Sept 1884

THE

PETER IT E. Vor.. VI .

SEPTEMBER, 1584 .

No . 47.

ATHLETIC SPORTS. HE Annual Sports were held as usual on the last Monday and Tuesday of the term . The Judges were S . J . Atkinson, Esq ., A . W . Hales, Esq ., Meek Dyson, Esq. ; C . J. H . Williamson (0 . P.) figuring as Starter . The Committee were F . R . Brandt, C . Johnson, R . D . C . Rose, and they arranged matters to the general satisfaction.

The " Hundred Yards " was this year a real hundred, not from goalpost to goal-post, which is only ninety yards. The sky on the first day was rather overcast, but happily the rain kept off . The attendance was more numerous than ever, and the events finished in good time.

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L—PUTTING THE WEIGHT. (16 LEe .)

F . R . Brandt, 1 ; J . E . Noble, 2 ; T . H . Little, 3 ; R . Crosthwaite, 0 ; W. Murray, 0 ; A . Wade, 0 ; H . W . Rhodes, 0 ; J . Sharpe, 0 ; C . Johnson, 0 ; R . D . C . Rose, 0 .—In the first round Noble easily headed the rest, until Brandt put almost two feet farther ; these two, though both failing to increase their distance, were easily superior to the rest, who were very much together, Little gaining third place by a foot . The opening of the sports was signalized by the first put striking a third form boy on the head, without any serious damage however. The winner put 29 ft . 4 in. ; Noble, 27 ft. 1 in . ; Little, 25 ft . 4 in.

II .—LONG JUMP . (UNDER 15 .)

J . E . Gofton, 1 ; G . C . Waud, 2 ; H. Cautley, 3 ; P . Cadman, 0 ; H . F . Chadwick, 0 ; P. Iiitchin, 0 ; R . Evers, 0 ; E . Procter, 0 ; R . Hartley, 0 ; C . E Stevenson, 0 ; E . Stephenson, 0 .—Gofton's length made him easily superior to . his rivals, but he ought to have cleared more than 14 ft . 5 in . ; second being 13 ft . 91 in.

III.—LONG JUMP, (OPEN .)

A. Wade, 1 ; F. It . Brandt, 2 ; It . D . C . Rose, 3 ; H. Crossley, 0 ; A. Spencer, 0 ; R. Crosthwaite, 0 ; W . Ford, 0 ; W . Murray, 0 ; J . Sharpe, 0 ; J . E. Noble, O. —Rose at first took the lead, but was just beaten by Brandt, who, however, was defeated by Wade . The distances were 17 ft . 2 in ., 17 ft., 16 ft. 11 in.

IV .—HUNDRED YARDS . (UNDER 15 .)

FIRST Hair .—C . Haynes, 1 ; H . F . Chadwick, 2 ; H . Cautley, 3 .—Haynes led the whole way, winning easily . Time, 13 secs .

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ATHLETIC SPORTS.

SECOND HEAT . —J . E . Lofton, 1 ; G . C . \Vaud, 2 ; E . Stephenson, 3.-Gofton's long strides brought him in first by several yards. Time, 12i secs.

TnIRD HEAT .—E . Procter, 1 ; Jr . Robinson, 2 ; R. Hartley . 3 .—This was the closest heat of the three, Procter only getting in by a yard . Time, 13 secs.

FINAL. HEAT .—J . E. Lofton . 1 ; G . C . Waud, 2 ; C . Haynes, 3 .-A very easy win by three yards, the same distance between second and third . Time, 12 secs.

V .—HUNDRED YARDS . (OPEN .)

FIRST HEAT .—J . E . Noble, i ; C . B . Clarke and A . Spencer . 2 .—A win by a couple of yards for Noble, with a deal-heat for second place . Time, 12 secs.

SECOND HEAT .—C . Johnson, 1 ; H. Crossley, 2 ; T . H . Little, 3 .—The three competitors being alone in the heat were all sure of appearing in the final Time, 111 secs.

TnIRD HEAT . —R . D . C . Rose, 1 ; F . R . Brandt, 2 ; R . Crosthwaite, 3.-Brandt and hose at once took a lead, and came in well iii front of the rest. Time 121 sees.

FINAL HEAT .—F . R. Brandt, 1 ; J . E . Noble, 2 ; R . D . C . Rose, 3 .—The lot kept well together for the first half, when Rose came to the front ; but Brandt ' by a good spurt won by two feet . Time, 11 f sees.

VI .—HUNDRED YARDS . (UNDER 13 .)

A. L . Bird, 1 ; II. B . Whitby, 2 ; R . Toovey, 3 .—Whitby was expected to win, but Bird contrived to get in first by a few yards . Time, 14 secs.

VII .—QUARTER-MILE. R. C . D . Rose, 1 ; F . R. Brandt, 2 ; H . W . Rhodes, 3 ; J . E . Noble . 0 ; J. Sharpe, 0 ; H . Cressley . U ; C. Johnson, U ; A . Spencer, 0 .—Noble at first took the lead, but at the half distance the order was Rose, Rhodes, and Haynes, the last two being Brandt and Spencer . In the last 150 yards, Brandt began to cut down his men, but could never reach Rose, who won in 571 secs.

VIII .—TIIROWING THE CRICKET BILL . (UNDER 15 .)

J . E . Gofton, 1 ; C. Haynes . 2 ; G. C . \Vaud, 3 .—The winner threw 70 yds.

2 ft . ; second, 67 yds . 2 in . ; third, 66 yds.

IX.—MUSIC PUPILS' RACE. It. Crosthwaite, 5 yds ., 1 ; A . Marriott, 10 yds ., 2 ; R . Bloomfield, 25 yds ., 3.

Marriott kept the lead for the greater part of the race, but Crosthwaite passed him in the last hundred yards . Time, 65 secs.

X .—HANDICAP. (OVER 15 .) 500 YARDS. i R. Haynes and L. Huffam, 1 ; C. Rose, 3 .—For this there were forty-two { entries, the result being a dead heat for first place, both starting from the 30 yards mark . Time, 72 secs .

TUESDAY. The weather on the second day was decidedly uncomfortable, rain falling at intervals . However the attendance was quite as large as on the previous day, the band of the West Yorkshire Regiment being present . The judges were the same as on the Monday . After the sports the prizes were presented by Mrs . Stephenson . In the Senior events Brandt obtained five firsts, Gofton landing six in the Junior.

ATHLETIC SPORTS .

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I.—HANDICAP. (OPEN .) 500 YARDS. R. Haynes, 1 ; L . W . Huff am, 2 .—This was the running off the dead-heat of the previous day . Haynes allowed his opponent to keep the lead until the last hundred yards, when Ile came to the front and won in 70 secs.

II .—HIGH JUMP . (OPEN .)

W Ford, 1 ; F . R . Brandt and It . Crosthwaite, 2 .—Ford easily cleared 4 . ft.101 in ., but failed to get any higher, the other two both stopping at 4 ft. 9 in.

III .—HIGH JUMP.

(UNDER 15 .)

J. E . Gofton, 1 ; G . C . Wand and G. Chilman, 2,—This also produced a tie for second place . Gofton jumped 4 ft . 61 in.

IV .—HANDICAP FLAT RACE . (UNDER 15 .) 500 YARDS. J. E . Gofton, 1 ; P. Cadman, 2 ; C . Haynes, 3 .—This resulted in a win for Gofton, who had gained the lead before half the distance was accomplished, the handicapping being somewhat at fault.

V.—THE MILE. R. D. C . Rose, 1 ; H . W . Rhodes, 2 ; H . Crossley, 3 .—For this there were 26 entries, but only about 12 turned up at the post . Immediately after the start Rose took the lead, followed by Haynes and Rhodes . This order was maintained for the first two laps, bat on entering the third Rhodes joined the leader, and they ran in company . On completing the three-quarters Rose began to draw away, and finally won by 30 yards, Crossley coming into third place in the last 'ap. Time, 4 min. 51 secs.

VL—THROWING THE CRICKET BALL . (OPEN .)

J . E . Noble, 1 R . D . C . Rose, 2 ; J. Sharpe, 3 .—The winner threw 88 yards.

VIL—RACE OVER IIURDLES. F. R. Brandt, 1 ; W . Ford, 2 ; H . Crossley, 3 .—Brandt took the lead soon after the start, and kept it the whole way.

VIII .—RACE OVER HURDLES . (UNDER 15.)

J. E . Gof ton, 1 ; G . C . Wand, 2 ; E . Stephenson, 3 .—The usual two for the unior events were again first and second, " spills " enlivening the race.

IX .-POLE JUMP. F . lt . Brandt, 1 : J . Sharpe and W . Hudson, 2n-This was one of the hest events . Sharpe and Hudson were thrown out at 8 ft ., but Brandt cleared 8 ft. 6 in. at the first attempt . The bar was then put on the top, and this also Brandt cleared at the first attempt, the height being 9 ft. 2 in.

X .—HURDLE HANDICAP. F . R . Brandt, 1 ; R . Crosthwaite, 2 ; H . Crossley, 3 .—Brandt again showed his power of hurdling by winning from scratch.

XI .—OLD BOYS' RACE . (QUARTER MILE .)

P. L. Newman, 1 ; G . H . Eyre, 2 .—A grand race all through, Newman winning by a yard in 55 sees .

X1I .—THREE-LEGGED RACE. J. Sharpe and T . I1 . Little . 1 ; A . Ruse and C . Haynes, 2.

X1IL—CONSOLATION RACE. H . W. Rhodes, 1 ; A . Spencer, 2 .

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PRIZE-GIVING. IIE prizes were given away on the Tuesday evening, July 29th, in the School Hall, before a large assembly, including numerous Old Boys. The Ven . ARCHDEACON or YORK, as the representative of the Chapter, undertook the duty of presenting the prizes . The HEAD MASTER began the proceedings by reading the reports of the examiners.

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The Rev . W . T . Sou TttWARD, B .A ., Fellow of St . Catherine 's College, Cambridge, reported : I have examined the fifth and fourth forms in Scripture, Greek Testament, and Classical work, and have found all these subjects most thoroughly prepared and understood. In two subjects—Roman History and Latin Translation —the maximum marks have been obtained by boys in the fourth form . In the former subject, Little has answered every question copiously and accurately, obtaining full marks, all except four (out of twenty boys) gaining more than half marks . In Latin Translation, Holmes has gained the highest marks (131), only two boys being below 70 . This result displays a remarkable level of general attainments, and the quality of the translations, no less than the grammatical and antiquarian knowledge, shews that the boys have been thoroughly drilled by their master, and encouraged to individual study . The Latin Translation of the fifth form, comprising one of the most difficult books of the Latin language, is most admirable ; and out of a maximum of 138 two have gained 124, three stand at NO . The above results are only a sample of the whole, and I was struck with the intelligence of the answers and the acquaintance shown by the pupils with the best modern authorities . It is evident that newest and best text books are in use, and have been carefully studied . The Geography paper is well and equally done ; and the information which the boys possess has been thoroughly utilised in the translations . Li the Am'hole series of papers there is a remarkable absence of stupid mistakes . The Latin Prose Composition of both forms is remarkably free from grammatical errors, and fairly idiomatical ; and one or two fair attempts at Verse Composition have been shown up . The Greek Prose is quite as well done as the Latin. The execution of the answers as regards writing, spelling, and arrangement leaves nothing to be desired .

PRIZE-GIVING .

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Mr. G . II . EYRE, Scholar of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, examined the Lower School.

DIv . I .—The work done in this form during the THIRD FORM . examination was, on the whole, satisfactory ; but several very promising papers were marred by slovenliness and carelessness in writing and spelling. The translation papers, both Latin and Greek, were accurately done ; but the Grammar questions were answered for the most part indifferently . The Latin Prose was good, but the rendering of the idiomatic sentences poor ; the Greek Exercise was distinctly good, especially the copy sent up by Wand . In Latin Verse but few boys sheaved any real . acquaintance with the metre ; Wand and Gofton however promise well . The English History and Divinity were fairly good, Stott being very good.

Div . II .—In this division the work was of a higher standard than in the upper, especially in History and Divinity . The Latin Verse was only attempted by a few boys, but these showed promise, especially Chadwick 2, whose copy was much the best in either division . On the whole the work was good throughout.

SECOND FORM .—The standard of these two divisions is remarkably high, and their work shews careful teaching and an appreciative reception of the attention paid them . In the upper, Coxon' s work is remarkable, his Divinity and Ilistory are excellent, while his Translations and Grammar answers exhibit accuracy and power. There is not the slightest approach to a failure in the division ; in fact the lowest boy gets well over half marks for the whole examination . The lower, though naturally not rising to quite such a high average, are nevertheless very good ; the poorest subjects are the History and the Latin Exercise ; the best is the Divinity.

FIRST FORM .

Div . I .—This is a very large division, and consequently there is considerable variety in the work—several boys, especially the 'Taylors and Holmes, are very good, but there is some poor work sent up by the lowest boys . Considering it is the first form which learns Greek, their knowledge of their Delectus and Grammar was excellent throughout, while the History and Divinity were uniformly good.

DIv . II .—This division is very satisfactory ; the Divinity and History were well known ; the Latin Exercise very well done by the two head boys, and with one remarkable exception the Latin Translation and Grammar very good .

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PRIZE-GIVING.

Taking it as a whole the Lower School is decidedly up to, if not above, the average : there are some boys who give remarkable promise, while there is scarcely one instance of a boy who is bad all round.

The Rev. T . R . TERRY, M .A ., F .R .A .S., Fellow of Magdalene College, examined the first division in mathematics.

In Arithmetic, though ii ye boys did well, there was a considerable amount of inaccurate work . In Euclid a fair number of riders were tried, and these trials shewed an intelligent knowledge of the subject; but the style in which the propositions were written out was in most cases bad. In Algebra three boys did well, and five others fairly well.

In Statics and Dynamics two showed a clear knowledge of the first principles . Trigonometry was fairly well done . In Conics two boys did the easier questions of the Analytical very creditably ; but the Geometrical was, as a rule, not well done.

The Rev . W . LUCAS, late Scholar of St . John's College, Cambridge, examined the fifth, fourth, third, and civil forms iii Mathematics . The style in which the answers were given was most excellent, everything being done with extreme neatness . In the upper civil, in Arithmetic, Jackson was first, whilst Walker was a good second . In the third division and lower fourth form Leaf and Allan . In the third and lower civil forms Dunkerley and Gofton were equal . In Euclid there was a more marked difference in the work sent up . Hatchings 2 was the best, and several others were fairly successful . The propositions were nearly in every case correctly written, but two or three boys wrote out the wrong ones . Simpson, Dunkerley, and Ford also did good papers.

In Algebra, Easten and Allan were good.

The report of Mr. WELLS, M.A ., Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, being verbal, the Editors of this Magazine had to rely on the York " dailies ; " but the energies of the reporters seem to have died out about this period of the proceedings . The sixth form consequently cannot be criticised here.

The HEAD MASTER then said it was a great assistance to the master of a school to have such a thorough report of the examination presented, and he now wished to say a few words about the school, and also about the examination . He had taken part in it, particularly in the French, and the result he had arrived at was one which he was afraid might be disappointing to some people in York . Ile was of opinion that the French teaching of that school was very fairly up to the

PRIZE-GIVING .

99

mark—that was to say, of course, that the French teaching of St. Peter's and schools of that kind could not be on the same scale as that of schools devoted to modern languages . He would have been extremely sorry had he been able to say the French of that school was equal to that of these other schools, because that would simply have meant that they were neglecting other work which was of far more importance from an educational point of view . But in the course of the examination he had, by accident, had an opportunity of comparing the French papers of that school with those of similar institutions, and he thought they compared very favourably. Some persons thought that education in colloquial French was of the highest importance : the authorities at the War Office thought that colloquial French was of the greatest use to gentlemen who were going to carry on campaigns against the Zulus . (Laughter .) During the year the health of the scholars had been good, although a great deal of sickness had existed outside the school . The school had been barren of honours during the past year, which was the first year that no honours had been obtained for nine years, and he thought, perhaps, it was accounted for from the remarks just made . He presumed that it was a matter of interest to the citizens of York that there should be a first grade school in the city, but he was perfectly certain that it must be patent to the understanding of anybody that in a number of years they would not have such a school unless they took the precaution of securing its surroundings ; because it was clear that in a number of years' time they would be gradually reduced to the state of the London schools, which had wisely removed themselves.

The following is a list of the honours obtained during the last twelve months : W. J. P. Kaye obtained leaving certificate with distinction in Latin.

R . C . Wilton, scholar of Christ's College, Cambridge, prize for Latin Hexameters.

E . A . Douglas, scholar of Christ's, and F. T . Griffith, scholar of Clare College, Cambridge, second class in classical tripos.

A . Chadwick, exhibitioner of St. John's, and J . H . Collinson, scholar of Queen' s College, Cambridge, senior optime in mathematical tripos.

W . Y. Fausset, late scholar of Balliol College, Oxford, Ellerton, University theological prize.

LISP OF SCHOLARS AND PRIZES.

Exhibitioner : F . E . Robinson.

Foundation Scholars : II. W. Allan and J . F. Leaf.

Free Scholars : A . J . Hopkins and G . R . Cook .

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PRIZE-GIVING. Hey Memorial Scholars : J. A . Easten and N . L . Hood.

Archbishop's Prizeman : P. E . Lord.

Dean's Prizeman : F . E . Robinson.

FORM PRIZES. Lover First Form .—Rank : Chadwick 3 . Classics : Chadwick 3 . Mathe-

matics : Chadwick 3, and Carrick . French : Williams.

Upper First Form .—Rank : Holmes 2 . Classics : Naylor 2 . Mathematics : Catton . French : Holmes 2.

Lower Second.—Rank : Argles . Classics : McClellan 2 . Mathematics : McClellan 2. French : Hopkins 2.

Upper Second .—Rank : Coxon . Classics : Coxon and Mitchell . Mathematics : Coxon . French : Stevenson 2.

Louver Third.—Rank : Draper. Classics : Chadwick 2 . Mathematics: Rouse . French : Draper.

Upper Third .—Rank : Wilkinson . Classics : Waud. Mathematics : Wilkinson . French : Wilkinson . Composition : Waud.

Loner Civil.—Rank : Dunkerley. Divinity : Stephenson 4 . Mathematics : Dunkerley . Natural Science : Stephenson 4 . English : Dunkerley. French : Jackson 3.

Lower Fourth .—Rank : Allan. Classics : Allan . Mathematics : Simpson.

French : Allan.

Mr . Yeld's Prize for Composition : Allan.

Upper Civil .—Rank : Walker . Divinity : Walker. Mathematics : Hutchings 2 . Natural Science : Hutchings 2 . English : Jackson 1 . German : Jackson I. French : Walker.

Mathematics .—Division III. : Gabb. Division II . : Whaley.

Cllr . Yeld's Prize for Upper Fourth.—Bank : French : Holmes 1 . Composition : Holmes.

Holmes 1 . Classics : Leaf.

Mr . Yeld's Prize for History and Geography .—(Open to both divisions .)— Rose . Little, extra prize.

Fifth Form—Rank : Bloomfield . Divinity : Crosthwaite . Classics : Whaley.

French : Pickles 2.

Sixth Form.—Rank : Lord . Divinity : Wilson 1 . German : Robinson 1.

Head Master's Prizes .—Latin Prose : Clarke 1 (second prize) . Greek Verse : Lord ; Rhodes. English : Lord ; commended, Wilson 1 ; Stevenson 1.

Canon Elwyn's Prize for Greek Testament.—Robinson 1.

Rev . H. L . Clarke's Prize for Chemistry .—Murray.

Writing and Dictation Prizes.—Form IV. : Holmes 1 . Form III . : Macturk ..

Form II . Coxon . Form I. : Williams. C. and M. Department : Jackson 1.

Drawing Prizes, given by 1V. J. Roddy, Eal . Painting : Pickles 1 . Pencil: Mechanical : Brandt .

Improvement: Hutchings 1 .

Chalk : Hudson 1 .

Clarke 3.

Drilling Prize, given by Sergeant Major Kinneavey .—Hutton.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the ARCHDEACON OF' said he did not wish to give any advice to the boys that evening, as they were going on their holidays and they did not wish to have a sermon or an address delivered to them . But what Mr. Wells had said of YORK

NOTES AND ITEMS .

101

the sixth form was applicable to the whole school, and if they as students to get on, they must not be afraid of putting their " nose to the grindstone," so to speak, and must not be afraid of hard work, for it was essential to success in whatever they might be engaged . One of the most frequent faults to be met with in examinations was that the scholars did not always really read the questions with proper care, and therefore they did not see what was asked, and put in a quantity of irrelevant matter which put the examiner out of humour, and for which they gained very little . It was especially necessary in mathematics and Euclid that they should see what they were going to answer before they attempted to do so . IIe thought French a very important subject, and that it was one which boys did not sufficiently appreciate . IIe concluded by wishing that masters and boys would enjoy the vacation.

On the motion of the Head-Master, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Archdeacon of York, and the proceedings terminated.

NOTES AND ITEMS. M .A , Trinity College, Cambridge, has passed the examination for the degree of Mus . Baca.

ALLAN GP A Y,

Keble College, Oxford, was ordained Deacon on Trinity Sunday by the Bishop of London, and licensed to Christ Church, Albany Street.

W. R . RAYSON, M .A .,

has been elected First Captain of the C .C.C . Boat Club succeeding G. I I . Eyre.

A . PETERS

l l , Lancashire i is it icrs, has been appointed on the Staff of General Lord A . Russell, C . I ; ., commanding ELM. troops in Canada, as Garrison Instructor, vice Major E . C . Milner.

—Ga.: tte.

CAPT . LIONEL MARSH f A

has received his commissions as Lieutenant in the 1st West York Rifle Volunteers .

PRESTON COBB

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NOTES AND ITEMS.

R . C . WILTON obtained the Second Prize for Classics in his College Examination.

W . OVERTON has gained a Silver Medal for .Alateria Medica in the Edinburgh School of Medicine.

J . H . PIGGIN FOWLER, Scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, has taken a First Class in the Final Classical Honour School.

WE deeply regret to have to record the death of R . C . Wilton, who, while on a visit to Tenby for the good of his health, was drowned iu bathing from a boat out at sea . We are sure that all Peterites who knew him will deeply sympathise with Mr . and Mrs. Wilton, as it will be remembered that they lost an elder son not very ong ago on Snowdon. R . C . Wilton was a Foundation Scholar and Exhibitioner of St . Peter's, also a member of the KI . and the football team ; and afterwards distinguished himself as a member of his College (Christ' s, Cambridge) of which he was a scholar.

PERHAPS the following extract from a book entitled " About Yorkshire," by Thomas and Katherine Macquoid, may interest Peterites who have heard vague legends as to celebrated school-fellows of past generations :—" In the township of Wath is an old house called Middleton Quernhow hall, once occupied by the Ierberts. It was purchased from its original possessors by Thomas Herbert—the Herbert of Charles the First . George Herbert the poet was one of these Herberts . Thomas Herbert was born at York in 1606, and was educated at St . Peter ' s Grammar School with Guy Fawkes . In the beginning of his career he sided with Oliver Cromwell, but being appointed to attend on Charles during his imprisonment, he became devotedly attached to the king . We know how loyally he served the king . In 1660 he was made baronet by Charles II ." He was born in 1606 ; entered Jesus College, Oxford, 1621 ; then removed to Trinity, Cambridge . Li 1626 he went in the suite of Sir Dcdmore Colton, as ambassador to the Shah of Persia . In 1634 he published Some Years Travels into Africa and Asia the Great ; " and in 1678, . . Threnodia Carolina, " an account of the last two years of the life of King Charles I ., which was reprinted by Nichol in 1813 . lie died at York 1682 . He was the brother of Lord Herbert of Cherburythe contemporary and opponent in philosophy of IIobbes of Malmesbury

103

OBITUARY.

Ill Memoriam.

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CORRESPONDENCE. To TIIE EDITORS OF THE PETERITE . " SIRS, I beg to give notice through the medium of the " Peterite," that the first of the two customary matches with the Old Boys at Football, will take place on October 4th . A second will be played in December.

I shall be glad to receive names of O . P .'s wishing to play.

Yours truly, II . W . IRIIODES, Hon . Sec . F . C.

To TIIE EDITORS 0P' " TIIE PETERITE . " SIRS, I should like to call attention to the handicap (under 15) at the last sports. The race in question was simply a runaway victory, owing to the winner ' s disproportionate size and strength.

In past years it was found difficult to avoid one of two dangers . The first was of giving starts so long that the scratch men had no chance of winning in a race of 500 yards (starts up to 120 yards were given in those days) ; the second was of lessening the starts and giving boys of eighteen or nineteen too much advantage over those of twelve.

Two fairly reasonable solutions were possible . One was to keep long starts, and at the same time (for obvious reasons) without incrensino too much the distance to be run by boys of about twelve years of age, to lengthen the whole course, trusting to the superior stamina of the elder, which was bound to tell in every additional yard :—e .g ., in a

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CORRESPONDENCE.

race of 660 yards, to make the head start 150 yards . The other was to lessen the starts and penalise the older and stronger . Neither of the plans were free from objection, and it was determined to make one handicap for boys under fifteen and another for those above that age . The error in this was plainly shown in the race alluded to.

I myself cannot help thinking that either of the above suggestions are preferable . Put neither of these would meet the danger of the stronger making an unfair use of their strength ; consequently I should like to remind the Committee of a totally different principle, not merely for handicaps but for all the events Handicapping at any rate must be improved by substituting a scale by size instead of age . Let one handicap be for boys above a certain height and the other for those below, and the starts given throughout according to a fixed scale—so many yards perinch . In the senior handicap most of the competitors would be well known, and the Committee could modify at discretion the starts that would be given by a rigid adherence to the standard . They could act similarly with smaller boys of known ability ; while, as regards the rest, the would have some distinct principle instead of the present haphazard system—or rather want of system . At the same time it would let each competitor know why he had such and such a start, and prevent any suspicion in his mind of partiality . If necessary, the Committee might not allow boys over fifteen to run in the junior, but give them extra start for the the other ; and similarly those over the standard height but under fifteen might have some consideration paid to their age . Some system of this kind is employed at many public schools to general satisfaction; in fact, I believe, more use it than the standard of age.

I think it would be advisable to employ it generally ; certainly, unless something better can be proposed, in the handicaps if in nothing else, for I am confident that it would put all chances of a " turn up" out of the question .

I remain, yours truly, REFORM. need hardly add that in everything but handicaps no such deviation as above suggested should be permitted.

[Further discussion on the subject is invited, as it seems to call for some alteration .—ED .]