Scouting

it on a level with the other minor sports. Once the fencing had been well launched, Sgt.-Major Power miraculously produced complete sets of fencing equipment, including various foils, epees and sabres.

The culmination of the term's work by the Fencing team was a match with the York Repertory Company, on Sunday, 9th December, in the Gymnasium. The match aroused great interest among the School, who crowded into the Gymnasium, where two planches " had been marked out, one under the supervision of Mr. Jackson, and the other under the supervision of R.S.M. Power. Unfortunately, at the last minute, two of the Repertory team were unable to attend, and they had to accept two of our beginners (Clement and Warren) as substitutes, who, although they put up a very plucky show, proved a severe handicap to the Repertory team. Results :-

P. A. Speight beat Douglas, Dudley, Clement and Warreq, and lost to Phillips.

E. A. K. Denison beat Douglas, Dudley, Phillips, Clement and Warren.

J. F. Blackburn beat Clement and Warren, and lost to Douglas, Dudley and Phillips.

P. R. Sykes beat Douglas, Phillips, Clement and Warren, and lost to Dudley.

F. P. •Baker beat Douglas, Phillips, Clement and Warren, and lost to Dudley.

St. Peter's —19. Repertory Company-6.

SCOUTING.

We record, with great pleasure, the return to the Troop of Col. K. G. Chilman, who has been in the Army since 1939. This term he has been picking up the threads with a view to resuming the control of the Junior Patrols next term.

This term the Junior Patrols have taken possession of one of the huts as their own Scout Room, while the former Scout Room, which has hitherto served as the Headquarters of both Junior and Senior School Patrols, has become the home of the latter. Both rooms have been re-decorated and Patrol Corners are beginning to take shape and to be decorated according to their respective owners' taste. • Owing to increased numbers, another Patrol has appeared in the Senior School. It chose to be known as the Seal Patrol, and has already established itself as a Patrol to be reckoned with.

On 7th October, members of the Senior Patrols enjoyed a ten mile hike entirely across country. Starting near Whitwell we made our way to Castle Howard and then back to Kirkham, where we explored the ruins of the Abbey before catching our bus home.

Once more we made a collection of toys, games, puzzles, etc., and goodsized packages of them were taken to the St. Hilda's and St. Stephen's Orphanages, and to the Children's Ward at the County Hospital, where they were received with much appreciation.

On 8th December the whole Troop met together in the Senior Patrols' Scour` Roomfor an indoor Camp Fire, which proved to be one of the best that we have had. The items were all of a good standard, especially one put on by the Seal Patrol. We were pleased to welcome several of the Staff interested in Scouting, and a good number of ex-Scouts.

Our heartiest congratulations are due to P.L. Frater on gaining the Bushman's Thong and Red and White All Round Cords, and , to P.L. Ward on gaining the King's Scout badge. Frater's achievements are unique in the history of the Troop.

Nineteen proficiency badges have been passed or re-passed during th term, among them were : Ambulance—Secs. C. T. Groves and March, and Sc Pringle ; Pathfinder—P.L.'s Ward, Dawson and Warren ; Camper—P.L. Frater • Public Healthman—Sec. Spence ; Oarsman and Bird Warden—Sec. Smithson..

The results of the Inter•Patrol Competitions were as follows :—Senior--, 1st Hounds, 2nd Beavers, 3rd Seals, 4th Otters ; Junior-1st Curlews, 2nd Wood Pigeons, 3rd Hawks, 4th Owls, 5th Peewits.

RUGBY FOOTBALL, 1945. RETROSPECT.

An atmosphere of optimism prevails as we come to the end of the first half of our rugger season. Our list of results is not alone responsible for this mood. True, we have won the games which Old Boys are always most insistent that we should win, namely Worksop and Ampleforth, and no doubt there will be mafficking in remote corners of the earth on this account. We have also beaten Bradford for the first time, which gives us even greater satisfaction, since this team had an unbroken string of eight victories to its credit before coming to York.

On the other hand, we were severely trounced by Denstone, and we failed: inexplicably, to beat Durham, when the people who work these things out said that we should have done.

Yet we emerge from the term with a pleasant feeling of satisfaction. We .have seen some exhilarating rugger, and it might be of interest to examine the reasons.

In the first place, whatever may be said against our 1st XV this term— and they have displayed puzzling form at times—no one can justly say tha t they were fettered by lack of ideas.

If there is one outstanding defect in public school rugger it is the tendency to adopt rubberstamp tactics behind-the scrum. The onus lies with the halfbacks. To Macpherson and Graham, then, much of the credit must go for bringing colour into the game this season.

But perhaps the most remarkable feature of our 1st XV has been its lively powers of recovery. They did not panic if they were down' a few points ; they seemed stimulated Never was this spirit more noticeable than in the Bradford match, when the game ended on a note in keeping with the best traditions of school-story rugger.

One of our most vexed problems this term has been possession of the ball in tight scrums. This was no fault of Wilson, the hooker, who did a good job. It was a question of fitting awkward shapes and sizes into a compact unit.

In the loose, forwards have kept up a high standard of play. Shepherd's leadership has been exemplary. He never left any doubt as to who was in command ; and that is as it should be.

In other ways, he has proved himself a fine captain. Without bickering, he exacted every ounce of energy from his team. He was always cool-in an emergency. And he asked no one to do what he was not prepared to do himself.

It is not surprising that we were continually being asked : " Who's your scrum half ? " Macpherson has improved the speed of his service from the scrum, and his elusive wriggle makes him a menace to the most tightly drawn defence. Time and again he came impudently through with the ball when we were being hard pressed.

Graham filled that most difficult position, stand-off half, ably. He is subiect to moods, but his kicking saved many situations, and his dropped goal against Worksop was the turning-point of the game.

Of the three-quarters, Clark has set a fashion in straight running that others might follow with advantage. The best testimonial to his unselfishness lies in the five tries scored by Baker, his wing—who, incidentally, is a much improved player. Hardisty, too, has had a good term, and Boyes exploited his cut•in with great effect at times.

Tomlinson, at full-back, has any amount of grit, and once he conquers his habit of being mesmerized by a bouncing ball, he will be really first-rate. He played some splendid games.

It is impossible to discriminate between the forwards. Each, in his own way, contributed to the success of the team. Newdick has the true forward's relish for a scrap ; Drummond, Reavley and Denison put in a lot of work at close quarters ; Dook and Rodger were grand in the loose ; and no one would have known, when Griffiths played, that he was a substitute. Shepherd and Wilson have already been mentioned, both of whom showed their versatility in playing among the backs on occasions.

Congratulations to Shepherd, Newdick and Clark on being selected to play in the Rosslyn Park Public School teams during the holidays.

TABLE OF RESULTS. 1st XV.

Saturday, 6th Oct. ... Leeds 'Grammar School ... •• • Saturday, 13th Oct. ... Denstone College ... •• • Saturday, 20th Oct. ... Worksop College ... •• • Wednesday, 31st Oct. Barnard Castle School ... Saturday, 10th Nov. ... Giggleswick School ... • • • Saturday, 17th Nov. ... Bradford Grammar School • •• Wednesday, 21st Nov. Durham School ••• Saturday, 24th Nov. ... Ampleforth College ... Result. Lost Lost Won Lost Won Won Lost Won F. 8 0 17 0 17 15 5 20

A XV. .

Wednesday, 14th Nov. Ripon Grammar School ...

2nd XV.

Saturday, 6th Oct. ... Leeds Grammar School 2nd XV Saturday, 20th Oct. ... Worksop College 2nd XV ... Wednesday, 31st Oct. Drax 1st XV ... Saturday, 17th Nov. ... Bradford G.S. 2nd XV ... Wednesday, 21st Nov. Durham School 2nd XV ... Saturday, 24th Nov. .t. Ampleforth College 2nd XV ... Wednesday, 28th Nov. Drax 1st XV ...

Colts XV.

Saturday, 13th Oct. ... Giggleswick School Colts ... Saturday, 10th Nov. ..: Ampleforth College Colts ... Saturday, 1st Dec. ... Denstone College Colts ... Wednesday, 5th Dec. Worksop Colkge Colts ...

House Matches. Senior.

Semifinal: School House 9 noints, Manor 3 pointS. Temple 9 points, Rise 3 points. - Final : School House 8 points, Temple 0. 25 Result. Lost

Result. Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Won

Result. Won Lost Lost Lost F.

0

F. 3 0 3 3 0 0 23

F. 9

0 0 0

Junior.

Semi-final : School House 16 points, Manor 3 points. Temple 3 points, Rise 0. Final : Temple 6 points, School House 0.

ST. PETER'S v. LEEDS GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Played at Home, 6th October. Result : St. Peter's 8 points, Leeds 14 points. •

For the first match of the season the School were very evenly matched with a Leeds team, in which there were 13 of their previous year's side. The weather was fine.

The School three-quarter.; attacked vigorously at first, and kept Leeds in their own " 25." From the " loose," Macpherson made an opening, passed to Drummond, who forced his way over for the first try, which Dook converted.

The superiority of the Leeds pack in the set scrums soon began to tell, and their backs, given the ball more frequently, scored two unconverted tries, to give them a lead of six points to five at half-time.

Soon after play had resumed, Clark broke away for the School and sent Hardisty over for a try, which was not converted. Leeds, however, soon regained, the lead through persistent attacks, the result of a better service from their pack. They added six points before " no-side " came.

This was a good, fast three-quarter game, in which Leeds, unfortunately, had a monopoly of the hall.

ST. PETER'S v. DENSTONE COLLEGE. Played at Denstone, 13th October. Result : Denstone 39 points, St. Peter's 0.

Again we were favoured by good weather, but found the pitch rather peculiar.

The score shows only too clearly that the School were beaten by a better side. However, the score could have been considerably lessened had threequarters tackled more resolutely and forwards worked in closer co-operation. Indeed, we might well have scored ourselves, given the chance to attack. Instead we were forced onto the defensive throughout the entire game, for the opposing forwards were able continuously to feed a very fast and heavy three-quarter line. At half-time the score was 21 points to nil.

Nor did the second half bring any improvement, for when Hardisty had to leave the field with a cut hand, it was all the School could do to keep down the additional score to 18 points.

Whatever the result may imply, we can at least claim to have gained much useful knowledge from the match ; the three-quarters to pass the ball quickly to the wings, and the forwards to " heel " cleanly and keep up with the ball in the " loose."

ST. PETER'S v. WORKSOP COLLEGE. Played at Home, 20th October. Result : St. Peter's 17 points, Worksop 0.

The Denstone match had shown the need for a " re-shuffle " of the pack. So with the forwards reorganised, Shepherd again at wing-forward and Boyes included at centre three-quarter, we faced our most important fixture with greater confidence.

26

After 10 minutes' play the score was 9 points to nil in our favour. Baker was first to score in the corner, following a fine three-quarter movement. Dook converted. This was followed by a perfect drop-goal by Graham, an achievement rarely seen in School rugger. For the rest of this very exciting first half, play was confined to our own half, Worksop making dangerous forward rushes, but without scoring.

In the second half the School three-quarters were unlucky not to score. A penalty try, awarded for afoul on Baker, when he was almost certain to score, and converted by Dook, added a further five points, and the score was completed by a try from Denison, who broke through from the " line-out."

This game showed the side at its best, and a specal word must be said for two brilliant conversions by Dook, both taken from a very wide angle.

ST. PETER'S v. BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL. Played at Barnard Castle, 31st October. Result : Barnard Castle 22 points, St. Peter's 0.

Such an anti-climax to the Worksop match was unaccountable. The only explanation is that we were playing away on a strange pitch, and with an incomplete side.

The 'scoring in the first half was entirely against the run of the play, for with a favourable wind, the School side attacked and kept their opponents almost continually in their own half.

After half-time came a breakdown in the School defence, for whenever Barnard Castle gained possession of the ball, it happened that by the time it reached the wing they had a " man over." This was perhaps the result of allowing the opposing fly-half too much freedom of action.

Although Barnard Castle had a strong team we are quite convinced that had the fixture been played on our ground the score would have been greatly changed.

ST. PETER'S v. GIGGLESWICK SCHOOL. Played at Giggleswick, 10th November. Result : St. Peter's 17 points, Giggleswick 0.

It was a cold day, but on a pitch which resembled our own—more so than any of the other away pitches—the School played much improved football.

Soon after the start of play, Baker scored for the School when the ball had passed along the entire three-quarter line. The try was not converted. This same movement was repeated with like success, Baker again scoring an unconverted try.

The opening stages of the second half saw Giggleswick, helped partly by misunderstandings among the School side, attacking dangerously. They came very close to scoring. But although to a certain extent they maintained this attack, the School were able to score twice, largely due to the efforts of the halves, Macpherson and Graham, who, as a combination, played one of their best games. Clark touched down on both occasions, having received passes from, Graham and Boyes. Dook converted the latter of these. The score was completed by a good individual try by Clark.

As opposed to their " showing " at Barnard Castle, the three-quarters could hardly have seemed the same players, and the forwards, frequently making dangerous rushes, got through a great amount of work.

ST. PETER'S v. BRADFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Played at Home, 17th November. Result St. Peter's 15 points, Bradford 12 points.

As we soon found out, Bradford, never before beaten by a St. Peter's side, were to prove formidable opponents.

The School scored first, following on a three-quarter movement on the right wing, Hardisty touching down after Macpherson had made the opening.

Bradford, however, soon replied, when one of their forwards broke 'away in the " loose." Then their left wing scored in the corner. Again through their speed and opportunism the Bradford forwards, keeping well up to the ball, were able to make the score nine points to three. They completed their twelve points with a further unconverted try.

Although from the touch-line matters doubtless looked very grim, the team were confident that they could retrieve the situation. From the moment the whistle blew for the second half, by their inspired play they must have conveyed such an impression of confidence to the spectators.

The School were awarded a free kick, and with a fine long distance kick, Dook added three points to our score. This proVe.d the turning point of the match. The School " backs," contrary to their poor display in the first half, now really took up the attack. Clark cut through the Bradford defence and was the first to score. Then Hardisty, making full use of an elusive hand-off, made a great run along the touch-line to equalise. Nobody doubted that the School would score again, and one could feel the tense expectancy of the spectators, who witnessed countless attacks of the School three-quarters, all grimly repulsed by the resolute tackling of the Bradford backs, and more especially of the full-back, who pulled • Baker up on two occasions when he was within feet of scoring.

The try did come at last, when least expected. From a " line-out " near the Bradford line, Rodger plunged . over beneath a' crowd of opponents.

The three-quarters only came into the picture in the second half, and perhaps even then their methods were too orthodox. Macpherson, at scrumhalf, played one of his greatest games, and was a constant source of trouble to the Bradford defence. The forwards played a hard game throughout, and. ably led by Shepherd, saved the game. It was, indeed, their day.

ST. PETER'S v. DURHAM SCHOOL.

Played at Durham, 21st November. Result : Durham 9 points, St. Peter's '5 points.

Viewed from both sides, the most that can be said for this game is that it was " scrappy "; from our point of view, because our three-quarters were never given opportunity to show their attacking skill ; from the opposing point of view, because whenever their three-quarters did get the ball, the efforts to break through our defence came to nought.

The play was confined mainly to our own half, and only in the closing stages of the game were the three-quarters able to develop their attack. Clark,• catching the defence on the wrong foot, scored the first try, which was converted by Graham. Durham were next to score under rather unusual circumstances. The School pack heeled the ball, were pushed over their own goal line with the ball still in their side of the scrum, and the opposing wing forward dived into our scrum to touch down for a try.

Half-time came with the score 5-3 in our favour. The game continued to move now one way, now the other, until, from a penalty, the Durham scrum-half kicked a drop-goal, to give his side the lead. This lead they increased from a break through in the loose to nine points.

No-side came just as seemed the School backs were beginning to attack dangerously.

28

ST. PETER'S v. AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE. Played at Home, 24th November. Result : St. Peter's 20 points, Ampleforth 6 points:

Although we knew Ampleforth had beaten Durham, on our own pitch once more we approached this match with all confidence.

Nor did that confidence fall away when Ampleforth snatched two quick opportunities, scoring on both occasions. The School team, undeterred by this six points deficit, fought back hard, especially the forwards. From a litie•out the ball was passed between several forwards, and Shepherd fought his way over for a try, which was converted by Graham.

•

In the second half, inspired by Shepherd's example, the forwards put new life into the game, and very soon Graham, selling the dummy twice, ran through the Ampleforth defence to score a try which he himself converted. The School maintained their attack, and Macpherson, Skilfully avoiding the opposing wing forward, broke away on the blind side, beat several opponents, and sent Hardisty over for a superb try. Dook converted with a good long kick. A further try was forthcoming when Graham broke through to pass to Clark, who touched down between the posts. Graham made his third conversion.

Individually, Shepherd, who led the pack, Rodger and Denison were the most prominent forwards.

The three-quarters did not combine as well as they might have done. At full-back, Tomlinson gave a good display of sure fielding and accurate touchfinding. Upon him many of the best Ampleforth efforts were broken.

THE JUNIOR SCHOOL.

The beginning of this term saw another very important step forward in the progress of St. Olave's School as the Junior School of St. Peter's. The establishment of a °second boarding house practically doubles the number of boarders and so makes a better proportion in the School.

There were 53 new boys admitted for this term, 28 boarders and 25 day boys, making a total of 165 in the School. The arrangement for two .sittings for the mid-day dinner made it possible for all the boys who wished to have this meal to do so, and thus become day boarders. No less than 57 took advantage of this arrangement, and we understand they thoroughly enjoyed their meals.

We should like, in these notes, to welcome very heartily Mr. and Mrs. Blunt, who have taken over St. Olave's boarding house. Unfortunately, Mr. Blunt could not stay for the whole term, as he was not released from the Army, but Mrs. Blunt " held the fort " very ably and proved herself most thoughtful for the boys in the House. Mr. and Mrs. Calder started Albany House well on its way as a Junior boarding house, and they had a very successful first term. The boys of both houses have all their meals in St. Olave's, so there is a constant ebb and flow between the houses.

The return of Mr. K. G. Chilman, the first of our serving masters to come back to us, was welcomed at our first assembly of term, and Mr. Chilman took over his old position as master-in-charge of the Junior School games. It will be appreciated that it was no easy task for Mr. Chilman to learn and recognise 165 new faces, many of whom seem so very much alike !

We also welcomed Sgt.-Major Power as our new Gym. Instructor, and we may say at once that he has proved a very worthy successor to Sgt.-Major Puddick. It was obviously not practicable to hold a Gym. Display this term, but we shall hope to do so in future. 20

The Junior School Prize-giving was again held separately, but this year in the Big Hall. Most of the boys managed to squeeze into the gallery, and the whole of the seating in the Hall was occupied by parents and visitors. The Headmaster commenced the proceedings by a speech in which he referred to the general progress of St. Olave's as an integral part of St. Peter's School, and welcomed the circumstances which had made it possible to increase 'the number of boarders and so take advantage of the very large number of applications for places.

He referred to the departure of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Ping from SCOlave's Boarding House, and spoke in high terms of the great care and attention Mrs. Ping had given to the personal welfare of the boys in the house during the 24 years. Mr. Ping would, he hoped, be heard and seen in the School for some time to come.

In a brief resume of the work of the Junior School, Mr. Ping (on behalf of Mrs. Ping and himself) thanked the Headmaster for his generous appreciation and said that the very busy life at St. Olave's had given many compensations by residence in the beautiful house and surroundings. Mr. Ping mentioned the several scholarships and exhibitions won by boys from St. Olave's, the games and athletic successes, and referred particularly to the number of boys who had learnt to swim at School. He stressed the great importance of boys learning to swim during their early years.

Mr. Ping also announced that Mr. T. R. Walshaw would be leaving St. Olave's at the end of the term. This would be regretted by all, and Mr. Ping said he was sure that parents and boys would wish to express their thanks to Mr. Walshaw for the untiring work he had done in the School for the games and other activities.

The Headmaster then asked Professor J. M. Jones, Leeds University, to present the prizes and to address the boys. After handing the prizes to the individual boys (the full list is given below), Professor Jones congratulated the boys on their achievements, and he also congratulated the boys and the parents on their association with a school of such standing and tradition as St. Peter's. He referred to the continuity of the School and its work, and traced its course through some of its difficult periods. He believed that with the goodwill of parents, and the. good spirit of the boys—both in work and games—that the School would continue its great work uninterruptedly.

On behalf of parents, the vote of thanks to Professor Jons was proposed by Mr. G. C. Wheway and acclaimed with applause.

The whole School was given a half-term break from 1st November to 7th November (this included two V.J. days), and when we re-assembled, everybody seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the holiday.

Of the many events which crowded into the last half of the term, we should like to mention a nature study record. After the holiday, no less than 28 different kinds of wild flowers were brought in to Mr. Ping, including a cowslip gathered in a field on 5th November ! So much for the very mild autumn.

The end of term came about too soon with exams, the School play, and a very crowded Hestmanden party it which farewells were said and sung to Mr. Walshaw, wishing him all success and good luck in the future.

As a final word we should like to congratulate David Knowles on being chosen as the St. Olave's representative to read a lesson at the Carol Service. 30

PRIZEWINNERS.

The Whytehead Memorial Prize for Scripture—R. F. Wyman. The O.P. Club Prize for Reading—R. F. Wyman and H. Golightly. Art Prize—D. Haley. Music Prize-1 J. Calder, 2 D. Rymer. Form Prizes :

J VA—D. Kellett.

J VB—D. Coverdale and D. Franklin.

J IVA—E. Robinson.

J IVB—D. A. Haxby.

J III—J. B. Webster.

J II—R. Priestley.

J I—P. B. Wilson.

Special—I. Hanham.

SALVETE.

Boarders.—C. J. Bevan (St. 0.), W. D. Blease (Albany), W. J. Burdass • (Albany), G. M. B. Corry (St. 0.), E. G. Dixon (St. 0.), G. E. Glasson (St. 0.), D. A. C. Heigham (Albany), D. G. Hilton (St. 0.), D. C.

Holmes (Albany), W. G. Horsley (St. 0.), K. A. Howard (St. 0.),

A. J. Isherwood (Albany), R. M. Johnson (St. 0.), D. W. H. McDougle (St. 0.), J. W. Megginson (St. 0.), J. W. Phillis (Albany), T. S. Priestley (Albany), G. B. Pullan (Albany); H. W. J. Rigg (Albany), T. E. Thomas (Albany), E. K. Walker (Albany), 0. C. Wetherell (Albany), P. R.

White (St. 0.), M. J. Wood (Albany), T. R. M. Sheriff (Albany). J. Calder, N. M. Hodd, and P. Newton became Boarders from Day Boys. Day Boys.—D. G. Barton, J. D. Birch, I. G. Clarkson, J. W. Coates, P. Crowe,

P. M. Duffield, T. A. Foy, G. W. Gears, J. M. Hamilton, J. C. M. Herring,

R. M. Hick, J. M. Jagger, G. C. J. Kirk, G. D. Lambert, H. C. Marshall,

A. M. Marsh, R. J. Murphy, R. S. Oloman, A. L. Pegg, G. W. Riley,

P. Smith, D. A. Stabler, J. A. Stark, D. Tonks, D. M. Walker, B. B.

Wennington.

VALETE.

J. N. Almgill, C. Abbey, D. Belchamber, D. McGarrigle.

ST. OLAVE'S.

The term brought considerable changes to the Junior boarding house. Under a new regime it now consisted of two houses : St. Olave's and Albany, with a total of 53 boarder's. Mr. Ping's fine drawing room became a Dining Room for the whole junior house, and the former Dining Room became the St. Olave's Common Room, where ping-pong and chess proved very popular. A senior and junior ping-pong "ladder aroused great enthusiasm, being won by McDougle and Bevan respectively. Ratcliffe, Goodburn, Knowles and Calder were appointed monitors in the House.

A great deal of energy was daily expended on the roller-skating track, and with a football. In the first week of term the two houses played the first of several football matches—both rugger and soccer—and a keen though friendly rivalry was stirred. At both games, Maxwell, though small in size, showed up as a budding player of courage. Later in the term the Ampleforth College Junior XV were entertained to tea. For more sedate moments the broadcasts of " The Count of Monte Cristo " were enjoyed, and from time to time visits to the Minster and City Walls satisfied some interests.

The last part. of term, as usual, brought a succession of big events—the I School play, School matches and Carol Service. Christmas decorating was done with gusto, chiefly by the boys, and a large Christmas tree was very kindly given by a parent—Mr. Allanson. The monitors constructed a delightful crib, which stood in the Hall, and the Common Room and Dining Room were filled with streamers.

The Christmas party was a very happy occasion, and we all enjoyed entertaining the Headmaster and Mrs. Dronfield and Patrick, and the teaching staff of the Junior School. After tea and games, a conjuror mystified old and young alike with his magic. This pleasant evening rounded off the term most satisfactorily. ALBANY HOUSE. 22nd September, 1945, was a historic occasion for the 28 boarders-16 of them new to the School—whose names will be recorded as the first members of this new Junior House. After a somewhat boisterous week-end, during which we became acquainted with one another, and learned to find our way around, friendships were made, and the House entered upon the first stage of its history.

The monitors, Hodd, Cawood, Tyne and Cole, soon proved their worth, and, a few weeks later, Hodd, James, Walshaw, and Cawood were congratulated upon their selection for the St. Olave's XV. Several boys, including Burdass, James, and Priestley, have done well at School, while the results of the rugger and soccer matches against St. Olave's have been fairly even. These facts all justify the belief that we have made a satisfactory start.

Miss Mason's Doolittle Club has been a popular Saturday evening feature, followed on Sundays by a selection of weird noises issuing from the Drawing Room or the Common ROom, when' the choristers and others, assisted occasionally by visitors from St. Olave's, have held concerts. Simpson, a guest artist from St. Olave's, received rounds of applause for his performance at one of these.

Many of us either are, or want to become, scouts or cubs, and we believe that everybody has spent some of his spare time making a glider or a model aeroplane. What else could we do when the continuation of fuel restrictions, or some other cause, interfered with our " winter warmers "?

Our Christmas 'Party was an outstanding success ; after a good start at St. Olave's, we had games and a competition separately, and finally joined forces in Albany House for an entertainment by Barbo, the magician. ST. .0LAVE'S CUBS.

Much against our will, dark evenings and bad weather have driven us indoors a good deal this term. But once there, we found plenty of interesting things to do and, although there has not been quite so much star work as usual, there was no lack of useful activity in other directions.

As Walshaw has gone up to the Troop, Paul Wetherell became Sixer of the Blues, and Everitt was made Pack Leader. We shall be very sorry to have to say goodbye to these two and also to Sixer D. J. Bird and Cecil Ridley, who all go to join the Scouts in January. They have been exceptionally keen members of the Pack.

The only newcomers were Quickfall and McGarrigle, who both started at Dringhouses. It is disappointing that McGarrigle has to leave us again so soon, and we hope he will be able to carry on with Cubbing at his new school.

Early in the term we did manage to have some outdoor meetings, including two great games of Cowboys and Indians on the Golf Course, when there was still enough undergrowth to provide good—if rather muddy—cover for the trackers.

Unfortunately, it was impossible to take the whole Pack for a real country expedition, but one fine Saturday in October, Akela and ten Cubs, including the Sixers and three Seconds, made a trip to Strensall. When we got off the bus near the Camp, two of the party made themselves responsible for finding the route by map and compass. On the way we found several interesting varieties of toadstool and made quite a collection of wild plants to.take back to Mr. Ping for identification. By the time we reached the Common everyone was ravenously hungry, so we collected wood and made a fire on a patch of bare ground, and round this we had tea. It was great fun afterwards disguising the place so as to leave no traces of the fire. Games and a sing-song and then the tramp back to the village ended a happy afternoon.

In a soccer game against the non-Cubs, on 9th October, we had to put up a stiff fight, and the match was finally drawn, Gordon Ridley scoring one goal for us and Gears one goal for the opposing side.

At indoor meetings, besides routine affairs, we had charades, an animal guessing game which brought to light some clever mimics, and a mock fire. In this everyone had to dress in the dark on hearing the alarm and assemble at the scene of action. Several Cubs " slept " so noisily that they never heard the signal)

On 8th October, Miss M. Smith, the Assistant District Commissioner for Cubs, came to visit us for the first time. Akela made her promise in front of the Pack and was presented with her warrant. Afterwards Miss Smith talked to us and was invited to judge a display of models made from conkers and match boxes.. She said it was very difficult to decide whose were the best, but finally decided on the Red Six.

These tiny objects were 'good practice for, in November, we had the unexpected luck to .get hold of a sack of wood, and with great enthusiasm set to work making toys. Here we must thank Mr. Hart for all the help and advice he gave us with them. The shortage of tools and paint made it difficult to finish the models as well as we should have liked, but by the end of the term there was a gay assembly, including lorries, ships and dolls' furniture. Moore, DeLittle and Rymer took these and other things we had collected to the York City General Hospital. The Matron said her small patients would be very thrilled, and invited any of the Cubs to go to visit the Children's Ward on Christmas Day. We hope the children there will get as much pleasure from playing with the toys as we did from making them.

The Pack was very keen to get up a play for the end of term, but by the time we found a suitable one there was only a fortnight left to do everything. The actors worked so hard, however, that on Friday, 14th December, we were able to present a shortened version of " Dotheboys Hall " (taken by Evelyn Smith from Dickens) to the rest of St. Olave's. Mr. Nix very kindly helped us to fix up a stage complete with curtains, and Mr. Dronfield and Mr. Ping and other visitors were present at the performance.

Wackford Squeers (F. Scorgie) and his wife (H. Macdonald) threw themselves into their parts with great gusto. Srnike (D. Macpherson) and the other inmates of the sorry establishment looked fittingly bedraggled and spiritless, while C. Moore as Nickleby played the well-bred and indignant young hero.

- There were many obvious faults in the production—not least, perhaps, its brevity—but everyone thoroughly enjoyed doing it, and it was certainly good experience. It bras whetted our appetites for bigger things.

Below is a list of the Cubs taking part : --

" DOTHEBOYS' HALL "

By Evelyn Smith.

Adapted from " Nicholas Nickleby " by Charles

CAST.

Dickens.

Nicholas Nickleby Mr. Wackford Squeers, of Dotheboys' Hall Mrs. Squeers, his wife ... Smike Bolder Tompkins Mobbs Pupils at Dotheboys' Hall Cobbey Graymarsh Other boys Christopher Moore Fraser Scorgie Hamish Macdonald David Macpherson David Rymer Mons Bengtsson Rupert Dodsworth James De Little Martin Wheway John Dent, Irvine Collins.

Awards in the Pack this term are as follows :- 2nd Star : Sixer Moore. 1st Star : De Little, P. Danton.

Proficiency Badges : Observer : Sixer Moore, Second Scorgie. Team Player : Sec. Scorgie, Macdonald. Gardener : Sixer Everitt, Sec. Scorgie, Macdonald. House Orderly : Sixer Moore.

Inter-Six Points Competition : Reds 187, Yellows 174, Greens 149, Blues 143.

RUGGER.

Owing to the very mild and dry autumn we were able to play games on all but about three half-holidays. The " high lights " were home and away matches with Ampleforth College Juniors and the House " matches. Against Ampleforth on 20th November we lost by 27 points to 3, but in the return game at York, on 29th November, lost a hard, even game by 9 points to 6.

Spartans beat Thebans, 12-0, in the finals of the House rugger, and Thebans beat the Etruscans, 2- 1, in the Junior House finals at soccer.

In saying goodbye and good luck to Mr. J. R. Walshaw, we again thank him for all the trouble he has taken in running our games. Also our thanks go to Miss Allen and Miss Mason, and C. S. Shepherd and his two colleagues from the Senior School who have taken games when we have been short of referees.

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