VOL. 8 0 . 47

i:::O !TED ond M ANA EO by the TUD ENTS

THE SPHINX" is published three times a yea r, toward the end of each School term. Subscriptions, 3'­ per annun1, postage included, should be forwarded to the Business Man­ ager, " The Sphinx," Perth Modern chool, Subiaco.

Price 1'- PERTH MODERN SCHOOL SUBIACO , DECEMBER, 1929 STUDENT OFFICIALS

CAPTA I N O F TH E S CHOOL.

Arthur Edward l~ i n n .

S ENIOR GIRL PREFECT. P h y llis Cor don.

PREFECTS. J an Ash bol t J ean Scott \N i lliam J ohnson Beatrice oates P ggy Scoti K enn t h Ker . ten .Joyc Illing wor th A llan B latch for d P h i llip Or ton .Toan M icld l eton Donald Cam er on Hug h Royce Molly O'Brien J a m es E spie 1arma 1ul< Smith.

" SPHINX" EDITORS. Beatrice oates and Desm ond San ds.

FACTION CAPTAINS. BLUE- Gwennet h Cornish and J ames Espie. GOLD-J ean cott and W illiam Johnson. RED- A ileen Trobe an d A r htur Edwar d Finn. SPHINX -Phy llis Cor don an d Kennet h Ker st en.

CRICKET. Ca 1> tain : Marmaduke Smith. Vice-Capt.: Kenneth Ker sten. Secretary : Col in Wilkinson.

TENNIS. AE TAINS-Phyllis or don a nd A lan Blatchfor cl.

LIBRARY PREFECTS. B eatric Coa.tes a nd P h i llip Orton .

" SPHINX" BUSINESS MANAGER. A r t hur Edwa,·cl F inn.

" SPHINX COMMITTEE . .J oyce ming w OJ·th , P ggy Scol t , 'W i lliam Joh n on, P hillip Or ton . CONTENTS

EDITORIAL ...... 5 SCHOOL OTES ...... 6 FORM NOTES ...... S FACTION NOTES 10 PREFECTS' PARS ...... 12 LIBRARY NOTES . . . . 12 CAMERA CLUB OTES ...... 1 2 CORRIDOR CHATTER . . . . 13 SPORTS ...... 15 OLD MODER .IANS . . . . 29 ENGAGEME lTS ...... 30 MARRIAGES ...... 30 BIRTHS ...... 30 POETRY ...... 3 2 Modernians, Rhodes Scholars , in Oxford Colleges, Jul y, 1929. From l eft-K . Cooper, H ertfor d College; K . Allen, Lin coln; A. Smith, Balliol. PERTH MODER SCH OL, SUBIACO

11InL B Nn. 47

EDITORIAL

The shortest term in the history of year, and whatever its shortcomings t he School has passed swiftly. P er­ may have been, for us it holds a spec­ haps this has been due in some mea­ ial significance. No " untoward event" sure to the nearness of the Leaving has marred its course, which has and Junior examinations. Even the ft(,wed smoothly in spite of the changes other Forms of the School have had necessitated by the Centenary cele­ to keep before their eyes the prospect brations. A natural feeling of regret of terminal examinations. As a con­ t hat our term of office is complete sequence, examinations have held a t inges this pride of ours, for we feel prominent place in our thoughts, and t hat we should like to go for anoth e1· sport has been relegated to t he back­ year, that with the experience we ground, and has not played as import­ have gained we might do better than ant a part as it noi·mally does in our we have done. As Editors of the lives. _ evertheless, it has not been School Magazine we have had a par­ entirely neglected, although the only ticular sense of responsibility, since event of any importance was the Girls' t he spirit of the School i s reflected Inter-School Sport's Day, which prov­ largely in its literary efforts, and we ed di sappointing for us. The Sta.te have made some attempt to make the Secondary School Sports took place "Sphinx" in some part literary. Since during the holidays, and can scarcely the life of the School is reflected in be included in the activities of this its pages, the fun of the School should term. Now that the actual examina­ find a place there, too, but it may be tions are ovel', students feel at liberty borne in mind that humour has not to give f ull sway to "jest, and youth­ ]Jeen banished from literature. Our f ul jollity," for r esults are a thing of aehievements have not, perhaps, been the future and cannot be amended, no as high as they might have been, but matter how we try. with the talent which has been hiding its light behind a bushel this year, our As the year draws to its close, stu­ successors should be able to make dents who have held any office pre­ some attempt to raise the literary pare to hand over the reins of govern­ ment to their successors. We look standard of the "Sphinx." back over the past year with a certain BEATRICE COATES feeling of pride, for this has been our DESMOND SANDS. 6 December, 1929

SCHOOL NOTES

We wish to congratulate the fol­ oil industry as carried on by their lowing on being elected Prefects for firm. The lecture was most interest­ 1930 :-Misses R. Aitken, L. Cohen, ing, and was appreciated by all pre·· M. Fealy, B. Jackson, G. Love, 0. sent. Massey, R. Mclnnerney, J. Williams, All students will be interested to and Berry, Brady, Bromell, Harv~y, hear that Mr. Parsons is leaving on J enkins, McLeod, Tolerton, Wilkin­ the 24th December for an extended son, W orner. trip of England and Europe during· The Faction Collection held this 1930. While he is in England he will term contributed £19 to the Hospital visit many educational centres, and Fund. This, together with the surn should return with the latest methods realised from an earlier collection, of teaching that are in use in Eng­ did not quite make up the £50 neces­ land. Mr. Parsons has always taken sary t.o maintain our cot at the Chil­ shch a keen interest in the School dren's Hospital. that we regret his absence even for a On Saturday, October 26th, the period of nine months. We hope that Girls' Secondary School Sports were he will have a most enjoyable holiday held on Claremont Oval. Unfortun­ and return quite refreshed for work. ately this year our teams did not do On the Centenary of Foundation as well as usual, probably because of Day the School assembled to hear a the very short period available for very interesting address on the even ·~ training. and the early history of the State by Owing to the bad weather Sport's the Director of Education, Mr. Wal­ Day this year did not turn out such lace Clubb. To celebrate the Cen­ a great success as usual. The stand·· tenary the Government made the ard of running was fairly high, and School a donation of £20 for the en­ two more records were broken this tertainment of students. With this year. Thanks to the untiring efforts money tea was provided for the Lower of Mr. Downing, who further revised School in the Gym., the Art room and the programme, little occurred to mar the Upper Corridor. The Upper the day. The dance which was held School enjoyed dancing in the Hall in the evening was well attended by with supper afterwards in Domi. Sci. students and ex-students. Altogether it was a most enjoyable The two collections for the Chil­ occasion. A hundred years hence, dren's Hospital resulted in a sum of when the State has its Bi-Centenary. £41 4s. 4d. that has gone towards the "Sphinx" editors may be interested to upkeep of the Modern School Cot. look back to this note. The factions contributed as follows:- For several years past the wall on Gold: £11 5s. Od.; Red: £10 7s. 3d.; the Tower stair-way beyond the Pre­ Blue: £9 17s. Od.; Sphinx: £9 15s. ld. fects' Corner has been gradually We extend a hearty welcome to Mr. growing more unsightly, and latterlY Piper, who returned from his holi­ matters came to a crisis when two days in England just before Leaving. L.S. boys had the temerity to print Mr. Paul, who was taking Mr. Piper's their names in the most prominent place, has been transferred to another and conspicuous part of it. The Schqol appointment. Prefects resolved to have the whole The Fifth Year Picnic, which was place cleaned up, at the expense of held at Pt. Walter on lOth December, the Prefects' Fund, and now the clock­ was a great success. The launch trip tower walls can vie with the rest of home was thoroughly enjoyed by the building in being clear of all everyone. scars and marks of any kind. It The Eleventh Annual Upper School ren1ains for our successors to keep it Dance was held in the School Hall on so. 13th December. · Judging by the in­ terest taken in all dances held at the CONTEMPORARIES. School this year it should prove a success. We wish to acknowledge the receipt During this term a lecture, illus­ of the following contemporaries, and h·ated by moving pictures, was given apologise if we have omitted any:­ by the Vacuum Oil Company on the "The Black Swan"; "The Avon." December, 1929 7

\ ,I I ~. ( _I I,; • • I ' CORRESPONDENCE

Dear Mr. Editor,- atmosphere came one day a small boy, With the near approach of Armis­ weak and puny, tearful and afraid. tice Day and its associated memori e~ . Unaccustomed to anything but a small one's mind runs back to the O-ld Co untry School, his distress was ob­ School in 1914, and to those gallant vious to all, and for the first few days "Elder Brethren" who, in making the tear were never very far from his Supreme Sacrifice, founded for P.M.S. eyes. Then in a flash everything was a record of imperishable tradition. changed, for t he greatest of the Great Will the plea of old age and a failing Upper Ones deigned to notice a mere memory serve as an excuse for tres­ First Year Babe, and there grew uo, Passing on your good nature for a unnoticed by others, a strange friend­ few moments, in the hope that the ship between the two extremes. Never high ideals of an early School Captain again did the Small Boy want en­ rnay serve as an inspiration for those couragement or assistance: never was Who follow on. Those were the "good the Great One so busy that he could old. times" so dear to present-day not spare time, no matter how trivial Philosophers, when the Press relied on the request. lrel.and and the Suffragettes for its Then came August 4th, 1914, and excitement, and the only Returned on the old gum tree near the men's Soldiers were veterans from South entrance was nailed the first of the Africa and the Crimea. Those were many Bulletins it saw during tho e the days when the old School was years, 1914-1918. Then, too, did most barely past the experimental stage: of the Upper School men disappear When the Chem. Lab. was on the top from human ken, and P.M.S. was f ull floor, and the Workshop near Thomas­ of changes. And now I have fini shed street: when there were no factions, playing Boswell to my J ohnson, be­ nor "Fags," and when "Billy" Brine cause the strange friendship was (of A. T. Brine & Son) was Form broken when John Anderson "passed Master for lA, and learned the r udi­ over" to those- ments ?f his subsequent profession in "Who shall grow not old as we that the laymg down of a cricket pitch. In are left grow old, those days theTe existed a peculiar Whom age shall no t weary, nor the fraternity of intell ectuals who al­ years condemn." though in the School, see m~d to be not But he is not forgotten by the Small of it.. A mere handful, they appeared Boy now grown to man's estate, and ?Penor to all Rules and Regula­ the memories of that kind heart have tions: bells rang at their touch, voices made their impressions on more than hushed at their command, and am­ one life. The Small Boy is now a long ?ngst the first year babes rumour had way from Home, but he ventures to It that they but awaited translation pray that the traditions of John to some ethereal University far too A nderson are still the traditions of superior for the attainment of any the Grand Old School-Yours, etc., other human being. Such was the "OLD BOY." "Upper School" in 1914. Into that Brisbane, 31st Oct., 1929.

VALETE Y The following students from the Cornish, Couper, Cowell, Dowrick, F ifth Year will be leaving the School Edwards, Illingworth, Lewington, at the end of the· year:- N esbit, Smart, Wells, Woolcott and Kagi, Kersten, Sands, Barton, Bray, Misses Coates, Lee, McLennan, Davies, Guthrie, Hudson, J ohnson, Rossiter, P. Scott, Smith, Watsford, Kidby, Lightly, Meharry, Royc;e, Cordon, Dungey, Hopkins, Lightfoot, Shephard, 0. Wickham, Camero.n, Middleton, J. Scott, Thomas, Trobe, Jackson, McLean, Couper, Curbs, Tweedie, West, Wylie, Atherton, Evans, Lee, Batty, Blatchford, Carey, Bradford, F. Brown, R. Brown, Bur­ Cavanagh, Collingwood, Drysda!e, rows, Collingwood, Cooper, Curley, Espie, Ewers, Finn, Gardham, Gnf­ Cm·rie, Hallinan, Hotchin, Jackson, fith, Hanson, Hill, Little, Lutz, Orton, Lister, Mackie, Major, Mattingley. Samuels, Shea, Siglin, Skuthorp, O'Brien, Payne, Silk, Ashbolt, Bowe, Smith, Ward, R. Wickham. FIRST YEAR (Girls) . In the exams. we have not had our This term has not been very long, marks yet except for two subjec.ts. In but it has been quite eventful. On Algeb1·a LA. beat I.B. Anderson LA. Girls' Sport's Day the fags distin­ ,getting 100, and White LB. 92. guished themselves. Misses Roma Now we all want to know who Hookway and Dorothy Hateley tieil).g is going into II.F. and II.G. for Junior Champion. We have also Let us hope next year's fags can pla:v done well in the recent tennis tourna­ "chuckie" as well as this year's Twos ment, four of our number reaching or we'll have to go somewhere else for the semi-finals. As the finals have a game. not yet been played there is still a SECOND YEAR (Girls). chance of their being successful. At present, however, a dark cloud is Why do we have to write Form hanging over us, for exams. are over Notes? After examinations it is too and results will soon be out. How­ much to expect us industrious "Twos" ever, it is of no use worrying over to tax our fevered brains further. The this, and we are praying, like vali~ . t "Sphinx" seems to be a way of boost­ souls, to switch our minds on to dif­ ing each Form. The results of the ferent subjects such as the class Alliance have now come out, and many picnic or the fancy dress party on of our year have gained distinction, Monday night. one in particular, Olive Howard, This is the last time you will see winning a prize. our notes under the heading of I. Although Mod. did not uphold her Girls, for after the 18th of Decembe1· prestige in the Inters, at the School we will be fags no longer. Sports several of the "Twos" won events. We are all looking forward FIRST YEAR (Boys). to the Lower School Ball, to be held The exams. are now over and we on 16th, and we expect to see some break up in a week's time. That will very original costumes on that day. end our first year at Mod., and we are We feel that this is our last term of looking forward to next year. Al·· slacking, and that next year--­ though the time was short, we have (but you have heard that tale before had plenty of sport since last term. so we won't repeat it). In the First Year Championship on Sport's Day, Nairn I.B. came third to SECOND YEAR (Boys). Benness 1, and Christie 2, both from Exams. again! But somehow we LA. In cricket we have played two are not so keen for our results as for matches, n either being truly represen­ the long idle holiday we are waiting tative, unfortunately, as members of for. None of us have swotted (ex­ both Forms were away with the Std. cept of course one or two under the VII. team. The first match was won guidance of T. Binns and S. Mayne, by I.B. after an exciting game. Scores who consider that necessary to exist­ were:-LB., 39 and 47 (Morphett 8, ence), and now we are caught un­ Reed 11 not out, Pickering 10 not awares. out); LA., 15 and 65 (Ewers 29 and From the reports we have received 4). Bowling for LB.: R. Mathieson about Dalton we should not be anxi­ took four wickets in four successive ous for next year, but it is a neces- · balls, and finished with 5 for 3. The sity so let us enjoy ourselves now second match was also won by LB., while there is yet time. and was as exciting as the first. The Some members of our year have scores were: I.B., 39 (Pickering 10, introduced three brand new painted McEwan 7); LA., 35. Bowling fOI' up "Rolls Fords," pieces of iron held LB.: Pickering took 2· for 0, and M or·· together (no one knows how), and phett 3 for 6. rolling only downhill, of course. Their December, 1929 9 owners are so presumptions in mo­ who are staying. Now that it is over ments of hasty pride as to term we are free to amuse ourselves. At bicycles. We do not need to expound present basket-ball, swimming and the praises of that neck-breaking con­ "tl'\e flies" appear to be the vogue. It trivance belonging to Pittelkow, seems also that some are already which puts all other bicycles in the working for the "Supp." You ma shade, since its remodelling in a new ask "What is over?" Any of next style. year's IlL's will be able to enlighten In F., P .C. is attempting· to lower you. Our picnic, which took place on that class by the formation of a Dec. 3rd., was a complete success. mouth-organ band. He has already Large quantities of "booze," "eats" read many volumes on "How to Pla" and cocoanut oil were consumed a Mouth-organ," and he now knows throughout the day, and now every­ which side to blow it. Up to date one is feeling the effects of them plus he has been shy, but perhaps he will the effects of the sun. "Major" was regale us with some music shortly. tempted with a "bottle" but he would We are unable to fathom the real not "bite." A certain enterprising cause of Middleton's accident, but we young fellow took snaps which are think he wished to elude the exams. selling at twopence each. He will soon Anyway, he successfully discovered be a millionaire. (1) The force of explosion of gun­ To conclude: those vvho will be at powder is 'great, and (2) the advant­ Mod . next year wish the best of luck ages of being disabled in exam. time. to those who are leaving. Our contemporaries in E. have been very quiet this term, and must have FOURTH YEAR (Girls). been, we can only surmise, swotting, for their aim is to wipe us up at Well, here we are at the end of the exams. But will they succeed ? We Fourth Year, and looking forward to must wait and see. the holidays before we take the plunge In closing we wish all the staff' and into the dreaded "Fives." As it has students a Merry Christmas, a Hap~w been such a short term, nothing not­ New Year, and a very pleasant holi­ able has happened-(we have heard day. something like this before.-Ed.)­ unless one counts the number of THIRD YEAR (Girls). "Fours" who have conveniently caught mumps and measles in time to The beginning of the term was quite miss exams. Now that the horror uneventful, but the end has been of these has passed our thoughts are rather better. Everyone had a won­ fully occupied with "Upper School," derful time at the picnic, to which which we hope we shall enjoy as much each girl took enough stoke for five as we did last year. We are sor:r:y to normal people or two Third Year leave the F ourth Year, in which we boys. Our Form was also well repre­ have had such a good time, but we are sented at Upper School. Junior is beginning to feel our own importance. over and no one nad the presence of This is due to the fact that next year mind tb break down and be carriE!d we shall be high and mighty " Fives," out in a fit so, unlike the ten little abl.e to chastise effectively the fag :. nigger boys', we had to stick it out. who at present do not realize the re­ ~ext year when the boys attend danc­ spect due to dignified "Fours." Ing lessons they will see the great difference between the instructions of FOURTH YEAR (Boys). a mere professional and the 11oble efforts of the Threes. Th'Ose dancinf~ Now that our fourth year is closing lessons remind us of some lines in our we begin to be alarmed by the prox­ English book:- imity of wor k next year. However, "When shall 'he rejoice again before that, we can look forward to a Such a breed of mighty men good time for two months. Our activi­ As come forward, one to ten." ties have been curtailed owing to the Many of us have left or are leavinl!: shortness of the term. We did noi' this term so we can say t0 them all:-·· even have to train for Sport's Day, so "Rail and farewell to those that we have had a lazy time, and the fought and died"-in Junior. masters, perhaps encouraged by our inertia, have pursued the motto: " Let THIRD YEAR (Boys). sleeping dogs lie." Physical and mental wrecks, we arc:) While the Leaving was on, our days Worse than that! The end has come were lightened by the holding of two -for some. It is the end for those test trials on the Oval, both W ednes­ Who are leaving, but not for those days during the exam. Their result 10 December, 1929

is that certain members of the Form pion Athlete. Sport's Day Dance wa§. have greatly improved their chances voted a success by all who attended, of going to England next year. The and many even went so far as to sup­ .disappointed ones may be cheered by ply themselves with supper. The only the fact that there are plenty of complaint was, as usual, that it was vacancies for bag-carriers. not long enough. There is no need to dwell on the Now that we can no longer extend results of Sport's Day, as they appear our sympathies to the Fives, we will in another column. It need only be extend them to ourselves, in anticipa­ said that our expectations were justi­ tion of much hard work. In the mean­ fied when Thorpe emerged as Cham- time we will wish all a Merry Xmas.

FACTION NOTES SPHINX. Girls' Sport's Day, Gold won comfort.. . Sphinx can well repeat that satisfy­ ably with a total of 37 points, large!)' mg phrase "we told ourselves so." due to the efforts of D. Hateley, who After a lapse of several years we have tied for Junior Champion Athlete, and returned with full honours to win the M. Browne, runner-up for both Junior Faction Shield, which our name still and Open Chmapion. In the girls' dominates. The whole Faction, those tennis, the Upper School team sue· who were, perforce, onlookers, by ceeded in beating Sphinx for first their spirit, and the competitors in place, while the Lower School team sport by their actions, have striven has been fairly successful in its as one to attain this end, and nobly matches. have their efforts been rewarded. On Boys' Sport's Day, our perform· The girls, handicapped by a com­ ance exceeded our wildest hopes, and parative lack of talent, have given though we finished last we were only their best. They won all the Upper one point behind Blue-quite a per· School tennis but one match. The formance, when it is considered that Lower School team was not so suc­ Browne, of the Third Year, is our cessful, and only won one match. In only athlete worth the name. We the last Hockey round played, we wish to extend our sympathies to were defeated, and Blue won the Blue, and especially to Espie, whose Hockey Shield, for which we con­ luck on Sport's Day was abominable. · gratulate them. The Lower School We would like to congratulate the baseball team has won twice and members of our Faction on the willing drawn once. Our lack of girl athletes way in which they paid their contri· was only too clearly shown on Girls' butions towards the Hospital Collec­ Sport's Day. tio11. We hope that next year Gold The boys' sport this term has been may improve on this year's perform· restricted to one cricket match, which a nee. we won. Turning to Sport's Day we BLUE. see a better record still. Sphinx gain­ ed highest points for the second year Unfortunately Blue are not leadi]1 P: in succession. All our athletes helped the list of Factions this year, but we and we thank every one, but outstand­ hope that we will do better next year. ing among them were Kersten, third We take this opportunity of congratu­ in the School Championship, and A. lating Sphinx on gaining that enviable Berry, the Junior Champion. position. Owing to the shortness of Fellow Sphinxites, it has been a the third term there has been little very successful year for us. Keep it opportunity for Faction games. The up next year. girls did well to obtain the Hockey Shield, and were second only to Gold GOLD. in athletics, mainly due to the excel­ First and foremost we wish to con­ lent performance of the Champion gratulate Sphinx on winning the Fac­ Athlete, Miss Gwen Cornish. Although tion Shield for 1929. Secondly, we both the Upper School "A" and "B" would like to congratulate our own team tennis was disappointing, the Faction on being runner-up. We owe Lower School team did fairly well. our position mainly to the girls, who During this t erm there have been have this term demonstrated their no Faction matches played between supremacy at tennis and athletics. On the boys. Sport's Day took place on December, 1929 11 the day before breaking up last term. Very few matches have been played and A. Jackson and J. Espie are to be otT by the boys, but we hope to win congratulated on their fine perform­ those yet to be played. We gained ances. Jackson was runner-up fm;: some ucce s in athl etics, as Miss R. Champion Athlete, while Espie created Hookway tied with Miss D. Hateley the new reco1·d of 5ft. 7 1-8ins. in the for Junior Champion girl, D. Thorpe High Jump. He would also have won was Champion Athlete, and J. Du·n­ the Championship Hurdles had he not can was runner-up for Junior Cham­ fallen near the finish. pion. This augurs well for the fu­ On the whole we have not fared tm·e, and we close this disappointing badly this year, and we hope for much year in the sure and certain hope from the Faction in the f uture by the that next year Red will shine forth hearty co-operation of all members. in its true coluors. vVe extend our c?ngratulations to Sphinx, the win­ RED. nmg Faction. This year, we regret to ay, has been one of the most disappointing in FACTION POINTS. Red Faction history. Tennis, baseball SPHINX ... . 334 and athl etics have been the onl y GOLD ...... 287 sports thi s term, and in none of these BLUE ...... 286~ have we been remarkably successful. RED ...... 249

The La§tt Compul§((Jnry or Reverie of the Sphinx

... And lo! I awoke, and the1·e in the man who tood apart, who must lhy shadow I beheld a sight man have been the high priest, as he re­ never before saw in this fair land. ~e!ved homage from the rest of the 'Twas about t he ninth hour, and tnbe, gave a great cry, and behold! behind me was a habitation of strange there were four lines of men where shape and of the colour of the des~rt there were but two before. He gave at my left hand. I. watc~ed awh1l e, another cry, and as if with one mind Wa iting in strange d1scomfort, to see the tribe turned to the West, and each what kind of creature inhabited so man behind his fell ow, they moved strange a dwelling, and lo ! mine ears away with a strange movement, so it caught the sound of thunder a-far off, eemed as if t he tribe moved on the and I beheld a man clothed in tran(l: legs of one man. taiment i sue from t he dwelling, bear­ They passed f1·om my sight behind ing on hi s head a hat of dark hue. He the habitation, but presently appeared took his hat f~·om off his head, and in the distance, crawling along what Ptoceeded to call out with a loud voice might have been the green banks of a and strange tongue: "Hurriup! Getta- mighty r iver, each man bearing in his 111ovon! " and thereupon arose a great hand a long thick rod which gave clamour, so great that I became forth great noises. afraid. Then another man, dressed also in strange garments, being the Soon they r eturned again, and while Colour of t he brown desert, i sued I watched, amazed at the strang·e ~to m the habitation, bearing a noisy sights, the high priest sent his loud l ~ strumen t . Many men, each one at­ voice across the desert, when behold! tn·ed as hi s neighbour, came out of I was struck with fear, for at that the dwelling. He of the dark head­ sound it seemed as if the devils had covering stood apart, crying in a loud entered into all the tribe, for every Voice: "Fallin! Toodeep," ·whereupon man broke from his place and rushed ~ h e rabble arranged itself into a tribe, to the dwelling place, shrieking, sing­ rn two lines. Then they were still ing and waving his arms. The hor­ a~a in, and I beheld a man of great rible so unds remain in mine ear to dignity walk to the tribe, and there, thi s day. standing in front, read from a roll of Papyrus, and as he read, he called and Alas! I pray the gods to give again teceived reply in his own tongue. to me the rest wnich I so desire. But When each had made his cries, which . I grow weary-perchance I may sleep 111ust have been prayers to their gods, - F .B. 12 December, 1929

PREFECT§? PAR§

As this term has been very short State Secondary Inter-school Sports t here have been but few occurrences held during the Second Term holi­ of interest. Judging from previous days. functions, the Fifth Year Picni c and Now that all our troubles are over. Sport's Day Dance, w e are sure t hat we are looking forward to our last few days of sc the Upper School Dance will be hool, and are sure t hat a we will regret having to leave. We success. also wish to congratulate t he Pre­ We wish to take thi oppor tunity fects for 1930, and hope that they will to congTatulate t hose who were suc­ have as enjoyable a time as we havC' cessful both on Sports Day and in the had.

LIJBRARY NOTE§

In a school such a ours where tions a . erious bar to reading, apart study i after all consid ered of prim­ from their text-books, the rest of t he at·y importance, the Library occupies Schoo I has patronised the Library quite an important place, and deserves fairly well. The number of books to occupy a greater one still, for the mi ssing has increased, is increasing. information it s uppli es is of a handy and ought to be diminished. But in nature, and covers a large range. In spite of our resolutions to r emain most Libraries there ar e many books watchful, the books continue to dis­ which the student mind finds difficult appear. All that we can d o is to to assimilate. It is one of the ad­ leave our succ s ors the hope t hat vantages of a school Library that it they will be able to do what ,~ve have contains relatively few of the e, and attempted, and ensure t hat a f ew any exploration into its depths will books remain in such a useful institu­ be rewarded to t he f ull. Though the tion as our Libt·ary. Third and Fif th Years find examina- - B.C. and P.O.

CAMERA CLUJB NOTE

This year has been another uc­ tion t he day was voted a success by cessful one for the Club. The member­ all. ship was large, and consequently a Before the close of the y ear the good deal of developing and printing Club f unds, which now total quite an has been carried out in the dark room. appreciable amount, will be deposited On Sept. 14th t he C lub held an ex­ in the Savings Bank. cursion to Serpentine Falls. The wea­ It has been suggested by the Pre­ sident, Mr. Ellison, that ex-members t her came up to the high standard of keep in touch with the Club. P ossibly a typical Spring day, and was con­ a general meeting will be held to con­ ducive to good snaps and plenty o:f sider the matter sometime next year. hill-side wandering. As a social f unc- - J.C.C.

OLD BOYS' DINNER. EW BLAZER. Before leaving School students wh :> Old Boys are r eminded that the are r eturning next year ought to get Annual Dinner will be held late in a Prefects' order for the new pocket January. Arrangements will be an­ to be ·worn on the School blazer in nounced as soon as they have been future. The design is a little smaller completed, and members will be noti­ and less conspicuous than the old Sphinx, and it is hoped that all stu­ fied by circular. It is hoped that a dents will have it on their blazers next good attendance of Old Boys will be year. It is supplied by Bon March 'o! , recorded. and costs 6/ 6. December, 1929 13

Corridor Chatter

That the cricket pitch in the Art roon1 is O.K., thanks. How does one stay aboard a surf­ board'? (Answer: One doesn't.­ Ed.). That according to a IV. girl "Marl­ THEY SAY- boroug·h shone out on the field of battle with glaring headlights.'' ow I don't want this put in the . Perhaps the effects of the sun, e.:-· "Sphinx." Such is modesty. Hugh's nose. That if riverside residents merely That it was Don who wrote to Ixia complain at the unearthly din of asking how to take the ink stains speed-boats, how many expired in out of blotting paper. ectasy when the heavenly strains of those returning from t he V.'s That exams. are going out of fashion. picnic fl oated up to them. That a student in Se. V. was eating That this marytime air is delysious, " indissoluble" sweets. but it makes you berry browne. · That J ames has at last made a gramophone that goes. That a IV. girl wishes to know how many times you can nearly die be­ Tl:at Garv and John have been the fore you quite do it. It all depends chief to.pics in Dalton this term. on your luck. That Biol. is degenerating into a That Pog has been conducting him­ study of lunacy. Whose? self In a Merit-orious manner. That the Misogynists Cl ub now con­ That Belmont has g-ood sunrises. Eh, sists of only one member. Polly! That even h e has notions. That three of the new Prefects have gone b-army. Chorus of innocents returning from a party: "Shall we gather at the That Will is a ·nice boy. Can you Causeway," etc. i-madge-ine it? That Will will write. Inky, pinky, parley-voo? said the That Frank is pressing his suit on a examiner in French Oral. We did beautiful unknown. not dispute it. That he is looking rather crumpled. That even good yachtsmen fall in. And bad ones, too! That it was hot inside and less hot outside at Upper School. That a jail isn't a bad place, after all. That we rather wish "George" hadn't That it has been proved in Maths. started to burn off the Oval so soon. 14 December, 1929

That we all hope Ted and Will were Howisthistobedone! satisfied with the music at V.S. Wish I'd swotted now. I dunno nuthin'! That a rooster and his brood were I want a quiet funeral. loose that night. Round About the School- That Pog thought he had stumbled If you'd been there you'd have into a poultry farm or a gang war. nearly died ! That some of us deserve the Order Really? for Exterior Decorators. Fences What's the matter now girls? and letter-boxes speciality. Oh! how be-you-tiful! a You've washed your hair! That since Oscar is not at School you I never laugh at a joke; I just ap­ will have to put up with what Cor­ preciate it. ridor Chatter there is. In Persia-­ Who's growling? Can You Imagine­ APPLIED QUOTATIONS. Fog as a kewpie. Oscar in a pulpit. " 'Tis past, that melancholy dream." May in kilts. -Exams. are over. 'Dad' in bathers. "A flock of sheep that leisure! · pass by."-IV.s changing periods. DOMESTIC SCIENCE REVISED. "Not without Hope we suffer and we mourn."-Cav. To Make a Bed: Peel off all the blan­ "Hist said Kate the Queen."­ kets and sheets. Pummel the mat­ Gym. tress and pillows hard. .Don't be afraid, they can't hit back. Re­ "Come into the garden, Madge."­ place the clothes, and at bed-time Will. sleep on the sofa. "I would that my tongue could To Wash Dishes: Put all the articles utter to be washed on the front lawn. The thoughts that arise in me." Turn the garden hose on the~n. -Alex. Rinse thoroughly and leave them in the sun to dry. Throw all the "Last night among his fellow casualties into the next-door garden. roughs To Mend Stocking·s: Take the stock­ He jested, quaffed and swore."--. ing to be mended and, if the fist -Art. g·oes through the hole, throw t~e stockings away and buy a new pan·. "And singing still dost walk and If, however, the hole is a respect­ walking ever singest."-On the Ter­ able size, take a piece of rubber. race, 2 a .m. such as bicycle tyres are mended "Runt's only rival."-Polly. with, and fasten ov~r the hole with strong rubber solution. "My heart's up at Chidlows To Make an Irish Stew: Put some A-chasing the dear."-Don. meat in a pan with some potatoes and onions. Fill up with water and Heard during exam .­ place over fire. Take it off before Know M01·se code? it burns and dine at the nearest Hold up your paper can't you. Cafe. The Eighteenth Annual Athletic Thorpe, 3. Time, 5mins. 3 4-5secs. Sports were held on the School Oval 120 Yards Hurdles-Orton, 1; Sku­ on Wednesday, September 18th. This thorp, 2; Cameron, 3. Time, 21 1-5 year the long Centenary holiday after secs. second term made it necessary for High Jump-Espie, 1; Browne, 2; Sku­ them to be held one month earlier thorp, 3. Height, 5ft. 7§ ins. than usual. As a result the weather (Record). was not as settled as it might have Broad Jump-A. Berry, 1; Kersten, 2; been. There were several showers Orton, 3. Distance, 19ft. 6~ins. and a head wind prevented good times in the track events. Despite JU IIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. these conditions the attendance of, 100 Yards-Jenkins, 1; Berry, 2; Arm­ students, ex-students and their rela­ strong, 3. Time, 11 1-5secs. tives was satisfactory. The run­ 220 Yards-A. Berry, 1; Jenkins, 2; ning under adverse weather was quite Duncan, 3. Time, 25 3-5secs. up to standard, as is shown by the 4-40 Yards-A. Berry, 1; Duncan, 2; fact that two records were broken. Redgrave, 3. Time, 59 2-5secs. Espie raised the High Jump record to 880 Yards-Duncan, 1; Browne, 2; 5ft. nins. He had very bad luck to Armstrong, 3. Time, 2mins. 17 2-5 fall for the first time this season in secs. the Hurdles, a time he had been One Mile-Jones, 1; Duncan, 2; Man­ almost certain to break. Sphinx ning, 3. Time, 5mins. 33 4-5secs. lowered the Junior Faction Relay re­ 120 Yards Hurdles-Browne, 1; A. cord to lmin. 49secs. Thorpe won the Berry, 2; Duncan, 3. Time, 18 3-5 Headmaster's Cup for Champion secs. Athlete with a total of 29 points. High Jump-Browne, 1; A. Berry, 2; Jackson (21 pts.) was runner-up, and .Redgrave, 3. Height, 4ft. 11 ~ ins . Kersten ( 18 pts.), third. The Sheehan Broad Jump-A. Berry, 1; Armstron"' Cup for the Junior Champion went to 2; Jenkins, 3. Distance, 18ft. 10 ~ A. Be"J,TY (39 pts.), with Duncan (24 ins. pts.) runner-up, and Browne (21 pts.) First Year Championship (lOO yards) third. The Factions finished in the Beness, 1; Christie, 2; Nairn, 3. same order as last year: Sphinx (54 Time, 12secs. pts.) first, followed by Red (41 pts.), Second Year Championship ( 100 yds.) Blue (22 pts.) . and Gold (21 pts.). -Stinton, 1; Bothwell, 2; Cole, 3. Appended are the results:- Time, l2gecs. RELAY RACES. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS. Junior Faction Relay (880 yards)­ 100 Yards-Kersten, 1; Thorpe, 2; Sphinx, 1; Red, 2; Blue, 3. Time, Armstrong, 3. Time, 11 1-5 secs. lmin. 49secs. (Record). 220 Yards-Thorpe, 1; Kersten, 2; Senior Faction Relay (880 yards)­ Wilkinson, 3. Time, 25 1-5 secs. Sphinx, 1; Red, 2; Gold, 3. Time, 440 Yards-Thorpe, 1; Jackson, 2; lmin. 45 2-5secs. Orton, 3. Time, 58secs. 880 Yards-Jackson, 1; Thorpe, 2; HANDICAP EVENTS. Kidby, 3. Time, 2mins. 17secs. lOO Yards-Kersten, 1; Kagi, 2; Wor­ nne Mile-Jackson, 1; Tolerton, 2; ner, 3. 16 December, 1929

220 Yards-Kagi, 1; Worner, 2: Me­ EX-STUDENTS' EVENTS. harry, 3. 440 Yards-Couper, 1; Tolerton, 2; 100 Yards Handicap- adebaum, 1· J. Berry, 3. Honner, 2; Elliott, 3. Time, 10 1-5 8 0 Yards-ViTorner, 1; Murdoch, 2· secs. J. Berry, 3. 440 Yards Handicap-1 adebaum, 1: 100 Yards (Lower School)- Servent y. Wit;on, 2; Cohen, 3. Time, 54 2-5 1; Bothwell , 2; Stinton, 3. secs.

GIRLS' SPORT'S DAY. The events in which we gained places were:- Girls' Sport's Day was held on Fri­ 75 Yards, under 13 ~- 1st Heat: P. Tel­ day, October 21st. Miss G. Cornish ford, 1. 2nd H eat: D. Hateley, 2. was Champion Athlete with 13 points, Final: P. Telford, 3. and Miss M. Browne was runner-up 100 Yards, under 15-1st Heat: D. with 10 points. R. Hookway and D. Hateley, 2. Hateley tied for the title of Junior 100 Yards, open- 1st Heat: G. Corn- Champion, each with 7 points, and M. ish, 1. Browne was runner-up with 4 points. Long Jump, under 15- M. Browne, 3. Again this year Gold gained the high­ Long Jump, open- M. Browne, 2. est Faction points with 37, followed " A" Flag Team- P.M.S., 1. by Blue 30~ , Red 27, and Sphinx 51 . "B" Flag Team- P.M.S., 2. The results are as follows:- 75 Yards, under 1 3 ~ -D. Hateley, 1: P. Telford, 2; G. Houghton, 3. Time, AMATEUR ATHLETICS. 10 2-5secs. - This year the School again took part 50 Yards, under 15- R. Hookway, 1: in the State Amateur Athletic As­ D. Hateley, 2; B. Bandy and B. sociation's competitions. Owing to the Tyrie, 3. Time, 7secs. holding of a varied programme the 100 Yards, under 15-D. Hateley, 1; School was fairly successful in both B. Tyrie, 2; R. Hookway, 3. Time, field and track events. Kersten proved 15 4-5secs. himself useful in the Shot Put, Hop, Long Jump, under 15-M. Browne, 1; Step and Jump, and Discus events; I. Grant, 2; B. Bandy, 3. Distance, Jackson in the 3 mile, mile and half­ 14ft. 9~ins. mile; and Espie in the 120 yards 50 Yards, open-G. Cornish, 1; B. Hurdles. At the end of the competi­ Perry, 2; R. Hookway, 3. Time, tions the School ranked fourth, which 6 4-5secs. was very creditable, considering that 100 Yards, open-G. Cornish, 1; B. we were competing against men much Perry, 2; L. Roberts, 3. Time, 12 older and more experienced than we. 4-5secs. In the State Championships Kersten Long Jump, open-M. Browne, 1; G. was placed second in the Hop, Step Comish, 2; L. Roberts, 3. Distance, and Jump. It is hoped that next year 14ft. 1in. the School will continue to compete in Hop, Step and Jump, open-M. this Association, and we would also Browne, 1; G. Syme, 2; G. Love, 3. like any unattached ex-students to Distance, 31ft. 8~ins. join up with the School in this Club. Sack Race, open- J. Prout, 1; R. Hookway, 2; I. Scott, 3. Skipping Race- D. Kidson, 1; P. STATE SECONDARY SCHOOL Ellison, 2. COMPETITION. Pass Ball Team Race-Blue, 1; Red, 2; Gold, 3. Time, 62secs. ATHLETICS. Faction Flag Race-Gold, 1; Red, 2; The State Sphinx, 3. Time, 1min. 55 2-5secs. Seconadry Schools Ath­ letics meeting was held on the School Faction Relay Race--Blue, 1; Red, 2; Oval on September 21st, under Gold, 3. Time, 27 1-5secs. ideal weather conditions. The School was successful in winning every event ex­ cept two. During the afternoon the GIRLS' I TTERSCHOOL SPORTS. following records were established:- 120yds. Hurdles and High Jump by The 26th of October proved a very Espie; mile by Jackson; half-mile Re­ disappointing day for Mod. The day lay; and the following wins were re­ ended with a total of 18 points, and corded: 100yds. by Kersten; 220yds. found us occupying only fifth position. by Berry; half-mile by Jackson; and "'""

FIRST XI. CRICKET. Standing-D. Cameron, K. Worner, C. Wilkinson, M. McLeod, A . E. Finn . Sitt ing-C. Curti s, M. S. A. Smith (Captain), Mr. T . H. Downing (Sports Master), K. Kersten (Vice-Capt.), G. Lee. Reclining-R. Harvey , P. Orton. Absent--J. Hanson. 18 December, 1929

Thorpe and Berry were second in the The results are as foll ows :- 440yds. and Long Jump respectively. Tennis­ At t he e nd of a very successful day P.M.S. V. A.H.S. A.H.S. won it was found that t he School had won P.M.S. V. B.H.S. P .M.S. won 28 points out of a possible 30. P.M.S. V . N .H .S. P.M.S. won Hockey­ P.M.S. V. A.H.S. A.H.S. won TENNIS AND HOCKEY (Girls). P .M.S V. B.H.S. B.H .S. won P.M.S. V . N.H .S. 1.H.S. won :Ouring the first week of t he second term holidays, Athletic, Football , FOOTBA LL. Hockey and Tennis teams, r epresent ­ ing A lbany, Bunbury and Northam In the football section of t he Sec­ High Schools, visited us to compete ondary School Sports, t he P.M.S. 1st in t he A nnual Secondary Schools' XVIII. met with little opposition. The Sports. Tennis was played during first match against Albany r esulted the momings and" hockey and foot­ in an easy win for the School by 19 ball in t he aftemoons. The competi­ goals 16 pts. to 3 goals 2 pts. Bun­ tion was keen to the last day, when bury High School offered most resist­ we r eceived t he C hallenge Cup, hav­ ance, and t he scor es 12- to 3-7, give ing won by a nanow margin from little indication of t he c loseness of the Bunbury High School. Our success play. Northam High School was dis­ was mainly due to the boys' eff orts. posed of by 18-14 t o 1-3. All regular The girls had to meet much stronger members of t he eighteen played well, hockey teams, and lost every match, and two Third Years-Armstrong and but managed to gain a few p oints in Berry-pr oved useful acquisitions to the tennis matches. the team.

CR][CKET

FIRST XI. 35, Wilkinson 16, F inn 16, and Har­ This term t he team has played only vey 15). Training College made 131 t hree matches-two against Training for 6 wickets in fast time. The wic­ Coll ege and one against Guildford kets were secured by Hanson, 1 for Grammar School. Had t he practice 22; Harvey, 2 for 29; Cameron, 1 for wickets been in order t he resul ts of 23; and Kersten, 1 for 27. t hese games would have been more in This term fiv e member s of the team our .favour. ·-Cameron, Har vey, Kersten, Smith, The first match was played against and Wilkinson-have benefited by the Training College before the team had coaching of Mr. A. J. Richardson. had much practice, and ended in a The fo ll ow in~t are the batting and draw. The Coll ege batted and made bowling averages of the team :- 164 for 9 wickets, the c hief bowling Batsman I. n.o. R. H.S. Av. honours being secured by Cameron, 3 Wilkinson 8 3 213 68* 43 for 51, Harvey 2 for 43, and Kersten Kersten . 8 2 177 52 * 30 1 for 12. The School replied with 5 Harvey . 6 1 78 3 2 1 6 for 76, the 1·uns being made by Wilk­ Smith 8 - 100 35 13 inson, 30 not out, Smith 15, and Har­ McLeod 4 1 33 16 11 vey 10 not out. Worner . 4 2 21 9* 11 The next match was a two davs' ':' Not out. one at Guildford, which we won coin­ Bowler 0. M. Rns. W. Av. fortably on the first innings. G.G.S Harvey 27 4 89 10 8.9 made 69 and 2 for 14, while the School Cameron 47 3 193 16 12.0 made 129 and 73. The wickets were Ker sten 38 8 109 8 1 ~ . 6 obtained by Cameron, 4 for 23; Orton, Hanson 15 - 55 3 18.3 6 for 42 ; Kersten, 1 for 8, and Har­ Orton .. 44 2 208 10 20 .8 vey 1 for 5. The runs were hit by Smith, 18; Kersten 1 3 and 23; Har­ SECOND XI. vey, 32; McLeod, 16; Cameron, 14 : In the only match of the season and Wilkinson, 13. against C.E.G.S. the Second Eleven In the r eturn match a gainst C.T.C. won by five wickets. The Grammar t he XI. suffered i ts first defeat. The School batted first, and compiled 90 School declared at 7 for 116 (Smith nms, and P .M.S. replied with 5 wic-

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E s pie Breaking the Record for the High Jump. 22 December, 1929

THE FIVES1 PICNIC

On Tuesday, December 10, the sec­ Bathing and walking expeditions fol­ ond Fives' Picnic was held at Point lowed. Walte1·. The launch Valmeda was Several times during t he afternoon chartered to leave the Barrack-street t hose at t he Jetty witnessed a pretty J et'ty at 9.45, and managed to get sight . A few small boys, some of away about twenty minutes after whom seemed to be quite well-known time. About thirty-six girls and amongst twenty-four some of the party and to boys turned up, which was others vaguely familiar, called in a really not a good representation when large yacht which seemed to have we remember that our year is an been borrowed for the occasion in especially large one. Miss Gill, Miss that joy-riding spirit often seen of Stevens, Mr. Downing, Mr. Hether­ late. The able crew of this worthy ington, and Mr. Horner accompanied vessel was rash enough not only to the students. The trip down was take their own lives in their hands, made lively by sundry vocal efforts, but to risk also the safety of those and one incident served to cause some­ essentially belonging to the picnic thing in the nature of a thrill, when party. · Mishap, however, there was the Scotchman dropped his cap over­ none throughout the clay, and for this board, which action necessitated a we must thank all those who looked slight detour in the ship's course. after themselves in such a commend­ The day 'Nas all that could have able manner. been desired, and shame it is that At about 5.30, the company again there were not more there to enjoy ate, packed tightly but happily the outing together. Upon anival we around the afore-mentioned festive made our way up to a pavilion, which board, once more replenished. At the had been hired for the occasion. Lug­ conclusion of the meal, that is to say, gage was unpacked and prospective v•hen there was nothing edible left, bathers made their way to the sheds the company rose and after the neces­ reappeari ng from thence in motley ~ary preparations danced again. array. This pastime (bathing l Rumour was heard at this time of a mean) and others were indulged in game called "twos and threes," but until the time when everyone again as no one seemed to know what was gathered at the pavilion, and when all n·eant there was no further result. was readv drew round the festive board which the girls had prepared. Dancing was finished close upon The table was really magnificent. 7.15 (this is still in the evening), and First of all one's attention was at­ all the small school children made tracted by the bottles. These always t heir way to the boat. The beauty of do add an anesting ai1· to a table. the river in the mid-morning seen Then, the beauty of the various make­ from the summit of the point was shifts for plates was extremely pleas­ only equalled now by the sunset which ing to the eye. Then there was the added a wonderful touch to the close food itself-well, it is sufficient t o of the summer's day. The launch say that it was greedily devoured. headed clown the river, how far it is hard to say, certainly not outside the As a special aid to digestion, danc­ heads, but at length turned and al'­ ing foll owed. This was soon aban­ rived at Pe1th about 9.30. doned as beino· unsuited to the time, and teams were chosen for cricket. But t her e was more than this in the The innocent and unsuspecting out­ return trip. Music was enjoyed all sider will imagine tv>o ordinary team" the way, one of the masters playiwr of eleven or perhaps a few more, and no mean part. He provided us with probably find it hard to believe when many accounts in song of events of we say there were about thirty on his distant youth. Every song that each side. Pog's team batted first, the over-taxed brains of the company while the others took up their posi­ could recall, was given a turn. Two tions on the field, most of them budding performers were discovered to remain unmoved until called upon and much talent was 1·evealed where to act as bowler. All being con­ it had been least expected. One im­ sidered, the game was not a striking agines that all acquitted themselves success, the field not being as good remarkably well on this day, and to nor the knowledge of the game as t estify to this fact you can observe great as they might have been. We the bright faces and the well-used suggest that the "Fives" next year sound of the voices of those who were take our advice and don't play cricket. there. December, 1929 23

El Sheikh

"Wise is he who can keep his h ead." pathic control." You ee that he was -The Qu'ran. a progressive Arab. The shop-walker The great, the unconquerable El lmew the very thing ; it had been sol,d Shiv Erh was the shakiest sheikh­ to them . only that week by a well­ pronounced "shayik," please-in the known magician. Bowing low, he whole of the wide Sahara. The most ushered the sheikh over to where the powerful of desert rulers was he, and carpet lay. For some reason or other under his wise guidance his tribe it was firmly nailed to the floor. The c!om inated all others. He quailed "be­ truth was that McBethstein's were fore no one, except, of course, La rather worried about that carpet. Legion Etrangere." There had been They had had previous dealings with a time, not very many moons a()· this wizard, Yma Wily-worn, and had when he been the most handsome lost heavily; but this was such a good, sheikh in the desert-you know the easily , aleable article that they hoped type, girls, flowing robes, snorting­ to get it off their hands at a goo steeds, silent, strong·, lithe as a pan­ profit before Wily-worn interfer_r ·' ther, and complexion , that adorable Here was their chance. The sheikh "nigger-brown kiwi--" enough, w e had decided to buy the carpet ere thP. are dangerou sly near giving away shopwalker had half finished his glib professional secrets. That time was patter. He demanded that the nails gon e forever. The sheikh was now be removed that he might test it. In very old, very feeble, only his bntin fear a nd trembling t he shop-assist­ retain ed its former vigour. On ac­ ants obeyed hi s request. Their ap­ count of this his fierce Bedouin fol­ prehension was som ewhat allaye·1 lowers had respectfully dubbed him when Rhu Barb stepped on to the "El Shiv Erh," which means, "h e who carpet to give it a trial fli ght. Th ~ trembleth under the weight of years." Sheik's weight ought to hold it clown No m ore did photograph s of him and if Wily-\vorn tried any funny b u ~ i ­ tales of his deeds appear in the illu­ ness. Withm1t the slightest warning strated women's weeklies; n o m ore the thing they had feared most oc­ did his autographed portraits find a curred. Tnere was a terrific explosion; read ysale ; something very disastr­ a cloud of arid sulphurous smok e ob­ ous had happened to him that h ad scured the bazaar for a moment. changed his whole life, and this in a When it cleared the carpet was seen few sh ort months. Thereby hangs a floating calmly down the street in the tale. direction of Yma Wily-worn's magic­ The Great Shiekh Rhu Barb-"red manufactory. Yma had been strain­ beard," so he was affectionately known ing his wireless set and his brains all to his myriad feminine admirers­ the week since h e had received pay­ who on one of his periodical visits to m ent for the carpet, but McBeth­ a famous capital of the desert. All stein's magic nail s had outwitted him the important business in connection for a while. Now these ·were removed with his trade .in dates and autograph­ so the carpet was on its way home eel portraits was completed. Now h e once more. felt free to spend just a little of thP But what of the Great Sh eikh! His gains therefrom. To pacify his head classic beauty had been r uined when wife, m ost beautiful of all his hareem , the carpet overturned and deposited for the slight deficiency in her house­ him, face first, on the floor; his "sid~­ keeping allowance which would re­ boards" were singed beyond recogm­ sult from his "tzspr ee," as they so tion as such. There was a terrible naively put in . in Arabic, Rhu Barb to-do. So much did annoyance at i;he decided to buy her a suitable present. mishap overcom e him, that the sheikh For t his purpose he made his way to - he was a " Rhu Barb" no longer for the huge department-bazaar of I saac his beard had met the same fate as McBethstein. The stock there was his "sideboards"-ordered his Lord good and he was confident of his High Executioner to behead the sh op­ ability to out-haggle even the artful assistants, the shop-walker, t he man­ McBethstein. A shop-walker at­ ager, until he had worked upwards tended to t he sheikh, for his patron­ through the staff and even Isaac Mc­ age was very valuable to the firm as Bethstein's crafty head rolled among · he regular ly bought his peace offer­ the others in the gore which was now ings there. Rhu Barb decided to see fl ooding the bazaar ankle-deep. There "something in carpets, magic for pre­ were no bounds to the sheikh's ter­ ference, with the latest wh·eless-tele- rific rage; an almost insane fury pos- 24 December, 1929 sessed him. Imagine the surprised there was the fiery pit. This last was indignation of his faithful followers an extensive trench filled with red­ when he commanded their ex.ceution hot coals. El Shiv Erh knew that . as well. By a slip of the tongue he being a magician and a fakir, Wily­ almost ordered his own head to be cut worn might go safe and unmoved off, and only just corrected himseu.· through this ordeal.; but he hoped in time. This narrow escape calmed that if he had men posted about the his anger somewhat, and he stop pit, with sharp tridents to keep the the futile carnage. A cold, reasoning victim in his place, he might be re­ hate came over him. He swore a warded, after perhaps a day or so ot mighty oath that he would find th·· continuous session, with an exhibition maker of that carpet, and then-­ of fancy dancing and high-kicking "something lo-o-ng and 1-i-nger-r­ really worthy of an overheated magi­ ring," Rhu Barb rolled the words a_p­ cian-no harm in trying. The "piece preciatively through his few remain­ de resistance," the last word, or more ing clinched teeth; the most exquisite correctly, screech of the whole pro­ tortures man's brain--why, yes! that ceedings was to be the oil. In m em or .. his old friend Yma Wily-worn's brain of former happy year the Sheikh was could devise. Yma was rather good not going to provide just any kind of at that style of thing; he smacked his oil, but the highest grade castor; only lip~ in anticipation. . the best for such a man as Yma. The Sheikh returned post-haste to Friendly generosity also prompted his oasis and then called "La Legion him to erect over the pot a high-div­ Etrangere" to his aid. Within a f r ing tower, so that, if the boiling oi·l days the Beau in charge had furnish­ did not finish him before he reached ed him with the required information. it; there was an even chance of Yma El Shiv Erh was aghast to learn tha·· breaking his neck on the bottom. he had chosen for his enemy his All was ready. The only thing now closest friend, dear old Yma; but there to be done was to catch Yma. The was no help for it. Allah had surely Sheikh set his E spionage and Assas­ registered his mighty oath by now. sination 8orps into furious motion on Had he not said in his vow, "May ' the trail. They were not outstand­ the undersigned, become each week ingly successful. The magician had a one thousand four hundred and sev­ nasty little habit of changing himsr enty-six. (1476) moons older in body, into different things. Sometimes he if, within this week, I do not have his would turn himself into one of the blood who is responsible for my late assassins and the assassin into him­ humiliation before my servants." Allah self, and, with the industrious aid of akbar! It was terrible. Yma, his the rest of the Corps, would valiantly boyhood's friend, his schoolfellow, and messily help to assassinate what whom he loved as himself! Why had was to all outward appearance his he lost control of himself over so own self. By this ingenious means small a thing as the unstability of a he decreased the numbers of the Corps magic carpet? But he had lost hi' by as much as one half in one day beauty. Impotent, the Sheikh ground At other times he would let the whole his new false teeth. Half his revenue body ch.ase him for miles, and then . would cease now, for last consignment just as they were gaining on hin1 . of autographed pictures was used up would open up a yawning gulf Only to-morrow he had had an ap­ beneath them, and stand in medita­ pointment with the photographer to tion on the brink, counting to see how pose for his next portrait, ''your many bounced at the bottom and com­ on 'Red Terror,' his favourite Arab paring the number with a guess he steed." In his present dilapidated had written down beforehand. If h r condition he did not see how he cou.ld was anywhere near correct, his result­ keep it. The tOJ·tures of the danmerl ant good humoU'r might allow him to were his. All remembrance of friend­ close the chasm and squash the luck­ ship left him. He began immedia··-, less Corpsites straight away instead preparations for Yma's apprehension, of leaving them to die of starvation reception and proper entertainment. and exposure in its chilly depths. The Sheikh was blessed with a very Playful was not the word to descri)Je fertile imagination, delightfully so. Yma. There were stacks of the finest straw They tried to come upon him un­ in the land and trained "tootsie tick­ awares; but at such moments he lers" brought from the ends of the would disconcertingly turn into a earth to work in shifts upon the starving lion, and then a slimy frog, magician's feet; there were specially or an elusive butterfly, or a shy little regulated showers, freezing or boil­ lady-bird. When worked up he would ing at will, to drip upon his skull: go through such an astounding series December, 1929 25 of transformations that he looked like and was even better acquainted with a continued quick-change act, gone its garlic, as anqone could smell. They very badly wTong somewhere and un­ were terrorised, everyone was terror­ able to be stopped. The intending as­ ised. The State was in a truly t~r­ sassin was so bewildered that in the rible condition, inside out, upside ~nd he thought he wa~ experiencin~ down, topsy turvey, at sixes and a phantasma or a hideous dream sevens-everything. The confusion probably the latter, and fell prostrate was indescrible. As a last hope a nice on the earlh and resigned himself to silken cord was sent to Yma, with El ' Allah, the All-merciful, leaving Yma Shiv Erh's compliments and a very to resume his true shape and sneak politely and inoffensively worded re­ quietly away. Soon it became so bad quest to do away with himself "a la and things were so tangled tha ~ japonaise." This failed, too- all had everyone and everything was under failed. ot even to his boyhood's suspicion of being one of Wily-worn's friend would Yma give in. It was disguises. Nobody knew when he was hopeless. The week had passed, the Yma or when he was himself. Each culprit was uncaught. To gain some one was so busy weaving ci1~ cles round slight satisfaction El Shiv Erh h1;1.~ him thrice to avoid spells that fina all that remained of his E. and A. they all became most frightfP ,. Corps massacred before hi s eyes. A giddy and ill and could do nothing treaty was then made by which the but lie fearful and helpless inside Shiekh yielded almost all his revenue triple rings. To crown all the E. a~d to Wily-worn, thus disrupting forever A. Corps gave it out as their firm his own domestic · harmony- no one opinion that Yma was "a nast_y, can keep a hareem on reduced rations horrid old turn-coat" and "no sport," for long without their becoming put and went on strike. It was inevitable: out about it, esl)ecially when they the Sheikh had unwisely permitted have been used to better things. How­ their lunches to be wrapped in old ever, having made the best of a rather Australian newspapers. Also, ow ing poor job, he resigned himself to the to a sudden unaccountable public anti­ unt imely approach of old age. His Pathy to military service, he had had still active brain he used to concoct a to resort to press gangs to recruit the moral and motto for those who would Corps, and other press gangs to re­ come c_r uit those press gangs, and so on. after. "Lose not thy Self Con­ hke the big fl eas, little fleas and lesser' trol, even for the blink of a camel's fleas, "ad infinitum." Even though left eyelid. Thou mayst strike a Snao: portable magic circles were manufac­ or a Magician. And remember, Allah t!Ired and distributed, the strike con­ has no Eraser for his Slate. There tmued. The Corps "knew its onions" no Turning Back. Kismet."

A School Prefect

The Prefects of a school are to a A Prefect should always retain the great extent responsible for the man­ respect of his fellow pupils, and there­ ner in which the school is governed, fore he must be careful in all his and they can also affect the school actions for people are always eage1· spirit very much. Therefore, it is to point to flaws in the characters of necessary that a school Prefect should those who lead them. Although a be one of high moral character and Prefect should possess a steady and one who appreciates the trust put in firm character, he should not be a him by the rulers of the school. prig, and should be tolerant of the He should be moderately good in, failings of those around him, even lessons because those who do not de­ while he refuses to copy them. Vote themselves to one class of work, cannot be expected to put their best Some Prefects tend to think that efforts into any other, for a conscienti­ they are above the common pupils and ous person does his best at anything they only fraternise with their fellow he undertakes. At the same time he Prefects. However, for a Prefect to should be a fairly good sportsman, be admired by the pupils, he should because he is expected to lead his fel­ remain one of them, and should lead lows, and this he cannot do if they them by force of example, so that he have reason to desoise him as an retains the respect and trust of both athlete. - pupils. and teachers. -D.G. 26 December, 1929

The Optimi~nt

Optimism is what we all think we and you will have no difficulty in ob­ have, but none of us really have. At taining a distinction in that subject. least I do not think that we have. I At least, that is what I believed. But used to be a very optimist person, there appears to be more in those yet last term whenever I brought a books than I thought; each time I open tennis racquet to school, I always one of them I find something I have brought a coat as well. It is a go9d not noticed before, so I close the book thing to mingle a little caution with again. That is by far the best thing your optimism. At least, that is to do in such circumstances. After what I think. Of course, it is scarcely all, a week is a long time. I remem­ being merely optimistic of me when I ber when I sat for Junior I did all my tell you that I am going to get dis­ swotting the week before the examin­ tinction in every subject in Leaving; ation. At least, I wish I had done. it was quite a decided fact a year ago. One thing, however, I have learnt. At least, I used to think so. Recently .Examiners are very weak people, and I decided that I had better do a little if you tell them anything in a suffi­ work, as everyone else was doing ciently firm tone (or at all events, one some, and it did look a little conceited more or less firm) they will believe not to work while others did. At you, even if they had once thought .least, I thought so. Leaving is a week otherwise themselves. So I am going off now, and I have done some work, to write in a very decisive manner to but it is really of more use to write convince them that I know everything. freely as I am now than to waste time At least, that is what I think I shall preparing questions and answering do. It is a little late to learn very them yourself. At least, that is what I think. much, but I know enough to pass. At History is a very easy subject. All least, I think I do. And, of course, you need to do is to read a few badly there is always the supplementary. written books and decide that "the At least, I think there is, isn't there? Russians were dead nuts on the Jews," - A.B.C.

Thought§ on Leaving

Five years have passed since first year, when t his same statement has we came to Modern School. How earned the contempt bred by familiar­ short, and yet how long that time has ity! I do not know why it is that been! Short, for the years have fol­ Second Years should feel such im­ lowed each other rapidly, happily, each portant people. P erhaps it is the leaving its vivid impression. Long, for secret consciousness of the fact that in that time the School has become they alcme in the school really have part of us, and we part of it; our no need to work which gives them this very habits have taken form from feeling of superiority. The Third Year what we do and what we learn at brings seriousness in its train. Junior school. hangs over all like a black cloud, re­ Do you remember your first day at pressing all desire for mirth. I dis­ school? For three months you had coveYed this by reading 'l'hird Year been living with the idea of coming notes in former "Sphinxes." Their to Modern School, hearing of the demeanour, however, does not appear School from students who had spent to bear out their assertions to this years there, wondering what you your­ effect. self would think of it, and-more im­ Life in the Fouth Year assumes a portant still-what it would think of frivolous aspect. No one thinks of you. In the rush of old students re­ the Leaving Examination, and you turning after holidays and noisily only work so that you may talk in a greeting each other you ~elt rather very lofty strain to Lower School stu­ lonely, until you joined in the scram­ dents, who have now taken on a very ble in search of hat-pegs. Then into inferior position in your eyes. the Hall, where you were overwhelm­ Thoughts are concentrated on second ed by the statement that this was the term, for then you work your hardest noisiest assembly in the history of to get into the hockey team, and on the School. What a difference next Friday afternoons you are initiated December, 1929 27 into the mysteries of the latest dance good the School does us is determined steps. I f ever you are at a loss for largely by the attitude we take up on conversation you can discuss the selec­ leaving it. Few who have passed tion of next year's Prefects. Your through the School could leave it with­ selection is usually wrong, but that out regret, or look upon it merely as matters not at all. This is the period having· taught us what we want to when you develop an infinite capacity know. The School has done more than for evading insistent people like give us an elementary knowledge of "Sphinx" editors, and teachers desir­ literature, science, mathematics; more ous of extracting French exercises. even than to teach us to work and to But soon these happy days are fled, think for ourselves. It has cast us and you enter upon your fifth year, in its mould, given us its ideals. It determined to work and to keep is our part to carry these ideals with Leaving ever before you. Unfortun­ us into the world, to retain them, anc;! ately you forget until a month before to bring them honour. A final good­ the fatal November, and then all is bye to tl'ie School is always unneces­ over in a flash, and you are faced sary. The Ex-Students' Association with a leaving which will have per­ keeps us in touch with the School, and haps more far-reaching consequences occasional visits to the School not only than the one you have passed-you serve to keep our memory green, but hope, at least, that you have passed. renew within us the ho.pes and ambi­ That time has come to us, and now tions which we entertained in our we are to leave the School which has years at the best School of all. come to mean so much to us. The -A.B.C.

On Arriving I remember quite distinctly the fir:st are paved with cobble stones, and it time I ever went to Belgium. I can is easy to imagine the rattling of remember the smoky train rumbling Perth trams magnified ten thousand­ down from London to Harwich and fold as the cable trams rush from the little Channel steamer smelling, place to place with little law or order. as little Channel steamers always do . If you wish to alight you have to get of tar and twine, blended with oil and ready to spring off as the car slo'\)\Ts the smell of cooking. We all turn~d down, and when the opportune mo­ into our cabins and began to unpack ment arrives and you actually lear in a businesslike manner, because we off, you have a stunned and dazed felt that it was the thing done. Then feeling, and wish to cl utch the near­ we raided the dining-room, and all we est lamp-post. Rarely in Antwern English girls-we began to call our­ have I seen a tram really stop. A selves that early in the piece-took little experience of Continental tram­ coffee and biscuits, Peak Frean's. I ways goes a long way, so that was have always had a particular liking the one and only time I ever used that since then for those special biscuits. type of conveyance, since taxis are All night long I felt very sick, but re­ cheap and ever so much more com­ ceived some comfort by lying with In·· fortable. The next item was some face at the port-hole and drinking in shopping. There is only one shop I the soft breeze. Lying thus, I had remember, the "Innovation," and it ample occasion to look into the glori­ was remarkably expensive. ous deep blue heaven which towards The greatest joy of the day, how­ weary morning paled, and faded into ever, was lunch, and this is why. 011e pearly pinks and then glowed fiery of our English girls was great friends red. with Jeanne, so Jeanne invited all It was morning when we reached seven of us to lunch. We tramped Antwerp. The tall Cathedral spire along, and found the house, some­ gleamed in the morning aJr, and a where near the Cathedral. J eanne's wintery crispness pervaded all. We friend, an oldish scholar, was the onhr rose betimes, ready long before t)le one who spoke French, so it was a boat reached the wharf. There was very silent party that sat around the the inevitable hurry and scurry as we table. The room was long and low disembarked and passed the Customs. and sunny, with quite a lot of win­ then we eagerly questioned seasoned dows, all with hand-embroidered linen scholars of a year's standing as we curtains. There was a table in the bustled into the busy little tram that centre, with carved lace d'oyleys at leads from the Quay to the city pro­ each place. There were flower-box~s per. The journey in that tram-car in the windows, with red geranim11s was a rev!!lation. Antwerp streets growing there. At one end of the 28 December, 1929

room was a large picture, sepia, of bought white fl owers for t he nuns. I t he Belgian Royal Family, and drap­ bought a cyclamen plant, I don't know ed on it was a rosary of colour~d why, but the spirit moved me and I seeds, the gift fo a missionary brother simply had to buy it. Our train left working in Africa. The only oth_er at three thirty, so we had little time ornament I can really recollect was a to idl e, and having purchased t he little statue of Saint Anthony, barbed flow ers, we meandered along to the in a coarse brown and white robe, t)1e Central Station. Infant Jesus in one hand, and a It is almost incredible, b ut the short Madonna lily in the other. 80 kilometres took five solid hours to The meal, too, impressed me as be­ travers . It began to get dark al­ ing strange and new; all the eatables most immediately, for it was winter were passed r ound in dishes, and you time. The train crept along past simply helped yourself. First we had shadowy stations and low houses and clear soup, then a solitary piece of long open fi elds all set about with steak-because we were English­ hawthorn h edges, till at last it sitting in state on its plate. Then coughed convulsively once or twice, came vegetables, and then we had and stopped. The station was dimly "galettes"-a cr oss between a cake lit, and black figures seemed to flo at and a pan-cake-foll owed by light out of the darkness to meet us. They biscuits and very black coffee, rather were nuns. For the first time we felt thick and slightly salty. If we liked a little chilly, for the train itself had we could have had beer with the meal, been close. A s we walked out into but none of us liked to try it. I have since found out that it is a very mild the night we felt as though we had beverage, a close relation to hop beer, been carried back into the eighteenth and very good for one. Having eaten. century, for the village was only li t we continued to tramp the streets, and by the lights from the windows, and visited a funny little flower-shop in the cobble stones were covered with a funny little s ide-street, wher e we frozen snow. - A.F.C.N.

STATEMENT OF SCHOOL FUND, THE " SPHINX" PRIZE. 1928- 1928 to DEC. 9, 1929. £ s. d. Balance as at Nov. 30th A group of ex-students has for sev­ 1928 ...... 11 14 !1 eral years past donated a book prize £ s. rl. to the value of 25/- for the writer of Loss on U .S. Dance and the best poem or article in each is ue V's Picnic, 1928 7 0 0 of the "Sphinx." This year the Libr ary .... 1. 3 6 Stationery .. 1. 1. G awards were :- Printing 0 17 6 First Issue : Shirley Dungey. Desks .. 0 1.2 11 Second Issue : Ena Mattingley, P . Music .. 0 1.2 0 Orton. Stamps 0 6 10 Third Issue : B eatrice Coates. £11 14 3 The competition for this prize should be much keener than it is. W e hope J. PARSONS, that next year it will attract more Dec. 11 , 1929. Headmaster. contributions. Glc/ j"Yioc/erqians. ~~~~'

PERSONAL

Miss FAITH FLINTOFF (1923) used to be a regular contributor to has returned home from a tour the"Sphinx" in his day, has brought abroad. With her mother she visited out a book of verse entitled "Boy and England, the Continent, Africa and Silver." He also won several liter­ the Far East. ary prizes at the Elocution Eisteddfod Mr. HYMAN SPIGL (1928), wllo about the middle of the year, and is won the Ex-Students' Medal last year, a frequent writer in local newspapers. has been in ex il e during most of the His book was printed and illustrated year at such faraway places as Lake .bY an old school-mate, Mr. TIM POR­ Brown and Zanthus. He hopes to be TER, of Fremantle. Some measure down to the coast for Christmas. of literary distinction was also achiev­ Mr. DONALD WILSON . (1924), ed. by Miss CORALIE CLARKE, who who held a position on the West Aus­ was awarded a special prize for a one­ tralian Government Railways for sev­ act play, which appeared in the el·al years, is now engaged as a civil November issue of the University engineer on construction work on the Magazine, "The Black Swan." Rhodesian and Bechuanaland State News received lately from Mr. Railways. He is in charge of a con­ ARTHUR WILLIAMS (1918) tells us struction gang and, among oth.er that he spent an interesting time in dignities of office, has a black "boy" Geneva, where he attended a course to clean his boots and do like drud­ of lectures on international relations. gery. He was able to do this by one of the The School has the honour of pro­ Scholarships granted to advanced stu­ ducing the first woman Bachelor of dents of History by the University of Laws to qualify in Western Australia. London. This proud distinction belongs to Miss Miss JOSEPHINE CURTIS and ENID M. RUSSELL (1921), who has Miss ZIP AH FELDMAN continue to just finished a brilliant course by pass­ win distinction in their music studies. ing her fourth year finals with two Mr. LESLIE REES (1923) left this distinctions. All ex-students join in month for England by virtue of a an co ngratulating Miss Russell on her Orient Line Scholarship. He intends achievement ,which casts honour on to study dramatic and art criticism the School and a great deal of re­ in London and on the Continent. He flected glory on those who passed has already done some work in Art through it with her. Another to be criticism by contributing articles to congratulated in this connection is Mr. "The West Australian" under the pen Roy NEVILE (1921), who has just name of "Hermes." Passed the finals Of his LL.B. after a Miss GWEN NEGUS (1928) has Particularly successful course. Mr. definitely taken up nursing, and is N evile has also passed the final ex­ now at Grosvenor Hospital. aminations of the Barristers' Board. Mr. HARRY LEEDMAN (1919) has and expects to be admitted to the Bar passed the third year examination of ear l~ next year. The Junior examina­ the Dental Board of Western Aus­ tions for the LL.B. has been passed tralia. Miss NELL NEWNHAM by Mi sses ISOBEL GAWLER (1918) (1928) has passed the first year. and SHEILA McCLEMEN'S (1925), Miss ELSIE TOLERTON (1928) and Mr. KEN. HATFIELD (1923). won all the Championships at the Uni­ Note the percentage of women. versity Women's Athletic Meeting in Mr. JOHN K. EWERS (1923), who October. Messrs. GEOFF BOURNE, 30 December, 1929

RALPH HONNER, HARRY WIL­ ENGAGEMENTS. SON and W. SCHRADER were prom­ inent in the Miss DOROTHY PARSONS (1925) to men's Championships. J\'Ir. ALAN PRESHAW Miss AGNES KING (1922), who (1919). Miss JOYCE PRISK (1921) to M1~ . went abroad on a Hackett Student­ GEORGE PURSER ship, is studying a phase of the (1919). · Miss V. Stone to Mr. ERIC HILLER French Revolution. Her main work is (Hl19). in London, and she has also made some researches in the Bibliotheque MARlUAGES. Nationale, Paris. Miss DORA ROTENBERG is continuing the study Mr. H. Fitch to Mi ss EDNA COHEN of Entomology in England, and Mr. (1922). . ERIC UNDERWOOD is at Cam­ Mr. 0. CHISHOLM (1921) to Miss bridge. Dming the long vacation Eric M. Aspinall. attended two Commissions on Econo­ Mr. K. Millar to Miss RUTH SIMP­ mics of the Empire and Population SON (1921). and Migration at Geneva, and after­ Mr. W. E. MILLER (1922) to Miss wards motored through Austria, Italy, Lucy Playne. France and Germany. Mr. ALF. SIMS (1920) to Miss Isabel Mr. RAY TURNBULL (1923) is Alien. over in Perth for Christmas from the School of Forestry, Canberra. He is BIRTHS. looking forward to two years' re­ To Mr. and Mrs. N.McDONALD search work abroad under a Common­ (BARBARA SCOTT, 1917)-a wealth Scholarship. He intends to• daughter. study for a year at Madison Uni­ To Mr. and Mrs. KEN BRUCE (1919) versity (U .S.A.), and for the second (CHATTY CAMPBELL, 1920), of year at a School of Research near Malacca-a daughter. Oxford. To Mr. and Mrs. STACKHOUSE Miss MARGARET FLECKER (MARY TOMBS, 1919), of the (1926), who is doing Medicine at Ade­ Malay States-a son. laide, returned to Perth for the To Mr. and Mrs. NORRIS (DOT Christmas vacation. BYERS, 1925 )-a son.

The Headma§tter

In view of the pending departure dents has come a wider appreciation. of the Headmaster of the School, Mr. They have met him as a man, who is Parsons, on a tour abroad, the time is no long ~; r the. Headmaster, .but the opportune to say plainly that the ser­ fellow-citizen and the fellow-worker vice he has rendered to the School is for the School. Individually ex-stu­ keenly appreciated by ex-students. dents have a high personal regard for They can measure that service not him. In a body they value his ser­ only through the relations between vices, and are grateful for the work pupil and Headmaster, but also with he has done. To his efforts and those the experience of him in the wider of the staff he has led, is largely due sphere outside school life. In the the present position of the School and Lower School we respected and-ex­ its past successes. The ex-Students' cept for minor defections-obeyed Association would never have been him. At the end of five years under but for the school spirit he created. his charge we came to think of him and it is unlikely that it would have with something more than respe,ct. survived but for his co-operation with Most students have two outstanding its officers.. This is not an occasion memories of him--one of the day (or for eulogy, but for the plain expres­ in the case of the wicked the various sion of our feelings and our good days)-on which he made them trem­ wishes. All ex-students, in wishing ble, the other of the days when he Mr. Parsons a happy and profitable thrilled their young frames with some holiday, would like to tell him, as well word or sign, which taught them in as words may, of their appreciation a flash that they were part of the of nis work, and their regard for him School, body and being. To ex-stu- personally. December, 1929 31

Commemorantion Chain~ In 1925 a scheme was formed to en­ of those students who have, to date, able students when leaving School to commemorated their happy days in commemorate thei1· attendance by the School in thi s pleasing and useful presenting a jarrah chair for use in manner. Old Modernians who mav the Assembly Hall. Each chair was not have heard of the scheme, anti to have carved on the back of it the wish to take part in it, are advised to name of the donor and the year in communicate at once with the Head­ Which he, or she, left the School ; and master. Recently at the School the that there might be uniformity all the Headmaster has started a monthly chairs were to be made by one manu-­ contril;>ution scheme whi ch will enabl.e facturer. The Headmaster undertook a student to buy a chair while the organising of the scheme, and in still at the School. Although the this way was able to secure a contract by which polished chairs of a sub­ scheme has been running for a few· stantial and pleasing appearance were months only one student in the II.';; to be supplied at a uniform cost of - Maxine Fawkes-has completed her £L The following is a list of names payments and has acquired a chair:- - Allen, Karl l' ilmer, J ohn Lightly, Edward Scott, J ean Am ies, Arthur Finn, Gordon Lobstein, Lyonel Scott, Peggy Anderson, Noel F itch, Jean Locke, Gladys Sedgman, Hugh Anderson, Fred. Forsaith ,Reg. Luce, Gwen Sheard, Keith Avery, Philip Flecker, M. McCall, James Sharman, Violet Backshall , Myrtle Gallagher, Anna Mclntyre, Joan Simpson, Waiter Bailey, Lilian Game, Lilian McClintock, H. Sims, Alfred Barbour, M. Geddes, Leslie (2) Marsh, Douglas Skipper, Leonard Barr, Fred Gill, Violet Matheson, Thelma Skipper, Ralph Baxter , Peggy Goldberg, S. Meadly, Georgc Smith, Herbert A. Bernard, Miriam Halliday, Wm. Meharry, Thos. Smith, Alfred Bourne, Geoffrey Hasluck, Paul Michaels, Samuel Somers, Ewart Bracks, Margaret Harms, Ivo Miller, William Spear, Reginald Bradshaw, Bruce Helson, Frank Milner, Dorothy Spour, Henry Bradshaw, Frank Henry, Norman Montgomerie, E. Steadman, Olive Braithwaite, H. Hiller, Eric Moore, Pauline Stevens, Elsie Brown, Carmen Hodgson, M. Negus, Gwen Stewart, Don Cairns, J ohn H01·ner, Harold Negus, Oscar Stewart, Hector Ca!cutt, Cyril Hosking, Thos. Neil, Anita Stirling, Athol Chandler , D. Hughes, Lloyd Oates, Jack Stimson, Gordon Chandler, G. Hurst, Edith Ohman, Sig. Somerville, J . L. Cheffin s, May Hurst, Marion Parker, Allen Tennant, Jean Cleave, John Hurst, Mary Parsons, Dorothv Thomas, Philip Cleave, Tom Illingworth, J o::,;.!!e Paton, James · Thompson, D. Cohen Bertram Irvine, Hazel P estell, J ack Thompson, Rose Cohen, Wilby J ackson, Ad a P eterson, Waiter Teakle, Hartley Cole, Helen J ackson, Edna Porter, Leonard Tolerton, Elsie Cooper, Keith L. Jackson, Nina Preshaw, Alan Toy, Dulcie Cooper, Russell J anney, Edward Price, Charles Truscott, Vernon Cordon, Phyllis J anney, Lam·a Pr ice, Roger Turnbull, R. Cowan, Leslie Jarvis, Carli sle Prisk, Margaret Trethowan, R. Craigie, J ean J ones, Cedric Prynn-Jones, Lucy Wain, Sidney Cruickshank, C. (Presented by Purser, George Wall, Norine Cruickshank, J. his father) Rhys, Ivor Wall ace, Roy Cummins, A. Kemble, Sylvia (Presented by Walton, Edward Cummins, J ohn Kinross, Gladys L. J_ Porter) West, Estelle bay, John · Kirby, Dorothy Rigg, J osephine Williams, Robert b icldns, Gwen Kline, Freda Rodsted, Mavis Williams, Waiter bowney, Rodney (Presented by Rotenberg, Dora Wilson, Colin A. brummond, Lois Mr Jas. Kline) Roydhouse, Noel (Presented by Elliott, Allen Lambert, Austin 'Rowe, Audrey H. Middleton) Espie, James Lambert, George Rowe, Mollie Wilson, Harry 'Fawkes, Maxine La Nauze, Jack Russell, Edna Wilson, Hugh F'e!dman, Zipah Lightfoot, R. ·Russell, Erica Wilson, Lilian F'e1·guson Herbert Lightfoot, L. Russell , Kathleen Wishart, Colin Field, D~rothy Woods, Violet. 32 December, 1929

PICNIC AT NORTHAM. THE ASSOCIATION. A successful picnic, organised by lJ. A cordial invitation is extended to group of old boys and girls of the the students who are leaving school School, at Northam, was held at Bald this year to join the Ex-Students' As­ Hill, Spencer's Brook, early in Octo­ sociation. Not only Fifth Year stu­ ber. Picnickers came by cars from dents, but also those who may be Perth and Northam, and even as far leaving before the completion of the as from Wyalkatchem. The hosts and full course, are urged to join our hostesses fed their visitors well, but ranks and maintain their old friend­ eclipsed themselves in t he arrange­ shi ps and their association with the ment of a treasure hunt, which oc­ School. Several ex-students' func­ cupied most of the time between tions, all of which have something of siesta and tea. Many pleasant re­ the nature of re-unions, are held every unions, and the meeting for the first year, and if a student wants to help time of some of the Junior and Senior the School that has helped him he wiL' ex-students, made the day a notable find the Association a medium for his one in ex-student activities. Credit efforts. The subscription for the first _year of membership is due is 6/ -, and this to Mr. Hugh Wilson and those entitles a member to a badge and who assisted him in the heavier tasks three copies of the "Sphinx." of organising. A similar gathering All members are reminded that sub­ next year should prove popular. scriptions are now due.

THE FAGS PROGRESS. Come now my muse, let's sing a song My courage changed to trembling About the good old Mod. fear, The time alas ! will not be long I swotted at Dalton; Till I must leave the abode And thought the time would bring me Where I have spent my boyish years. joy . With work, and play, and hopes, and When I stepped forth a fourth-year fears. boy. I came a fag with wandering eye; To work, debate, and play football I gazed around the Hall. Would make one happy day. I'd never seen a roof so high, On Fridays we'd dance in the Hall It made me feel quite small. And speed the time away, And terms like physics, gym., and And then to K with joy we'd race chem. To chat through what is called P.S. Set all my boyish dreams aflame. Alas! the time was all too brief, But scarce a day had seemed to pass, The Leaving loomed in sight, When my first year was o'er; And soon our joy was changed to And I was in another class, grief. A little fag no more. We toiled with all our might. But willing work was now begun, With weary steps and muddled head To gain a place within the sun. We sometimes wished that we were dead. I saw the Junior lurking near (Hear, hear-Eds.). And as the days ran on, -IVON.

THE HOME TRACK.

There's a track that goes atwining, And beside, a brooklet, tumbling, Silver in the moonlight shining, Patters on its journey, grumbling, And whose beauty sets one pining And its whispering and mumbling For a home that's far away: Tell of dainty flowers and ferns; Where the wind through tall gums And the lofty hills are ringing humming To the loud and merry singing, Whispers of a time that's coming, As along the pathway swinging, When we all like birds are homing, The wanderer returns. At the finish of the day. -J.P.