proposers and seconders of debates should be taken before a routine meeting of the society has been held, and was carried nemine contra.

The house then went on to debate the motion that "The Cinema Society has caused the decline of the others, except the Hunting Society," proposed by Messrs. W. H. Jelpke and F. R. Williamson and opposed by F. T. W. Blatchley-Hennah, Esq., and Mr. 0. G. D. Goldfinch. Many interesting facts concerning the history of the societies were brought to light, but it is to be feared that there was some false information given, as for one term the proposition firmly stated that there were fifteen societies while the opposition maintained equally forcefully that there were only seven.

Numerous other members spoke both for and against the motion which was finally defeated by fourteen votes to seven with two abstentions.

On February 7, M. H. de Lisle, Esq., kindly addressed the society on S. Africa.

He commenced his speech by commenting on the rash generalisations made by others on the Union and continued with a description of the peoples inhabiting the dominion in the last century, and with a description of its history from 1652.

The motion before the house on February 14 was that "Party Politics spell the

A

death of the British Empire," defeated by eight votes to four with three abstentious,

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in which Mr. Robbins, the proposer, declared that "party politics were the hotbed of hypocrisy," and that all parties were out for their own ends. The opposition, who probably had the stronger case, stated that no government could possibly succeed if there were a host of fickle parties. Altogether this was a debate of the first class.

On February 28, there being no meeting the previous week owing to the various "pancake day" traditions to be observed, the motion before the house was that "the pursuit of happiness is preferable to the pursuit of lucre" which was very hotly contested. In a debate of this sort, each party is rather inclined to go too far, and some moderation is required as no one can manage without either happiness or lucre.

The motion was carried by six votes to five with four abstentions.

The motion on March 7 was " that the Mediterranean will again become the centre of the world" and was defeated by nine votes to four with three abstentions. The tendency in this debate was to regard this region according to its present position in relation to the important countries of the world, but surely one must think of the reserves of exploitable minerals in the region, in order for there to be the necessary industrialisation without which no region can, under present conditions, become important.

Perhaps one of the disappointments this term has been the number of abstentions in debates, often reaching 30 per cent. of the members present. Surely it should not be difficult for people to make up their minds on subjects which, after all, are not of first-rate importance ? Half the trouble seems to lie in the fact that most members start the evening with preconceived ideas as to how they will vote, but the purpose of the Hunting Society is to encourage members of the school to speak well, and proposers and opposers will be encouraged to speak so much the better if they realise that they will attract more votes by speaking well. Let us hope that this will be corrected in the future.

Three more meetings remain this term, one is a debate ; on March 21 the Superintendent of Maidstone Police has kindly agreed to address the society on °Courts of Summary Jurisdiction and on the last meeting of term we are holding our first Mock Trial which, after the address of the previous week, should prove good.

W. H. J.

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Archaeological Society HE work of excavating the Chart Sutton site has continued and we can now say

definitely that the building was a Roman one. It is rectangular, some 66 feet by 30 feet. The footings of the walls are 2 feet 4 inches wide. So far we have found no interior walls. The shape, and the fact that we have found very little pottery inside the rectangle, make it probable that the building was a store or granary, rather than a dwelling. But we have found quantities of broken pottery, some of it very interesting, just outside the walls. Most of this is Belgic, and one piece has been identified as belonging to the early Iron Age. A few bits of 5amian ware have been found, one with a potter's mark on it, which should be identifiable. An interesting discovery was a quantity of decorated plaster. It is probable that these fragments

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came from a demolished house nearby, having been used as rubble to fill in the trench made when the walls were built. There are indications that there was an Iron Age habitation on the site prior to the Roman occupation and, possibly, a mediEeval one after it. There is still plenty of work to be done on the site and it is somewhat disappointing that there has been a falling-off of interest amongst those who started on the work.

Cinema Notes HE standard set last term has been maintained, if not raised to some extent, and T there is really very little for the writer to recount this term beyond giving a chronological summary of operations from the end of last term's account (November 19).

One more entertainment film was shown in the Christmas term, this being Arthur Askey in " Backroom Boy" on November 17. A week previously the war documentary " Tunisian Victory" had been screened, and for this show the projector was operated from the central gallery at the back of the hall. This experiment proved a success and all subsequent operations in the hall have been carried out from here.

This term entertainment films have been given every fortnight, the programme being as follows :— Jan. 21 "Eureka Stockade" (Chips Rafferty).

Olympic Games.

Feb. 4 " I know where I'm Going" (Roger Livesey, Wendy Hiller).

"Just Dogs" (Silly Symphony). „ 18 "Ask a Policeman " (Will Hay, Moore Marriott, Graham Moffat).

"The Boy Who Stopped Niagara."

Mar. 4 "Henry V" (Laurence Olivier, Robert Newton, Leslie Banks, Renee Asherton).

The general opinion of the School about these films has been quite mixed.

"Eureka Stockade" was perhaps the most enjoyed, though some said that it was an anticlimax after seeing " The Overlanders." I know where I'm Going" made the grade, but it was generally agreed that it was just another film built around the "eternal triangle" and as such could well have been shunned. Opinion before the show seemed to suggest that people were just a little tired of films like " Ask a Policeman," but in fact it was enjoyed as much as previous films of a similar type.

"Henry V" provoked considerable controversy as to who should pay for it, because it was obtained for the special benefit of the Fifth Form, whose set book it is for School Certificate this year, besides the fact that most of the School had already seen it ; however, when this difficulty had been solved to the satisfaction of all concerned, the film was enjoyed as much as could be expected considering that large portions are virtually incomprehensible to anyone who has not read the play with

considerable care.

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This completes the summary of entertainment films up to the first week in March, and if the School's opinion as stated seems incorrect, it should be remembered that the great majority of comments reaching the writer are criticisms of a highly destructive nature usually made by people whose great delight is to criticise all services provided by the School without inquiring into the conditions which govern the provision of such services. While on the subject of criticisms, it must be pointed out that the great majority of films suggested by the School since the provision of the suggestion book are quite unsuitable for showing to a school audience with ages ranging from eight to eighteen, and this should be borne in mind when making future suggestions.

Educational films have been shown every week and the programme has been remarkable for the omission of films on geographical subjects ! Films ranged from " The Transmission of Electricity " and" Drilling for Oil " to " Elizabethan England" and "Cambridge University." Very few, if any, film strips have been shown.

A few showings of athletics loop films have been given, but with not very much success owing to the fact that nearly all the loops at present in use arrived in strip form and had to be made up into loops with apparatus intended merely to effect quick repairs on films damaged during shows. It is to be hoped that those responsible will in future ensure that the films arrive in the loop form.

Once again our wholehearted thanks must go to Mr. Keating for obtaining the films and supervising the shows, which have been operated by : Brazier, Edgar, A. K. Bartlett, Tod, Johns and latterly Parrett and Hull. Finally, we must thank the local Gaumont-British agents and their operator, without whom "Henry V" would not have been such a great success, for they lent us apparatus to enable us to get the best results from the Technicolour film.

Christmas Term Rag Concert traditional Rag Concert took place again last term, and, aided by great THE enthusiasm, was a fair success. Perhaps it will not rank amongst the greatest we have had, but nevertheless it was enjoyed, which is really the test, and proof, of it.

The bill was quite long, but the constant appearance of the same faces shows how much such veterans as J. P. Bidmead, P. A. Fairley and M. G. D. Golding were missed, and how few volunteers we have to fill up the gaps. To those who last term appeared so often should go a word of thanks, not only for keeping alive this function, but for setting so bold an example for the less forward.

Needless to say, one act was "Scenes Round the School." As usual, it went very much to the point and, in its devastating track of hilarious satire, the much-discussed Corps Camp was not forgotten. Mendel and Apthorp came out with two painstaking turns and Carter and Payton gave a remarkably true and funny representatiqn of the " workman " of to-day. The Corps Camp came under the barrage of wit again, and it is hoped that as a result of this act by Bidmead and Williamson all those who butt-marked during that week will understand why they were left in loneliness for so

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many long, silent hours. Williamson and Carter then commenced to ridicule everyone socially by singing umpteen verses to the "Much Binding" tune, and were followed by a " thing " which claimed it could tell fifty funny stories. To their amazement, and our amusement, it did. Then when it had staggered off the stage the School saw the Super Pantomime—" Dick Whittington and his Cat." The fact that Dick Whittington had nothing to do with it did not deter anyone—what did deter some actors slightly was the presence of several members of the staff then under "discussion."

This report must not go by without mention of the appearance of two masters.

Mr. Pierssene sang two songs to his own accompaniment, one being the ever popular "The Egg." Then, at the end, the Headmaster gave us "One Fish Ball" and an encore. It was indeed a memorable occasion and, if the quality was not in all of the highest, the spirit atoned for the lack.

Football Retrospect 1949-50 Team First XV Second XV Third XV Under 15 XV Under 14 XV Juniors XV

Played 15 10 1 9 7 2

Won 8 2 1 5 5 1

Lost 7 7 0 3 2 1

Drawn 0 1 0 1 0 0

Pts. For 124 45 14 118 102 35

Pts. Agst.

132 120 9 76 35 9

Such are our results for the season just ended and although we cannot—apart from the Third XV, who registered the first win by a School team against the Old Boys for many years—boast unbeaten records, we can at least claim a decided upward trend in the Football throughout the School. The greatest improvement has been in those games which as a rule do not provide teams for matches and this seems a healthy state of affairs generally. It would be easy to advance reasons for this but surely the main one must be an increased standard of keenness by the senior members of the games themselves. Game II was particularly fortunate in this respect.

The First XV had a satisfactory season. Its strength was in the pack and the defence generally. Its weakness in the centre threequarters—ultimately consisting of Harloe and Fulljames who, although good in defence and occasionally brilliant individually, could not work really smoothly together, although the straight running of Tod at stand-off half should have made for smooth play. In consequence sufficient use was not made of Cullen and Jefferies (till Christmas), and then Knight who played as wing threequarters, each of whom was in his own way a good attacking player.

Lockhart at full-back improved with every game and added to the full-back's usual stock-in-trade by an elusive long-striding run which often brought him up

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with his threequarters to start an attacking movement from defensive positions.

For one so slightly built his tackling was ferocious—and only matched by that of Kerr in the pack.

The forwards finally became a good all-round pack and there was little to choose between the best dozen or so in the School. Kerr led more by example than by voice, but the results were good no matter how they were achieved.

In a School of our size the step from First to Second XV must, necessarily, be quite a big one, but this year's team—Captained by J. W. Lewis—was well up to average. Unfortunately, its members did not provide quite stern enough competition for the back positions in the First XV that we could have wished.

The Under 15's were a good and enthusiastic side. Cullen ii, at stand-off half, was its steel anchor and his rugger—despite being slightly slow off the mark—gives promise for the future. His defensive kicking is well thought out. Gower ii and Anderson i played well behind the scrum, which was quite sizeable and lively itself, with Henniker, T. J. Aisher and Melvin perhaps the best of them.

The Under 14's were keen and had several wins, while a new experiment run by Mr. R. F. MacKay, bringing Rugger:to the very juniors, was a great success and his nine-a-side match against Hill Place was very good fun.

A vast amount of credit for the smooth running of Rugger this year must go to the Captain of Football, C. B. Kerr. His off-the-field organisation was as good as his play on it and that is high enough praise indeed. It has been a great pleasure to the writer to have had so capable a skipper and to be told what the captain wanted rather than have to do a lot of the telling himself. Future captains will need to be very much on top of their job if they hope even to equal Kerr's " directorship " of this season.

Football Results School v. Maidstone R.F.C. " A " Played at Sutton Valence on Saturday, February 4, resulting in a win for the School by A goal (5 points) to a try (3 points).

This proved rather a slow game, both sides being evenly matched.

Maidstone kicked off, and kept the School on the defensive during the opening stages. This pressure at length resulted in a try for Maidstone, scored by their scrum-half. The kick at goal failed. Play continued to be scrappy throughout almost all the first half.

Being somewhat lighter at forward, we were unable to secure many quick heels

from the set scrummages, and consequently the backs were rarely given the ball. What chance they did have was frittered away by aimless kicking ahead. Half-time came with Sutton pressing, but with the score still 3-0 in favour of our opponents. Play livened up after half-time, the Sutton back division executing some good movements.

The School continued to press and good work by the three-quarters took the ball to the Maidstone line, the visitors carrying the ball over. From the ensuing scrum, Randall slipped over for a try, converted by Knight with a magnificent long kick ten yards in from the touchline. The final whistle blew with Maidstone again being hard pressed,

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although an impetuous School forward had given away a penalty. This would never be called a classic game, by reason of the faults apparent on both sides, but nevertheless it provided interesting watching. The School midfield triangle was not in form, too many passes being dropped. Roper provided Tod with a good and consistent service, making a successful debut at the base of the scrum. Lockhart and Fulljames relieved the situation frequently with good, long kicks to touch. Of the forwards, Kerr's tackling was most effective, and Randall and Wilcockson were always prominent in the loose.

C. M. Jefferies (0.S.) played at wing three-quarter for Maidstone.

Team : I. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, C. D. N. Harioe ; J. S. Fulljames, A. J. Knight ; N. B. Tod, J. A. Roper ; C. B. Kerr, J. K. Randall, I. N. Wilcockson, B. H. Lewis, F. IL Williamson, J. C. Hunter, J. L. Rough, F. C. Carter.

School v.Wasps R.F.C. " B" This match was played at Sutton Valence on Saturday, February 25, and was lost by 2 goals and 2 tries to a goal (16 points to 5).

The Wasps team, as must be expected in matches against men's teams, had a considerable advantage in weight.

The Wasps played an attractive, open type of game throughout, and a good movement brought them a goal in the first half. Cullen's tackling was an outstanding feature of this part of the game.

In the second half, Fulljames intercepted on our 25-yard line, and ran on to score between the posts. Knight converted, and made the score 5 all. However, the Wasps continued to press most of the time, and scored three more tries, one converted, before the end.

The School backs carried out some promising counter-attacks, but failed to score again. Harloe, in particular, made some excellent openings, but failed to pass at the right moment. Lockhart again played well, and Kerr, Randall, and Lewis were noticeably effective in tackling and play in the loose.

Team : I. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, C. D. N. Harloe, J. S. Fulljames, A. J. Knight ; N. B. Tod, J. A. Roper ; C. B. Kerr, J. K. Randall, I. N. Wilcockson, B. H. Lewis, F. C. Carter, J. C. Hunter, J. L. Hough, F. It. Williamson.

School v. Saracens " Gipsy " XV This match was played at Sutton Valence on Saturday, February 18, and was won by the home side by 2 penalty goals to a try (6 points to 3).

All the points were scored in the first half, when the heavier Gypsies had the best of the play. However, in the second half the School pack did very well to more than hold their opponents, and the backs, though they handled badly, defended well.

Moise, who was tried as hooker, did moderately well, while Kerr and Wilcockson played vigorously as wingforwards, and Randall, Hough and B. H. Lewis played well at times. But it was especially in the scrums and rushes that the combined work of the whole pack brought outstanding results.

Apart from their sound defence, the backs were disappointing, though Lockhart at full-back played an excellent all-round game. Knight's 2 penalty goals were both very fine kicks from about 40 yards out.

Team : 1. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, C. I). N. Harioe, J. S. Fulljames, A. .T. Knight ; N. B. Tod, J. A. Roper ; C. B. Kerr, J. K. Randall, I. N. Wilcockson, B. H. Lewis, F. C. Carter, F. R. Williamson, J. Moise, J. L. Hough.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE School v. O.S. Played on the Upper on Saturday, December 17, and lost by 11 points (1 goal, 2 tries) to nil.

The going was good, but a bitterly cold gale blowing across the field made passing and handling very difficult. O.S. fielded a strong side and were considerably heavier in the scrum, where the School lacked the services of Kerr. O.S. were, however, without a hooker and the School generally got the ball, but the heeling was slow. This made it difficult for Binks at scrum-half, and Tod, for once, was unable to hold some of his passes, and when he did, could do little more than hand the ball on without making ground.

None of the School attacks therefore looked like being successful, though at times Harloe made a little headway. .

The play was almost entirely in the School half, but their defence was, as usual, very sound. Lockhart made one particularly good tackle on Light, when

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he seemed sure to score. Previous to this, Bedford, who was a continual source of danger at scrum-half, broke away from a scrum ten yards out to score the only try in the first half. In the second half tries were scored by Jones and Fairley. The first of these was converted by Sawtell.

OS.: J. H. Gray ; M. H. B. Jones, J. E. Sawtell, K. Stevens, P. A. Beacon ; P. A. Fairley, A. G. Bedford ; D. G. Light, D. C. Belham, J. C. Colgrove, C. J. G. Meade, R. G. Hardwick, P. S. Morrish, 0. F. Winger, A. J. Kent.

School 2nd XV v. O.S. 2nd XV Result : O.S. 29 points, School, 8 points. o.s. : W. F. Tritton ; D. S. Chenery, F. D. Playfair, J. B. Pugh, J. H. Scott-Wilson; P. D. Hearn, A. G. R. Betts (Capt.) ; J. G. Morgan, W. S. Montgomerie, H. R. Hearn, 3.11. R. Betts, J. B. Scott-Wilson, D. J. H. Longford, R. E. L. Crowdy, W. H. Jelpke.

School 3rd XV v. 0.S. 3rd XV Result : O.S. 9 points, School 14 points. o.s.: J. B. Sanders ; D. P. Jeffrey, M. J. Goulston,

W. M. F. Yates (Capt.), C. N. Frere-Smith ; C. R. G. Cullen, G. L. Jones ; R. A. 11. Still, J. F. Newell, D. J. Newell, M. Allen, R. Frere-Smith, J. Robbins, T. J. Aisher, N. J. Noyes-Brown.

Cross Country Retrospect HERE is little to be gained from dwelling at length on a Cross Country team as

T obviously poor as this year's. The sudden departure of Lincoln at the end of the

Winter Term was a blow, although one glamorous performer needs proper support from the rest of the side for matches to be won. It is greatly to Wilcockson's credit that he stepped into Lincoln's shoes so well. Strongly built, determined, temperamentally suited to the exacting demands of competitive running, he completed a hard season's Rugger and went straight on to record consistently good Cross Country times. He may lack some of the physical assets of the real distance man, but he goes far towards compensating for these defects by his self-confidence and guts.

Wooderson's team of Old Suttonians could not, unhappily, be raised this year, so Blackheath Harriers sportingly brought down at short notice a second Eight to make this popular fixture four-sided. Their first Eight was stronger than for some years, and proved much too good. A new match, against King's School, Canterbury, who have only recently revived Cross Country running, createcl considerable interest.

Competing away, we were outpaced on their short, fast course. It was evident that the general level of athletics at King's is altogether higher—not surprising in a school numerically so much larger—but we might offer them keener opposition

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over our home course next year. The match against Dover College was close and exciting, with two teams of similar quality in the field. Till somewhere short of Greasy Grind the scores were level. But the last mile home, as we all know by now, is the longest, and Dover succeeded in snatching a creditably clear-cut victory in the nick of time. At Hayes Common, competing in the hurly-burly of the Inter-Schools' Race, the Eight was almost too bad to be true, finishing twenty-second out of twenty-five assorted teams.

A feature of this rather desiccated season has been the series of matches arranged for a second Eight. These are intended mainly as a means of providing experience of race conditions for younger runners. It is perhaps too early yet to say whether they are worth permanently retaining.

RESULTS School v. Blackheath Harriers

Run at Sutton Valence on Saturday, February 19. Results : 1st Match 1, Blackheath A, 21 points ; 2, School A, 57 points.

2nd Match 1, Blackheath B, 36 points ; 2, School B, 42 points.

For the twenty-first time we welcomed Blackheath Harriers as our guests. As usual, the Harriers rose to the occasion by bringing down two eights. We were also honoured by the company of their President and his wife. The O.S. unfortunately could not raise a full team, although four O.S. were running in the ranks of Blackheath, headed by the invincible Sydney Wooderson. With two eights, it was decided that the race should be run as two matches, each match scoring independently.

The day was fine though slightly windy and the course was rather sticky after the recent rain. A fast pace was set from the start, and Wooderson, with two fellow " Heathens," Brill and Betteridge, broke right away to win in 29 min. 39 sec. At Church Farm the School pack was lying between fifth and fifteenth places. However, by Boyton Court the Blackheath pack had moved up and eventually filled

the first seven places. Wilcockson ran very well for the School to finish eighth in 32 min. 15 sec. whilst the rest of the eight were well packed together, coming in from eleventh onwards.

In the second match, Blackheath won by the narrow margin of 6 points. Randall ran well in his first big race to finish in 33 min. 17 sec.

Although Blackheath brought down a much stronger team than last year, the School, and especially the second eight, could probably have done much better had some prospective members of the pack not been playing Rugger.

Finally, we should like to thank all the stewards, who fulfilled their task with the usual high standard of efficiency, and also Mr. Blatchley-Hennah, who, with the co-operation of Signals Section of the C.C.F. and the Cinema Club, provided a commentary for spectators and enlivened what could easily have been a very boring half-hour.

The following scored for the School : Wilcockson (8), Bidmead (11), Bassett (12), Lewis, J. W. (13), Goldfinch (14), Fothergill (18).

The following scored for the School 2nd VIII : Randall (17), Cullen, S. W. T. (21), Candy (22), Wilkin, M. J. (24), Allen (25), Norman, N. M. (27).

SCHOOL MAGAZINE School v. King's School, Canterbury Run at Canterbury on Tuesday, February 21. Results : 1st Match 1, King's School, 32 points ; 2, Sutton Valence, 83 points.

2nd Match 1, King's School 2nd VIII, 65 points ; 2, Sutton Valence, 2nd VIII, 170 points.

It was not until a day before the race that we heard that the Canterbury course was only 3. miles long ; this is somewhat shorter than our own and consequently it must be run at a faster pace. It was evident that neither of the Sutton eights could rapidly adapt themselves to the faster pace with the exception of Wilcockson, who ran extremely well to finish second in the very fast time of 19 min. 54 sec., some 6 sec. behind the winner, the course record standing at 19 min. 42 sec.

Apart from the length of the course, a very steep hill near the beginning rather upset us, though after this hill the course was for the most part flat, finishing with a sprint home over some rather rainsodden land and track. Bassett ran well, coming second for the School and heading the pack, which was again well together, though too far down.

The second eight was in much the same plight as the first, though when we consider that in two years' time these runners will be running for the School, the experience gained should be invaluable.

We were briefed by the Canterbury Cross-country Master before the race and found the course straightforward and easy- to follow, although every field seemed much smaller than had been anticipated, and it is to him that we must

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express our thanks for a very smooth and efficiently run race.

The following scored for the School : Wilcockson (2), Bassett (13), Bidmead, Lewis, J. W. (15 Plommer (M), Goldfinch (19).

The following scored for the 2nd VIII: Norman, N. M. (25), Fermor (27), Candy (28), Allen, Cullen, S. W. T. (29 Mendel (31).

School v. Dover College Run at Sutton Valence on Wednesday, March 1. Result : 1. Dover College, 35 points ; 2. Sutton Valence, 43 points.

The weather for this race was perfect and though the course was slightly sticky, it was later proved that the conditions were suitable for a fast race.

From the start, Barnes, of Dover, broke away and eventually won in the fast time of 30 min. 14 sec., though only ten yards ahead of Wilcockson, who ran very well indeed. At Church Farm half the Sutton pack was lying well up, with Bidmead and Randall in second position. By Charlton Court, Wilcockson had moved up to second place and was hot on the tail of Barnes.

At the top of Greasy Grind the scores were dead level, but unfortunately Dover beat us on the run in and gained victory by a narrow margin.

We must once again thank all stewards and officials and Mr. Thomson for his commentary, which unfortunately was not received throughout the whole race,* due to a technical fault at the transmitter.

The following scored for the School : Wilcockson (2), Bklmead (5), Randall (6), Bassett (7), Goldfinch (11) , Lewis, J. W. (12).

Steeplechases Run on Thursday, March 2, and Saturday, March 4. Nation Crosscountry Cup won by Westminster by 261 points to 299.

The main lesson to be learnt from these races was that a team with superior

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packing can beat a team with some good individuals. The weather on both days was excellent, and perfect conditions prevailed throughout.

On Division A Bidmead set a very fast pace and by Morry House the race was well spread out ; Bidmead was still in the lead, followed by Wilcockson, Randall, Lewis, Bassett and Cullen.

By Boyton Court Wilcockson was ahead, closely pursued by Bidmead, with Randall, Cullen and Bassett a little way behind.

Wilcockson eventually won in the extremely fast time of 29 min. 50 sec., followed by a bunch of four from Westminster, followed in turn by a bunch of seven from St. Margaret's, who won the race by the small margin of ten points.

Division B was won by Candy from Plommer in 20 min. 50 sec. Westminster won the division by 30 points.

On Division C, Westminster again were the better packed House, having the first five home led by Melvin in 19 min. 16 sec. Several runners from St. Margaret's followed but the superior packing enabled Westminster to win by 18 points.

The Junior race resolved itself into a struggle between Evans, Vant and Maberly, and was eventually won by Evans in 11 min. 48 sec. Under-12 Division was won by Coates in 8 min 42 sec.

Results :— DIVISION A : 1, Wileoekson ; 2, Bidmead ; 3, Randall.

Time : 29 MiII. 50 sec.

DIVISION B: 1, Candy ; 2, Plommer ; 3, NoyesBrown. Time : 20 min. 50 sec.

DivisioN C: 1, Melvin ; 2—, Everest, Wood. Time : 19 niM. 16 sec.

JUNIORS: 1, Evans ; 2, Vant ; 3, Maberly, M. A. Time : 11 min. 48 see.

UNDER 12: 1, Coates ; 2, Jenner ; 3, Jefferies. Time : 8 min. 42 sec.

The Inter-Schools Cross-Country Race Run at Hayes (Kent) on Saturday, March 11. Result: School finished twentysecond out of the 25 schools competing.

This result was most disappointing, and the only excuse to be offered is that we start at a disadvantage in not having at our disposal the numbers that the majority of our opponents can call upon.

Although the School runners appeared to be upset by the mad rush at the start, after about a mile we were seen to be in a comparatively good position with Bidmead and Randall, running well, lying about fiftieth and Wilcockson and Lewis moving up on them fast.

From this stage onwards our position dropped steadily from bad to worse and with only a mile to go the Sutton pack was concentrated in the early "hundreds," with Wilcockson and Lewis in the leading positions for the School.

Although a few places were gained on the final run-in, there was no radical change in position and we finished with Wilcockson about fiftieth and Lewis, about hundredth, leading the School pack.

Bidmead and Randall ran fairly well to complete our four scoring men, and Bassett and Goldfinch were not far behind them.

We were glad to see several Old Suttonians at the finish and would like to thank them for the support they gave us.

Fives Notes The Fives team, with three members of last year's team available, had hopes of having a successful season. Within limits these hopes were realised. Good wins against St. Dunstan's College and Eastbourne College balancing heavy losses

SCHOOL MAGAZINE against Alleyn's School and the Jesters.

The match against Oxford, for whom I. A. Watson was playing, was closer than, last year, and a very close match against the Old Strandians was lost by 4 points.

The Colts IV had a very good win over the Alleyn's Colts by 3 points and an easier win over Eastbourne College. The whole team show considerable promise, with Anderson, who is stronger and faster than the others, being the outstanding player.

The first three members of the School IV picked themselves. Hough, the Captain, played steadily all through the term and by his quiet enthusiasm has done a great deal to encourage the junior members of the School to take up and persevere with the games.

Roper, on his day, was undoubtedly the most successful member of the, team.

Being left-handed, he was always master on the left wall, and his right-hand play improved in power and accuracy during the term.

Knight's play showed considerable improvement on last year in steadiness and general severity.

There was little to choose between Fulljames and Sawtell. Sawtell was probably the better singles player, but failed to fit in successfully with his partner in the doubles, where Fulljames succeeded admirably.

The House Match provided a surprise victory for St. Margaret's, who, encouraged by some very fine play by Roper, excelled themselves to win by 8 points.

Westminster were without Fulljames, but Anderson took his place well, and more than played his part.

155 Fives Results

Inter-House Fives Match

Played on Wednesday, March 8.

Result : St. Margaret's won by 8 points.

Singles: J. A. Ijoper beat J. L. Hough 15-6; P. B. Leonard lost to A. J. Knight 7-15; M. C. Allen beat H. K. Sawtell 15-11; P. G. F. Bryant beat P. R. Anderson 15-11.

Doubles : Roper and Bryant beat Hough and Anderson 15-11, 12-15; Leonard and Allen lost to Knight and Sawtell 5-15, 6-15; Roper and Bryant beat Knight and Sawtell 15-7, 15-5; Leonard and Allen lost to Hough and Anderson 15-11, 10-15.

School v. St. Dunstan's College

Played on Wednesday, February 8.

Result : The School won by 57 points.

Singles : J. L. Hough beat A. W. Head 15-4; J. A. Roper lost to P. BaLlantine 6-15; A. J. Knight beat G. J. Adams 15-5; J. S. Fulljames beat B. Edwards 15-3.

Doubles : Hough and Fulljames beat Head and Edwards 15-9, 15-9; Knight and Roper beat Ballantine and Adams 15-8, 15-13; Hough and Fulljames beat Ballantine and Adams 15-9, 12-15; Knight and Roper beat Head and Edwards 16-14, 15-8.

School 1st IV, 2nd IV and Colts IV v.

Alleyn's School 1st IV, 2nd IV, and Colts IV

Played on February 22 at Sutton Valence. Result : The School 1st IV lost to Alleyn's School 1st IV by 117 points. The School 2nd IV lost to Alleyn's 2nd IV by 101 points. The School Colts IV beat Alleyn's Colts IV by 3 points.

1sT IV.—Singles : J. L. Hough lost to J. F. Pretlove 2-15; J. A. Roper lost to J. J. Orchard 9-15; A. J. Knight lost to M. J. Stewart 4-15; H. K. Sawtell lost to R. F. Bedford 1-15.

Doubles : Hough and Roper lost to Pretlove and Stewart 7-15, 10-15; Knight and Sawtell lost to Orchard and Bedford 3-15, 3-15; Hough and Roper lost to Orchard and Bedford 6-15, 8-15; Knight and Sawtell lost to Pretlove and Stewart 3-15, 7-15.

2ND IV.—Singles : J. S. Fulljames lost to G. R. Robinson 10-15; P. B. Leonard lost to H. R. Smith 3-15; C. D. N. Harloe lost to J. D. Carr-Hill 4-15; M. C. Allen lost to A. H. Gosling 5-15.

Doubles : Fulljames and Allen lost to Robinson and Carr-Hill 3-15, 8-IS; Leonard and Harloe lost to Smith and Gosling 8-15, 7-15; Fulljames and Allen lost to

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Smith and Gosling 14-16, 9-15; Leonard and Harloe lost to Robinson and Carr-Hill 8-15, 1-15.

COLTS IV.—Singles : P. R. Anderson beat P. Rossiter 15-9; R. D. Playfair lost to J. E. Collins 10-15; J. R. Wood lost to M. Edney 13-15 ; M. S. Everest lost to R. II. Birchmore 5-15.

Doubles : Anderson and Everest beat Rossiter and Collins 15-11, 15-6; Playfair and Wood lost to Edney and Birchmore 11-15, 13-15; Anderson and Everest beat Edney and Birchmore 15-13, 15-10; Playfair and Wood drew with Rossiter and Collins 7-15, 15-7.

School v. Eastbourne College

Played on Wednesday, March 1.

Result : The School 1st IV beat Eastbourne 1st IV by 128 points. The School Colts IV beat Eastbourne Colts IV by 70 points.

1sT IV.—Singles : J. L. Hough beat I. J. De Lizaso 16-14; J. A. Roper beat H. D. Lucas 15-0; A. J. Knight beat M. J. Partridge 15-1; H. K. Sawtell beat R. V. Stone 15-1.

Doubles : Hough and Sawtell beat De Lizaso and Lucas 16-14, 15-2; Roper and Knight beat Partridge and Stone 15-6, 15-1 ; Hough and Sawtell beat Partridge and Stone 15-5, 15-3; Roper and Knight beat Be Lizaso and Lucas 15-6, 15-1.

COLTS IV.—Singles : P. R. Anderson beat J. D. Nicholson 15-8; B. D. Hough lost to R. Worsley 6-15 ; It. D. Playfair beat J. H. Wilson 15-8; P. G. Baxter beat W. J. Armstrong 15-4.

Doubles : Anderson and Playfair beat Nicholson and Worsley 15-5, 15-12; Hough and Baxter beat Wilson and Armstrong 15-9, 15-9; Anderson and Playfair beat Wilson and Armstrong 15-6, 15-3; Hough and Baxter drew with Nicholson and Worsley, 15-13, 13-15.

School v. Old Strandians

Played on Saturday, March 4. Result : The School lost by 1 points.

Singles : J. L. Hough lost to R. Colville 5-15; J. A. Roper lost to P. Snowsill 8-15; A. J. Knight lost to T. W. Carter 9-15; H. K. Sawtell beat E. Shorter 15-1.

Doubles : Hough and Sawtell lost to Carter and Snowsill 8-15, 8-15; Roper and Knight beat Colville and Shorter 15-8, 15-1; Hough and Sawtell beat Colville and Shorter 15-6, 15-7; Roper and Knight lost to Carter and Snowsill 4-15, 7-15.

School v. Jesters

Played on Saturday, March 11. Result : The School lost by 134 points.

Singles: J. L. Hough lost to E. S. Isaacs 1-15; J. A. Roper lost to C. R. Clarke 4-15; A. J. Knight lost to H. V. Brandon 0-15; P. B. Leonard lost to D. J. Stinson 5-15.

Doubles : Hough and Leonard lost to Clarke and Stinson 7-15, 3-15; Roper and Knight lost to Isaacs and Brandon 1-15, 3-15; Hough and Leonard lost to Isaacs and Brandon 0-15, 2-15; Roper and Knight lost to Clarke and Stinson 7-15, 14-10.

Athletics Retrospect

w ITH

few outstanding athletes this year the laurels were evenly divided. But the general standard rose, and the programme became more varied. 'Flu unhappily kept us from meeting Cranbrook and Rochester in the Triangular Relays, and convalescence robbed the second day of Sports Finals of several celebrities. Those that eluded, or spiritually outmanceuvred, the dismal epidemic did remarkably well.

Much credit for everything must go to J. W. Lewis, an enthusiastic Captain of Athletics with definite organising ability.

The Steeplechases attracted the usual huge field, and it is true to say that nobody ran badly. Many indeed ran extremely well. Wilcockson covered the course as steadily and sturdily as ever to take "A." Candy put up a game show with "B," and Melvin in " C" created surprise by finishing cleanly ahead of the formidable Wood-Everest combine. In the Junior Division Evans lowered the course records with a performance altogether too powerful for the promising Vant, whilst the Under 12 gave Coates a chance of revealing his economical build and smooth crosscountry action to full advantage.

The Inter House Relays went by a rather unexpected margin to Westminster, though they provided the usual exciting afternoon's sport. St. Margaret's could draw some consolation from their verdict—a clear one—in the 20 Man Race, where superior baton-changing scored a merited triumph.

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157

In the Sports themselves, more emphasis was placed than hitherto on Field Events. With Shot, Discus and Javelin all counting towards the Challenge Cup in both Senior and Junior age groups, and new standards to be had for the throwing, we saw a welcome upsurge of enthusiasm for these elegant events. Edgar's graceful discus rotation must have stimulated many. Fulljames proved with his 140 feet in the Javelin that aluminium has its points, and that these points will actually come down aright if technique is applied. Whittaker's Shot-putting was lusty, but too slow to get really great distances. Melvin, our most successful junior field event athlete last year, had the bad luck to miss his chance this time owing to 'flu. But his hard work out of season has not been wasted. In his absence Wilkin mi. did very well to take two of the three Under 15 events. There can be little doubt that results would have been even better had more attention been paid during the last twelve months to technical detail. It is also true that this year's new boys have been slow to interest themselves in field events. But throwing and putting have come to stay, and already the Pole Vault has been begun.

Of the track runners, Tod, in the victorious Westminster team, was perhaps the best among a big crop of sprinters. Shallcross showed himself strong and assured on the middle distances, and worked the trying combination of half-mile and high jump to good effect. With more close competition he should begin to cut his times down to a figure that is impressive. Wilcockson won the Mile with plenty to spare, though he leaves his effort too late to achieve a really convincing time Keen, too, was the High Jumping of Edgar (modified straddle), and Hart (western roll, virtually straight off the lines).

In Division " B " there were a number of reasonable sprinters, two more than adequate hurdlers, and three high jumpers with style and spring.

In " C " Harbott more or less maintained his early promise, and Wood ran a well-judged 880 yards, whilst Rayner proved quite outstanding again in the Juniors.

It was encouraging to see this potentially first-class athlete running and jumping with more obvious self-confidence than in previous seasons. •

As both Watts and Gregor-two of the highest authorities, after all-have confirmed, there is plenty of talent in ihe School, and it is not being neglected.

Athletics, we know, is not everybody's cup of tea, but it does include variety of accomplishment. The boy who could never spring for toffee probably has all the basic physical attributes of a successful discus-thrower. There is enough equipment and opportunity to hand for him to verify this any time he chooses. That, surely, should be our approach to the thing.

RESULTS OF SPORTS FINALS DriusIox A: 100 yards : 1, Bryant ; 2, Tod ; 3, Cullen, 5 W. T. 11.3 secs.

220 yards : 1, Tod ; 2, Leonard ; 3 Bryant and Cullen, 8. W. T. 25.6 sees.

120 yards Hurdles : 1, Wilkin. M. J.; 2, Long ; 3, Hough, J. L. 19 secs.

440 yards : 1, Lewis. B. II.; 2, Lonsdale ; 3, Bassett 58.4 secs.

880 yards : 1, Roper ; 2, Bassett ; 3, Lewis, J. W. 2 mine. 18 secs.

Long Jump : 1, Lewis, B. H.; 2, Fulljames ; 3, Edgar. . .

High Jump: 1, Edgar ; 2, Hart ; 3, Hough, J. L. 5 ft. 1 in.

Open Mile : 1, Wilcockson ; 2, Goldfinch ; 3, Lewis, J. W. 5 mins. 8.8 secs.

Open weight: 1, Whittaker ; 2, Travers ; 3, Robbins.

32 ft. 10 in.

Open Javelin : 1, Fulljames ; 2, Longford ; 3, Petters.

140 ft. NEW RECORD. Open Discus : 1, Edgar ; 2, Fulljames ; 3, Longford.

112 ft. 6 in. RECORD.

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SUTTON VALENCE

DIVISION B: 100 yards : 1, Dodd ; 2, Cullen, C. R. U.; 3, Aisher, T. J. 11.6 secs.

220 yards : 1, Anderson ; 2, Dodd ; 3, Cullen, C. B.. G. 26.1 secs.

96 yards Hurdles : 1, Patton ; 2, Lockhart, I. J. ; 3, Anderson. 15.9 secs.

440 yards : 1, Shallcross ; 2, Overy, J. H. ; 3, Anderson. 60.3 secs.

880 yards : 1, Shallcross ; 2, Patton ; 3, Plommer.

2 mins. 23 secs.

Long Jump : 1, Cullen, C. It. 0.; 2, Dodd ; 3, Goodwin. 14 ft. 7 in.

High Jump : 1, Shallcross ; 2, Lockhart, I. ; 3, Patton. 4 ft. 10 in.

DIVISION C AND JUNIOR FIELD EVENTS : 100 yards : 1, Harbott ; 2, Wood ; 3, Wicks.

11.8 secs.

220 yards : 1, Bartlett, M. J. ; 2, McNish ; 3, Everest.

29.3 secs.

440 yards : 1, Harbott ; 2, Wood ; 3, Everest.

65.7 secs.

880 yards : 1, Wood ; 2, Moise, P.; 3, Everest.

2 mills. 31.9 secs.

83 yards Hurdles : 1, Wood ; 2, Bartlett, M. J.; 3, Melvin. 15.7 secs.

Long Jump : 1, Wicks ; 2, Goodchild ; 3, Harvey, G. R. A. 14 ft. 21 ins.

High Jump : 1, Lewis, J. N. I. ; 2, Deacon ; 3, Hancock. 4 ft. 6 in.

Junior Weight : 1, Harbott ; 2, Everest ; 3, Hoad.

30 ft. 101 in. ; 2, Bartlett, M. J.; Junior Javelin : 1, Wilkin, 3, Tapley. 90 ft. 6 in.

Junior Discus : 1, Wilkin, D. ; 2, Everest ; 3, Road.

77 ft. 3 ill.

JUNIORS: 100 yards : 1, Rayner ; 2, Fermor, D.; 3. Ridgewell.

12.4 secs.

220 yards : 1, Rayner ; 2, Wall ; 3, Overy, R. 27.8 secs. RECORD. 440 yards : 1, Evans ; 2, Vant ; 3, Ridgewell.

72.1 secs.

Long Jump : 1, Rayner ; 2, Wall ; 3, Fermor, D. 15 ft. 01 in.

High Jump : 1, Rayner; 2, Smeed ; 3, Blake.

4 ft. 74 in. RECORD. UNDER 12: 100 yards : 1, Rutter ; 2, Green ; 3, Maberly, D. 13.5 secs.

220 yards : 1, Maberly, D.; 2, Rutter; 3, Jefferies.

32.1 secs.

Long Jump : 1, Hedges ; 2, Boys ; 3, Maberly, D. and Jefferies. 10 ft. 10 in.

High Jump : 1, Jenner ; 2, Jefferies ; 3, Goddard.

3ft. 9 in.

UNDER 11: 75 yards : 1, Hickmott ; 2, Wallis ; 3, Harrison.

12 secs.

150 yards : 1, Ilickmott ; 2, Wallis ; 3, Harrison.

22.6 sees,

Inter-House Relays Run on the Upper on Saturday, March 25, and resulting in a win for Westminster by 8 events to 4. Results :48.1 secs.

Westminster 4 x 100 yards St. Margaret's agg. 18 ft. 7 in.

9 muss. 13 secs.

Westminster (after a disqualification).

Putting the Weight Westminster agg. 113 ft. 51 in.

1 min. 44.4 secs.

4 x 220 yards Westminster Throwing the St. Margaret's agg. 391 ft. 11 in.

Javelin 4 x 120 yards 1 min. 23.4 sees.

Westminster Hurdles Westminster agg. 63 ft. Of ins.

Long Jump One Mile Team 5 min. 18.5 secs.

St. Margaret's Race Westminster agg. 370 ft. 3 in.

Discus 4 mine. 2.7 secs.

4 x 440 yards Westminster 9 min. 41.8 sees.

Twenty Men Race St. Margaret's High Jump 4 x 880 yards

Cricket Fixtures S. May 6 Sutton Valence C.C. H. S. 13 East Sutton C.C. H. T. 16 R.M., Chatham. A. Th. 18 Maidstone Police. A. T. 23 Cranbrook. 11.30. H. S. 27 Band of Brothers. 11.30. H. T. 30 St. Lawrence College. 11.30. H. T. June 6 Tonbridge 2nd XI. A. S. 10 Mote C.C. H. 17 Jesus College, Oxford. 11.30. H. S. „ T., Th., and S. 20, 22 and 24 House Match.

Th. June 29 Dover College. 11.30. H. S. July 1 King's School, Rochester.

11.30. A. 8 Old Suttonians. 11.30. H. S. ,7

72 7,

2, t2

2/

Our Contemporaries The Magazine Committee gratefully acknowledges the receipt of the following :The Blundellian, The Cranbrookian, The Dovorian, The Fettesian, The Goergian, The Gresham, The Ipswichian, The Laurentian, The Mill Hill Magazine, The Portcullis, The Roffensian, The Rossallian, The St. Edmund's School Chronicle, The School Tie, The Tonbridgian,

SCHOOL MAGAZINE O.S. Notes Major S. P. Briggs, M.C. (1915), is no longer in Germany and is living at 113, Murray Avenue, Bromley.

Lt.-Col. J. L. Moulton, R.M., D.S.O. (1924), has been awarded the O.B.E. J. Salmon, F.S.A. (1927), who is on the staff at Wrekin College, is Hon. Tours Secretary of the Historical Association.

J. F. Tyack (1927) has been appointed Chief Clerk of East Grinstead Branch of the Westminster Bank.

Major F. W. L. Carslaw (1930) is Instructor in Gunnery of the 17 A.A. Brigade R.A. Lincoln ; his address is Moorlands, Branston, Lincs.

D. P. L. Carslaw (1930) has been appointed President of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Branch of the Justices Clerks Society.

B. S. Hewett (1931) returned to Australia in February.

S. W. Burton (1933) is now with the Kuwait Oil Co., Ltd., Kuwait, Persian Gulf.

Rev. D. F. Edwards (1933) has been in Kenya for over a year. He is starting a Training Centre for native evangelists.

His address is Hebron, Bible Churchmen's Missionary Society, P.O. Kitale, Kenya, East Africa.

J. R. C. Matthews (1936) played for England against France and Ireland and was invited to join the British Rugby side which is to tour Australasia in the summer.

G. A. Calver (1937) has been transferred from the Meshed to the Baghdad branch of the Imperial Bank of Iran.

Lieut. W. J. M. Teale, R.N. (1937), is instructing at the Gunnery School at Devonport.

G. J. Goble (1938) is Doctor of Entomology at Illinois University.

159

B. S. Berting (1940), who is studying Applied Science and Engineering at Toronto University, reached the Finals of the University Welterweight Boxing Championship. His address is now 48, MasonBoulevard, Toronto 12, Ontario.

N. J. D'Albertanson (1945) left Lisbon last August to join Messrs. Irving and Bonnar, solicitors, in Lagos.

E. P. W. Stroud (1947) is in Malaya in the Singapore District Signals Regiment.

T. E. Grice (1948) is an Officer Cadet at R.M.A., Sandhurst.

M. R. Marchant (1949) is now a 2nd Lieut. in the Royal Marines undergoing training at Lympstone, Devonshire

Births BURNS.—On October 19, 1949, to Eleanor, wife of R. J. Burns (1941), a brother (Alan Mackenzie) for Susan.

CARSLAW.—On September 14, 1949, to Mary, wife of D. P. L. Carslaw (1930), a second son.

CARSON.—On March 4, 1950, at the Firs Nursing Home, Roxburgh Park, Harrow-on-the-Hill, to Jean (nee Gidlow), wife of P. A. Carson (1937), a third son, Stephen.

PAIN.—On January 14, 1949, to Bridget, wife of D. B. Pain (1936), a son, Timothy Bishop.

Marriages PAIN-LEECH.—On October 4, 1947, at Chislehurst, Dennison Bishop Pain (1936) to Bridget Mary Leech.

WEARE-WILLMORE.—On November 14, 1949, at the Church of the Ascension, North End, Portsmouth, Philip Hugh Weare (1932) to Maisie Anne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Willmore, of North End.

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SUTTON VALENCE

WALTER-EVANS.—On September 20, 1949, at All Saints' Church, Maidstone, J. R. Walter (1946) to Betty Margaret Evans.

Deaths CARR, D. W.—In a nursing home at Sidmouth, on Saturday, March 25, the death occurred of D. W. Carr, O.S. The following obituary appeared in the Sunday Times on March 26: "Mr. D. W. Carr, Kent County cricketer, who played for England against Australia in the 1909 Test Match, has died in a nursing home at Sidmouth. He was 78."

Mr. Carr played for Kent from 1909 to 1914. His interests, however, were by no means confined to cricket. A keen angler and huntsman, he was also an all-round sportsman, having played golf and tennis as well as football.

Original Contributions " Hooked "

The running reel, the kicking rod— The fish at the end is a ten-pound cod.

With flashing tail and flapping fins, The fish is there and all but wins . . .

On some large crest the fish were seen Like minnows in a sparkling stream . . .

The endless task of winding in— The fighting fish flaps every fin, Then it is away again— The man at the end enjoys his game— But look ! The end is drawing nigh.

The cod, determined not to die, Pulls, and, with a twist, gets right away — To live—and get hooked another day ?

LEE.

Night

Fast falleth night o'er land and sea— No beam of light shines forth to me, Except the glowing silvery moon, As it creeps o'er the hills so soon.

The turning wheel of night and day Has turned, and darkness holds the sway The whole night long—and then it fades As dawn shines forth to break the shades.

BLONDEPLUME. Cat Burglars

We're here at last.

CRASH Blast !

Cut the row, you fool, Keep your head, and stay you cool . .

We are in the room And, through the gloom, I think I see our target.

No, it isn't—yes, it is !

This time we must not miss . . .

Don't fidget so . . . well, What's wrong now ?

Why the row ?

Stop your damned infernal shaking !

Follow my example, do ; I don't panic, so why should you ?

All you have to do is hold The bag, and close when told— I am the one who must be brave, Not you, you knock-kneed, cross-eyed knave . . .

Are you ready ? I'm going off now— Don't stand there like a cow !

Shut your mouth, do—now what's wrong ?

No, no, no, I shan't be long ; I'll get behind it, drive it in ; You seal the bag with that safety-pinThen we'll go.

Damn you, that's my toe !

You fool, you'll scare it right away And we'll have to try another day . . . ! ! ! . . .

SCHOOL MAGAZINE I'm off . . . It's gone ! It's vanished !

It's not here !

So much for you and your sick fear !

If only I had been alone— I am not shaking in every bone Like you—but hark !

Something moved there in the dark— We're caught ! We've had it ! We must run !

This isn't my idea of fun.

Out through the window. No, I'll go first To show you how—that's always worst.

It's due to you I missed the prize— You and all your " hows "and" whys " . . .

I'm not scared. I'm only running To help you on and stop you stunning Yourself against a branch . . .

A bark ! The dogs are on my trail ; 0 help me now—my footsteps fail— They must not do that. I'm not worried— Just a little, trifle, hurried . . .

What was that ? A shout ! I fall.

The dogs are coming—they will maul My body, and I will die— Yet he will live. Oh why-

* * * * * All is well, you say, and I'm alive— Of course I am, you fool ! There's nothing wrong.

Follow my example, do— I don't panic, so why should you ?

DOGGO.

Classic On browsing through Aeneid I often wonder What funny things they did Down under.

WORRUF.

161

Fictitious Faggery (?)

When the earth awaits the rising of the sun, And fags dream of the work still left undone— A bell rings ; Your head sings ; Then out you race To bathe your face In icy water.

Down the stairs, four at a bound— Plates must be washed, brooms must be found.

Your partner washes up the odds and ends And flings the waste to waiting cocks and hens ; He strives with tepid water and his hands, Removing grease and fat from pots and pans— With second bell comes his return to find Some weekly magazine has occupied your mind.

With haste you flick the dust from shelves and floor Still hoping that my form won't fill the door.

When all is flicked this thought relieves your head" I'll bet the lazy devil's still in bed."

FURROW.

Sonnet in Memory of the New Orleans Pioneers of Jazz, The Original Ragtime Musicians As I recount, from tragic stories old,

Your earnest trials in Jazz's early way, I understand, and, feeling much more bold, To follow you I earnestly do pray.

To this hot music's wildness you were sold,

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SUTTON VALENCE

And suffered such emotion—passion gay ; So to do such as you did now I may— For, as yours were, my heart is solid gold To shine in Jazz's all-pervading light As it was first by you thus set afire.

You gave your pent-up souls to do this deed ; Your work is now immortal in the height.

You stand supreme above commercial mire ; Your child rides still emotion's prancing steed.

DIXIE. Correspondence

8, Gloucester Road, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.

January 15.

The Editor, Sutton Valence School Magazine.

Dear Sir,—May I refer to two letters appearing in your Christmas term number ; one from R. B. Westmacott, the other from Mr. F. T. W. Blatchley-Hennah ?

I had it from the Rev. W. W. Holdgate himself how much it encouraged him when Suttonians who had known only the old regime showed sympathetic understanding of the immense difficulties he had to overcome in piloting the School through the transition period into the new regime. G. L. B. and W. W. H.— Admirable men ! Admirable headmasters!

"By different methods different men excel." So, too, with Innes and Lewis.

To my own contemporaries their names must evoke visions of Madame de Sevigne and Les Precieuses Ridicules, of Die Harzreise, of Schiller's Geschichte des Abfalls der Niederlande, and of Macaulay's devastating essay on Robert Montgomery (which Lewis used to read to us—under the guise of history—with chuckling glee), and of many other delights.

Westmacott refers to " A. 1). Innes (Little I won ')." I think he means H. G. Innes, and I had always visualised the affectionate nickname as " Little i One." It had been bestowed on him before I went to Sutton, and I never saw it written. Perhaps my imagining was not too fantastic, for a Maths master may conceivably have put this question to Innes when the latter was a boy at the School : " What does Little i stand for ? " And Innes, possibly as ignorant then as I am now of the potential vagaries of the imaginary quantity, may well have replied : " One, sir," thereby earning from his better informed classmates the nickname of" Little i One." If, however, my imagining is really like that of the Psalmist's heathen, then will somebody tell us the origin of " Little I won."

"Show " for" study " was a recognised colloquialism at Sutton Valence fifty years ago, so its coinage is probably much older. In any case, the formal reference to " studies " in an 1883 Magazine would not, I think, exclude the possibility of " show " being already in current usage.

As for " Chuck," when one wanted another piece of bread and butter from the piled-up plate on the table, one called to him before whom the plate happened to find itself " Chuck please." But are the origins of Torch and Tolly equally obscure ?

Yours very truly, ERNEST HAMBLOCH. Government House, Aden.

January 25.

The Editor, Sutton Valence School Magazine.

Sir,—As your correspondent in the Christmas Term number supposes, the word "Show," although a survival from Old England, is of relatively late origin.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE Research has brought to light the tale of a studious but irascible occupant of one of these studies whose privacy was suddenly invaded while he was deep in Beowulf. With a furious shout he cried " Avoid ! Clear out ! " (0.E. Scunian).

And this rude intruder cleared out, taunting " Behold ! See ! " (0.E. sceawian). The scene of the incident came to be known as the " Sceaw " and the encounter itself as a " sceawdown whence " show " or " shew " (cogn. shewbread = chuck).

While I am on origins, surely R. B. Westmacott's description of A. D. Tunes as "Little I won" is wrong ? My own quite senseless prejudice has always been for "Little Eye One," though reason suggests that he was once Little Innes Major, or " Little I.1."

I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, R. S. CHAMPION.

St. Margaret's House, Sutton Valence School.

Mach 14, 1950.

To the Editor, Sutton Valence School Magazine.

Sir,—I should be most grateful if you would once again afford me space in your tightly rationed columns so that I might thank all those 0.S. who have written in answer to the query I raised in your last issue.

Most of these often interesting letters have discussed the origins of "Chuck," and I confess that when I wrote last I was not so much concerned with that

163

expression as with "Shows," and merely recollected that the "Dictionary of Public School Slang" listed the word, as far as I can remember, as being peculiar to Sutton Valence School, of doubtful origin, and possibly being derived from "chunk," or words to that effect. It has been pointed out that "Chuck" is a general colloquialism in Kent for general comestibles ; " Tuck" elsewhere being a common derivative. Also it has been pointed out that in that museum-piece of archaic English, the American Army, the " Chuck-waggon " is the equivalent of our mobile cookhouse. Finally, I have been reminded that in days gone by when less refined and more robust standards prevailed, " chunks " of bread were "chucked" with varying degrees of accuracy as offensive missiles in the dining-hall.

Of the three suggestions, I think the first two are the most cogent. But, bearing in mind the comprehensive nature of the Kentish word and its schoolboy collateral ; and also from my personal experience in war-time of the Ninth U.S. Army, when " Chuck " appeared to denote either a remarkably fine soup or a formidably sweetened tea or else a lamentably weakened coffee, the question still remains, when and under what circumstances did the meaning of " Chuck " in this School narrow itself down to bread alone ? For though it be the staff of life, neither it, nor tinned soup, nor sweet tea, nor weak coffee, could, by the wildest stretch of the schoolboy's imagination, be properly termed" Tuck."

However, the problem I was concerned at the time with was " Shows." Elsewhere in your columns there are two letters on the subject. It has also been suggested that as the original studies were turned into a room for " Shoes" the term

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might derive from that fact. I would discount the last suggestion because a " boot-hole " is a " boot-hole " the world over. I am interested in Mr. Hambloch's letter stating that " Show " was a "recognised colloquialism" fifty years ago. I should like to ask : by whom recognised, and to what extent ? Because, far from being a "recognised colloquialism," it is now a standardised expression ; indeed, were I to instruct any present boy in the School to present himself to me in my study, not only would I run the risk of acquiring the reputation of eccentricity, but at the same time I fear that the unfortunate so

detailed would turn up at my class-room instead.

I am sure that the School Magazine article I quoted of the 'eighties would have mentioned the term had it then been current ; the fact that it was a colloquialism twenty years after confirms my original theory that it was introduced at the very end of the nineteenth century.

From which I hope it is not too late for some senior 0.S. to gather his recollections and tell us the secret.

In spite of all this, Sir, I remain, Your obedient Servant,

F. T.

W. BLATCHLEY-HENNAH.