5, Dfticbael's Chronicle Michaelhousb. December, 1957
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
5, dfticbael's Chronicle Michaelhousb. December, 1957. S. ^tticfyael's (Tfyronicle CONTENTS Page Editorial ........................ 2 Obituary ......................... 3 School Notes...................... 4 Chapel Notes...................... 9 Choir Notes ...................... 9 Library Notes..................... 9 Sixth Form Notes ................. 10 "Tufty" Mann Memorial .. 10 Progress of the Michaelhouse Trust Appeal.............. 11 Rotary Camp, 1957 ................ 12 Chapel Picnic..................... 13 Isandhlwana ...................... 14 Prefects ......................... 15 Page House Officers 16 Valete 16 Salvete 16 Speech Day 17 Prize List, 1957 23 Entertainments 26 From the Chronicle of 1907 .. 28 House Notes 28 Literary Section 32 Societies 36 Cadet Notes 48 Scouts 48 Sport 49 Old Boys' Notes 71 1 EDITORIAL "The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things....' The time has come indeed, for many of us, "those who here shall meet no more," to take stock of ourselves, to look back over our years at Michaelhouse, and wonder what our time here has done to and for us, and no less important what we have done to and for Michaelhouse. When Canon Todd founded the School, he intended that it should be more than a mere educational establishment. "Quis ut Deus" expresses his aim that his school should combine religion and education as its two guiding principles. How far is that ideal being fulfilled by us? Do we live here as though we were trying to live up to the conditions implied by our motto? Each day new honours come tc the School in the shape of victories in exams, or on the sports-field, in the distinctions gained by Old Boys in all walks of life. But again and again we should ask ourselves: are we really satisfied with what we are doing? Do we come here simply to pass Matric. or get our Cricket or Rugby colours, or does the School mean more than that? Michael- house is not, or should not be, a kind of shop, where our parents pay for us to receive some tangible or intangible advantage, and that is the end of the affair. We must realize that it is not a one-sided transaction, that we must give as well as receive, serve to the utmost of our ability, to hand on to future generations the good things we have inherited from the past. So also in life. Only a willingness to offer of one's best can bring real success, and if that lesson is learnt at Michaelhouse - that we should go through life ready to give our utmost instead of wondering what we are going to get out of it, then our time here will not have been wasted. In this, if we are honest with ourselves, it must be admitted we fall short. The idea of service, of doing something for the good of the community which may in no way benefit ourselves, is not nearly as strong as it should be. It is natural enough that we should sometimes complain of the established order of things. We none of us like particularly having to do things against our will, but we must learn to obey before we can command. If things are not always to our liking, we must learn to accept it and make the best of it, and likely enough the fault lies with us. Perhaps we are trying to get out of the School more than we put in, we are sitting back, expecting everything to drop into our laps; perhaps we can say with Mr. Darcy, "I have been a selfish man all my life, in practice, though not in principle." Many of us will soon be leaving Michaelhouse for the last time, but in one sense we shall never leave. We shall remain members of the Michaelhouse community, bound to maintain its good name, and to foster its ideals. The name of a school depends very largely on those who go out from it, they are the yardstick by which the world will judge it. Our aim must be to raise the name and tone of the School and to show by our conduct our pride in Michaelhouse and our love for the School that we must all feel. When the White King said to Alice, "There's nothing like eating hay when you're faint," and Alice replied, "I should have thought cold water over you would be better," the White King's answer was: "I didn't say there was nothing better, I said there was nothing like it." There 2 is nothing like Michaelhouse and there should be nothing better. But we who are leaving and those who remain must ensure that nothing we do or say will hinder the work of our great school or damage its good name, so that we can truly prove our belief in its motto, "Quis ut Deus." OBITUARY £. 3. J. HUNT HOLLEY. The following is reprinted from the Forestry Journal: We regret to record the death of Mr. James Hunt Holley, Snr., at this home at "Broadmoor," Wartburg, Natal, at the age of 84 years. Mr. Hunt Holley had been President of the South African Forestry Association since 1949. Mr. Hunt Holley was born at "Broadmoor" on April 21, 1872. He was educated privately and for a short time at the Maritzburg College. He served in the Natal Car- bineers during the Boer War and was in the siege of Ladysmith. During the First World War he served with the South African Engineers in South West Africa. After the Boer War he took over the management of "Broad- moor," which was at that time a stock farm, from his father. He immediately planted wattles extensively and gradually built up "Broadmoor" into what is to-day the largest private wattle estate in South Africa. Mr. Hunt Holley was largely instrumental in forming the Timber Growers' Association and later the South African Wattle Growers Union of which Association he was made an honor- ary life member on his retirement. In 1939 Mr. Hunt Holley commenced the preservation of timber on a small scale at "Broadmoor," which venture has since been expanded into the largest private treating plant in South Africa. As a soil conservationist he had few equals. Any form of erosion was a matter of personal distress to him. He acquired and rehabilitated several derelict farms and was one of the first to realise the amazing powers of recupera- tion of the soil under proper management. In 1951 he was awarded the honorary degree of M.Sc. in Agriculture by the University of Natal in recognition of his outstanding services to conservation farming, research and wattle silviculture. Mr. Hunt Holley was an accomplished Zulu linguist and possessed a remarkable understanding of the native and did a great deal to improve the living conditions of the natives employed in the wattle industry. He was held in high esteem by the African community, hundreds of whom attended his funeral. Mr. Hunt Holley was for many years a Governor of Michaelhouse School and the superb state of the grounds at Michaelhouse are largely a result of his work. Mr. Hunt Holley's chief characteristics were his gay sense of 3 humour and his youthful enthusiasm for knowledge which he retained to the last. He lived a long and full life and one of positive achievement. Generous, kindly and impul- sive, he gained the affection and respect of all with whom he came into contact. South Africa has lost a true forester and a great conservationist with an innate love of the soil. He is survived by his widow, daughter and two sons to whom we offer our heartfelt sympathy. SCHOOL NOTES At the end of the year we shall say a reluctant farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Robinson, on their leaving Michaelhouse for Ixopo, where Mr. Robinson has been appointed Vicar. Apart from his duties as Assistant Chaplain, Mr. Robinson has run the Library with great efficiency and has participated in many aspects of School life. During their short stay here, the Robinsons have made many friends, and we all wish them success and happiness in their new surroundings. One other departure we must record is fortunately only of a temporary nature. Mr. and Mrs. Robin Chapman will once more be crossing the bounding main in December for six months well deserved leave overseas. We wi^h them a pleasant voyage, and enjoyable and restful holiday, and a safe return to Michaelhouse in July. A.R.C. writes: It is with sincere regret that we face the departure, at the end of the year, of Mr. David Howorth. He has shown an energetic interest in many spheres of activity during his four years at Michaelhouse and his contribution to school life, both in and out of the classroom, has been invaluable. From the moment of his arrival, his interest m the world of drama was apparent, and since then he has on frequent occasions shown his talent, both as actor and producer. His production "of "The Shoemaker's Holiday" in the Open Air Theatre this year proved how successful and worthwhile a play of this type can be. As Editor of the Chronicle, he has succeeded in brightening up both its appearance and its contents, a fine achievement in the face of many difficulties. He has been no less energetic in many other fields of activity, in music, with the Junior Debating Society, on the games field, and as House Tutor of Farfield. Perhaps, above all, he will be remembered by innumerable boys for his spontaneous generosity and friendliaess both in term time and holidays. He will take with him the good wishes of all the Staff and boys for his happiness and success in Rhodesia.