"A Summer in the Sun"

and had to explain himself, being cross-examined by the remainder of the Society. At the second meeting Mr. Holbeche gave a lecture on poetry of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, entitled, "Musing on Landskips". The lecture was illustrated throughout by poems, of which typewritten copies were provided by the lecturer.

A discussion was held at the third meeting, the subject being "That the insular position of Britain is no longer an advantage". The discussion evoked lively interest.

At the fourth and last meeting of the term, we welcomed Mr. J. Armstrong to talk to the Society on the work of a probation officer. Mr. Armstrong explained to us the many sides of his work, and regaled us with many amusing stories of his own experiences. This lecture was a great success as was clearly shown by the number of questions asked at the end. The meeting was concluded with refreshments, kindly provided by the Domestic Bursar.

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH TOUR OF CANADA

When the S.S. "Empress of France", Montreal bound, sailed from Liverpool on 16th August, 1954, she carried among her passengers three boys of St. Peter's School. They were travelling to Canada with a party of eighteen British boys and girls, on a tour under the auspices of the Commonwealth Youth Movement. The jealous guardian of British weather was evidently loath to see three of his children escaping what was to be one of his more tyranous summers, and he vented his wrath with great success while the ship was still in his domain. The log read, "Rough head sea, heavy swell" : the three gentlemen in cabin C42 did not require breakfast.

But as Britain fell behind the weather improved, and the three Peterites enjoyed all the luxuries of ocean travel—the food ( !), the deck games, the dancing, film shows, and innumerable other delights. There is no better existence than on an ocean liner, when the passenger has gained his "sea legs". Soon—all too soon in a way— a dark line appeared along the horizon. Yes, Canada was in sight and our three travellers wondered what awaited them. They steamed up the St. Lawrence, but the never-to-be-forgotten sight of this river's banks was obscured by a typical English fog (a touching demonstration of Commonwealth solidarity).

At last, on 22nd August, the "Empress of France" was safely against the wharves of Quebec, though the passage was not at an end for our eager visitors, and the final hundred miles to Montreal was covered during the next twelve hours. At Montreal they were rushed through the customs; welcomed by a reception committee to 30

whom Wheatley responded in a most assured manner; driven through Montreal; dined and entrained for Ottawa. Unfortunately time did not allow them to see Montreal as they would have wished, but Canada is a big place and one cannot see everything in a month.

The primary attraction of Ottawa at midnight after such a day, was a bed, and this they found at Ashbury College—an independent boarding school. The next day was very full. They toured the "Mounties" barracks, the Governor-General's residence, and Canada's Parliament buildings (a model of Westminster)—all before lunch. Lunch at the best hotel in town (no publicity allowed), and then they went on a tour of the Gatineau Valley; vistas of water, wooded hillsides, and blue sky blending to form unforgettable memories. In the evening they met some Canadian youth, the head boys and head girls of all the ten Ottawa high schools, over a meal.

But, go west, young men, and again away; they mustn't miss the midnight train. There was plenty of time for rest, however, once on board, two whole days in the train till Regina, state capital of Saskatchewan. They were days spent sleeping, reading, eating, talking and looking, surprisingly unmonotonous, as the train sped from forest to grassland, and still coast-ward to prairie. Regina reached, we were hurried to private homes for the night. Next day a tour of the R.C.M.P. Headquarters was undertaken, and a visit to the Regina Agricultural Fair. Here, in the heart of the wheatlands, the memory most prevalent in their minds, perhaps, was the high temperature-90°F. in the shade.

After one day in Regina they reboarded the train and on to Calgary, where the train stopped just long enough for us to pick up a similar group from New Zealand and Australia. Three hours later we were in Banff, a township in the heart of the Rockies. The three Peterites were convinced that the awe-inspiring beauty of the mountains made it the most wonderful place they had ever seen. The town is surrounded by mountains, and they saw a herd of buffalo (but no grizzlies !) in the National Park. They had tea at the worldfamous Banff Springs Hotel, and went swimming. Prices are higher at this hotel, which makes the Station Hotel, York, look like a bungalow, than at any hotel in Canada.

After leaving Banff, a day on the train and then Vancouver, where they spent ten packed and thrilling days, doing practically everything there is to be done in B.C. They mixed with millionaires, were given priority everywhere, and, indeed, only the best seemed good enough for them; it seemed that even royalty could not have been treated better. Vancouver, for the first time in its history stretching way back to 1886, was athletics crazy, for it was the focal point of interest of the whole Empire at the time they were there. The Empire Games were being held here, culminating in the dramatic climax of the "Miracle Mile". They saw Bannister win, and they will never forget 31

the Wembley-like roar that arose when he overtook Landy. They spent two other days at the Games as well. Every day was a busy day; they were given a civic reception and dinner; they toured a logging mill and canning factory (the life industries of B.C.); they saw something of the workings of a big store; and they attended matins at Christ Church Cathedral when the Duke of Edinburgh read the lesson.

Vancouver had given them ten busy days—ten tiring but exciting days—and so by steamer (Glasgow built) they travelled to Victoria. The capital city of British Columbia was our host for four days. Five hundred of its citizens welcomed us on the lawns in front of the Legislative building. We were all allocated to various private homes, Kettlewell was billetted at a typical English home, Lewis tasted a "Hollywood style" home, complete with swimming pool, croquet lawns, motor boat, and Chinese cook, as well as being situated at the water's edge, whilst Weatley went to a "Scottish" home. Thus the three of us had seen for ourselves something of the cosmopolitan nature of Canada. We will never be able to thank adequately our various hosts in our different ports of call throughout Canada for what they did for us. A Conference was held in the Legislative Chamber on the night of our arrival. The following day a representative C.Y.M. cricket XI played Victoria and won by one run. The evening was spent at the "pride and joy" of Victoria, namely Butchart Gardens, which impressed the three Peterites very much. Other highlights of our stay in Victoria were a salmon barbecue, a dance, and a garden party at the residence of the Lieut.-Governor of B.C. We left Victoria by the midnight steamer after a farewell dinner to the N.Z. and Australian groups. Daybreak found us in Vancouver ready to board the train for the East. Except for one day spent in Calgary we spent five days in the train before we arrived in Toronto.

Appleby College, who were somewhat responsible for the Peterites making the trip, was situated in beautiful surroundings. We spent five days "back at school" and five of the most enjoyable days on the whole trip. The U.K. group found time to read, write, swim, play tennis, and rest in the glorious sunshine that was with us throughout our stay in Oakville. The Risites saw baseball and lacrosse matches and visited the shores of Lake Erie for a day. A memorable visit was made to Niagara Falls, where we were confronted with a never to be forgotten sight. The final night at the College was spent at a dance given by a premier band of Canada. (Again no advertising allowed.)

Then by train to Quebec. Here we were billetted at La Citadelle, the barracks of the famous 22nd Foot. Whilst we were in this Frenchspeaking city H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent and Princess Alexandra were also at the La Citadelle. The highlight of Quebec was a reception given by the Governor-General of Canada.

But all good things must come to an end and a week later we awoke to find ourselves looking at the Liver Buildings. C.H.L. and T.A.W.K.