MARITZBURG
COLLEGE MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER, 1954 No. 89
CONTENTS
I 'age Page
Editorial Athletics ... 47
Speech Day, 1953 6 Swimming ... 51
Examination Results, 1953 10 Tennis ... 53
Stall, 1954 13 Old Boys' Secretaries ... 53
Farewells to Mr. and Mrs. Cadets ... 54
J. \V. Hudson 15 "Richard 11" ... 57
The Sixth Form According Musical Activities ... 61
to the Poets 22 Art Notes ... 62
School Touring Party to Societies, Library, Clubs, etc. 63
Europe 24 House Competitions ... 66
Cricket 27 House Notes and Lists ... 67
Rugby 37 Old Boys' Association ... 72
ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
Staff, 1954 .................... 12
1st XI, 1954 ...............#.. 28
1st XV, 1954 ................... 38
Athletic Team, 1954 .......... 48
"Richard II". 1954 ............. 58
"The Pirates of Penzance", 1953 60
1 TURING the last two or three years the school s numbers have
* ' been increasing. For several years before 1952 the roll was
lairly constant at about 365. Then there was an overflow ot one class
into Mam Building. Two new class-rooms were built. They were
tilled almost immediately, and in 1954 the school has had to invade
Main Building again. There;<re just over 450 boys in the school.
Early in 1955 a new class-room block will be ready, and soon,
probably not until 1956, there will be over 500 boys in the school,
Irom Std. VI to Std. X. It seems as if the old (College belt, which has
been let out hole by hole recently, will have to be abandoned tor a pair
of bracers. o
This big expansion will mean not only a larger staff; it will
demand, also, some radical changes in the organisation of the school.
There has been, and there will be, much discussion about these
changes. In future years the head-shakers will lind in them, no doubt,
sufficient reason for the school's "not being what it was.' Even now
some predict nothing but ruin; others look forward to a brave new
world.
All, however, are agreed that one of the results will, for the
time being, be most unfortunate: with well over 500 boys at College,
it will be impossible to assemble the whole school in the Victoria Hall.
One might try to express the importance of the school assembly
m psychological and even perhaps in mystical terms, but all we need
point out is that the same lessons may be read, the same prayers said,
the same announcements, congratulations and exhortations delivered to
two assemblies, a senior and a junior, but their effect will be lessened,
because that valuable conception of the corporate existence of the
school will be less clearly demonstrated and less clearly felt.
The truth is that the Victoria Hall is not a school assembly hall
but a boarders' dining hall, and the arrangement by which, at 7.50
.i.m., the tables are moved and the egg-shells and bacon-rinds cleared
away to allow Assembly to be held at 8.10 a.m., is a makeshift that has
endured tar too long.
Mr. Hudson, in his farewell Speech Day report, and before work
had been started on the six new class-rooms, declared that an assembly
hall was the greatest need of the school. We believe that the need is
now even more urgent. The hall should seat about 900, and should
have not merely a platform at one extremity tor speeches and prizegivings, but be carefully planned for assemblies, dances, cinema shows
and plays. Finally, we expect the new ball to do more for the school
than accommodate its future; it must also be worthy ot its past.
4
" RICHARD II"
Because we have no stage at College there is very little dramatic
activity recorded in the school magazines. In 1924 the school presented
"Julius Caesar" in the Y.M.C.A. Hall; in 193 5 "Romeo and |uliet"
with Wykeham, at Wykeham, and in 1950 "Twelfth Night" with
G.H.S.;it G.H.S. 'Thus the 1954 production of "Richard II" in the
Rowe Theatre was the first play by Shakespeare to be presented by
College, without the help of another school, for 30 years.
1st XV, 1954
It College magazines have little to say of Shakespeare, they record
the exploits of many fine rugby XV's. The 1954 team was outstanding . The figures tell their own but not the whole story. The
team played football that was always exciting and usually brilliant,
with a zest that exhilarated its supporters. It will be remembered with
the now almost legendary 1932 team, which also had an unbeaten
record and won a great reputation.
THE "COLLEGE CRIER"
This year, the first lull year of its career, the school's unofficial
and domestic journal, "The College Crier," has made live appearances,
all of them enthusiastically received by the several hundred blunt
critics in the school. Sold at 3d. a copy, it has a circulation of over
2(H). It has something for everybody because it covers a wide field:
sport, hobbies, society activities, verse, mechanics, stories, jokes, belleslettres and gossip. W hat is most pleasing of all is that the editor is
being overwhelmed with material and will shortly have to send out
cyclostyled rejection slips in true editorial style. Place your orders
now.
Congratulations to J. M. Brown (VI A) on winning second prize
in the Natal section of the Navy League's Senior Essay Competition.
******
NEW HONOURS AWARDS
After careful thought, the Games' Committee has decided that boys
who are awarded honours for Rugby, Cricket, Athletics, Swimming,
Tennis or Shooting may wear a gold wire badge on a black blazer.
This system will be an improvement, as there will now be some degree
of uniformity, although the old Rugby and Cricket blazers may still
be worn.
ELEPHANT TUSKS
Some time ago the widow of the late Major Nicholson, an Old
Collegian, presented to the school a pair of ivory tusks, together
with a shield from a locomotive captured in the German South-West
campaign of 1914-15. To provide for the mounting of these trophies,
Mr. N. Mumby generously donated the proceeds of the sale of stall
photographs in 1954. When mounted they will be placed in the
entrance hall ot Main Building.
MISSING MAGAZINES AND PHOTOGRAPHS
The library is collecting a set of College magazines which will
he bound and made available to the boys, who find them very interesting. We should be very glad to receive copies of the follow-
5
ing magazines, which are missing from the collection: No. 1, Oct
1888; No. 11, June, 1902; No. 39, Dcc., 1914; No. 67, June,' 1939No. 68, Dec., 1939; No. 69, June, 1940; No. 81, Dec., 1946.'
There are already two complete sets of College magazines, one in
the headmaster's office and another in the Natal Society Library,
Theatre Lane, Pietermaritzburg.
The school library would like also a copy of R. D. Clark's
"Anecdota," which was published in 1908, and Mr. Kent is looking
for the following team photographs to complete the school records:
1st XI, 1920; 1st XI, 1922; 1st XI, 1924.
OUR CONTEMPORARIES
We should like to thank the following schools for sending us
their magazines: Hilton College; St. Anne's Diocesan College; Durban
High School; Michaelhouse; Harward High School; St. John's College,
Johannesburg; Kearsney College; Glenwood High School; Estcourt High
School; Kokstad High School; Dundee High School; Voortrekker
Hocrskool; Mansfield High School; Northlands Roys' High School;
St. John's High School; Kingsway High School.
«
Early in the year the school was shocked to hear of the death
in Durban of Mr. R. Keet, who taught Latin, English and Afrikaans
at College from July, 1952, until June, 1953. His scholarship won
him the respect of his colleagues, and his kindness endeared him to all.
In August the school mourned the death, at the age of 26, of Lieut.
Michael Halley, S.A.A.F., who matriculated at College in 1947.
Mike Halley was shot down while on combat duty over Korea
and made prisoner in July, 1951. He was repatriated in September,
1953, but the rheumatic fever he contracted in a P.O.W . camp had
affected his heart. His many friends admired his cheerful courage, and
felt the loss of so promising an Old Collegian very keenly. W e
extend our deepest sympathy to his mother and his brother.
He was accorded full military honours, the College cadet officers
taking part in the ceremony, and was buried in the Mountain Rise
cemetery.
6
Speech Day, 1953
The 1953 Speech Day, December 10, was remarkable for several
reasons. 1 he school was privileged to have as guests His Honour the
Administrator, Mr. 1). G. Shepstone, and Mrs. Shepstone. Mr. J. W.
Hudson presented the last of his 13 reports as headmaster. The
ceremony was held alfresco, on the terraces below the 19141918 War
Memorial. 1 he Victoria Hall is always too small to accommodate
the boys as well as the guests on Speech Day, and as a particularly
large crowd was expected to bid farewell to Mr. Hudson, it was decided
to hold the assembly where all could see and hear. It didn't rain, a
public address system overpowered the traffic on College Road, and
the venture was successful.
W lven the head prefect had read the lesson and the Lord's Prayer,
Mr. Hudson welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Shepstone, and then presented
bis report.
The 1952 examination results had been very satisfactory. In the
Matriculation Examination 69 candidates had gained 47 Matriculation
and 21 School Leaving Certificates, and in the Junior Certificate 100
out of 117 had passed, 20 winning Departmental bursaries.
There had been several staff changes and a librarian had been
appointed. Mr. Hudson said that the Department was wise to appoint
librarians to tlve larger schools and that great and good use was being
made of the school library by the boys.
The school's games, Art, Music, Cadets, Woodwork, Lealherwork
and the various societies had flourished, and Mr. Hudson paid tribute
to the teachers, past and present, who had willingly given so much
time and enthusiasm to these school activities. Parents owed a lot to
these men, who approached their work with a high sense of duty. The
headmaster thanked, in particular, Mr. Kent, vice-principal since 1950
and games-master throughout his headmastership, for his keen and
loyal support.
Continuing, Mr. Hudson said. "We have 43 5 boys in this school,
157 of them boarders. There is no room for any more boys in the
school, and we are in the distressing position of having to compile
waiting lists even for day-boys. For several years now we have been
promised an additional boarding establishment for 80 additional
boarders. The general idea was to transfer the boys now housed in
Shepstone's to the new building and to convert Shepstone's into a
School Sanatorium. Our Sick-bay accommodation is pitifully
inadequate.
"At present our average intake of new boarders is 40 per annum.
With the new boarding establishment the annual intake would be
about 70. Believing that we should have this new establishment by
1954. we have taken 90 names for hoarding vacancies for each of the
next eight years. When the number has reached 90, we have refused
to add names. Until the new building is erected, 50 boys who wish
to board here must be turned away each year a distressing situation
for ail of us. In allocating places our policy has been to apply two
priorities:
(1) Chronological order of application;
(2) Country boys have preference over boys whose homes arc
in towns.
7
"As I sec College, it should not be allowed to cxcccd 500 boys
- 250 boarders and 250 day-boys. if it is allowed to become a
school of 700 or 800 boys, it will indeed become a factory. I think
probably the time has come in Pietermaritzburg to build a new day-boy
High School at Scottsville. I suggest Scottsville because there is land
there which would give the school adequate playing fields. In my
opinion, 20 or 30 acres are required for any good High School. The
College School Block was built, wing by wing, as the need arose.
Would it not be possible to build a High School over 5 years?
Perhaps a Standard 7 wing of 5 class rooms might be the start. While
the boys are there in Standard 7 the Standard 8 wing could be built,
and so on year by year. In the final year the School Hall could be
built. Libraries, etc., could follow as the school develops. This seems
to me to be a far better arrangement than adding more and more
classrooms to College to meet the ever-increasing pressure on our
accommodation.
I had hoped to see a Great Hall started here before I left.
Owing to financial stringency, this Hall was struck off the estimates.
It still remains the greatest need of the school. I hope that as soon as
funds permit, this Hall will be built and that it will be worthy of the
school in size, in fittings and in architecture. When the Victoria Hall
was built in 1898, it was meant to be the centre of our school life;
it has been, but it has been necessary to make it our Dining Hall. It
is too small to be a dual purpose Hall now. Strangely, when it was
opened, it was stated that the plan was to build some houses for
Masters also. This was in 1898.
"I hope the plan will not be forgotten in the fuutre. If some
five houses were built on the ground between the tennis courts and
Parkside, it would make a great difference to this school and to the
staff.
"The Old Collegians have started a fund to build a pavilion on
Goldstone's Ground. That fund now stands at <£750. I hope the
school and the Old Collegians will make a great effort in the next two
t years to bring this fund to such dimensions that they will be able to
' come to you, sir, and say, 'W'c have <£2,000. Will you give us £ for
£
and build a pavilion worthy of these lovely grounds and the fine
tradition that the school has had in games for more than half-acentury?'
"That is the picture I have of College. I believe College deserves
these things, even as I also believe that buildings alone do not make a
school. It is the spirit that is in the school. I believe that the majority
of people associated with College feel that 'the ship is more than the
crew', for, though the 'crew' may change, the school goes on. We,
here, have a great responsibility when we undertake the care and education of your sons. So too have the boys and you, ladies and gentlemen.
There are certain demands that the school makes of you and your
sons. It is the recognition of that joint responsibility which makes a
school.
"And now, on the eve of my retirement, I have one or two
things I must say. For more than five years I worked here as an
assistant master. In that time I learned to love the school, as the boys
who were here loved it. For nearly 13 years I have been its headmaster. They have been, on the whole, very happy years. There
8
have been difficult times. There have been moments of real
despondency. But schools and schoolmasters are like that and there
are always compensations. My greatest compensation has been in the
loyal help I have received in many directions.
"First, I should like to say 'thank you' to the boys who have
given me their loyal support. I have taught the fathers of many of
the present boys. If some of them are present, I want them to know
that their sons, in my eyes, are just like them. Just as lazy (at times),
just as courageous, just as loyal and just as decent. In one respect
only do they differ, perhaps. I think they are physically bigger. I
have not kept statistics, but I cannot attribute the fact Hi at records go.
year by year, merely to greater numbers and better organisation. I
think they are, in the main, bigger and healthier.
I have already said I owe a great deal to the loyalty of my
colleagues. This is an age when all sorts of experiments are being
carried out in education. We have intelligence quotients, careers
guidance, psychologists, psychiatrists, syllabuses on many ethical prolv
lems. Probably they are all very excellent, but I sometimes think educationists are in danger of trying to reduce everything to a formula.
Working to a formula is all very well for the man who is fashioning
something in wood or iron. But in working with, a human being,
strangely fickle and strangely difficult to card-index, the important
thing, in my view, is the man who teaches. More important still is,
not what he actually teaches, but what he is himself, for boys are great
hero-worshippers.
"Parents are sometimes difficult, but the number of difficult
parents of College boys has been very limited. It has been a great help
to me to have the support of parents in matters of discipline and in
many calls I have made on their time and purses in trying to improve
conditions here.
"On another occasion this week I have thanked the Old
Collegians tor their faith in me and for their loyal support of College.
This report will go into the school records. It would not be a true
record if I omitted to state how much I owe to them for their great
friendship towards me.
Now my wife-who has been such a faithful helpmeet to meand I must depart from these places we love so well and where we
have been so very happy. If I had my days to live over again, 1
should teach, for I regard teaching as the noblest of all professions.
Perhaps I was fortunate to live through the early part of this century
and to be influenced by some of the finest men in Natal Education
C. T. Loram, A. S. Langley, John Lawlor, Jock MacLeod, Beckett
Dennison and Reg. Banks. These men were my friends. They all
had that greatest of all teaching gifts they gave me faith in mysell
and they moulded my ideas. Each believed that to teach, one must
be interested in boys, in the subject one taught and inspired with the
faith that the job was worthwhile.
"I should like to pay tribute to the many men in the Education
Department itself who have treated me courteously. I have often not
seen eye to eye with them and I have thought they have been
absurdly bureaucratic at times, but it would be churlish indeed il 1
failed to thank those who have often gone to infinite trouble to do
something about my frequent importunities.
9
"Wlicn the school assembles in January, it will have a new
headmaster Mr. R. E. Fuller. He will come to you with two priceless
attributes. First, he is himself an Old Collegian and second, he is a
young man. He will understand College and he will have time to
lormulate his plans and to carry them out. I hope he will have a
happy and fruitful reign at College.
"Finally, Sir, 1 personally, and College generally, owe you a
great deal for your sincere and lively interest in this school. You
have known it intimately from your boyhood days. To you, as to
many of us, it is linked with the early days of this lovely province
of Natal. It would ill become me. Sir, to say much more now, but
I do want to ^ay that we have all keenly appreciated your very real
help and co-operation in many ways.''
W hen Mr. Hudson bad concluded his report, Mrs. Shepstone
presented the prizes, and then His Honour the Administrator addressed
the assembly.
Mr. Shepstone described the qualities that a good system of
education should aim to develop. Above all, a good school, by
lostering the intellect and the will to work, should produce young
men with symmetrical minds and balanced judgments, young men who
would know, for instance, that success was to be measured not by a
material yardstick, but by the satisfaction which came of work done
well.
Finally, Mr. Shepstone reminded the assembly of his family's close
association with College, and of his own proximity and interest. He
had been able to feel the fine spirit in the school and to see Mr.
Hudson's excellent work. The school and the Department, he said,
were losing a fine headmaster.
Alter J. R. Forbes, the head prefect, had thanked Mr. and Mrs.
Shepstone for honouring the school with their presence, Mr. C. M.
Booysen, the Director of Education, delivered an address.
Mr. Booysen, on behalf of the Department, paid tribute to the
achievements and the example of Mr. Hudson, and proceeded to
analyse the reasons for his success. Mr. Hudson had been loyal to
the boys, to the school, to the staff and to the Department, but if there
was one of his virtues more important than any other, it was his
inspiring faith in bis profession.
Mr. Hudson replied to this address, took his leave of all those
present, and then the assembly left the terraces to have tea in the
Victoria Hall.
Prize List, 1953
FORM VI History1, G. J. Trotter. L. R. Purves.
2, L. R. Purves. 3, K. F. H. Bush. LatinArt D. G. Burns.
M. D. Forsyth. Zulu
English ami Afrikaans- G. J. Trotter. B. M. Cooper.
(teomctrical Drawing- MeritB. E. Pierce. J. M. Burton.
10
FORM V
1, G. B. Farrer.
2, G. van Maarseveen.
3, M. N. Crawford.
English
G. N. Colepeper.
ArtM. R. Lyle.
Historx
G.' C. H. Evans.
.Mathematics
T. B. McGee.
Bookkeeping
M. N. Crawford.
Merit
R. S. Badcock.
FORM IV
1, B. G. H. Liggett.
2, H. N. Farrer.
3, D. A. Ireland.
GeographyH. R. Thompson.
ArtP. St. J. Colc'Bowen.
Merit
C. G. Bennett.
FORM III
1, R. G. Farrer.
2, G. G. Leslie.
3, B. W. E. Foster.
Mathematics ami
Physical Science
E. Leelvdu Toit.
Art
S. A. Sparks.
Merit
N. A. Poole.
M. L. Oates.
G. Hatton.
Good Wor/(G. C. Potgieter.
Prize for Service to the School in the Cadet Band: M. J. Prentice.
Headmaster's Prize for Service to the School: D. G. Burns and
T. J. Thorrold.
Cannon Prize (for Service to the School): J. R. Forbes.
Lambert Cup (Shooting Champion): D. C. Lindup.
Duckworth Prize (Junior Shooting Champion): A. R. Dutton.
VVV
Examination Results, 1953
PRIZES AWARDED ON THE NATAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION
The High School Memorial Prize (Dux): K. F. H. Bush and G. J.
T rotter.
The Clarl{ Memorial Prize for Classics: L. R. Purves.
The Lucas Memorial Prize for Science: K. F. H. Bush.
The Musgrave Memorial Prize for Mathematics: K. F. H. Bush and
B. E. Pierce.
NATAL JUNIOR CERTIFICATE BURSARIES
\atal Building Society Bursary for 1st in 7\[atal: H. N. Farrer.
Provincial Bursaries: R. C. Bowley, A. C. Emcrton, R. I. Gordon,
D. S. Gurney, M. R. Hole, D. A. Ireland, J. B. Knight, B. G. H.
Liggett, E. M. Nevill, J. D. Oates, D. B. Pinnell, P. C. Smallie,
I. J. W illiams.
11
NATAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE. DECEMBER 1953
denotes Matriculation exemption)
Class 1. D. G. Burns* (Physical Science), K. F. H. Bush*
(Physical Science, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics), H. Haigh*
(Mathematics), D. R. A. Nordwald* (Mathematics), B. E. Pierce*
(Mathematics, Geometrical Drawing), L. R. Purves (Physical Science,
Mathematics), M. D. Tarboton* (Mathematics, Geometrical Drawing),
T. J. Thorrold*, G. J. Trotter* (Physical Science, Mathematics), J. A.
Vanderplank*, J. F. Willcocks* (Mathematics).
Class II.-P. Alexander*, D. Ashton*, J. M. Burton*, B. M.
Cooper*, K. M. Cowley*, A. R. Edwards, A. Flett*, J. R. Forbes*,
M. D. Forsyth, M. C. Galt*, D. C. F. Garbutt*, R. S. Gurney, C. C.
P. Hartmann*, T. Nel*, P. R. Newall, C. N. Peckham*, P. J. Shreeve*,
H. G. Thomson*, F. van Heerden*, C. G. N. Watters*, M. J.
Weight*, J. G. Wildman, B. G. T. Young*.
Class III.-H. Abrahamson, K. R. Anger, J. A. Barry*, W. N.
Davidson, R. A. Edkins, D. E. Ellis, M. D. Essers, N. Fairall, B. D.
Filday*, B. N. Hirst, D. J. K. Jones, A. N. A. Mackenzie, W. E.
Mason, K. Maurer, A. H. Powell, D. R. Shaw*, P. Sutherland*,
K. L. Tinley, E. A. W. Turner*.
Failures.-18.
NATAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE, MARCH, 1954
Class III.-J. M. Hawkins*, D. C. Sandeman*.
NATAL JUNIOR CERTIFICATE, DECEMBER. 1953
Pass with Merit.- B. Botha, R. C. Bowley, D. R. Crawley, B. R.
E. Dalby, A. R. Dutton, A. C. Emerton, H. N. Farrer, R. I. Gordon,
D. S. Gurney, R. A. Harris, D. B. Hawkins, M. R. Hole, D. A.
Ireland, J. B. Knight, A. D. Leisegang, B. G. H. Liggett, M. E.
McDonald, D. R. Matravers, E. M. Nevill, R. B. Nicolson, J. D.
Oates, D. B. Pinnell, P. C. Smallie, H. R. Thompson, R. M. Titlestad,
N. W. Treleaven, M. C. Watson, I. J. Williams.
Pass.-J. F. A'Bear, D. H. Adey, A. A. Alcock, B. L. Allen, S. T.
Alty, M. W. Bannock, C. G. Bennett, M. M. L. Borland, A. Boyd'
Smith, D. W. Byres, P. B. Cannon, P. St. J. Cole-Bowen, T. R.
Craig, J. A. Creeke, J. R. N. Currie, M. C. Dauncey, R. T. Dobeyn,
W. R. Downs, J. F. Eliot, G. N. Evans, B. K. Fell, M. Flint, W.
Forbes, P. L. Foxon, P. R. Francis, D. G. Goodchild, M. B. Goodchild,
C. J. Grant, A. L. Gray, D. M. Green, K. F. D. Griffin, D. M. Hall,
R. K. G. Hanington, A. C. Harvcy-Williams, R. R. Hawkins, R. B.
Higgs, C. M. Hunt, G. P. Jordaan, D. E. King, K. L. Knight, B. W.
Lamb, R. K. Lambert, M. G. Laurens, G. M. Lewis, R. F. Liebcnberg,
M. L. Lyle, N. A. McDonald, D. C. McKenzie, R. K. MacKcnzie,
L. D. McLuckie, S. N. McMurray, H. Matheson, A. D. Muller, P. H.
Myburgh, M. S. Nathan, A. J. Nicol, R. M. Nienaber, L. F. Oeller'
mann, D. Palframan, G. H. R. Peattie, B. L. Peddie, J. M. Pickering,
|. B. Poole, J. Rhind, B. E. Ridge, M. C. Sauermann, C. Savage, A.
G. Schroeder, R. D. Sharratt, D. S. Shreeve, S. Silen, G. B. Smith,
G. R. N. Smyly, P. C. Stephenson, V. B. Stevens, G. Stewart, D. A.
M. Stone, W. W. Strydom, T. G. Sweeney, A. G. Tarboton, B. G.
Taylor, C. P. Thomas, A. F. Ward, H. P. Warr, A. J. Wessels, A. H.
White, R. 0. Williams, E. Wilson, M. B. Wroughton, L. E. Young.
Leaving Certificate.-A. D. Davidson, M. J. S. Hollaghan, I. S.
McGregor, D. F. Martens, R. I. Pickering, G. S. Smith, J. G. Smythe,
E. J. Speirs, M. B. Usher, N. P. van Rooyen, C. D. H. Watson, E. L.
Westley, W. J. Woolridge.
Failures.-10.
NJ
THE STAFF, 1954
Bacl{ Row: H. J. Commons, A. A. Wills, J. R. Strachan, J. V. Skirving, J
. Clark, A. E. Chapmcm.
Centre Row: P. J. du Plessis, W. C. Gouws, F. R. Baudert, R. L. Nero, P.
Croft, W. R. Martin,
A. M. Barrett, J. G. Morton.
Seated: H. C. Sparks, J. M. Nicholson, C. F. Chesney-Jones, R. W. Kent, R
. E. Fuller, B. Butler,
R. D. Tonkin, F. R. Paine, R. M. Chambers.
In Front: J. Conroy, J. M. Sellers, W. M. Castle, J. van Biljon.
Sponsored by Suville's. (Photo hy J\[. Mum by)
13
HOER AFRIKAANSE TAALEKSAMEN. 1953
Lucr Gruud. D. Ashton, D. G. Burns, K. F. H. Bush, H. Haigh.
L. R. Purves, T. J. Thorrold, G. J. Trotter.
LAER AFRIKAANSE TAALEKSAMEN. 1953
Hoer Gruud. G. B. Farrer, T. B. McGee, N. E. Scott.
Laer Gruud. C. M. Abbot, K. R. Anger, J. L. Botha, P. W.
Gheze'Brown, G. N. Colepeper, G. L. Cooke-Tonnesen, M. N.
(Crawford, P. C. Deane, L. H. Edmunds, E. S. English, G. C. H.
Evans, K. M. Freeman, M. D. Forsyth, M. J. Gordon, M. R. Hooper,
H. W. Hutton, D. F. Malherbe, A. M. Mason, C. G. A. Marshall,
J. R. F. Maxwell, C. G. Nevill, H. H. E. Nourse, 1). R. A. Nordwald,
R. Penney, G. A. Richter, A. N. Saulez, R. H. Sansbury, D. C.
Sandeman, (E. Simpson, D. H. Smith, G. R. Smart, B. M. Spencer,
P. G. D. Stumpf, E. A. W. Turner, A. C. Vorster, D. R. White,
J. P. Willcocks, E. M. F. Wray, B. G. T. Young.
Staff, 1954
Headmaster: Mr. R. E. Fuller, B.A. (S.A.).
Vice'Principul and Senior Resident Master: Mr. R. W. Kent, B.A.
(London).
Resident Assistant Masters:
Main Building: A. M. Barrett, M.A. (Cantab.), B.A. (S.A.);
j. M. Sellers, M.A. (S.A.).
Nathans: J. van Biljon, B.A. (Natal); K. Olivier, B.A. (Hons.)
(Natal).
Assistant Musters: F. R. Baudert, B.Sc.Eng. (S.A.); B. Butler, B.A,
(S.A.); W. M. Castle, B.Sc. (S.A.); R. M. Chambers, B.A. (S.A.);
|. ('lark, M.A. (Glas.); H. |. Commons, M.A. (S.A.); J. Conroy,
B.A. (Dub.); P. Croft, B.Sc. (S.A.); W. C. Gouvvs, B.Sc. (Pret.);
C. F. Chesney-Joncs, L.I.O.B., M.Coll.H.; W. R. Martin, M.A.
(S.A.); 1. G. Morton, M.A. (Natal); R. L. Nero, B.Sc. (S.A.);
1. M. Nicholson, B.A. (Hons.) (S.A.); F. R. Paine, B.Sc. (S.A.);
j. V. Skirving, N.A.T.C.; H. C. Sparks, B.Sc. (S.A.); J R.
Strachan, M.A. (S.A.); R. D. Tonkin, B.A. (S.A.); A. A. Wills,
B.Sc. (Natal); C. Wright, B.Mus. (S.A.), A.R.C.M.
Librarian: Mrs. J. M. Nicholson.
Bursar: Mr. A. E. Chapman.
Matron: Mrs. E. P. Johnson.
Asst'Matrons: Mrs. C. Lansdown, Mrs. F. Kumm.
XXX
Staff Notes
January: Mr. J. W. Hudson ietircd from the service and was
succeeded as headmaster by Mr. R. E. Fuller.
Mr. O. 1. C. Nel was transferred to Harward; Mr. G. A. H. Dale
was promoted to a lecturer's post at the Natal Teacheis Training
College; Mr. T. N. E. Skinner left to join an industrial firm. lo
I
14
replace them came Mr. P. Croft from Ladysmith, Mr. J. M. Sellers
trom Glencoe, Mr. J. van Biljon, who spent 1953 overseas with a
Departmental Fellowship, and Mr. T. Hannah, whose place was taken
at the beginning of March by Mr. R. Chambers from Northlands High.
Mr. Sellers and Mr. van Biljon went into residence to replace Mr.
Skinner and Mr. Morton, who was married in January.
April-Junl: Mr. A. C. Leisegang relieved Mr. Butler, who was
on three months' leave, and we had with us five student teachers:
Mr. B. M. Askew, Mr. H. R. Dent, Mr. J. McKinnell, Mr. S. S. B.
Odendaal and Mr. P. M. Dickeson. At the beginning of May Mr.
Dickeson went into residence to take the place of Mr. Paine, who
was married in July.
July: Mr. P. J. du Plessis was transferred to the Mooi River
Agricultural High School. Mr. K. Olivier arrived from Glencoe and
went into residence. While Mr. Olivier spent the first few weeks of
term in hospital, after an operation, Mr. A. T. Larkin did his work.
Mr. R. E« Fuller
Mr. Fuller was born in Maritzburg, but received his early
education at Vryheid before coming in 1922 to College, where he
matriculated in 1925.
He graduated from the Natal University College and taught first
at Estcourt, from 1930 to 1934. After spells at Harward and Grey'
town and a year, 1936, overseas on exchange, he returned to the
Estcourt High School in 1939.
From 1940 to 1943 he served with 1st R.N.C. in East Africa and
Egypt, and was then commissioned in the Army Education Corps, in
which he served until the end of the war.
In 1944 he married Miss Valerie Gould, who taught the piano
and the violin at Kingsmead School in Johannesburg, and in 1945 he
returned to teach at the Estcourt High School until 1949, when he
became headmaster of Greenwood Park School.
In 1951 he was appointed an Inspector of Schools, and on 1st
January, 1954, he assumed duty as headmaster of College.
VVV
• â– â– â– â– â–
School Officers, 1954
Head Prefect: G. C. H. Evans.
Senior Boarder Prefect: A. M. Mason.
School Prefects: M. J. Blakeway, D. A. Chapman, M. N. Crawford,
R. V. Davel, G. B. Farrer, P. R. Halle, A. N. Saulez, G. A.
Saville, N. E. Scott, B. B. Strachan, J. L. Wood.
Cricket: Captain, B. B. Strachan; Vicc'Captain, B. Higgs.
Rugby; Captain, R. V. Davel; Vice'Captain, J. L. Wood.
Shooting: Captain, C. G. Nevill.
Tennis: Captain, B. B. Strachan.
Athletics: Captain, D. D. Watson.
Swimming: Captain, D. D. Watson.
15
Farewells to
Mr* and Mrs. J. W. Hudson
A T 8.10 on the morning of December 10, the school assembled to bid
farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Hudson. On behalf of the school, the
head prefect, J. R. Forbes, paid tribute to the unstinting service both
had rendered the school and then made presentations to them from
the boys.
Mrs. Hudson spoke a few moving words of thanks, and then
Mr. Hudson addressed the assembly.
"Nearly 23 years ago, just before the Easter Vacation, the then
Director of Education, Dr. Loram, came and asked me to become an
Inspector of Schools. He had pulled me from a Sixth Form maths,
class. I told him I did not want to be an Inspector, because I
preferred to teach. He then asked me what I wanted, and I said, 'I
want College'. He replied, 'You won't get it unless you go into the
country for experience'. I said I was prepared to do that, and he
promptly said, 'Will you go to Dundee at Easter?' I replied, 'Yes'.
A few days later the headmaster, Mr. Pape, called the school together
and bade me an official farewell. I was sorry to leave College then,
but I went, knowing full well that I was to return and that my
departure was merely temporary.
"Exactly ten years later, I returned as headmaster. Today is
different. I shall go before the end of this month, knowing that I can
never return, except as an invited guest. My heart is in this place
and has been ever since I arrived in January, 1926. What a small
school we were then! There were exactly 52 boarders and 186 dayboys. There were 8 resident masters, and my quarters were the whole
block where now the matrons live. In those days the school had a
great reputation, even though it had just passed through a year or two
of severe difficulty and public criticism. But it survived, as all good
schools survive, because of two things: the essential excellence of its
' boys and the determination of its masters to see that its reputation was
in no wise sullied.
"I am told that the reputation of the school is high. If the
requests for admission are a gauge by which to judge, there may be
some truth in that. But if its reputation is high, though you have
graciously said I have had some part in that, it is really because of
you boys. You and your predecessors have been proud to be called
Collegians, and each in his own way, has contributed to the good of
the place.
"Parents and the general public arc very critical of schools. So
they should be, for it is upon the schools that the task of moulding
the future depends. Your parents arc critical from a more personal
aspect. Each father sees in his son a second chance in life. He wants
him to avoid the mistakes he made as a boy. That is why your fathers
are critical of you and critical of your schoolmasters. Each mother in
her heart of hearts hopes that her son will be a Sir Galahad-a knight
of princely virtues. You may not be aware of these things, but what
16
I tell you is true. Each schoolmaster wants the boys who leave his
school to be upright in character, courageous morally and physically,
loyal to his parents, his school, his country and his highest ideals. It
is not given to us all to be shining lights. Of the 70 boys who leave
the Sixth Form each year, 10 are perhaps intellectually outstanding, 10
are probably fine athletes. The remaining 50 are the rank and filethe man in the street-the great mass of humanity. A problem to
which I have given considerable thought is that bunch of 50 ordinary
Sixth Form fellows. I know they have often felt they did not count.
Sometimes they have attempted to make themselves count by being
sources of mischief. That has always distressed me. Your viewpoint
is wrong. By your loyalty to the school, by your determination never
to sully its name by any action ol yours, by your proper use of your
single talent- whatever it may be- you have contributed your share
to the prestige of College.
"The parable of the Talents was real in the days of our Lord. It
is equally real now. Remember with pride, though without boastfulness, that 'You are citizens of no mean city,' just as Paul of old was.
The school's reputation, the school's very reason for existence, is not
that it should have more First Class Matrics or more Natal Schools'
players than any other school, but that its general mass of boys has
imbibed the spirit that duty comes before individual desires.
"I believe most of you have that spirit, and it is because the boys
in this school are worthwhile, that today-the day of farewell-is for
me such a sad one. I am more than grateful for your generous gift
to me. I shall treasure it all my life. But more than that, I shall
treasure the memory of a happy band of young men who have given
me such loyalty and in whose welfare I shall always be interested.
"I am so glad you boys have remembered my wife. You have
been good enough, Mr. Senior Prefect, to mention some ways in which
she has worked for College. All you have said is true. What you
don't know is how helpful she has been to me in my moments of
despair. If there has been any merit in my 23 years of Headmastership, much of it is due to the lady who has been my most constant
source of strength.
"And now I must say 'Farewell'. If I have been unjust in my
dealings with any of you, I hope you will forgive me. I have tried
not to be. I hope too you will always regard me as your friend, even
though for a few years I shall work in another school. W'hether we
are there or when we finally make our home in Maritzburg, I hope you
will feel that you can come and visit us. You will be sure of a warm
welcome, for until the end, my wife and I will regard ourselves as
members of College."
In the evening the staff and their wives were hosts to Mr. and
Mrs. Hudson. Mr. Kent, the vice-principal, spoke of the fine work
done by them at College, and expressed the regret of the staff that the
time had come for Mr. Hudson to retire. Wishing them every success
at Hilton College, Mr. Kent made various presentations from the staff.
Mr. and Mrs. Hudson replied, and brought the day, the term and
Mr. Hudson's long tenure of the headmastership to a happy and fitting
end.
17
J. W. Hudson
HEADMASTER. 1941 - 1953
"God hewed out this stone,
and appointed it to lie in this very place,
for it would fit none other so well,
and here it doth most excellent."
-Thomas Fuller: "The Good Schoolmaster (1642).
John William Hudson retired from Maritzburg College after
thirteen years of service as headmaster of the school, and forty-three
years of teaching in Natal. The whole of that period, from 1911,
had been spent in the service of the Natal Education Department,
except for three years before 1914 when he taught at Highbury School,
Hillcrest, and the times he was on active service in South-West Africa
and in East Africa during the 1914-18 war.
Born in England, he came as a young boy to Natal, was
educated at Durban High School and at Rutherford College,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, and graduated Bachelor of Arts at the Natal
University College in 1919. He taught Mathematics and the Physical
Sciences at Durban High School (1919), Dundee High School (192025) and Maritzburg College (1926-31)), before being appointed headmaster of Dundee Hjgh School (1931-36), and, thereafter, of Glenwood High School (1937-40)?nd Maritzburg College (1941-53). On
his retirement from College, Mr. Hudson accepted the headship of
Hilton College, so that his work in education in Natal still goes on,
for, as with Fuller's "Good Schoolmaster,"
"His genius inclines him with delight to his profession."
All Collegians will know that he could bring no greater gifts of
genius, no more unsparing labours to his task than he brought to that
of guiding the destinies of College during thirteen years of world
warfare and post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation. At the commencement of that task, Mr. Hudson wrote:
"My return to College is the fulfilment of a desire many years
old ... To fit the school to meet the changing needs of the times, and
yet to destroy nothing of its valuable traditions, is the work I have
been set . . . and it is my hope that, when my term of office is over,
'I may be found to have measured up to the standard of my eminent
predecessors." Here, in the simple words of this early statement, lie
the inspiration of his work, the source of the dynamic power he brought
to it, and the measure of the great achievement that has crowned his
labours.
For Hudson loved College, and he identified himself completely
with its aims and traditions. When, in Hall, he spoke of the school's
activities, the boys' achievements, and his hopes and plans for the
future-whether to the boys themselves, or on Speech Days to their
parents and friends, or to Old Collegians at the Reunion luncheonshis voice and presence seemed to gather up and personify the collective
energies and aspirations of the whole school. Then did "the vaulted
roofs rebound"!
"Absolute monarch in his school" he was; yet, like Goldsmith's
famous schoolmasterTet he was l{ind; or if severe in aught,
The love he bore to learning was in fault."
and. no less, the love he bore to College and to College boys! For
18
between "the Boss"-as he was named with pride and affection within
the school-and the boys of College there was forged a lasting bond of
mutual esteem and respect. Nowhere is this more clearly to be seen
than in the inspired messages he addressed, in the dark days of warfare, to Old Collegians serving on the battle-fronts, in prison camps, or
wherever they might be, and in the constant flow of old boys visiting
College on their way to join their comrades up north, or returning
home, spent after the heat of battle. To each, these visits were a
source of cheer and encouragement, of friendship renewed. To the
headmaster, each life laid down was a personal grief, each feat of
valour or of arduous duty done, a fresh source of inspiration and of
strength renewed for the work at College.
Mr. Hudson's concept of the role of the school in the education
of the youth of Natal was specially well suited to his task. It is
expressed in his address to the school on Speech Day, 1945: "To
mould, in conjunction with the home, young men of sound character,
clear thought, high principles and some culture as well as physical
health''. A study of the College Magazine, the mirror of College
thought and activities, reveals the enthusiasm with which this concept
was received and put into effect throughout the whole school. In its
pages one may read the records of distinguished achievements in the
field of scholarship, of hard battles fought and great victories gained
by co-operative team effort on the sports fields. Side by side with
these things the pages reveal a growing interest in the Muses -those
things of man's intellectual heritage which find so small a place in the
"bread-and-butter'' curriculum and activities of the ordinary school:
Art and Music, Literature, Drama and the Opera.
The boys were enabled to listen to great music, to see reproductions of great pictures and performances of plays of lasting merit.
But-what is of much greater importance-they were encouraged to
exercise their own creative instinct and powers of self-expression.
Visual Art and a wider range of handicrafts were introduced into the
curriculum of the Lower school and have flourished. An active Music
Club grew up under the guidance of Mr. Hudson and other enthusiastic
leaders, and offered facilities for choral, instrumental and orchestral
work, while the Bugle Band and the Miitary Brass Band continued to
bring pleasure to their members and add dignity to formal Cadet
parades, as in the days of the late Mr. Bob Goldstone. Outstanding
amongst such activities was the presentation in 1953, by the pupils
of Maritzburg College and the Girls' High School, of Gilbert and
Sullivan's opera, "The Pirates of Penzance'', produced by Mr. Hudson,
who for many years has delighted Natal audiences with his colourful
character portrayals in Gilbert and Sullivan and other light operas.
Added inducements to the boys to develop their own tastes in good
literature were provided by the institution of "reading prep' on one
evening in each week, and by making generous space available for the
publication of examples of the boys' own compositions in poetry and
prose.
The completion of a new building to house the school library also
contributed greatly to this end. The Library, built by the "present
boys'', Old Collegians and their friends, stands as "a fitting memorial
to our honoured dead" of two world wars, to serve as "a quiet retreat
where all who wished could pursue their studies in a world made
peaceful by the sacrifice" of those who gave their lives "pro Aris et
Focis". In it Mr. Hudson, who laboured so hard towards it realisation. sees "the embodiment of the spirit of the school from its earliest
* " Lampudu Scctituris Trddunt."
19
Other new amenities, too, have added to the changing face of the
school, among them new classrooms and workshop, refectory and
swimming bath. Additional teaching accommodation is, as we write,
in course of building, while an additional boarding establishment and a
new assembly hall are planned; these, when completed, will provide
for an enrolment of some 550 boys.
Yes, indeed, Maritzburg College, "buni sub regno Hudsoni", has
gone a very long way to meeting the changing needs of the times and
of an ever increasing population. And still it remains College!
Mr. Hudson's influence in education, like that of Goldsmith's
village schoolmaster, has extended far beyond the bounds of the school
precincts. He helped to found the Natal Teachers' Society and the
Natal Mathematics and Science Teachers' Association, and has held
office as President of both these bodies. For ten years he has been a
member of the Joint Matriculation Board, and in 1952-3 he served
with distinction as its Chairman. Some of the most enlightened
decisions taken by the Board in recent years were anticipated in the
frequent references to the Matriculation examination made in his
Speech Day addresses. He believes in the public examination as a
means of maintaining a high standard of education throughout the
schools of the country. In the Councils of the University of Natal
and the Natal Society, too, his views arc welcomed and respected, for
they derive from the experience of a life-time spent in education, and
from a wise understanding of the intellectual and educational needs
and potentialities of his fellow-men.
Mr. Hudson was a great headmaster of Maritzburg College. His
work will rank with that of his eminent predecessors. To him and to
Mrs. Hudson, who shared so intimately and graciously in all his labours,
College is deeply grateful. To both of them we extend very good
wishes for their new work at Hilton College. That they will be happy
and successful in it we do not doubt, for, if we may allow that old
worthy, Thomas Fuller, to complete the picture that he began in our
epigraph, John William Hudson was"moulded for a schoolmaster's life,
undertaking it with desire and delight,
and discharging it with dexterity and happy success".
xx
Impressions of J. W. H.
BY A PAST PUPIL.
I think his chief impact on the fourteen-year-old was that of an
awe-inspiring figure; his very appearance was stern and forbidding.
One soon learned that the ruddy face and loud voice were not signs
of continual anger, but they nevertheless remained terrifying features.
His stately progress round the school would often be punctuated by
the ringing cry, "Here, youngster!" and some petrified boy would find
himself required to do no more than pay for the sins of his fellows by
picking up litter. Even more productive of sudden contractions in
the pit of the stomach was the Boss's reaction to unseemly behaviour
and horseplay. Suddenly a deathly hush would fall. He might be
content merely if silence were restored and pass on without a word
and with only a slight narrowing of the eyes, as if he wore making a
mental note of the offenders. This left one feeling uncomfortable,
20
even though we realised that he rarely knew our names. Of course,
such incidents often provoked a majestic command, and a procession
would file off to the office.
A loud and penetrating voice, though fearsome, can also he of
great use in indicating the owner's whereabouts. The Boss's voice
seemed, ll anything, to increase in volume when he spoke on the
telephone, and nearby classes, when they heard him booming, could
permit themselves safe smiles ot relaxation. Those who inhabited
classrooms along the route of his daily walks to and from his house
learned to tell his approach by the smell of his pipe. But, as in the
wilds, this sign depended on the speed and direction of the wind.
Gradually, however, one came to see him from different angles,
or. as it were, in more dimensions: not only as "the Boss,'' but also
as "John Willie"; more of him as a person, and less as a Figure of
Authority; more of the singer and actor (was that solemnity always
completely genuine?) and more, even, of his sense of humour.
With fifth and sixtlvform maturity, one began to look objectively
.it the process of education, and realised that John Willie was a fine
headmaster; we began to study with interest his frightening ways (for
they were now seldom a danger to us). We became proud of him.
What is more, we noticed that he had a deep love of College, and we
found the same kind of love in ourselves. Indeed, he became involved
in our affections, and perhaps, "youngsters" though we were, we took
sonic part in his.
But, most important, we discovered things in him which we
had not expected. We had thought that he might be an effectively
awesome preceptor, but in the sixth form we found that he was in
every way an excellent teacher. He had an occasional glee which was
very refreshing, although at first it embarrassed us. He really loved
his teaching, and (almost as tar as schoolboys can) so did we. He
always kept his solemnity-a kind of mask-close at hand, but we did
not mind this. We were grateful enough for his good sense, his
sincerity, his quotations from Lewis Carroll and Gilbert and Sullivan,
and even his stories. There are not many schoolmasters who can
make an average boy not only good at maths, but interested in it too.
John Willie had an interest in his boys as individuals, and
many of us at some time in our last year at College were treated to
one or two shrewd comments on ourselves. But we were always "boys".
This shows how well, how exactly Mr. Hudson maintained his position
as at once a teacher and a head'teacher, a superior and a friend, a
man and a Voice.
BY A COLLEAGUE.
The lot of a headmaster is generally not a really happy one. Like
a prince of the blood royal, he performs on a brightlydit stage.
Hundreds of pairs of searchlights play inquisitively on the details, the
mannerisms, not to say the eccentricities, of his demeanour. But
perhaps princes are luckier. They appear less frequently,, and when
they please, more or less, whereas headmasters must endure the scrutin
y
from year to year, day to day, and from dawn to dusk.
When therefore we find a man, like J. W. Hudson, who positively
enjoys being a headmaster, and goes on being a headmaster, there is
something to explain. But the explanation is quite simple. J.W.H.
is a good headmaster. We all like doing the things we do well.
He is. of course, remembered at College now as he was when
years of experience had ripened him, though stories are still told of his
21
youthful prowess at games and his hardly imaginable levity as an
assistant master. Of these no account can be taken here. This must
tepoit him as we knew him towards the end of his long reign at
College.
I he young teacher, newly appointed to College, would be aware
immediately of the impressive carriage, the resounding voice, the
Olympian dignity. But if he supposed that the dignity went with
a lofty detachment he would be pulled up short by a comment, the
acuteness of which would remind him that the gods, even if they do
live at a rare altitude, concern themselves closely with the affairs of
men, and boys. And when he had felt the warmth of the head's
geniality, he would remember that, though Zeus hurls the thunderbolts, he also shakes the world with his laughter.
J.W.H. was often quite disconcertingly frank. He believed, for
instance, and said that a headmaster should decide as much as possible
without consulting his staff. This method worked well because his
decisions were wise as well as firm.
He treated each member of his staff as a teacher-he believed
there was no higher calling-and a gentleman, though sometimes the
newcomer would feel a rather young gentleman. In fact, the staff
common room under J.W.H. had the atmosphere of an officers' mess
in a good regiment. There was the comradeship, the sense of duty and
the mutual respect.
He had mannerisms of the kind we expect in public men, because
they give an extra dimension of reality. Who will forget his entry
at assembly, the dramatic halt (not often necessary) just inside the
door, until the faint susurration in the hindmost ranks of the 6th Form
subsided? Whether this effective business was learnt first on the
stage, or whether it was an instinctive reaction, employed with equal
effort on stage and platform, we shall perhaps never know. There was
another that must not go unrecorded. J.W.H. could give a text-book
demonstration of the precept with which a generation of Education
Diploma students was armed: "The teacher's first line of defence is
the eye." He would raise his eyebrows, and beneath them the eyes
would express, with masterly unambiguity, anger, scorn, incredulity, or
delight.
If there was one virtue more than any other that earned him
universal respect, it was his conception of the nobility of his profession
and his devotion to his work. He was tireless in his attention and
unstinting in his labours. The clearest evidence of this was his deep
love of College. His mind was richly stored with College lore, and
most of his colleagues were fortunate enough to be regaled for hours,
until some probably supererogatory task called him away, with his
delightful anecdotes and vivid reminiscences. He could entertain
without a W. S. Gilbert libretto, for he was an accomplished raconteur,
rarely repeating himself.
It is not too much to claim that he will leave his mark, not only
on College, but also on education in this province. He set an example
to the many men who taught under him, and because he won their
sincere respect, when they leave College for other schools, they w'lll
flatter him by imitating his method:
Siiiii'itcr in ivodo; fortiter in rc.
22
The Sixth Form
According to the Poets
-hb-tt: ... on an ambling pad.
B-dc-cl{: The meeting points the sacred hair dissever
From the fair head, for ever and for ever.
B-ntl-y: He was short'sholdred, broad, a thikke knarre.
: I love all beauteous things.
B-th-: Encompassed by his faithful guard.
Br-wn: My road leads me seaward.
B-tl r, C. R.: W hat passion cannot Music raise and quell.
B-tl-r. D. V.: . . . and now in gestures wild.
O-mjib 11: He hangs in shades the orange bright
Like golden lamps in a green night.
C.-rt-r: O thou faithful retainer.
Ch-pl-n: He loved his fellow men.
Ch-p m-n: With a sandy, sleepy eye.
Ch-z-----Br-u'n:A twittering linnet.
C-l-p-p-r: And dreamed his dream of visionary hours.
C- l{: I cannot rest from travel.
C-1{-----T nn-s-n: Oh sleep! it is a gentle thing.
C- mb-: O thou stern-eyed patriarch.
C-p r: The Country habit has me by the heart.
C-.s.s: ... And gart them skirl.
C-x: Thou foster-child of silence.
Cr-wf-rd: A blowzed, prodigious man.
Cr-ck^m-y: Over the canvas could my hand have flung.
D-hl: Do I wake or sleep?
D-v-l: And laugh as I pass in thunder.
D-ne: They groaned, they stirred, they all uprose.
D-x-n: Sleights of art and feats of strength.
-dm-nds: Ever let the fancy roam.
-ngl-sh: A touzie tyke.
-v-ns: He stretched his limbs and laughed into the air.
F-r-ll: Bracing my sinews as I upward move.
F-rr-r: He thinks too much: Such men are dangerous.
Fr-.s-r: "Restore the lock!" the vaulted roofs rebound.
Fr-m n: Seemed saturate with sleep.
G-rd-?i: With steady eye he loosed his charge.
Gr-?i-u'-Id: I moved but could not feel my limbs.
H-cl{l nd: For it is, it is, a glorious thing.
To live and love and sing.
H-ll-: An equal mixture of good humour.
H-rt: Love, all alike, no season knowes, nor clyme.
H-tt-n: But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near.
H-wl{-ns: Ye mariners of England.
H-y: His stature was not very tall.
H-mm-ngs: WrelLskilled and diligent.
H-rr-ng: Three whole days together!
H-Id-r: . . . native Wood-notes wild.
H-ll: Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus.
23
H-m-n:
H im-s:
J-ms-n:
L-t:
L -str-ng-:
L-l-:
McG-:
McGl-dd-ry
McK-y:
McL-chl-n:
M-Ih-rb-:
M-rsh-ll:
M-s-n:
M-xw-ll:
M -tch-ll:
7^-th-n:
N-v-1!:
P-nn-y:
R-dm-n, B.:
R-dm-n, G.:
P>.-cht-r:
R-s-:
S-nsb-ry:
S- l-z:
S-v-ll-:
Sc-tt:
Sh-w:
S-m ps-n:
Sm-rt:
Sm-th, D. H.
Sm-th, J.:
Sp-nc-r:
St-mpf:
S-th-rl-nd:
Sym-ns:
v-n d-r M-scht:
v-n M-rsv-n
v-n R - y-n
V- rst-r:
W-ts-n:
W-st:
Wh-t-:
W- -d. E.:
W--d, J. L.
W ith monstrous head and sickening cry.
Full big he was of braun and eek of bones.
. . . pensive pleasures sweet.
Sceptre and Crown
Must tumble down.
Give us a light?
For e'en though vanquished he could argue still.
And still they gaz'd, and still the wonder grew
That one small head could carry all he knew.
What manner of man art thou?
A circle swoop, and a quick parabola.
Ah, why should life all labour be?
He will watch from dawn to gloom,
The yellow bees in the ivy bloom.
Of his complexion he was sangwyne.
Earth has not anything to show more fair.
A beautiful, comical thing.
Haply I think on thee.
Babble on, sweet brooklet, babble on.
A man o' independent mind.
A shepherd boy that swung a little sling.
And silently did he smile.
The double double double beat
Of the thundering drum.
Still to be neat, still to be drest.
To check the erring and reprove.
Go, lovely rose.
... to murder thee, Great Caesar.
Ah cease, rash youth, desist ere'tis too late.
And Music shall untune the sky.
the airdiner with shut-off engines.
Some moment when the moon was blood.
Sweet innocence, thou kindly lad.
For thou art long, and lank and brown.
No farther seek his merits to disclose.
Thou thrice-mighty man.
Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife.
I cannot see what flowers are at my feet.
O gentle child.
A man of substance he.
A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard.
These I have loved.
But me no buts.
Vital spark of heavenly flame;
. . . thy fearful symmetry.
There where the dipping sun his labour ends.
His listless length at noontide would he stretch.
W'ith aimless smile, that hovers in the air.
When drouthy neibors, neibors meet.
\V-d, hi. A.: As on we toil from day to day.
Wr-v: Live on in sweet felicity;
Beware of electricity.
24
School Touring Party
to Europe, 1954
rPHERE are some days we can never forget, and June 25 of this year
-L must be such a day for 32 boys who left on a tour of Great
Britain, Switzerland, Northern Italy and France. The party consisted
ot nine boys from College, nine from D.H.S., three from Jeppe High
School, one from Potchefstroom High School and ten from Churchill
School in Salisbury. Mr. R. S. Jones, a master from Jeppe, was in
charge, assisted by a master from D.H.S., Mr. L. C. W. Theobald.
We sailed from Cape Town in the "Arundel Castle". The sea
was very rough to begin with, and many passengers were seasick,
including some of the party, but they soon recovered. We had ninety
minutes' school work a day and thoroughly enjoyed the voyage, the
highlights ot which were a "Crossing the Line" ceremony, a visit to
the bridge, a tancy dress parade and gala dance and a visit to Las
Palmas on Grand Canary Island. Spanish vendors tried to sell fake
Parker 51 pens and Swiss watches for X5 or X6 at first, but later for a
tew shillings. The notorious Bay of Biscay was quite calm, and on
July 9 we were up at 4 a.m. to get our first view of England as we
steamed up the Solent to Southampton. We were soon on our way to
London by motor coach.
Arrangements had been made through schools for us to stay with
private people in towns north of London. The nine College boys
stayed in Welwyn Garden City, twenty miles from London by rail,
while the rest ot the party stayed in Welwyn North, Hitchin and
Letchworth, all still further North. We stayed in these towns for a
little over two weeks. During that time the party spent five days in
London visiting Scotland Yard, the B.B.C., Hampton Court, Windsor
Castle, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of
London. Lord's Cricket Ground, St. Paul's Cathedral and London
Airport. In between our visits to London our time was free except
for two days when we made excursions to some of the Cambridge
Colleges and De Havilland's Aircraft factory, where we saw jets being
built and the testing of the Comet III. On certain of the free days
entertainments were arranged by the schools in the way of outings or
sport. The College boys in Welwyn were taken by the headmaster of
the local Grammar School to St. Albans, which is the old Roman city
of Verulamium. On the other free days I was taken by my host to
see places and sights in and around London, including the Kensington
Science Museum, Madame Tussaud's, Buckingham Palace, the lights
of Piccadilly, Cleopatra's Needle, the British Museum, the Zoo and
Hatfield House, where Queen Elizabeth I spent her childhood. Some
of us were lucky enough to stay in homes where there were television
sets, and I think everyone in the party watched television at least once.
On Monday morning, July 26, we left London for Switzerland by
air from Croydon Airport, landing at Basel four hours later. It took
another five-hour train journey to get to Villars-Chesieres, where we
were to stay for four days. As it was summer, there was no snow
except on the mountain peaks. In winter it is a favourite place for
skiing. From here we visited Geneva and afterwards left for Beilin :ona, which is close to the Italian border. While there we visited the
Borromeen Isles on Lake Maggiore in Italy, and Milan. We left
25
Bellinzona early on the fourth morning by train for Paris, via Lucerne
and Basel, arriving in Paris early the next morning after a very
uncomfortable night in a French train with eight to a compartment
and only two bunks. On our first day in Paris we visited the Notre
Dame Cathedral and the Arc de Triomphe. On the following day
we went up the EifTel Tower in the morning and visited the Palace of
Versailles in the afternoon. Once more on a French train, we arrived
at Dieppe at midnight. The Channel was calm, but a cold wind was
blowing and we reached Newhaven at 5 a.m. on Friday, August 6.
The tour was exactly half finished.
We were glad to get back to England, as the Continental breakfasts were not exactly our idea of what breakfasts should be. We
went straight to the Devonshire Street Club, a National Youth Hostel
in London. Except for odd snatches of sleep on the Channel boat,
we had been awake for 36 hours, and so we looked forward to a good
rest that night. The following morning a motor coach came to take us
to Windmill House, another National Youth Hostel at Alvechurch,
near Birmingham, where we were to stay for a week. The coach
remained with us for the rest of the trip. From Windmill House we
visited Warwick Castle, Stratford-on-Avon (where we saw Shakespeare's
play "Troilus and Cressida" excellently performed at the Memorial
Theatre) Cadbury's, the Cotswolds, the Austin factory, the B.S.A.
motor-cycle factory and the Rover factory. We also attended a Civic
Reception at the Council House in Birmingham.
On Saturday, August 14, we left for Scotland, passing through
the. Lake district that afternoon. We stopped at Windermere and
again at Grasmere, where some of us visited Wordsworth's cottage.
After spending that night at Carlisle, we crossed over the border into
Scotland in pouring rain. We travelled through Gretna Green and
Glasgow and along the shore of Loch Lomond, arriving at Kilmory
Castle, the third National Youth Hostel at which we stayed. It is
near a small fishing village called Lochgilphead in the Highlands.
From there we visited Oban, Campbeltown and Inveraray Castle, home
of the Dukes of Argyll. In the evenings there was Highland dancing
in the castle's own spacious ballroom. After spending six days at
Kilmory Castle, we left for Edinburgh by way of Stirling, where we
saw the Castle. We arrived at Trinity Academy, the school which
had arranged our accommodation with private people, and were met
by our hosts. The Edinburgh Festival was on during our stay of nine
days, four of which were free. On the other five days we went to
North Berwick, the Edinburgh Festival Tattoo, St. Andrews, a garden
party held by the Edinburgh Festival Society, Fettes College, the Castle
and Holyrood Palace. On the free days I was taken by my host to see
the flower clock, Forth Bridge, the Museum, the Scott Monument and
many other places.
We commenced the first leg of our journey home on Monday
morning, August 30, spending that night in Chester. The following
day we carried on to Oxford, stopping at Shrewsbury, Ludlow and
Gloucester on the way. We visited some of the Colleges the next day,
and after spending our last night in England in Oxford, we left for
Southampton on the morning of Thursday, September 2. We sailed
in the "Stirling Castle" that afternoon, an hour after the "Queen
Mary". With no rough weather this time, and after a visit to Madeira,
we arrived in Cape Town on 16th September. We were glad to bt
home again, but also sorry that such a trip was over.
D.B.P. (Va).
26
A Day^s Excursion
in Switzerland
rPHE Swiss proprietress rang the cow-bell at half-past six that
1 morning, and we all scrambled down to a breakfast of coarse
Swiss bread, plum jam and coffee. At seven o'clock we were settled
in the motor-coach waiting to leave for Geneva and Mont Blanc.
We slowly wound down a series of hairpin bends past terrace
upon terrace of grape vines until we were in the Rhone Valley. Soon
we were travelling along the banks of lovely blue Lake Geneva. The
Chateau de Chillon, a famous old Swiss Castle, where Lord Byron had
spent some time, loomed up out of the lake on our left, and we
carried on through Montreux and Lausanne until we reached Geneva.
We entered the lovely grounds of the United Nations Organization
and passed the wonderful building of the Palace of Nations before
stopping in Geneva for two hours.
Geneva is situated at the very end of Lake Geneva, where the
Rhone emerges crystal clear after entering very turbid and chalky at
the other end. A number of bridges connect the older part of the city
with the new, and looking down into the water from these bridges,
one may see scores of graceful white swans feeding on scraps thrown
them by the many tourists. A wonderful sight is the lovely fountain
of Geneva, which shoots yards up into the air and can be seen from
many miles away. We were very sorry to leave this beautiful, clean
city, but were soon out in the country heading for Mont Blanc.
At two o'clock we stopped and had a picnic lunch in an apple
orchard. Later, after passing through the French customs, we travelled
through some lovely mountainous country. High up on the hillsides
we noticed large buildings which appeared to be hotels. On our
enquiring from our guide, we were told that they were T.B. sanatoria.
A short while later we passed huge pipes descending from the top of
the hill to the valley. We realised that this was one of the many
hydro-electric power plants from which the country obtained its large
supply of electricity.
Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, towered in front of
us as we neared it. We stopped at the little French town of Chamonix,
where we had a wonderful view of this magnificent snow-covered
mountain, and the very jagged Mont Blanc Needles to the left of it.
On our homeward journey we did not return by the way we had
come, but took another road through the Forclaz Pass, the steepest
pass in Switzerland. A narrow, dusty road wound down the steep
hillside to the Rhone Valley. We came to the first of about forty
very difficult hairpin bends and were forced to stop and reverse in
order to negotiate it. Whether we negotiated the bend or plunged
down the deep slope depended entirely on the driver's skill and
brakes, so we were all very pleased when we eventually descended into
the Rhone Valley and were travelling on a straight road.
On'either side of the valley were steep clifTs, and in these cliffs
our guide pointed out huge iron plates which concealed scores of
cannons commanding the valley. It would have been impossible for
an enemy army to have marched up that valley.
We continued along the banks of the Rhone and eventually, after
crossing over, wound up the hills until we reached our hotel at the
end of a very interesting and enjoyable day. E.M.N. (Va).
27
FIRST ELEVEN
TI1HE 1953-54 season proved disappointing in many ways. Very few
1- matches were won; in others the team failed to press home a
definite advantage, whilst some were lost through lack of steadiness and
concentration. Apart from lost and drawn matches, the chief disappointment was the failure of certain players to fulfil earlier promise
and the clear falling-ofT in form of others.
Most of the recognised batsmen often got into the twenties only
to lose their wickets through careless strokes when they appeared to be
well set. The bowling also lacked the fire of last year's openers, and
the accuracy of the spinners left much to be desired. It is not enough
to bowl one or two good balls in an over. Whilst the ground fielding,
picking-up and throwing to the wicket was generally very sound, the
catching had some lapses which in three matches prevented a win. In
each case the fortunate batsman went on to win the match. On other
occasions hard chances were taken brilliantly in positions close to the
wicket.
Yet at times the team showed it was capable of the best cricket,
especially in the matches against the strong Hilton Eleven, which at
the time of our match with them was unbeaten in each term.
An unusual feature in the team was the number of left-handed
batsmen, as many as six playing in one match.
The bat presented by Mr. J. A. Gooding on Reunion Day was
won by R. B. Higgs, and H. G. Thomson deserved his place in the
Natal Schools' Eleven for Nuffield Week.
SECOND ELEVEN
This team was little below the standard of the successful teams
of previous years and came out with a very good record. It had
solid batting strength down ot the end; in fact, in several matches the
lower batsmen retrieved a poor start. N. Wood, before Christmas, and
P. J. Crowe, J. Wood and B. Jonsson in the Easter term were the
most consistent scorers. N. Herring as captain made good use of a
variety of bowlers. M. L. Symons, with his accurate, medium-paced
bowling, and N. E. Scott, with his left-arm slows, got most of the
wickets.
Both Third and Fourth Elevens did well, and it was pleasing to
sec several scores of over 200. Neither side relied on one or two
players only to win matches, as good innings and useful bowling performances came from a number of players. For the Third XI Forbes
did well with bat and ball, and Stumpf, McKay, Hart and Mason
were prominent. There was keen competition for places in the Fourth
XI and trials were given to nearly twenty players. Its main strength
lay in the good bowling of Wessels and Taylor.
rj
oo
1st XI, 1954
Standing: D. T. Lindsay, R. K. Lambert, W. R. Downs. B. K. Fell, N. A. W
ood, R. V. Davel.
Seated: L. D McLuckie, D. B. Bircher, B. B. Strachan, Mr. R. W. Kent, R.
B. Higgs, R. G. Foss, A. N. Saulez.
Sponsored by Lambert's. [Photo by J\ich oils' Studio.]
29
JUNIOR CRICKET
Tlvo Under 15 A Eleven hardly came up to expectations. One
of the chiet reasons for lost matches was the inexperience and
inadequate grasp of essentials of the captains in both terms. Correct
placing of the field for the slow bowlers was very rarely seen, and
hitters were allowed free rein in lofting the ball into the long'field.
Individually, both in bowling and in batting, there were a number of
promising performances. On one occasion it was good to see a
last'wicket stand carry the score from the thirties to win the match
with a partnership of over forty. As a result of much attention given
to fielding practice, the team fielded well and held most of their catches.
The Under 15 B XI lost only one match, although perhaps the
quality of opposing teams was not very high. The Under 14 XI had
a satisfactory record, and, except for one disastrous batting collapse,
usually put up good scores. Both these teams showed commendable
keenness in all they did.
RESULTS OF MATCHES
SECOND ELEVEN
195 3
Oct. 24. Michaelhouse, 150 (Martens 4 for 39); The College, 151
for 9 (Wood J. 81).
Oct. 31. Glenwood, 98; The College, 141 (Wood J. 23).
Nov. 7. The College, 210 (McLuckie 63); St. Charles's, 92
(Symons 4 for 22).
Nov. 14. D.H.S. 71 (Symons 5 for 19); The College, 121 (Wood
N. 36).
Nov. 21. Mooi R. Agric. H.S., 146 (Scott 4 for 10); The College,
118 (Wood N. 29).
Nov. 28. Hilton, 252 for 9, dec.; The College, 11 for 3. Rain.
Dec. 5. Old Boys, 78; The College, 212 for 9 (Davel 51).
1954
Feb. 6. Michaelhouse, 69 (Scott 5 for 21); The College, 63
(Chapman 22).
Feb. 13. Glenwood, 75 (Scott 8 for 24); The College, 118 for 8
(Wood J. 33).
Feb. 27. The College, 141 (Crowe 25); Tech. H.S., 124 (Herring
5 for 40).
Mar. 6. D.H.S., 200 for 8, dec.; The College, 149 for 8.
Mar. 13. The College, 151 (Jonsson 3 3); Hilton, 99 (Scott 5 for
46).
Mar. 20. The College, 101 (Jonsson 42); St. Charles's, 36
(McDonald 7 for 9).
Mar. 27. The College, 176 (Crowe 59); Mooi R. Agric. H.S., 110
(Herring 4 for 20).
THIRD ELEVEN
1953
Oct. 24. Michaelhouse, 158; The College, 48.
Nov. 14. D.H.S., 77 (Colc'Bowcn 8 for 17); The College, 190 for
9 (Esscrs 54).
Nov. 21. The College, 86 (Forbes 24); Kearsney, 61 (Forbes 4 for
12).
Nov. 28. Hilton, 124 (Forbes 5 for 30); The College, 142 (Burton
25).
30
1954
Feb. 6.
Feb. 20.
Feb. 27.
Mur. 6.
Mur. 13.
/ 953
Oct. 24.
Oct. 31.
Nov. 7.
Nov. 14.
1954
Nov. 21.
Feb. 6.
Feb. 20.
Feb. 27.
Mur. 13.
Mur. 27.
1953
Oct. 24.
Oct. 31.
Nov. 7.
Nov. 14.
Nov. 21.
Nov. 28.
1954
Feb. 6.
Feb. 20.
Feb. 27.
Mur. 6.
Mur. 13.
Michaelhouse, 157; The College, 41 and 45.
The College, 142 for 4, dec. (Wood 30); Tech. H.S., 41
(Mason 4 for 15).
Kearsney, 102 and 3 5 (Mason 5 for 16); The College, 63
(Wood 25) and 79 for 8.
The College, 175 (Stumpf 73); D.H.S., 154 (Hart 6 for
55).
The College, 253 (McKay 75); Hilton, 146 (Hart 5 for
34).
FOURTH ELEVEN
Michaelhouse, 97 (Dahl 5 for 29); The College, 226
(Stumpf 88).
The College, 200 for 9 (Sharratt 67); Tech. H.S., 36
(Chapman 6 for 10).
Tech. H.S., 54 (Scott 8 for 13); The College, 124
(Jonsson 61).
Voortrekker H.S., 39 (Scott 7 for 7); The College, 152
tor 6 (Taylor 40).
The College, 223 for 6 (Jonsson 57); Mooi R. Agric.
H.S., 71 and 97.
Michaelhouse, 162 (Taylor 7 for 34); The College, 59.
The College, 159 for 2, dec. (McDonald 71); Harward,
60.
The College, 119; Kearsney, 44 (Wessels 6 for 4) and 62.
The College, 214 (Taylor 52); Hilton, 108 (Wessels 5
for 23).
The College, 190 (Mordaunt 53); Mooi R. Agric. H.S.,
45 and 48 (Wessels 5 for 23).
UNDER 15 A
Michaelhouse, 180 (Saulez 5 for 48); The College, 110
(Lindsay 46).
Glenwood, 191 (Downs 6 for 60); The College, 128
(Wessels 48).
St. Charles's, 80 and 3 2 (Palframan 6 for 3); The College,
44 and 73 for 5.
D.H.S., 254 (Palframan 6 for 64); The College, 121 for
4 (Lambert 32).
The College, 209 (Downs 43); Kearsney, 93 (Downs 6
lor 18).
Hilton, 79 (Saulez 6 for 29); The College, 178 (Boyd'
Smith 30).
Michaelhouse, 149 (Saulez 6 for 49); The College, 147
(Fourie 55).
Glenwood, 73 (Saulez 4 for 23); The College, 78 (Evans
28).
The College, 110 (Pollock 47); Kearsney, 74 (Pollock
3 for 12).
D.H.S., 224 (Saulez 5 for 75); The College, 140
(Hawkins 23).
Hilton, 121 (Evans 6 for 10); The College, 70 (Pollock
26).
31
Mar. 20. St. Charles's, 53 (Saulez 4 for 28) and 70 (Saulez 4 for
7); The College, 91 (Saulez 33) and 33 for 3.
Mar. 27. The College, 148 for 3, dec. (Fuller 57); St. Charles's,
45 for 8 (Saulez 4 for 9).
Apr. 3. The College, 159 (Davel 66); Estcourt H.S., 218 (Evans
5 for 59).
UNDER 15 B
1953
Nov. 7. Harward, 102 (Leisegang 4 for 18); The College, 73 for 7.
Nov. 28. Kearsney, 168 for 8, dec.; The College, 55 and 66.
N(,v. 21. Won against St. Charles's.
/ 954
Feb. 20. The College, 68 for 1, dec. (Bowley 39); Harward, 22
(Harris 5 for 6).
Fch. 27. Kearsney, 36 (Harris 5 for 8) and 92; The College, 70
for 9, dec., and 23 for 1.
Mar. 6. Tech. College, 113 for 4, dec.; The College, 110 for 4
(Bowley 50).
Mar. 20. The College, 173 for 8, dec. (Harris 50); St. Charles's, 75
(Hart 7 for 11, including hat'trick).
Results incomplete.
UNDER 14
1953 ^
Oct. 24. Michaelhouse, 259; The College, 58 and 92.
Oct. 31. Glenwood, 90 (Pollock 4 for 17); The College, 179 for 9
(Fourie 50).
Nov. 7. St. Charles's, 134 for 4, dec.; The College, 80 for 2.
Nov. 14. The College, 119 (Pollock 43); Merchiston, 95 (Fourie
3 for 16).
Nov. 21. The College, 130 (Hawkins 48); Kearsney, 190.
N°v. 28. Hilton, 134 (Pollock 6 for 33); The College, 116 (Fuller
29).
Dec. 5. B.M.S., 29 (Newton 5 for 12); The College, 145 for 3
(Pollock 67).
1954
Feb. 6. The College, 51 (Farrer 29); Michaelhouse, 119 for 7.
Feb. 13. Harward, 67 (Macmillan 8 for 28); The College, 14.
Feb. 20. The College, 84 (Macmillan 28); Glenwood, 120.
Feb. 27. Kearsney, 80; The College, 55.
Mar. 6. The College, 130 for 6, dcc. (Thorrold 31); St. Charles's,
61 (Durow 4 for 1).
Mar. 13. Hilton, 96; The College, 178 for 6 (van Rooyen 58).
Mar. 20. B.M.S., 51 (Lund 6 for 22); The College, 80 for 7
(Shackleford 26).
ANALYSIS OF MATCHES
Won Lost Drawn
1st XI 4 9 6
2nd XI ... ... 10 2 2
3rd XI 7 2 0
4th XI 9 1 0
Under 15 A ... 6 6 2
Under 15 B ... 7 1 2
Under 14 6 7 1
32
REPORTS OF MATCHES
vs. Michaelhouse, October 24, at Home.
The Michaelhouse batsmen were on top from the start and scored
freely all round the wicket. Seymour played many fine strokes through
the covers and found many gaps in a poorly'placed field. Haig helped
him in a partnership of nearly a hundred runs. The bowlers obviously
wilted against such attacking cricket. Our batting was just as dis'
appointing, except for a characteristic pugnacious innings from King,
who hit three sixes. Seymour's off'breaks proved too much for the
rest. He got six wickets for 41.
Michaelhouse, 221 (Saulez 4 for 92).
The College, 106 (King 42).
vs. Glenwood, October 31, at Home.
W ebb and Walkerley made good use ol a true wicket and put on
50 lor the opening stand. Williamson then came in to play a solid,
patient innings with wickets falling at steady intervals, and the final
score was largely the result of his effort. Saulez bowled splendidly in
a sustained effort of accurate bowling, finishing with an analysis of
27 9 39-8. Our batting collapsed after two early l.b.w. decisions,
and, when rain stopped play, we were struggling, although Turner
and King held in determined fashion for three-quarters ot an hour.
Glenwood High School, 176 (Saulez 8 for 39).
The College, 37 for 4.
vs. St. Charles's College. November 7, Away.
In the play before lunch we were dismissed for 119, losing several
wickets to weak strokes from batsmen who had stayed long enough
to get settled. Robinson and Grobler had analyses which flattered
bowling of no real menace. Our bowlers also failed, as they were
hit for 159 runs in about 30 overs. Antelme scored a good 63, which
included many powerful strokes on the on'side.
The College, 119 (Turner 22).
St. Chari ess College, 159 (Robinson 3 for 27).
vs. Durban High School, November 14, Away.
A very good start by Foss and McLuckie was soon negatived by
the failure of the middle batsmen, and things looked bad with eight
wickets down for 103 runs. Then Thomson joined Jones, who had
played a sound, if slow innings, and 50 runs were added. The former
hit any loose balls strongly. The High School were in trouble from
the start, and especially when Thomson came on. But Marais held
fast at one end and eventually found Tutton to stay with him. Time
came with their partnership nearing fifty.
The College, 153 (Foss 32, Thomson 27).
Durban High School, 114 for 5 (Thomson 4 for 27).
vs. Kearsney College, November 21, at Home.
Their satisfactory total was due mainly to a sound innings by
Murdoch and some powerful drives by Lowe, who as usual revealed
his best form against us. Our bowling and fielding was rather ragged
except for the steady bowling of Robinson. A bright innings by
McLuckie (52 out of 78) gave us a good start, but no one else got
going except Strachan with a lucky innings of 35. Bradshaw and
Daniel shared the wickets in long spells of accurate bowling.
Kearsney College, 173 (Robinson 5 tor 50).
The College, 158 (McLuckie 52).
33
vs. Hilton College, November 28, Away.
After a disappointing term, the team showed their real worth and
beat a team that had not previously lost. A second'wicket stand by
McLuckie and Turner laid the foundation for the big score, to which
Strachan and King materially contributed. Strachan at last found
form, while King played a forceful innings. At one time Hilton
looked like saving the game or perhaps winning. But after Crookes
went, Thomson bowled with fine control of length in drizzly conditions,
his analysis reading 17-1-57-8. Two splendid catches were made
by Robinson in the deep field.
The College, 254 for 6, declared v(McLuckie 70, Strachan 58).
Hilton College, 180 (Thomson 8 for 57).
vs. Old Boys. December 5, at Home.
On a rain-affected wicket, our first six wickets fell for 27 runs,
but the lower batsmen came to the rescue. Higgs played a most
attractive innings, and the other batsman who played with confidence
against D. Bestall was Robinson. The Old Boys found the wicket still
difficult, although it had improved. Higgs bowled unchanged, but we
just failed to win an exciting match when the last man came in with
six runs to make.
The College, 109 (Higgs 32).
Old Boys, 120 (Higgs 5 for 43).
OFFORD WEEK
The weather completely spoilt these matches. Play was possible
on only two and a half days, and the wickets on those occasions were
also affected by rain.
vs. Michaelhouse, December 14, at Hoy Park.
Six batsmen contributed useful scores to our total, the best innings
coming from Strachan and Bircher. A feature of the play was first'
class wicketkeeping by Varnals and the brilliant fielding of Burger.
When they batted the same two were never in trouble and gave
Michaelhouse a victory by four wickets. Burger's knock contained
many brilliant strokes and was a pleasure to watch.
The College, 154 (Strachan 30, Bircher 20).
Michaelhouse, 222 (Robinson 5 for 70).
vs. Glenwood High School, December 15, at Glenwood.
We put Glenwood in, but overnight lain had not damaged the
wicket; in fact, it played easily. Their score was the result of a sound
innings by Walkerley and some lucky hitting by Burnill. Our score
was carried along quickly, with everybody making runs, but when in
sight of victory four wickets fell quickly. One was lost through a
foolish ruivout. But Saulez played confidently and helped King, who
had played a courageous innings, to win by one wicket.
Glenwood High School, 192 (Higgs 4 for 36).
The College, 200 for 9 (King 41 not out, Higgs 36).
vs. Durban High School. December 16, on Tech. College Grounds.
Against accurate bowling and keen fielding, the High School
struggled for runs and lost five wickets for 54. Leighton helped to
stop the rot until lunch'timc. Heavy rain then made further play
impossible.
Durban High School, 101 for 7 (Higgs 3 for 27).
34
EASTER TERM. 1954
vs. Michaelhouse, February 6, at Home.
Heavy rain had soaked the wicket, delaying play until after 12
o'clock. We lost the toss and were soon in trouble. All ten batsmen
were caught close to the wicket, as the ball came through at varying
speeds and heights. We were lucky to reach 70. Michaelhouse batted
on a drier, but stili not easy wicket and had to fight hard. Several
chances were not accepted and we lost by five wickets. When the
game was won the Michaelhouse tail enjoyed some big hitting.
The College, 70 (Davel 19, Higgs 16).
Michaelhouse. 160 (Downs 4 for 42).
vs. Old Collegians. February 13, at Home.
Put. in to bat on a difficult wicket, the Old Collegians made a
poor start, which was retrieved by F. Bestall, who played an unorthodox
but effective innings of 43. The wicket got even worse, and we
skittled out the last six batsmen for 19 runs. Our batsmen could do
little against Davidson, who made full use of conditions that favoured
bowlers. Foss, however, stayed for an hour in playing a meritorious
defensive innings.
Old Collegians. 95 (Saulez 4 for 15).
The College, 50 (Foss 24).
vs. Glenwood High School, February 20, at Home.
We batted first on a hard, firm wicket, but could score only
slowly, especially against Bense, who bowled very well. Foss played a
sound knock, but the only other batsman to get going was Higgs, who
batted most attractively. Our declaration left Glenwood three hours
to get the runs. Walkerley opened soundly, but wickets began to
tall, and it was a stubborn innings from Williamson that saved the
game. Downs and Saulez bowled with fine command of length and
direction.
The College, 170 tor 8, declared (Foss 63, Higgs 3 3).
Glenwood, 118 tor 8 (Downs 4 for 44).
vs. Mr. Murphy's Eleven, February 23, at Home.
We were pleased to welcome this team made up of welhknown
players from Durban and Pietermaritzburg, including McGlew and
several Natal caps. On a fast wicket they scored well, and Howard
Dalton hit with great power. His strokes included eight mighty sixes.
Our batting was tied down by the accurate bowling of V. Watkins,
and no one reached twenty. The brothers V. and B. Hall showed
form with the bat and in the field, Vernon taking one brilliant catch.
Mr. Murphy's XI, 253 for 6, declared.
The College, 116 (Wood 19, McLuckie 17).
vs. Kearsney, February 27, at Home.
Kearsney made a bad start on a good wicket and runs came slowly.
The situation w-as altered by a long partnership between Murdoch and
Hulett. Our bowling, with the exception of Foss's, lacked fire, and
the out'crickct generally was very ragged. They batted on well after
lunch. an d th ere wms little chance ot a decision. Bircher came back
to form with a forceful innings and Strachan played some attractive
strokes before time was called.
Kearsney. 190 (Foss 4 for 33).
The College, 143 for 5 (Bircher 50, Strachan 31 not out).
35
vs. Durban High School. March 6, Away.
We made a pleasing start, with McLuckie, Bircher and Higgs
scoring freely. But an extraordinary change came over the game
when Ridgeway came on a second time. He found a patch on the
wicket which behaved in a bewildering way, and four of his wickets
came from real shooters. Our bowling caused D.H.S. much trouble,
although we had no one with pace enough to emulate Ridgeway. A
missed chance given by Dumbrill cost us the game when the score
was 89 for 7. He played a determined innings of 38 not out.
The College, 121 (Higgs 37, McLuckie 30).
D.H.S., 122 for 8 (Higgs 5 for 22).
vs. Hilton College, March 13, Away.
An unexpected collapse on a batsman's wicket saw Hilton lose
seven wickets for 30. Two good catches were taken by wicket-keeper
Lindsay, and there was a smart run-out. But Stott played a great
innings and reached his 50 and the total 100 with a flashing
boundary. He was out next ball. Several of our batsmen made useful
scores and we won by six wickets. Higgs made some attractive strokes
and Strachan scored freely. But the most pleasing innings came from
Lambert, who hit seven fours in his 40 not out.
Hilton College, 100 (Foss 3 for 28, Bircher 3 for 24).
The College, 218 for 7 (Strachan 56, Lambert 40 not out).
vs. St. Charles's College, March 20, Away.
Higgs and DoU'ns took full advantage of a hastily-prepared
wicket, the original wicket having been thoroughly soaked by heavy
rain. They totalled 105 in two innings, and Lindsay showed his
promise by taking six wickets behind the stumps. Foss and McLuckie
gave us a good start, but the rest of the batting was too bad to be
true. Lindsay and Lambert hit off the runs required for a ten-wicket
win.
St. Charles's College, 44 (Downs 4 for 2, Higgs 4 for 18), and
61 (Downs 4 for 37, Saulez 5 for 16).
The College, 88 (Foss 28, McLuckie 26) and 22 for no wicket.
vs. Estcourt High School, April 3, at Home.
Against a rather limited attack, our batsmen made runs quickly,
Higgs especially. The tail enjoyed itself, with Wood and Saulez
reaching their highest scores. Larsen, a bowler with a lively action,
showed good form. The Estcourt innings was all Harmsworth, who
was undefeated with 103 at the close. Towards the end he stole the
bowling cleverly and deservedly forced a draw. But missed chances
told their tale.
The College, 224 (W^ood 47 not out, Higgs 40, Saulez 32).
Estcourt, 173 for 9 (Higgs 3 for 43).
FIRST ELEVEN-CRITIQUE OF PLAYERS
B. B. Strachan: A keen and alert captain, not afraid to experiment.
As a batsman played some entertaining innings full of good
strokes, but there is a suspicion of unsound technique in some of
his shots. Blazer.
P. F. King: Vice-captain before Christmas. A hard-hitting lefthander who punished loose bowling and yet could defend
stubbornly. Quick and polished in the field. Blazer.
R. B. Higgs: Vice-captain after Christmas. Made great strides in
both batting and bowling. Has many powerful strokes on both
sides of the wicket and bowled medium off-breaks successfully.
Blaner.
36
R. G. Foss: A useful all-rounder, scoring consistently as opening bat
and bowling his accurate in-swingers steadily. Blazer.
L. D. MgLi'CKIl: Opening bat with sound defence, but always ready
to attack the bowling. Useful change bowler. Blazer.
L). B. Birchi r: Failed to maintain his successful record of the previous season except in two innings. Appeared to be driven back
on defence and lost his attacking strokes. Blazer.
E. A. Ti rni.r: A useful all-rounder who usually made a useful score.
A competent fielder who was occasionally used as a leg-break
bowler. Blazer.
D. J JoNi.s: Kept wicket competently and at times was very good
with the spin bowling. A venturesome batsman. Blazer.
P. D. Robinson: When in form bowled consistently to a good length,
but his left arm slows were not given enough "air". A good
catcher. Blazer.
H. G. Thomson: Had to take the role of stock-bowler as he lost some
of his spin. Made good use ot any assistance the wicket gave
him. Blazer. Natal Schools.
A. N. Sauliz: Accurate medium-paced off-spinners varied with a
faster ball made him a bowler who was used for long spells. With
more confidence, he could be a fast-scoring, left-handed bat.
Blazer.
R. V. Davi.L: A fast and dependable out-field. Unfortunately completely lost batting form. Cap.
N. A. Wood: A useful middle batsman who batted better than his
scores indicate. A safe field. Cap.
R. K. Lambi.rt: Likely to develop into a sound left-hander. Strong
on the leg side, but has some weaknesses on the off. Might
develop his leg-break bowling. 2nd XI Cap.
D. T. Lindsay: A young wicket-keeper with good technique and great
promise. A batsman with most of the correct shots, but at present
he lacks the physique to score freely. Cap.
W. R. Downs: A thoughtful left-arm bowler who used a variety of
spin and pace. Batting is improving. 2nd XI Cap.
LEADING AVERAGES, 1953-54
Batting
Times Highest
Innings Not Out Score Total Average
P. F. King 9 2 42 185 26.4
L. D. McLuckie ... ... 16 0 78 330 20.6
R. B. Higgs ... 15 1 37 262 18.7
R. G. Foss 14 0 63 258 18.4
R. K. Lambert ... 7 3 40* 72 18.0
B. B. Strachan ... ... 17 1 58 286 17.9
D. G. Jones 8 2 26* 99 16.5
E. A. Turner 9 1 31 121 15.1
D. B. Bircher 16 0 Bowling 50 186 11.6
Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Average
W . R . Downs ... 43 5 236 22 10.7
H. G. Thomson ... 118 9 391 28 13.9
P. D. Robinson 85 14 321 20 16.0
A. N . Sauler ... ... 162 21 500 30 16.6
R. G. Foss ... 113 22 319 19 16.8
R. B. Higgs 132 16 546 32 17.0
37
SINCE 1948 College has supplied on an average 5 players every
year for the Natal Schools' team, and in the last four years we
have supplied the captain as well, i.e., Castle in 1951, Oxlee in 1952,
King in 1953 (in the second match) and Wood in 1954.
The year 1954 has been a great one for College rugby. The 1st
XV and 4th XV went through the season unbeaten, and in addition
the 2nd XV and the 3rd XV did not lose a match after the July
holidays.
The 1st XV had an outstanding season. Surely no finer compli'
ment could be paid to any schoolboy side than to have Mr. Stanley
Osier, the headmastef* of Kearsney College, say of it, "The Maritzburg
College side was one of the best schoolboy teams I have seen in many
a day. They played, polished, clean and mobile rugby."
And, to add a little local colour to the many favourable comments
made about the team, we would like to mention the one made by our
native groundsman, who said he had never enjoyed a rugby season as
much as the one that had just passed.
Of the College fifteen, the backs were outstanding and always
looked dangerous in both attack and defence. Each had his speciality:
Lait's crash tackling, McKay's flying dives for the line, Taylor's force'
ful determined breaks, Davel's tactical kicking and movements, Higgs's
kicking and breaks, Sharratt's steady and reliable service from the
scrum and his cover defence.
The type of rugby played by this team is shown by the fact that
of the 57 tries scored in the season 45 came from the backs, and
of these, 20 were scored by the wings. The defence was equally
sound, and throughout the season only 4 tries were scored against the
side.
Praise must go to every member of a hard-working pack. The
forwards were splendid in both attack and defence, and their linking
up with the backs was an outstanding feature of their play. The
tight and loose scrum work was very good, and the linc'out work was
often brilliant. The three loose forwards hunted together and checked
many an opposing three-quarter movement with some very hard
tackling.
The side was splendidly led by Davel and Wood, and much of
the success of the team was the result of the great team spirit, which
soon developed under their leadership. Six boys were chosen for Natal
Schools, i.e., Wood (Captain), Davel, Taylor, WTatson, Strachan and
Eiiot, and they fully deserved their selection.
'sjj
CO
1st XV, 1954
Bac\ Row: P. J. J. Crowe, P. J. Lait, C. J. van Rooyen.
Middle Row: D. A. Ireland, K. R. McKay, E. S. English, J. F. Eliot, G. C. H
. Evans, R. D. Sharratt.
Seated: B. B. Strachan, O. B. Taylor, R. V. Davel, Mr. J. M. Nicholson, J
. L. Wood, D. D. Watson, R. B. Higgs.
Sponsored by J. F. King. [Photo by Nicholls' Studio.]
39
A SURVEY OF THE MATCHES
vs. Maritzburg Technical High School, at home, on 1st May.
This, the first match of the season, was played at home, and the
team had to take the field with their vice-captain, Wood. The game
never reached great heights, although Taylor and McKay scored fine
tries. In Taylor's case Davel placed an accurate kick ahead. It was
quickly snapped up by Taylor, who ran about 40 yards to score a
lovely try. The Tech. pack played well, and at the final whistle
College were leading 8-0.
vs. Voortrekker Hoerskool, Away, on 8th May.
This game was played in the lain, and the conditions were all
against good rugby, but the handling of the College side was really
brilliant. Splendid backing up and hard running were features of the
match. The best try was the result of a reverse pass from Davel to
Taylor, who dotted down. In another case Higgs made a
line break and passed to Eliot, who had come up rapidly in support.
This player crowded on the pace and scored a fine try under the posts.
Wood led the pack splendidly, and the whole team played outstandingly in the muddy conditions. Mention must be made of the fine
play of the Voortrekker captain and full-back. He got through a
great deal of work and did not put a foot wrong under great pressure.
Other tries were scored by Davel and McKay. Higgs converted two of
the tries and also kicked a penalty. College won 19-3.
vs. D.H.S., in Durban, on 15th May.
College won 20-3. This was another great game, and the 1st
XV played extremely well as a team. D.H.S. found it difficult to find
an answer to the hard running and intensive backing up of the
College team. The game started at a great pace, and McKay ran
with great determination to score the opening try. McKay later got
another good try, and tries were also scored by Davel, Sharratt and
Watson. The whole pack played hard attacking rugby. Watson put
in a splendid run along the touch line and, when hemmed in, put in a
cross-kick into the centre of the field. Van Rooyen had a good day at
full-back. He converted one try and put over a penalty as well.
vs. Hilton, at Hilton, on 22nd May.
Hilton College have always been a very hard side to beat,
especially at Hilton. A big crowd of spectators turned up at Hilton
for this match. Hilton had a much heavier pack, and a great forward
battle developed. There was little to choose between the two sides
at half-time, when the score stood at 6-3 in favour of College. In
the second half the College pack, grandly led by Wood, outplayed
their opponents, and this enabled Davel and his backs to launch some
fine attacking movements. Watson scored a try after a good wheel
from a tight scrum. Lait and Davel also scored good tries. Higgs was
in splendid form at fly-half. His kicks for touch were of great length
and were very accurate, and in all he scored eleven points off his own
boot. College won 20- 6.
vs. Glenwood, in Durban, on 5th June.
This was another splendid game. A faulty kick-off at the start
of the game put Glenwood on the attack, and within a few minutes
they were five points up. They were soon on the attack, and
only some very quick thinking by Davel prevented another Glenwood
try. Soon afterwards the College pack began to come into its own,
40
and with Watson outstanding in the line-outs, the College backs were
given ample chances to show their paces, and some good breaks and
hard running led to tries by Lait, Watson, Eliot and McKay. Higgs
converted one of these and also kicked two penalties. College led
20 8 at the final whistle.
vs. Kearsney, at home, on 12th June.
For this match Davel had to stand down and Lait was moved to
centre in his place. Human played on the right wing. The game
itself was very fast, and the College backs, running with speed and
determination, soon began to penetrate the Kearsney defence. Lait
and Taylor had a great day at centre, and both made some fine breaks,
each scoring two tries. Others were scored by Human and Higgs.
Higgs was in splendid kicking form, and, in addition to converting
three of the tries, goaled two penalties. The whole pack once again
played a great game. Watson and English were outstanding in the
line-out, and Eliot and Ireland were constantly in the picture in the
loose. Wood, Strachan and Crowe all had very good games, and at
the end College won 30-8.
vs. Michaelhouse, at home, on 19th June.
We won this match 16-0. Training during the week was very
much upset by the Natal Schools' Trials. In the match itself we won
most of the scrums and line-outs, but a very good Michaelhouse
defence kept the score down. Taylor, however, broke through at
centre and passed to Davel, who went through for a fine try. McKay
put in a fine run on the left wing and scored. Taylor also added a
try. Higgs converted two of the tries and goaled a penalty. Eliot
had a very good game, and his hard tackling soon upset the Michael'
house backs. The game ended with College attacking strongly.
vs. Glenwood, at home, on 31st July.
This was the first game after the July holidays, and a disappointing
match ended in a draw, 3-3. The forwards were allowed considerable
freedom in both the line-outs and the loose, and as a result good back
movements were few and far between. The College team was out of
touch with its game, and faulty handling broke down several promising
movements. The Glenwood forwards were on top of their form and
played a great game. Glenwood opened the scoring when one of their
centres followed up a kick (which should never have been allowed to
bounce) and gathered on the line to dive over. College scored early
in the second half when Higgs broke to score. He narrowly missed
the conversion. College were unlucky to lose Wood early in the
second half, when he had to leave the field with an injured ankle.
His leadership was sadly missed.
vs. Michaelhouse, at Balgowan, on 7th August.
After the drawn match with Glenwood, the team were determined
to put up a better performance against Michaelhouse, and how well
they did play is shown by the fact that they won 40-0. From the
kick-off College went in with some great-hearted tackling by Lait,
Eliot, Ireland, Watson, English and Strachan. The handling and
backing up in this match were really superb, and with the pack and
backs on top of their form, Michaelhouse had little chance, although
their forwards battled gamely to the end. Tries were scored by
Taylor (2), McKay (2), Davel, Higgs, Evans, Watson and Ireland.
The passing and backing-up in this game was splendid, and the ball
41
often moved rapidly from hand to hand. Taylor and Davel often cut
through the Michaelhouse defence, and the whole team seemed to be
in full cry for the Michaelhouse line. In the movement which led to
Evans's try, the ball changed hands about fourteen times. Higgs was
(jnce again in brilliant form. He converted four tries and put over a
magnificent drop from behind the ten-yard line. Van Rooyen also
converted one of the tries.
vs. St. Charles's, away, on 11th August.
A hard game developed between the two sides. College were
quickly on the attack, and within a few minutes were 5 points up
after Davel had scored a good try. St. Charles's came back into the
picture soon after when some faulty handling by College allowed them
to level the scores. St. Charles's shallow lining and the speed of their
loose forwards made it very difficult for the College backs to get
going. St. Charles's then put over a penalty and led 8-5 at half-time.
College played better rugby in the second half, and tries were scored
by McKay, Lait and Ireland. Lait's try, from a well-judged diagonal
kick by Davel, was a particularly good one. Higgs for once had an
off day with his boot, and only one of the tries was converted. Van
Rooyen played splendidly at full-back. College won 14-8.
vs. Kearsney, at Botha's Hill, on 14th August.
Kearsney started with great determination and soon went into the
lead as the result of a penalty. In the first half there was a very
hard forward battle. A good Kearsney defence kept the College backs
out until Higgs took a gap and gave the ball to Taylor, who scored a
well-deserved try. This was converted by Higgs and College led 5-3
at half-time. Evans was in deadly form in the first naif, and he, Eliot
and Ireland were constantly amongst the Kearsney backs. College
gained the upper hand in the second half, and as a result of some
very hard rugby, the score soon began to mount. Davel took a gap
and passed to McKay, who cleverly avoided several defenders to score
in the corner. Later Higgs also took a gap beautifully and scored.
He went through in the same fashion for another try in the closing
stages of the game. A very quick heel by the forwards caught the
Kearsney defence on the wrong foot, and Lait went over for a
determined try in the corner. McKay dribbled the ball over the line
for his second try. Higgs converted one of the tries and put over a
penalty. The final score was 23-3.
vs. Hilton, at home, on 21st August.
A crowd estimated at over 1,500 people watched this match, and
they were treated to a feast of great attacking rugby. The game was
played at a killing pace. The College team never let up, and were
constantly on the attack. The College pack, with every player giving
of his best, gave their backs every chance. The Hilton three-quarters
lined very shallow at times, but accurate kicks by Davel and Higgs
soon drove them back, and then the whole line went into attack backed
by a screen of ilying forwards. Watson ran and handled like a
three-quarter on occasion and Strachan put in an electrifying burst
along the touchline. College led 11-0 at half-time as the result of
two good tries by McKay and a great one by Evans, which once again
showed the great value of following up. Higgs's penalty kick at goal
just missed the posts. Evans followed up at full speed and, catching
the ball in mid-air, he dotted down at the feet of a stunned Hilton
team. In the second half College scored another 11 points. Taylor
42
used his strength and speed to force his way clean through the Hilton
defence, and Higgs put over two soaring penalties, one a drop goal
and the other a place kick, both from beyond the ten-yard line. The
final score was 22-0.
vs. D.H.S., at home, on 28th August.
This was the last match of the season, and will long he remembered lor some great movements. College went quickly into the attack.
Higgs kicked ahead, Crowe gathered and went through for a welldeserved try. Higgs just missed the conversion. A little later Lait
ran round his wing and gave a reverse pass to Taylor, who went on
to score under the posts. This was a spectacular try, and Higgs converted it. Taylor scored again when, running with great determination,
he went through several defenders and dived over in the corner.
Higgs converted with a very good kick. Soon afterwards McKay cut
in field, and, as he was tackled, passed inside to Watson, who cleverly
drew a defender and then gave Davel the ball. Davel ran for about
23 yards to score. Higgs's kick went wide. The half-time score was
16-0.
In the first fifteen minutes of the second half D.H.S. began to
get more of the ball and the spate of scoring stopped for a period.
In the last fifteen minutes, however. College went back on to the
attack. Taylor made a fine break and fed Davel, who crowded on
the pace. As he was tackled he passed to McKay, who scored under
the posts for Higgs to convert. This was a remarkable try, as both
Taylor and Davel timed their passes perfectly while moving at top
speed. McKay went over for another try in the corner after the
ball had flashed along the whole line. Once again every member of
the pack played a great game. Finally, mention must be made of the
fine hooking ot the D.H.S. hooker and of the splendid game played
by the D.H.S. full-back, newly promoted from the second fifteen. His
handling and kicking were very good indeed. The final score was
24- 0. The match was a fitting end to a great season.
CRITIQUE OF THE 1st XV
Van Roovin, C. J. (Blazer).- Full-back. Rather erratic. Played
some very sound games. Touch-kicking good. Has a good turn
of speed.
McKay, K. R. (Blazer and Scarf).-Left wing. Had a very good
season. Scored 15 tries by fast, determined tunning. Very
difficult to stop. Showed plenty of dash and spirit.
Davi.i.. R. V. (Honours, Natal Schools).-School captain. Led the
team very capably indeed and his tactical kicking and fine play at
centre meant much to the 1st XV. His backing up was outstanding, and he became adept at turning up in tight spots to
help the team out of difficulties.
Taylor. O. B. (Honours, Natal Schools).-A powerfully-built centre
who used his weight to the utmost advantage. His speed and
deceptive running enabled him to make many fine breaks. Scored
several tries through sheer strength and determination. Has a
most effective hand-off. With Davel provided one of the best
centre combinations ever seen at College.
Lait, P. J. (Blazer and Scarf).-Right wing. Scored some •excellent
tries, and will long be remembered for his crash tackling.
Although by no means heavy, he is one of the most devastating
tacklers we have had at College.
43
HiCCS, R. B. (Honours).-Fly-half. His speed, handling and kicking
made him an outstanding fly-half. His quickness off the mark
enabled the three-quarters to get away to a flying start. Put
over some wonderful kicks, and in all scored 99 points for his
side, and of these all but 15 came off his boot.
Sharratt, R. D. (Blazer and Scarf).-An extremely hard-working and
plucky scrum-half. Always gave a steady service, and his breaks
around the scrum often gained valuable ground or points. Cover
defence invaluable.
Wood, J. L. (Honours, Natal Schools).-Vice-Captain of the school.
One of the best pack leaders we have had at College. As a
front-ranker he played a very hard game and set a splendid
example to his pack. His selection as Natal Schools' Captain was
very well deserved.
Strachan, B. B. (Honours, Natal Schools).-Hooker. Proved to be a
very capable all-round forward. His hooking was sound. Excelled
in the loose, and made some very fine breaks from the front of the
line-out.
Crowh, P. J. J. (Blazer).- Front-ranker. His ability to assist with the
hooking won him his place in the team. Suffered a serious illness
in 1953 and his sound play throughout the season does him great
credit.
El.lOT, J. F. (Honours, Natal Schools).-His speed and deadly tackling
enabled him to upset every back-line which came up against him.
Very quick on any loose ball, and his snapping up of unconsidered trifles often turned defence into attack.
Watson, D. D. (Honours, Natal Schools).-Lock. The finest allround forward we have had at College for many a long day.
Excelled in the tight and in the loose. Won the ball with effortless
ease from the line-outs. Tackled splendidly. His speed and
controlled dribbling enabled him to score several excellent tries
during the season.
English, E. S. (Blazer and Scarf).- A hard-working lock. He and
Watson made a very powerful combination. Played a very robust
game, and with a big improvement in his handling proved an
invaluable member of a great pack. Line-out work good.
Irlland, D. A. (Blazer and Scarf).- Came from last year's Under 15
side. Played in every game, and did not play a bad one.
Positional play quite outstanding. Tackling always low and hard.
A very good flanker.
Evans, G. C. H. (Blazer and Scarf).-Played some excellent games
at No. 8. Often used his fine turn of speed to advantage, as in
the case of his brilliant try against Hilton. Got through a great
deal of hard work in both attack and defence.
THE 2nd XV
The second fifteen also had a very successful season, and were
beaten only twice. In the first few weeks their play was rather erratic,
but once the younger forwards, promoted from the Under 15, settled
down there was a considerable improvement, and after July the side
went through unbeaten.
The whole side showed great keenness, often played hard,
attacking rugby, and the back-line, consisting of W. Human, L.
McLuckie, A. Mason, D. Bircher, G. Saville and R. Sansbury, had a
44
fine turn of speed, and several good tries were scored by Bircher and
Human on the wings. Saville and Sansbury made a steady pair of
halves, and Downs showed increasing confidence at full-back. Regular
members of the pack were G. Smith, A. Marshall, J. Pickering, B. Hill,
P. Halle, E. Wood, I. Holmes, A. Boyd-Smith and C. Watson. The
pack was capably led by Wrood, who also captained the side.
In a season remarkably free of injuries in the 1st XV, few
members of the 2nd XV were called upon to play in the first, but both
Hill and Human played three matches each in the 1st XV and Smith
one.
Second fifteen caps were awarded to Bircher, W'ood, Halle, Hill
and Saville.
RESULTS
1st XV 2nd XV
F. A. F. A.
Maritzburg Tech. ... 8 0 Mooi River 5 26
Voortrekker ... 19 3 Estcourt 6 6
D.H.S ... 20 3 D.H.S 3 3
Hilton ... 20 6 Hilton 11 3
Glenwood ... 20 8 Glenwood 8 16
Kearsney ... 30 8 Ixopo 12 6
Michaelhouse ... 16 0 Michaelhouse 0 0
Glenwood 3 3 Glenwood 15 6
Michaelhouse ... 40 0 Michaelhouse 20 0
St. Charles's ... 14 8 St. Charles's 21 0
Kearsney ... 23 3 Mooi River 9 0
Hilton ... 22 0 Hilton 6 3
D.H.S ... 24 0 D.H.S 8 3
SECOND GAME
Both the 3rd and 4th XV's had a successful season, and any lack
of ability was compensated- for by keenness and a desire to improve.
Both packs settled down fairly well and provided the mainstay of
each team. This was probably owing to the fact that injuries were
less frequent in the forwards. Replacements in the three-quarters were
fairly numerous in the first half of the season, and owing to the lack
of reserves ot the required standard, their play and combination
suffered.
Before the July vacation some games played by the 3rd XV were
disappointing, and the team did not play the good rugby expected of
it. The faults were chiefly Foor handling and tackling. For the
former, no excuse can be offered, and the importance of private practice
in this department of the game cannot be stressed too strongly. Possibly
the weakness in tackling can be attributed in part to the hardness of
the grounds which, in the middle of winter, closely resemble rough
concrete, and have been appropriately named "bone breakers" by the
coach of the 1st XV.
In the second half of the season the 3rd XV returned to nearly
normal strength and retrieved its reputation by winning all its
matches. In fact, having lost to Michaelhouse 0-16, it won the
return match 12-3, proof enough of the improved standard.
The 4th XV is to be congratulated on coming through the season
unbeaten, and, what is far more important, on playing rugby which
was always of a pretty high standard. This was mainly owing to great
keenness and a fine team spirit, which became apparent early in the
season and was maintained throughout, despite changes in the team.
45
True, they sometimes suffered from the same shortcomings as did the
3rd XV, but there always seemed to be someone there to cover up
dangerous mistakes and relieve the pressure. Mordaunt at full-back
was most consistent and inspired great confidence. The team won 11
matches and drew 1.
RESULTS
3rd XV 4th XV
F- A. F. A.
Maritzburg Tech.......... 22 3 Mooi River A.H.S. ... 6 3
Voortrekker.............. 5 3 D.H.S............. 19 11
D.H.S.................... 6 6 Hilton .................. 17 3 >
Hilton .................. 6 8 Glenwood ................ 3 3
Glenwood ................ 11 3 Harward ................. 11 8
Kearsney ................ 6 6 Michaelhouse ....... 6 3
Michaelhouse ............ 0 16 St. Charles's College ... 21 0
Glenwood ................ 18 5 Glenwood ................ 6 3
Michaelhouse ............ 12 3 Michaelhouse ....... 16 0
Kearsney ................ 13 3 Mooi River A.H.S. ... 22 0
Hilton .................. 6 3 Hilton .................. 8 3
D.H.S.................... 3 0 D.H.S.................... 13 0
UNDER 15
The season was a disappointing one for us. While the other
school teams were ^covering themselves with glory, we had to be
content with few wins and some narrow defeats.
Our lack of success came as something of a shock, for in 1953
we had done well in the Under 14 section. The explanation of this,
in part, is that our intake of new boys consists almost entirely of lads
too young to enter the Under 15 section immediately, whereas at
some other schools, as we found to our cost, there were many new
faces amongst their Under 15 teams.
Throughout the season, too, we were dogged by injury. With the
loss of our two wings of last year and the injury to McEwen, we had
difficulty in building up a back-line.
Despite these handicaps, however, there was considerable talent in
the side, so that our record remains a disappointment. Only in
patches did we produce our best form-as in the return match against
Kearsney. When in such a mood, the pack could match the best;
at other times, however, their play was too loose, while the defence
generally lacked determination, and initiative was at a premium.
Earle, Catterall and Steyn show considerable promise for the
future. Savage and Pollock had, to some extent, to sacrifice their
normal positions for the sake of the team. Stalker gave us more
than our fair share of the ball from the scrums, but both he and King
must find more weight before they can aspire to higher honours. Cook
was always conscientious in his leadership, and the frequent lack of
cohesion was owing to no lack of encouragement and example on his
part.
The following won inter-town honours; Cook, Catterall, Stalker,
Pollock, Savage, Earle, McEwen, Steyn.
The B team had a happy season, for they showed considerable
team-spirit and the pack worked very well together, sometimes against
overwhelming weight. Here again we lacked backs and had, to a
considerable extent, to train our own. Amongst these were Abrahamson and Schroenn, who show fair promise.
46
RESULTS
Under 15 A
F. A.
D.H.S...................... 0 3
Glenwood .................. 0 13
Glenwood .................. 0 17
Hilton .................... 9 5
Hilton .................... 0 3
Kearsney .................. 5 9
Kearsney .................. 15 5
Michaelhouse .............. 3 11
Michaelhouse .............. 6 11
St. Charles's ............. 0 9
P.M.B. Tech. Coll. ... 21 0
Voortrekker ............... 3 3
Under 15 B
F. A.
Harward ................... 0 23
Harward ................... 3 53
Estcourt .................. 0 3
D.H.S...................... 0 14
D.H.S...................... 0 9
St. Charles's ............. 8 3
St. Charles's ............. 12 0
St. Charles's ............. 6 0
I xopo .................... 11 3
Glenwood .................. 6 3
UNDER 14
Enthusiasm in the Under 14 Rugby games seldom slackened during
the 1954 season. Practices were well attended throughout, so that
marked improvements were apparent in the play ot several boys in
both the "A" and the "B" teams. This was especially true of those
boys new to the game.
The "A" team had a good season, losing on two occasions only
both to D.H.S. by small margins. The team was well led by P.
Udal and Vanderplank, and apart from these two, Evans, von
Burchard and Thorrold were conspicuous in the pack. Macmillan
showed up well at lull'back until he was injured, while Alty proved
to be an enterprising fly-half or centre. Grice showed a fine turn of
speed on the w-ing, and van Rooyen promises to develop into a
strong'iunning utility three-quarter.
The "B" team showed pluck and enthusiasm, although winning
only one match throughout the season. Butler at full-back, Hatton
and Bartholomew on the wings, Hill at centre and A. B. Udal, Colepeper and Schlosser among the forwards, showed promise, while Carter
(lock forward) and Lees (wing) well deserved their promotion to the
"A" team.
RESULTS
Under 14 A
F. A.
Merchiston................. 29 0
Voortrekker ............... 19 0
D.H.S 0 6
D.H.S 3 9
Hilton .................... 6 3
Hilton .................... 3 0
Glenwood .................. 18 3
Glenwood .................. 19 0
Kearsney .................. 25 0
Kearsney .................. 22 0
Michaelhouse .............. 16 0
Michaelhouse .............. 20 0
St. Charles's ............. 15 6
Under 14 B
F. A.
Merchiston ............... 3 15
Merchiston................ 9 3
Treverton ................ 0 9
Treverton ................ 3 6
' D.H.S...................... 0 26
Harward ................. 0 54
Harward ................. 0 20
Voortrekker ............. 0 20
St. Charles's ........... 0 29
P.M.B. Tech. ............ 5 11
47
i
ATH LET ICS
ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTS
Held on Goldstone's Ground, September 18
WARM, sunny weather attracted the biggest crowd seen here for
some years, and they were rewarded with some fine performances,
many stirring finishes and further records. There was very keen
competition in all divisions, with a high general standard among the
senior boys. This they proved a week later in the Inter-School Relay
Sports. A fast hundred yards' race saw Human just get home; a great
220 yards' struggle ended in a record, with the first three finishing
within a yard; and then Human held off McLuckie to beat him by
inches in the Quarter.
Human rounded Q*ff an excellent record in College Athletics by
winning the Senior Championship, although Higgs came near to
beating him. Steyn beat McEwen for the Under 16£ Championship
by virtue of better all-round performance, although McEwen was
probably the more polished sprinter. In the junior division Grice was
ahead of the others, with Deane and Macmillan showing much promise.
The attention given to hurdle practice and running to schedule
in the distance events was justified by the general improvement shown
in the finals and in the success of the school teams the following week.
House competition was keen, although Clark's had such a strong
representation that they were never in danger. Mrs. J. A. Gooding
presented the trophies.
RESULTS
Open Events
100 Turds: 1, W. A. Human; 2, R. B. Higgs; 3, M. C. Groenewald.
Time: 10 3-10 secs.
220 Turds: 1, R. B. Higgs; 2, M. C. Groenewald; 3, W. A. Human.
Time; 22 9-10 secs (record).
440 Turds; 1, W. A. Human; 2, L. D. McLuckie; 3, P. J. Lait.
Time: 52 8-10 secs.
880 Turds: 1, D. J. Cook; 2, O. B. Taylor; 3, R. V. Davel.
Time: 2 min. secs.
Mile: 1, D. J. Cook; 2, J. B. Chaplin; 3, N. W. Treleaven.
Time: 4 min. 56 7-10 secs.
Hurdles: 1, K. R. McKay; 2, A. M. Mason; 3, G. A. Saville.
High Jump: 1, L. H. Dahl; 2, R. B. Higgs and D. T. Gibson.
Height: 5 ft. 5 ins.
Long Jump: 1, R. B. Higgs; 2, W. A. Human; 3, D. A. Chapman.
Distance: 20 ft. 5 ins.
Shot Put: 1, D. D. Watson; 2, J. F. Eliot; 3, W. A. Human.
Distance: 39 ft. 10 ins.
Pole Vuult: 1, D. D. Watson; 2, K. R. McKay; 3, J. F. Eliot.
Height: 9 ft. H4 ins. (record).
THE ATHLETIC TEAM, 1954
Bac\ Row: Schroenn, Cook II, Pollock, Boyd-Smith, Steyn, Hardman, Ed
wards, Treleaven, Bruyns, Pechey, Sauermann,
MacKenzie.
3rd Row: Hawkins, Newton, Gordon, Cook I, Saville, Dahl, Eliot, Gibson,
Chaplin, Liebenberg, Groenewald, Taylor.
Seated: Hart I, Davel, McLuckie, Higgs, Mr. J. M. Nicholson, Watson, Mr
. J. R. Strachan, Human, McKay, Mason, Lait.
Front Row: McEwen, Poynton, Grice, Hill, Hart II, van Rooyen, Colepepe
r, Macmillan, Deane, Udal.
Sponsored by M. T. Jackson. [Photo by 7\icholls' Studio.]
49
Under 16} Events
100 Yards: 1, N. D. Steyn; 2, B. S. McEwen; 3, I. Bruyns.
Time: 10 8-10 secs.
220 Yards: 1, B. S. McEwen; 2, N. D. Steyn; 3, K. F. Hardman.
Time: 24 1 '10 secs.
440 Turd.s: 1, B. S. McEwen; 2, G. A. Newton; 3, S. T. Alty.
Time: 55 2-10 secs.
<S80 Yards: 1, F. C. Edwards; 2, C. R. Pechey; 3, R. I. Gordon.
Time: 2 min. 14 6-10 secs.
Mile: 1, R. I. Gordon; 2, S. T. Alty; 3, R. K. MacKenzie.
Time: 5 min. 10 secs.
Hurdles: 1, M. F. Pollock; 2, N. D. Steyn; 3, I. Bruyns.
Time: 16 1-10 secs.
High Jump: 1, N. 1). Steyn; 2, I. Bruyns; 3, G. A. Newton.
Height: 5 ft.
Long Jump: 1, N. D. Steyn; 2, I. Bruyns; 3, M. F. Pollock.
Distance: 19 ft.
Pole Vault: 1, I. Bruyns; 2, A. J. Wessels; 3, M. B. Goodchild.
Height: 9 ft. 3 in. (record).
Under 15 Events
]()0 Yards: 1, J. W. Grice; 2, H. W. Deane; 3, M. E. Macmillan.
Time: 11 2-0 secs.
220 Yards: 1, J. W. Grice; 2, H. W. Deane; 3, H. C. van Rooyen.
Time: 24 9-10 sec. (record).
440 Tarcl.s: 1, J. W. Grice; 2, H. W. Deane; 3, P. J. Colepeper.
Time: 58 6-10 secs.
880 Yards: 1, P. J. Colepeper; 2, H. G. Hart; 3, R. R. Hawkins.
Time: 2 min. 22 9-10 secs.
Hurdles: 1, M. E. Macmillan; 2, H. G. Hart; 3, H. J. von Burchard.
Time: 16 5-10 secs.
High Jump: 1, J. N. Hill; 2, H. G. Hart; 3, J. W. Grice.
Height: 4 ft. 11 £ ins.
Long Jump: 1, J. W. Grice; 2, M. E. Macmillan; 3, H. W. Deane.
Distance: 17 ft. 11 in. (record).
Old Boys' Race
100 Yards: 1, McEwen.
Relay Events
4 x 110, Under 45: 1, Langley s; 2, Nathan's; 3, Clark's.
Time: 52 3-10 secs.
4 x 110, Under 16\: 1, Clark's; 2, Nathan's; 3, Stalker's.
Time: 48 9-10 secs.
4 x 110, Open: 1, ('lark's; 2, Nathan's; 3, Stalker's.
Time: 46 4-10 secs.
Champions
Open: W. A. Human.
Under 16\: N. D. Steyn.
Under 15: J. W. Grice.
House Points
1. Clark's 103
2. Langley's 64
3. Nathan's 63
4. Oxland's 44
5. Stalker's 40
50
INTER-SCHOOL RELAY SPORTS
These were held on September 25, on the Durban High School
grounds. The track was in good condition, and although the weather
was cool and cloudy, the threatening rain held off until near the end.
The large crowd enjoyed some splendid running, and there were a
great number of stirring finishes.
Points gained from the morning's events kept College and Durban
High School neck and neck, and this position was maintained during
the whole afternoon. Good team-work in some of the distance events
turned the balance in our favour, although the real strength lay in our
well-balanced and powerful open team. They won nine out of eleven
events. St. Charles's College Under 15 team showed most promising
form.
We regret that the Press should single out individual performances
for their sole comment on the meeting, as the original intention and
the emphasis of these Relay Sports was, and is, placed on the over-all
strength of the four schools in team competition.
The following boys represented the school: Open Events: D. D. Watson, R. B. Higgs, W. A. Human, M. C.
Groenewald, A. M. Mason, L. D. McLuckie, P. J. Lait, D. I. Cook,
K. R. McKay, R. V. Davel, O. B. Taylor, N. W. Treleaven, L. H.
Dahl, O. D. Hart, J. F. Eliot, J. B. Chaplin, G. A. Saville, D. T. D.
Gibson.
Under 16\ Events: B. S. McEwen, N. D. Steyn, G. A. Newton,
1. Bruyns, K. F. G. Hardman, M. B. Schroenn, M. C. Sauermann,
C. R. E. Pechey, R. I. Gordon, A. Boyd-Smith, R. K. MacKenzie, R. F.
Liebenberg, M. F. Pollock, R. C. Cook, F. C. Edwards.
Under 15 Events: J. W. Grice, H. W. B. Deane, H. G. Hart,
P. M. Udal, M. E. Macmillan, H. C. van Rooyen, R. R. Hawkins,
P. J. Colepeper, D. T. Poynton, J. N. Hill.
Honours Badges were awarded to \V. A. Human, D. D. Watson,
R. B. Higgs.
Places Gained
FIRSTS: Open: Long Jump, Pole Vault, 4 x 220, Mile Team, 4 x 440,
4 x 110, Shot Put, Hurdles, Half-mile Team.
Under 16|: Hurdles.
SECONDS: Open: High jump.
Under 16\: High Jump, Long Jump.
Under 15: High Jump, 4 x 220, Hurdles, 4 x 440, 4 x 110,
Half-mile Team, Mile Medley.
THIRDS:
Open: Mile Medley.
Under 16\: Mile Medley, Mile Team, 4 x 440.
Under 15: Long Jump.
School Placings
Points
1. Maritzburg College ........... 55
2. Durban High School ........... 50
3. St. Charles's College ........ 36
4. Glenwood High School ... 27
Swimming
rilHE annual Inter-house Gala, held on March 12, proved most
enjoyable and treated the spectators to a display of really good
swimming. D. Watson's 100 yards sprint in 52.8 seconds deserves
special mention.
INTER-HOUSE GALA. 1954
Open Events
200 Yards Freestyle: 1, D. Watson (C); 2, Ireland (L); 3, Wratson
II (C). Time: 2 min. 9.6 sec. (record).
50 Yards Butterfly: 1, D. McLachlan (C); 2, Savage (C); 3, Currie
(L). Time 29.8 sec. (record).
Three'Style Medley: 1, D. McLachlan (C); 2, D. Watson (C); 3,
Mitchell (N). Time: 1 min. 5.1 sec. (record).
House Relay: 1, ('lark's; 2, Nathan's; 3, Langley's.
Time: 1 min. 48.6 sec. (record).
Over 16 Events
100 Yards Freestyle: 1, D. Waston (C); 2, D. McLachlan (C); 3,
Schroeder (N). Time: 52.8 sec. (record).
100 Tards Breaststroke: 1, D. McLachlan (C); 2, Mason (S); 3,
L'Estrange (L). Time: 74.3 sec. (record).
50 Yards Bacl{strol{&: 1, D. Watson (C); 2, D. McLachlan (C); 3,
Nathan (O). Time: 29.7 sec.
Under 16 Events
Team Medley: 1, Clark's; 2, Nathan's; 3, Stalker's.
Time: 62.7 sec.
50 Yards Bacl(strol(e: 1, Savage (C); 2, Watson II (C); 3, Ireland
(L). Time: 32 sec.
100 Tards Freestyle: 1, Savage (C); 2, Ireland (L); 3, Watson II (C)
and Liebenberg (N). Time: 57.8 sec. (record).
50 Yards Breaststroke: 1, Savage (C); 2, Sauermann (N); 3, Williams
(L). Time: 36.6 sec.
House Relay: 1, Clark's; 2, Langley's; 3, Nathan's.
Time: 1 min. 52.8 sec. (record).
Under 14} Events
50 Tards Bac\stro\e: 1, Macmillan (C); 2, McLachlan II (C); 3,
Mattison (N). Time: 3 5.8 sec.
Team Medley::1, Stalker's; 2, Clark's; 3, Nathan's.
Time: 68.4 sec.
50 Yards Breaststroke: 1, Pollock (S); 2, Simpson (N); 3, McLachlan
(C). Time: 38 sec.
50 Tards Freestyle: 1, Macmillan (C); 2, McLachlan (C); 3, Allen
(S). Time: 29.2 sec.
House Relay: 1, Nathan's; 2, Stalker's; 3, Clark's.
Time: 2 min. 5.6 sec.
Diving
Under 14\: 1, McLachlan (C); 2, Alty (N); 3, Marriott (L).
Over 14J: 1, Goodchild (S); 2, Nel (N); 3, Schroeder (N).
W'INNING HOUSE (Hutchinson Cup): Clark's.
CHAMPION SWIMMER: D. McLachlan.
52
INTER-SCHOOLS GALA
Under 14 Events
50 lards Freestyle: 1, McLachlan II; 2, Macmillan. Time: 29.1 sec.
50 1 arils Breaststroke: 1, McLachlan II. Time: 40.5 sec.
50 1 ards Baclystrol^e: 1, Macmillan; 3, Colepeper. Time, 36 sec.
Age 14 Events
50 1 ards Ilac/{strode: 1, Savage. Time: 31.2 sec. (record).
50 lards Freestyle: 1, Savage. Time: 26 sec. (record).
."'0 lards Breaststroke: 1, Simpson. Time, 38.6 sec.
Age 15 Events
50 1 ards Breaststroke: 2, Saucrmann; 3, Williams.
50 Tards Bael{strol{e: 2, Ireland; 3, Watson.
100 1 ards Freestyle: 1, Ireland; 2, Watson II. Time 60.1 sec.
Under 16
Team Race: 1, College. Time: 1 min. 49.9 sec. (equals record).
Age 16 and Over Events
50 lards Bacl{strol{e: 1, McLachlan I; 2, Watson I. Time: 28.9 sec.
(record).
50 lards Breaststroke: 1, Mason. Time: 34.3 sec.
100 lards Breaststroke: 2, Mason; 3, L'Estrange.
100 Turtls Freestyle: 1, Watson I. Time: 54 sec.
200 lards Freestyle: 1, McLachlan I. Time: 2 min. 9.6 (record).
Team Race: 1, College. Time: 1 min. 45.7 sec.
Fancy Diving (Open): 1, McLachlan II and Schroeder.
NATAL SCHOOLS GALA
The inter'district Natal Schools Gala was held in Vryheid this
year. The College hoys who lepresented Pietermaritzburg district were
D. Watson, D. McLachlan, C. Savage, D. Ireland, A. Schroeder, M.
McLachlan and M. Macmillan.
LIFE SAVING
For the lirst time for many years Life Saving classes were held.
The aim of this was to teach the monitors enough of the technique for
practical use should the need arise in the course of their duty. The
headmaster held weekly classes, and the learners were expected to
practise during the week. A reasonably safe standard of life saving
was attained, and there is no doubt that this valuable branch of
swimming should continue at College.
WATER POLO
The standard of Water Polo this season, the second year of inter'
house matches, showed considerable improvement and there are many
promising players, not all of them from local clubs. Clark s again
proved too strong for the other houses and won the league comfortably.
Towards the end of the season the boarders took on the day boys,
in the fashion of David, but with less than David's fitness. Fitness
and experience told too heavily against the boarders, who were defeated
10__2, the goalkeeper spending more time above the water than in it.
A College team travelled to Hilton and narrowly beat them. We
hope to have more matches against other schools if the counter'daims
of other sports and commitments can be met.
SWIMMING AWARDS FOR THE SEASON
Honours: D. W atson, D. McLachlan.
Large White Badge: C. Savage, D. Ireland, A. Mason, P. Watson,
A. Schroeder.
Small White Badge: P. L'Estrange, P. Cannon, M. Sauermann, I.
Williams.
53
h-•
1 ennis
Captain: Strachan.
Committee: Herring, Higgs and Saville.
The high standard of tennis has been maintained this year, and
College did well to come second in the Denness Cup.
All matches in the Denness Cup Trophy competition were played
on the Kershaw Park courts. Hilton won again this year, beating
College by 9 points.
The interdiouse doubles tournament was held in September. The
results were: Nathan's, 96; Clark's, 84; Langley's, 70; Oxland's, 67;
Stalker's, 43.
Large white badges were awarded to Strachan, Gray, Higgs and
Evans. No small white badges were awarded.
Old Boysf Secretaries
We urge boys who are leaving school to join the Old Boys'
Association and to get into touch with the nearest secretary. Here
are the addresses of local secretaries: Maritzburg:
Durban:
Johann csburg
Bulawayo:
Salisbury:
Stellenbosch:
C. T. Brooke, 400 Longmarket Street.
K. Burns, P.O. Box 548.
J. G. Barnes, P.O. Box 1397 (Tel. 33 9921).
R. Lewis, c/o Barclay's Bank.
E. B. Chivers, P.O. Box 372.
|. du Plessis, 19 Soeteweide Street, or G. J. P.
Cundill, "Helderberg," P.O. Box 20.
Signals:
Once again we are indebted to Sergeant Dunning for his efficient
training of our signallers. The Collins Shield competition was held
this year, but the results are not yet to hand.
Ambulance:
Training proceeded without outside assistance. Deane, who
obtained his qualifications to instruct, took charge and enabled the
cadets taking the course to achieve a creditable standard.
Military Band:
Lieut. J. C. Carter's regular instruction has brought the band to a
high level of efficiency. During the year it appeared in public on a
number of occasions. The band supplied music at the S.O.E. pilgrim'
age at Fort Napier Cemetery, at an Azalea Week concert, at Pieter'
maritzburg 6? District Cadet Band contest, and, of course, at our own
annual inspection.
Retreat Ceremony:
College, as was to be expected, played its part in the Retreat
ceremonies performed by various military units during Azalea Week.
Our tunvout was an impressive one, with Bugle Band and a full
muster ot cadets. Parents, friends and the general public gathered also
in strength to witness a smart ceremonial parade. Great credit is due
to the boys and R.S.M. Johnston, who gave them instruction to fit them
for the ceremony.
Inspection:
Brigadier Hingeston took the inspection this year; 370 boys were
on parade. It was an exceedingly hot day (Sept. 24-temp. 101 deg.
Fah.), but the cadets paraded smartly and efficiently. The Signals and
Ambulance sections were also inspected, and the Brigadier congratU'
lated all concerned on the turn'out.
Bugle Band:
The members of the band have practised regularly throughout the
year under Drum Major G. A. Saville. They entered for the Azalea
Week Bugle Band competition held on the 27th August, and came
first. They also played at the Retreat ceremony and at the annual
inspection.
On Saturday, 23rd October, the Natal Cadet Band Competition
for the Administrator's Trophy was held at Woodburn. This com'
petition was started last year, but this was the first occasion on which
the College Band entered for it.
As the nine bands that took part represented the best bands in
the three districts of the Province-each district being represented by
three bands-the standard was very high. Each band gave a display
lasting twelve minutes, during which time many intricate manoeuvres
were performed.
The result was: 1, Glenwood High School; 2, Maritzburg College;
3, Durban High School.
55
Shooting:
College shooting teams have done well this year, and this in
spite of the fact that the scores, in general, were mediocre and very
little higher than last year's. Perhaps the real reason for our success
is that the standard in other schools has dropped, which seems to
indicate that there is some merit in maintaining a steady average, even
though that average may not be very high. We did have one very
bad lapse in the second round of the Frank Stevens Shield Competition,
but since July the scores have improved and the trophies have started
making their way back to the Victoria Hall once more.
Franl{ Stevens Shield: This is the premier competiiton in Natal,
since it involves large teams (20), a time limit of 75 seconds in the
"rapid", and includes three rounds during the year. This year fortunes
fluctuated considerably and three different schools took the lead in the
three rounds. In the first round Mansfield had an excellent score of
1568.8, with College 1555.5. Durban High School topped the second
round with 1543.3, College dropped to 1530.7, while Mansfield crashed
to 1525.6. In the third round Mansfield and College exchanged their
first round scores ( 1556.8 and 1568.8 respectively), and we were
"home" by a very short head-3.5 in a grand total of 4654.7 points.
In team'shooting the scores of individuals have equal merit, pro*
vided you have selected your best team, yet "centuries" are so rare,
so elusive and require si^ch intense concentration, patience and self'
control, that those who get them deserve the reward of special mention.
Therefore, in naming a few individuals in the list of scores below we
hope the others whose scores helped to win the various competitions
will not feel slighted.
Hebron Cup. Since a boy may not fire in this competition if he
has passed his fourteenth birthday, all high schools find it difficult to
build up a respectable team for every one of the three rounds of this
competition. Hence, instead of becoming better as the year progresses,
the scores often deteriorate. Thus it was that we felt pessimistic about
our third'round score of 698 (average only 87.25), having led by a
bare one point after the second round. It turned out, however, that
our opponents had suffered more than we had, and we won this trophy
by a substantial margin.
Petiet and Robert Hunter Cups: College has always experienced
great difficulty with shooting in Durban, but this year the A team
really got down to it and achieved a fine score, seven points ahead of
our nearest rivals, Mansfield High School. The scratch score gave us
the Robert Hunter Cup (presented for the first time for competition)
and with handicap points added (based on age) we won the Petiet Cup.
R.D.L.I. Memorial Shield: Our performance in this brickshooting represents our worst, but it must be said that we had had
no practice owing to the pressure of other items in the shooting pro-
gramme. Both Eshowe teams leached the final, and their B team had
the pleasure of being knocked out by their A.
Natal Cadet Bisley: This was held in Durban also, on the Monday
following the above competitions. The College team was nervous after
its victory on the Saturday and put up a very mediocre score of 575
ex 600, thus tieing with Mansfield for first place. A re-score of the
targets gave Mansfield the victory by two points.
*
â–
56
On their scores in the team shoot Nevill (98), Borland (98) and
Stevens (100) were included in the first fifteen cadets to shoot for the
championship. Although they shot well, none was successful.
Imperial Challenge Shield: Last year's results in this competition
were not outstanding, yet we managed to take third place in the
Union for mass efficiency (87.75 average). A. M. Mason won the
Queen's Silver Medal and P. Alexander and C. A. Richter won
Bronze medals. It is diilicult to give every cadet in the school sufficient
practice before he shoots his I.C.S. targets, and with the added trouble
of inclement weather, shooting in the last term tends to develop into a
scramble.
This year, however, we decided to go all out for the Skulpad
Shield (for the best team in the Union), and our No. 1 team, with an
average of 98.875, should be in the running.
Friendly Matches: College managed to win all shoots against
Hilton and Michaelhouse, but, winning apart, we feel that these
matches serve other valuable purposes, and we look forward to many
more of these pleasant meetings in the future.
Last Year's Results:
For various reasons, several results were not published in last
year's magazine. Those of interest are: Franl{ Stevens Shield: 1, Mansfield High School, 4684.6; 2,
College, 4653.1.
Hebron Clip: 1, Mansfield High School, 2167; 2, College, 2127.
Inter-House: 1, Stalker's, 579; 2, Oxland's, 565; 3, Langley's,
564; 4, Nathan's, 561; 5, Clark's, 558.
School Champion: D. C. Lindup.
Junior Champion: A. R. Dutton.
Na'.al Command Cadet Team:
A welcome innovation this year was the method of selection for
this team. A series of elimination trials was held during the first halt
of the year and the finalists went to Durban for a trial shoot in June.
Borland and Fraser had top scores here and thus gained their places
with ease. They both deserve our congratulations. The same two
boys gained places in an Open Natal team, competing against adults,
to shoot in an Empire competition for the B.S.A. Cup.
Finally, we should like to thank those members of the Staff who
have contributed to our success this year by spending so much of their
time in coaching and supervising, and Nevill, the school shooting
captain, for his constant help and enthusiasm.
This Year's Results:
Franl{ Stevens Shield: 1st, College, 4654.7; 2nd, Mansfield High
School, 4651.2. (Nevill scored two 100's, Borland one, Emerton one.)
Hebron Cup: 1st, College, 2114; 2nd, Mansfield High School.
Petiet and Robert Hunter Cups: 1st, College, 392 and 395.9;
2nd, Mansfield, 385 and 388.6. (Fraser scored 100.)
.Xatal Cadet Championship: 1st, Mansfield, 577; 2nd, College,
575. (Stevens scored 100.)
House Competitions: 1, Clark's, 583; 2, Stalker's, 579 (Francis
(1(H)); 3, Langley's, 577 (Cook 100); 4, Oxland's, 563; 5, Nathans,
553.
School Champion: M. M. L. Borl and.
Junior Champion: P. R. Francis.
Skulpad Shield: 791 ex 800 (Fraser 100, Borland, Brown, Cook,
Mason and Stevens 99, Lyle and Emerton 98).
57
CADET OFFICERSSenior Student Officer: P. R. Halle.
Student Officers: Second Lieuts. R. V. Davel, G. C. H. Evans,
A. M. Mason, I. Holmes, K. R. McKay, N. E. Scott, B. G. Hill, C. A.
Richter, J. L. Wood, B. B. Strachan, E. G. Wood, D. G. Crickmay,
A. N. Saulez.
R.S.M.: P. J. Lait.
R.^.M.S.: T. B. McGee.
C.S.M.'s: M. A. Hay, E. S. English, J. L. Botha.
W.O. .s: G. B. Farrer, P. C. Deane, C. G. Nevill, M. C. Fraser.
Drum Major: G. A. Saville.
C.^.M.S.: D. King.
xk
"Richard IF
ONE of the outstanding events of the year was the production of
Shakespeare's tragedy "Richard II" for three nights (May 19,
20 and 21) in the Rowe Theatre. The shows were well attended and
received very favourable notices in the newspapers in both Maritzburg
and Durban.
The play is the story of how Richard II, an extravagant and
ill-advised king, loses his throne to the usurping Henry Bolingbroke,
Duke of Hereford. Richard is portrayed not unsympathetically by
Shakespeare as a man more sinned against than sinning. He has
faults, but he does not commit crimes. Unlike Macbeth, he docs not
wade through slaughter to his throne. But it was his misfortune to
live in a time when powerful nobles, ruling like kings in their own
vast estates, fought against each other like Chicago gangsters. When
they withdrew their support from Richard and allied with the usurper,
there was nothing left for him to do but accept the situation.
Much of the play is therefore concerned with the king's reaction
to the change of circumstances. In a series of great set-pieces he
examines the illusory power of kings and secs them as creatures of a
day, poor weak things with the appearance of power and majesty but
easily toppled over by circumstances.
The part of Richard was played by B. Botha (a Fifth-former, as
were all the players). He rose magnificently to the occasion and
created for us the hapless Richard. Botha has a fine speaking voice
and the capacity to convey emotion. The result was that he made
the part of Richard a most moving one. No one who saw the play
will forget the abdication scene in which Botha showed the momentby-moment emotional changes of Richard as the full implication of his
position comes to him. Altogether, Botha's was a notable performance and was widely remarked on by the critics.
The part of Bolingbroke was taken by A. R. Dutton, whose voice
and manner well portrayed the man of action. He also was well
cast, and in the final scene rose to a fine emotional climax when he
made his denial of responsibility for the murder of the king. His
playing was throughout on a high level of competence. He also,
like Richard, brought dignity to the part.
58
"RICHARD II," 1954
"Yet know, my master, God omnipotent.
Is mustering in his clouds, on our behalt.
Armies ol pestilence ..."
Sponsored by Ogilvies.
"With Cain go wander through the shades ot night.
And never show thy head by day nor light."
Sponsored by Shuter and Shooter. (Terry Photos)
59
John of Gaunt (M. Flint) was a reverend old nobleman and
reached a good climax in the scene where he rebuked Richard for the
condition to which he had brought England by his misgovernment.
His voice is rather light, but he made up for it by his sensitive awareness of old age.
So also did D. C. McKenzie in the part of the Duke of York,
lilt by bit he built up the character of this loyal and chivalrous old
nobleman, thrust into a net of circumstances which revolted him. He
well portrayed the struggle in York's mind between the warring forces,
each with a certain amount of justice on its side. McKenzie's was,
perhaps, the most outstanding performance among the lesser parts.
P. A. Turner was a good Duke of Norfolk and brought fire into
the part of that exiled nobleman. D. R. Matravers, R. A. Harris and
A. C. Harvey-Williams introduced a right sinister note as Bushy
Bagot and Green, Richard's evil advisers. Among others we may
note as playing well were B. G. H. Liggett, A. C. Emerton, M. B.
Goodchild, R. C. Bowley and D. Cross.
Altogether it was a memorable performance and a credit to all
concerned. jC47 was handed over to the College Pavilion Fund.
Characters in order of appearance:
King Richard the Second ......................................... B. Botha
John of Gaunt .............. ^................................... M. Flint
Duke of York ............................................. D. C. McKenzie
Aumerle .................................................. A. C. Emerton
Lord Willoughby ........................................ H. R. Thompson
Bushy..................................................... D. R. Matravers
Bagot .................................................... R. A. Harris
Green ............................................A. C. Harvey'Williams
Bolingbroke .............................................. A. R. Dutton
Duke of Norfolk .......................................... P. A. Turner
Duchess of Gloucester.....................................M. W. Bannock
Lord Marshall .......................................... M. B. Goodchild
1st Herald ...............................................Jâ– M. Pickering
2nd Herald ............................................... R. R~ Hawkins
Queen .................................................. B. G. H. Liggett
Lord Ross................................................. L>. B. Hawkins
Earl of Northumberland ......................................A. J. iNicoI
Henry Percy .............................................. J- M. Catterall
Earl of Salisbury ...................................... M. E. McDonald
Captain of a Band of Welshmen..............................R. K. MacKenzie
Bishop of Carlisle........................................R- C. Bowley
Sir Stephen Scroop .......................................... D. A. Stone
Lady.........................................................Jâ– B- Knight
Gardener................................................B- Goodchild
Servant..................................................../• Fic\ering
Lord Fitzwater .................................................. S. Sileri
Duke of Surrey ........................................... 7s[icolson
Abbot of Westminster..............................A. C. Harvey'Williams
Sir Pierce of Exton ......................................... ••• Cross
His Servant ......... .................................. ft- K. MacKenzie
Groom ....................................................... DKeeper ...................................................... A. Stone
Pall-Bearers ........................... P. R- Francis, A. D. Leisegang
Flourishes ............................................... R- P• Thomson
"THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE." 1953
Sponsored by J. Johnson & Co.
(Terry Photos)
61
Producer: Mr. W. R. Martin.
Stage Manager: Mr. J. van Biljon.
Business Manager: Mr. J. Sellers.
Costume Designer: Mr. J. V. Skirving.
Props: Mr. C. F. Chesney-Jones..
Prompt: P. C. Smallie.
Stage Hands: H. Matheson, M. R. Hole, R. D. Sharratt, B. G. Taylor,
L. McLuckie, W. Downs.
Costumes: Mrs. S. Pinnell, Mrs. L. Botha, Mrs. E. C. Wilks, Mrs.
H. Harvey-Williams, Mrs. G. A. Liggett, Mrs. S. M. Catterall.
Make-up: Mrs. C. Abbot, Miss Sue Judd, Miss Ruth Lundie, Mr.
Pat Pratt.
Our grateful thanks are due to all these and many others, whose
help made the production possible.
The costumes made by our helpers were donated after the show
to Mrs. Wilks's theatrical wardrobe, to be borrowed by other schools.
Musical Activities
(a) The Music Club:
An admirable attendance at the first meeting of the year
(5.2.1954) promised well for the future welfare of the Club.
Mason was elected Chairman, Saville Vice-Chairman, and
Hackland Secretary; and plans for the year were outlined to include
activities in the following groups: (ii) For All Members: Lectures, gramophone recitals, films and
community singing.
(ii) For Groups: A club choir, a dance ensemble and small
instrumental and vocal ensembles.
(iii) For Houses: Competitions.
The following were among the outstanding events of the first half
of the year: i. A charming lccture-demonstration on ballet by Mrs. Graham
and pupils from Mrs. Graham's School of Dancing.
ii. A delightful and varied recorded-music programme by Mr.
Eric Hawes.
iii. Presentation of the "Emperor Concerto" (Beethoven) in
preparation for the Lionel Bowman Concert.
iv. A film show.
v. Community singing.
A recorder-hand was mooted during a meeting in June: the
proposal has not been implemented owing to a subsequent decision to
terminate the club, as such, and to bring it into line with the debating
and science societies.
(b) The Music Classes:
The Fifth and Sixth forms have met for musical instruction once
a week, and the Third and Fourth forms once a fortnight.
62
During the choral phase of the lessons a number of new hymns,
carols, classical, modern and folk songs and songs for community
singing have been taught. The music classes, together with choirs
from two girls' schools, arc working to present Stainer's Crucifixion
on three Fridays during Lent, 1955, and a promising start with the
tenor and bass parts has been made at College.
For the appreciation work various musical forms such as the
march, the waltz, ballet, concerto, opera, overture, etc., have been
introduced.
The Coppelia Ballet music (Delibes) was presented in anticipation
of the visit of a ballet company from Sadler's Wells; the "A minor"
Concerto (Grieg) and the "Emperor" Concerto (Beethoven) to herald
two local concerts at which these works were performed.
One would like to see every important musical function within
reach heralded by a lesson on its programme. The only reason why an
intricate classic bores some people is that they cannot disentangle its
melodies. They will have a very different experience if they go to the
concert room with the clues already unravelled.
That music has been introduced into the curriculum is undoubtedly
a good thing, and one looks forward to the day when it will have as
significant a place in the training of intellect and character as the
careful, selective study of language and of the great literature of which
it is the expression. Among such languages the music teacher would
claim a high place for the language of music.
The standard of appreciation is, as one would expect under the
circumstances, somewhat low. I do not believe, however, that boys
prefer the worse: they are ready to discard it when their attention is
engaged, in spite of the fact that many listen in contented indifference
which requires a dynamic shock to be disturbed.
A generous grant for the purchase of music books has been
made and a useful and interesting music section is being built up in
the College library.
VT the end of last year the Art Department was given the conv
mission to design a series of backgrounds for the permanent
exhibition of International Dolls, which are housed in the Main Hall,
Education Building, Loop Street. The designs were very successfully
executed by the Sixth and Fifth Form examination groups. Mrs. E.
Halm, who had collected the dolls, graciously presented the Art
Department with an attractive "Utrillo print as a token of thanks
for this effort.
To raise funds for the purchase of our own epidiascope and strip'
film projector, a dance was organised on Friday, September 10. This
successful event brought in the fine sum of jC25. As the Education
Department gives us pound for pound, we hope it will not be long
before the epidiascope is installed. Our thanks go to the parents of
art pupils who so generously responded to our appeal for refreshments
for the dance, and to those who sent donations of money. Our thanks
also go to those Fifth and Fourth Form boys who put in a good deal
of overtime to produce the attractive decor.
Notes
63
The Art results at the Royal Show were very satisfactory this
year. In the Senior Section, K. McKay and D. R. White were awarded
1st and 2nd prizes for their pictures based on "A Scene from Everyday Life". T. McGladdery and G. Stewart had their work highly
commended in this class. K. McKay took 1st Prize for his "Still Life"
and B. Jonsson's study was highly commended. In the Fifth Form,
the non'examination group fared well, and B. Botha, B. L. Peddie,
W. Forbes and A. Harvey-W'dliams all received mentions.
In the Standards VII and VIII Sections, the results were particularly encouraging. We evidently have some promising textile
designers, tor C. E. Norris, K. Crichton and F. G. Parker took 1st,
2nd and 3rd prizes and M. A. Lyall and R. F. Hawkins had their
work commended.
For a poster, "School Sports Day", A. V. King was awarded
1st Prize, and in the "Green Cross" Poster Competition, C. E. Norris
was awarded 2nd Prize and M. A. Lyall a "highly commended".
"Road Safety" was a popular poster subject. We swept the
board with 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes to I. S. McGregor, F. G. Parker
and M. L. Oates respectively. K. E. Crichton, H. Thompson and
F. E. v. d. Riet had their work highly commended. A. G. Martin
received a mention for his design. M. L. Oates took 2nd prize for his
interesting lino cut and R. F. Hawkins and H. Holliday (Form Three)
had their lino cuts highly commended. D. S. Strauss and F. v. d.
Riet's works were commended.
The results in the Azalea Week Art Competition were outstanding.
Professor J. Heath, who judged the senior work, has asked to have
some of the prize-winning work exhibited at the Natal University.
The following were the results: Form VI: 1st, J. Hatton; 2nd, M. Lyle; H.C., J. Botha, K. McKay,
C. Richter, D. Stumpf and A. Vorster.
Form V: 1st, I. B. Poole; 2nd, G. Stewart; 3rd, B. Botha; H.C.,
S. Alty, R. Hanington, H. Thompson.
Form IV: 2nd, I. McGregor; H.C., M. Lyall, K. Crichton, C. E.
Norris.
Form III: 1st, W. Shippey; 3rd, M. Macmillan; H.C., B. Raubenheimer, R. Suhr.
College was awarded the picture for the best set of work in
secondary schools.
At the time of going to press, the results of the Natal Schools'
Art Competition had not been announced. A good entry was sub'
mitted and we hope for satisfactory results.
VVV
â– a â– â– â– â–
The Debating Society
Chairman: A. M. Mason. Secretary: H. H. E. Nourse.
Committee Member: G. N. Colepeper.
VGAIN the Society has been very active. This year interhouse
debates were held. Langleys were the winners and Claiks the
runners-up. The interdiouse debates were on these subjects:1. Oxland's v. Stalker's: "That Shakespeare's works should not
be set for examination purposes."
64
2. Langleys v. Nathans: I hat South Africa has developed
her industries and mines sufficiently and should now concentrate on
improving her agriculture."
1. Clark s v. Oxlands: "That cadets in schools should be
abolished."
4. Clark s v. Langley s: "That co'educational schools are better
than segregated schools."
An interesting debate was that between College and Epworth in
the first round of the JollifFe Cup, when we were defeated. The
subject was: "That the modern child leads too easy a life." The
College team was Colepeper, Redman, Lyle and Farrer.
The motion at a debate in August was: "That the South African
gold mines should be nationalised immediately." The motion was lost.
Later in the year a debate was held against a team from the
International Arts League of Youth. College moved that: "The freedom of the Press is dangerous and should be drastically curtailed."
College, represented by Colepeper, Redman, Lyle and Nevill, lost the
motion.
v
â– â– â– â– â– â–
The Science Society
Chairman: A. M. Mason. Secretary: P. C. Smallie.
Committee Member: M. N. Crawford.
rpHIS year the Society has been very successful. The programme
enabled us to have two or three meetings a term.
We should like to express our gratitude to the following guests,
who gave us talks at various meetings: Dr. Pringle spoke to us on different types of South African
snakes, telling us of their habits, bite-cures and how they may be
caught. The talk was also accompanied by a short film on snakes.
The Rev. Mr. Montgomery told us of some of his experiences
when in Northern Canada. The talk gave us some idea of the
Eskimos and their life, which he explained well with the aid of
photographic colour slides.
Mr. Grey, who is an expert on bees, gave us a talk on them.
Members of the Society asked him many interested questions, which
he answered, giving us a good insight into their life and habits.
Other talks were also given by three of College's science masters.
Mr. Paine told us about "Cybernactics and the future of man"; Mr.
Sparks gave us a talk on "Cause and Effect in Nature; Mr. Castle
talked to us about Atomic Energy, accompanied by two films on the
same subject.
VVV
â– â– â– â– â– â–
Library Notes
\ T the end of March, 1954, Mrs. Ryan resigned her post as
** librarian, and to help out until a permanent librarian was
appointed, Mrs. Nicholson took over at beginning ot April. Boys and
staff are deeply grateful to her for maintaining library services in the
interim.
65
It is pleasing to note that the boys are making good use of the
library-at lunch-hour the building is full of boys quietly reading.
We arc once again grateful to the many friends who have
donated books, and among them should like to mention the following:
Mr. Murray Booysen, who on his retirement at Easter gave the library
a number of Afrikaans books; Mr. Kingdon, a past master at College,
who handed over his collection of books, among them being many by
classical authors; Mrs. Colville, who gave a number of books; and
others. We are also grateful to Mr. J. V. Skirving for the loan of a
family heirloom, a stinkwood Voortrekker riempie bench.
Mr. Chesney-Jones also gained cur thanks for the stand for the
filing cabinet which he had made, and also for the useful book-ends
he designed and supplied. They help to avoid the untidy "fallen
arches" look of books on partially'filled shelves.
We trust that the shelving for the Clark library will be put in
order by the end of the year. We should also like to mention that
the leaks in the roof-structure arc getting worse and need serious
attention now.
In the Third Form competition: "How many books on flying are
in the library?" the number of entries was disappointing. Stalker
and Davis of 3A tied for the prize.
Statistics Showing Use of Books - Jan. - Oct.. 1954
9 No. of Total Total
No. of Books No. of No. of
Form Boys Read Boys Books
6 A . 23 265 1
6 B 6 G . 24 . 22 158 101 92 691
6 Sp. . 23 167
5 A . 27 483 '
5 B . 27 392
5 C . 29 313 124 1,657
5 D . . " . 22 197
5 £ . 20 272,
4 A . 26 376 ]
4 B . 26 396
4 C . 25 293 129 1,476
4 D . 27 217
4 E . 26 194 y
3 A . 28 474 \
3 B . 22 463
3 C . 23 200 120 1,739
3 D . 24 401
3 E . 23 201 J
VVV
â– â– â– â– â– â–
Students Christian Association
Chairman: T. B. McGee.
Committee: D. B. Hackland (Secretary), D. S. Shaw (Treasurer).
VFTER our Lord's resurrection, His commission to his disciples was
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel". One of the first
places where we can preach the gospel is at school. For that reason an
66
S.C.A. Branch was started here two years ago by a few boys who were
eager to bring the Gospel of Truth to others at College. Now, with
two of the masters taking an active interest, the S.C.A. has grown
considerably. Many of the boys, too, have done their share of work in
the running of the S.C.A.
This year we have been privileged to welcome as guest speakers
Mr. S. R. Dent, Chief Inspector of Native Schools in Natal; the Rev.
Mr. Hyde, of St. Saviour s Cathedral; Dr. E. Brookes, Senior History
Lecturer at the University of Natal; Mr. D. Donaldson, Secretary of
the Local Health Commission; Mr. Allen Adam, a missionary to the
lepers in Nigeria.
Each of these speakers gave us an address that was both helpful
and instructive. Two members of staff and some of the boys also spoke
to us on different occasions.
We have had a very successful year during 1954, and we trust that
the S.C.A. will continue to prosper and to increase its value and
importance as a school activity in the future.
XXX
Junior Road Safety Committee
Several months ago a Junior Road Safety Committee was formed in
Pietermaritzburg and schools were invited to send representatives to the
meeting. There have been five meetings. The only Collegians to
attend were those whom the headmaster requested to represent the
school. The school has been shown a short film on road safety, which
was very amusing and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Chess Club
The holding of a Natal Chess Tournament for schoolboys over
Easter stimulated interest in chess and led to the formation of a
College Club. About 30 boys attended the first meeting, and, although
the first flush of enthusiasm died in some breasts, subsequent meetings
have been well attended. It was decided not to buy chess sets but to
rely on players to bring sufficient of their own.
In October an interdiouse tournament was begun with four
players representing each house. It is hoped that the tournament
games will have been completed by the end of term.
XXX
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
Nathan's were "Cock House" in 1953, and also won the
Freakcs Cricket Shield and the Bestall Junior Cricket Cup. The
Shooting Trophy was won by Stalker's and the Hutchinson Swimming
Cup by Clark's.
This year's results, with Cricket yet to be decided, are: Rugby Athletics Swimming Shooting Tennis
Clark's........
Langley's
Nathan's
Oxland's
Stalker's
44443
83122
22304
61011
00230
67
House Notes and Lists
CLARK'S
Officebearers: House Captain: B. B. Strachan.
Cricket: Captain, B. B. Strachan; Vice-Captain, R. B. Higgs.
Rugby: Captain, D. D. Watson; Vice-Captain, R. B. Higgs.
Athletics: Captain, P. J. Lait.
Shooting: Captain, R. B. Higgs.
Swimming: Captain, D. D. Watson.
Tennis: Captain, B. B. Strachan.
House Secretary: M. R. Hole.
Report.-We have done considerably better this year than we did in
1953. We were first in athletics and swimming and second in tennis.
The rugby, however, was rather disappointing. Clark's should do well
next year, as a considerable amount of talent is now in the 4th and
5th Forms.
House Master
Mr. R. L. Nero.
Prefect ®
Strachan, B. B.
Form VI
Butler, C. R.
English, E. S.
Hemmings, M. D. H.
Jonsson, C. B.
Lait, P. 1.
Lyle, M.' R.
Marshall, C. G. A.
McKay, K. R.
McLachlan, D. S.
Nourse, H. H. E.
Watson, D. D.
Form V
Borland, M. M. L.
Dalby, B. R. E.
Flint, M.
Forbes, W.
Gibson, D. T. D.
Grant, C. J.
Gurney, D. S.
Higgs, R. B.
Hole, M. R.
Hunt, C. M.
Lamb, B. W.
Leisegang, A. D.
Liggett, B. G. H.
Lyle, M. L.
McDonald, N. A.
McKenzie, D. C.
McLuckie, L. D.
McMurray, S. N.
Muller, A. D.
Nevill, E. M.
Nicol, A. J.
Palframan, D.
Peattie, C. H. R.
Savage, C. M.
Smyly, G. R. N.
Stephenson, P. C.
Titlestad, R. M.
Watson, M. C.
Wessels, A. I.
Young, L. E.
Form IV
Adrain, A. W.
Bruyns, I.
Conacher, A. J.*
Crichton, K. E.
de Bruin, J. M.
Ditchburn, P.
English, M. J.
Foster, B. W. E.
Foxon, J. B.
Harvey, E. J.
Hulley, W. N. C.
King, A. V.
le Roux, D. J.
Lindsay, D. T.
Lyle, J. B.
Martin, A. G.
Mcllrath, N. H.
Mordaunt, M. H.
Newton, G. A.
Norris, C. E.
Osborn, R. A.
Pletschke, L. I.
Sparks, S. A.
Stevens, P. C.
Taylor, O. B.
Theron, J.
van der Riet, F. E.
Watson, C. D. H.
Wratson, P. J.
Will, T. A. S.
Zank, D. M.
Form III
Allen, M. R.*
Allison, R. R.*
Ballantyne, M. A.*
Banks, R. J.*
Butler, D. L.*
Dalton, C. G.*
Deane, H. W. B.*
Dix, A. E.*
Holliday, H. H.*
Kimmince, G. T.
Livingstone, A. J.*
Macmillan, M. E.:;:
McMurray, R. J.*
McLachlan, M. L.:i
McLaurin, E. G.*
Parker, J. A. C.*
Schlosser, F. D.*
Vincent, V. J.
Zaayman, L. P.*
* Denotes New Boy.
68
LANGLEY'S
Office'hearers: House Captain: O. D. Hart.
Cricket: Captain, P. J. J. Crowe; Vice-Captain, L. H. Dahl.
Rugby: Captain, P. J. J. Crowe; Vicc'Captain, J. F. Eliot.
Shooting: Captain, C. G. Nevill.
Tennis: Captain, I. Holmes.
Athletics: Captain, O. D. Hart.
Swimming: Captain, D. A. Ireland.
House Secretary: A. Boyd'Smith.
Report.-Langley's have had a much more successful year than was at
first expected. We won the tugby and came second in athletics. A
most encouraging sign was the strength of our juniors in athletics.
Mr. Butler went on holiday for the first half of the rugby season, and
Mr. Castle acted as housemaster during his absence.
House Master
Mr. B. Butler.
Prefect
Form V/
Butler, D. V.
Cook, D. J.
Cooper, K. H.
Dahl, K. H.
Dixon, K. M.
Hackland, D. B.
Hart, O. D.
Hawkins, P.
Hill, B. G.
Holmes, I.
Hilder, E. W. J.
L'Estrangc, J. E.
Nevill, C. G.
Penney, R.
Redman, B. D.
Redman, G. W.
Sutherland, I. M.
v. Maarsevccn, G.
v. d. Mescht, J. H.
W est, A. G.
White, D. R.
Wray, E. M. F.
Form V
Alcock, A. A.
Allen, B. L.
Bannock, M. WT.
Bennett, C. G.
Boyd'Smith, A.
Catterall, J. M.*
Currie, J. R. N.
Cross, D.
Crowe, P. J. J.
Dutton, A. R.
Eliot, I. F.
Fell, B. K.
Ireland, D. A.
Laurens, M. G.
Macdonald, M. E.
MacKenzie, R. K.
Oellermann, L. F.
Pinnell, D. B.
Thomas, C. P.
Turner, P. A.
Williams, I. J.
Wilson, E.
Form /V
Allan, P. A.
Butler, R. G.
Cartwright, R.
Chalmers, H. R.
Cook, R. C.
Crowe, N. D.
Davidson, H. D.
Fuller, N. R.
Hart, H. G.
Hutton, L. D.
L'Estrangc, P. E.
Marais, A. de V.
Middleton, H. E.
Moerdyk, C. A.
McGregor, I. S.
Parker, E. G.
Poynton, D. T.
Smythe, J. G.
Thomson, B. M.
Taylor, R. B.
Wantenaar, Cl J.
Woolridge, W. J.
Zolty, D. M.
Form III
Aspden, E. V.*
Beckwith, R. G. W\*
Botha, A.*
Conway, P.*
Cook, A. M.*
Davis, R.*
Ford, D. J.*
Goosen, P. D.:':
Gillitt, D. B *
Grice, J. W.*
Harker, R. A.*
Henry, R. G.:!:
Hibbert, D. A.:;:
Hill, M. R *
Hill, J. N.*
Jackson, F. P.*
Kirkby, L. J.*
Marriott, M. E.:
Mingay, J. H.*
Nevill, A. E. P.*
Thrash, M. C.
Williams, M. G.*
Wantenaar, B.*
* Denotes New Boy.
69
NATHAN'S
Office'bearers:House Captain: N. A. Herring.
Cricket: Captain, R. V. Davel; Vicc'Captain, N. A. Herring.
Rugby: Captain, R. V. Davel; Vice'Captain, C. J. van Rooyen.
Shooting: Captain, M. C. Fraser.
Tennis: Captain: N. A. Herring.
Athletics: Captain, W. A. Human.
Swimming: Captain, A. H. Mitchell.
House Secretary: R. D. Sharratt.
Report.-The house has not done as well as was expected, but,
nevertheless, it has kept up a good spirit on and off the sports field.
Although we did very well to win the tennis again this year, and to
gain second place in swimming, the rugby was rather disappointing.
House Master
Mr. R. D. Tonkin
Prefects
Davel, R. V.
Blake way, M. J.
Form VI
Bentley, G. E. A.
Brown, J. M.
Cheze'Brown, P. W.
Colepeper, G. N.
Deane, P. C.
Edmunds, L. H.
Fraser, M. C.
Freeman, K. M.
Gordon, M. J.
Herring, N. A.
Human, W. A.
Maxwell, J. R. F.
Mitchell, A. H.
Sansbury, R. H.
Simpson, C. E.
Smith, J. X.:,:
Stumpf, P. G. D.
Symons, M. L.
van Rooyen, C. J.
Form V
Alty, S.T.
Brocklehurst, G. L.*
Hanington, R. K. G.
Harvey-Williams, A. C
Liebcnberg, R. F.
Myburgh, P. H.
Oates, J. D.
Peddie, B. L.
Rhind, J.
Sauermann, M.C.
Schroeder, A. G.
Sharratt, R. D.
Shreeve, D. S.
Smith, G. B.
Stewart, G.
Thompson, H. R.
Ward, A. F.
Williams, R. C.
Form IV
Bartels, G. C.
Buchan, M. I.*
Bure, B. W.
Clegg, C. J.
Davel, F. J. S.
de Souza, T. S.*
Durow, B. P.
Earle, R. V.
Edwards, F. C.
Foss, R. G.
Gray, T. R.
Hardman, K. F. G.
McDonald, R.
Macdonald, M. I.
Nel, P. J. P.
Oates, M. L.
Ranee, A. (i)
Ranee, P. (ii)
Sawyer, C. G.
* Denotes New Boy.
Simpson, A. C.
Simpson, A. J.
Smith, G. S.
Strauss, D. S.
Thomson, R. P.
Usher, M. B.
van Rooyen, N. P.
Westley, E. L.
Form III
Abrahamson, J. H.
Alty, J. G.*
Colepeper, P. J.*
Drummond, D. R. B.*
Furter, F. R.*
Garland, R. W.*
Hobbs, B. E.*
Hughes, V. C.*
Jennings, D. A.*
Lees, J. A.*
Leigh, D. M.*
Lerwick, H. O.*
Lund, N. R. P.*
McClure, J. H.*
Mattison, R. J.*
Morris, R. C.*
Osborn, L.*
Raubenheimer, B. R.*
Suhr, R *
Symons, B. H.
Tyrrell, J. C.*
Udal, P. M.*
van Rooyen, H. C.*^
von Burchard, H.J.W.*
70
OXLAND'S
Office-bearers:House Captain: J. L. Wood.
Cricket: Captain, J. L. Wood; Vice-Captain, D. B. Bircher.
Rugby: Captain, J. L. Wood; Vice'Captain, G. A. Saville.
Shooting: Captain, G. A. Saville.
Tennis: Captain, G. A. Saville.
Athletics: Captain, J. L. Wood.
Swimming: Captain, G. A. Saville.
House Secretary: P. C. Smallie.
Report.-Oxland's has not done as well as was expected this year.
Rugby was of a high standard, but slackened off towards the end.
Cricket has been satisfactory. Tennis results were the same as last
year, the house coming fourth. Swimming was very disappointing,
Oxland's obtaining one point and coming fifth. As happened last
year, the house came fourth in the Athletic Sports.
House Master
Mi. J. M. Nicholson.
Prefects
Farrer, G. B.
Saville, G. A.
W ood, J. L.
Form VI
Badcock, R. S.
Botha, J. L.
Campbell, P. E.
Carter, C. A.
Chaplin, J. B.
Cookc'Tonnesen, G. L.
Coo m be, E. W.
Cox, B. G.
Crickmay, D. G.
Hatton, J. W.
Malherbe, D. F.
McGee, T. B.
Nathan, L.
Rose, H. E.
Shaw, D. H.
Smart, G. R.
Spencer, B. M.
Vorster, A. C.
Wood, E. G.
Wood, N. A.
Form V
Botha, B.
Dobeyn, P. I.*
Dobeyn, P. T.
Downs, W. R.
Evans, G. N.
Farrer, H. N.
Gordon, R. I.
Gray, A. L.
Green, D. M.
Griffin, K. D. F.
Hawkins, D. B.
Hawkins, R. R.
Hooper, M. R.
King, D. E.
Pickering, 1. M.
Ridge, B. E.
Smallie, P. C.
Strydom, W. W.
Tarboton, A. G.
Taylor, B. G.
Treleaven, N. W.
Turnbull, G. H.
Form IV
Bircher, D. B.
Boast, M. M.
Edwards, T. B.
Elston, L. J.
Farrer, R. G.
Hatton, G. M.
Humphries, R. N.
Johnson, B. O.
Kelly, J. N.
Kensall, R. L.v
Leslie, G. G.
Mackenzie, D.
Malherbe, J. C.
Nathan, B. E.
Norman, A. L.
Paterson, C. S.
Pickering, R. J.
Schroenn, M. B.
Steyn, N. D.
Tarboton, C. G.
Tedder, B. N.
Form III
Bartholomew, J. F.*
Broadbent, S.*
Carter, G. F.*
Cawood, J. M.*
Coates, R. D.:|:
Colville, G. D.*
Ender, R. A.*
Essers, C. J.
Essers, L. N.*
Gordon, W7. V.*
Harber, R. R.*
Hatton, G. L.*
Hawkins, R. F.*
Holmes, J. R.
Kay'Hards, M.*
Koch, J. R.*
Mason, J.*
Mills, G. W.*
Shaw, R. V.*
Shippey, H. W.*
Strauss, P. E.:,:
Thorrold, T. M.:-:
Todd, P. G *
Towner-Coston, R. J.*
Udal, A. B.*
* Denotes New Boy.
71
STALKER'S
Office'bearers:House Captain: G. C. H. Evans.
Cricket: Captain, A. N. Saulez; Vice'Captain, D. A. Chapman.
Rugby: Captain, A. M. Mason; Vice-Captain, N. E. Scott.
Shooting: Captain, A. M. Mason.
Tennis: Captain, A. M. Mason.
Athletics: Captain, M. C. Groenewald.
Swimming: Captain, A. M. Mason.
House Secretary: D. A. M. Stone.
Report.-This year the house did not seem to be able to maintain its
usual high standard in sport. Our cricket teams have done well, but
the rugby has been disappointing. The athletics team did not do
as well as expected. The swimming and shooting, however, were up
to the usual standard.
House Master
Mr. R. W. Kent. ^
Prefects
Evans, G. C. H.
Saulez, A. N.
Chapman, D. A.
Crawford, M. N.
Halle, P. R.
Mason, A. M.
Scott, N. E.
Form VI
Coss, R. E.
Abbott, C. M.
Groenewald, M. C.
Hay, M. A.
McGladdery, T.
Richter, C.A.
Smith, D. H.
Form V
A'Bear, J. F.
Bowley, R. C.
Crawley, D. R.
Creeke, J. A.
Cannon, P. B.
Emerton, A. C.
Francis, P. R.
Goodchild, M. B.
Hall, D. M.
Harris, R. A.
Knight, J. B.
Knight, K. L.
Lambert, R. K.
Matheson, H.
Matravers, D. R.
Nicolson, R. B.
Pienaar, D. T.*
Poole, ]. B.
Silen, S.
Stone, D. A. M.
Sweeney, T. G.
Form IV
Allan, L. L.
Allen, D. L.
Baxter, D. E.
Beattie, G. B.
Beck, B. M.
Cornelius, J. W.
Elgin, W. J.
Fourie, D. W. S.
Loney, H. R.
Lyall, M. A.
McAlister, E. M. F.
McEwen, B. S.
Matravers, K. C.
Oosterlaak, K. J.
Pechey, C. R. E.
Pipes, M. T.
Pollock, M. F.
Poole, N. A.
Potgieter, G. C.
Saulez, S. H.
Sprowson, A. J. S.
Steiner, R. A.
Vanderplank, R. V.
Viljoen, K.
Woods, R. B.
Young, J. G.
Form III
Anderson, M.
Bartlett, R. H.*
Boreham, N. R.*
Brown, P. L.*
Byres, W. M.*
Bowley, D. C.*
Evans, P. R.*
Forbes, R. A.*
Hall, R. S.*
Hatton, R. A.*
Hcnwood, C. R.*
Hirst, P. A. G.*
Martens, J. G.*
Olivier, T.*
Peters, J. D.*
Poole, K. J.*
Powell, J. K.*
Queripel, R. S.*
Rosen, V. L.*
Schmidt, G. P. E. J.*
Shackleford, J. E.*
Stalker, A. D. G.*
Sprowson, G. W.*
Turner, C. D.:;:
Walker, R. E *
White, D. H.*
Wimble, D. G. E.*
Wright, M. Wr.*
Zank, D. C.*
* Denotes New Boy.
72
(Dhititanj
\\7E have read with deep regret of the deaths during the
» » year of the following Old Collegians: GEOFFREY HENRY WAINHOUSE CHICK (aged
48).
ROBERT CLARKE FRANCIS (aged 89).
CHARLES DYCER GAWLER (aged 51).
MICHAEL IAN BRUCE HALLEY (aged 26).
JOHN MATTHEW NICHOLAS ALEXANDER
HERSHENSOHNN aged 87).
RAYMOND KEET (aged 50).
SYDNEY MASON (aged 87).
PHILIP WILLIAM NICHOLSON (aged 60).
BERTRAM ARMSBY PUTTERILL (aged 78).
CHARLES APTHORPE WHEELWRIGHT (aged 81).
Maritzburg College
Old Boysf Association
OFFICE-BEARERS, 1954
Patron:
R. E. Fulli:r.
President:
S. G. McEwln.
Immediate Past President:
S. E. Lamond.
Vice'Presidents:
Dr. S. F. Bush H. Leach
C. J. P. du Bo is J. M. Moonly
J. A. Gooding C. E. Payn
j. W. Hudson W. F. C. Smallie
Executive Committee:
H. M. Balding I. G. Horak
C. P. W. Francis V. P. Jackson
G. V. Harrison E. Ki an
V C. Harrison G. I. Mawvlll
W. G. G. Hay D. J. McGllw
D. N. Hirst M. N. Prozesky
Honorary Secretary:
C. T. Brooke.
Honorary Treasurer:
P. E. G. Nicholls, 12 Theatre Lane, P.O. Box 310, Pietermaritzburg.
Honorary Auditor:
A. C. Bircher.
73
REUNION DAY, 1953
rPHE 1953 Reunion on December 5 was one of the longest in the
J- history of the Association. The special feature of the occasion
was our farewell to the retiring headmaster, Mr. J. W. Hudson. In
his address to the Old Collegians, Mr. Hudson expressed his gratitude
for the loyalty and co-operation he had received from the staff, the
pupils and their parents and the Old Boys of College.
Among the speeches of farewell were those of Mr. S. G. McEwen
(President of the Association), Mr. J. M. Mooney (President of the
Durban Branch) and Mrs. Hudson. On behalf of the Association, Mr.
McEwen presented Mr. Hudson with a club easy, a travelling clock
and a cheque for £ 150. A tea set bearing the College crest was given
to Mrs. Hudson. Furthermore, there was present among the guests
Mr. R. E. Fuller, the new headmaster, who is the first Old Boy to be
appointed to this position. Altogether this proved a most happy occasion, and although we were sad at Mr. Hudson's departure, we were
deeply grateful for all his good work for College, realizing that his
interests would always be with College and the Association. We were
also glad to meet Mr. Fuller, to whom we wish every success in his
new career.
Finally, the Old Boys won by a narrow margin in their match
against the School. A successful cabaret at the Collegians' Club completed an enjoyable day's activities.
REUNION DAY SPEECH BY MR. HUDSON
"Mr. McEwen and Gentlemen,
"As I rise to address a Reunion of Old Collegians for the last
time as your headmaster, sc many thoughts enter my head that I may
find some difficulty in expressing myself. The thought that it is
really the last time, I find difficult to believe. The thought that it
must be the last time because I have reached the venerable age of 60,
I find still harder to believe. For strangely, I do not feel any older
than when I took over here, nearly 13 years ago. I am older. I
probably look older, and to some of you younger Collegians I may
appear almost fossilised. There is one thing that an older man must
learn, however, and that is, that he must grow old gracefully. Therefore I do not intend to bemoan my imminent departure from these
scenes I love so well, but rather to dwell on the great privilege that
has been afforded me in being given the opportunity to help in the
work of this noble school. A headmaster keeps a log book. In it he
records many things, and recently I re-read some of my entries. In
April, 1941, I wrote: 'The school bears an enviable reputation and
I embark upon the task of guiding it with humility. I am proud to
assume duty and shall do my best to maintain the high standard of
my able predecessors.'
"My last entry will be of the happenings of this last week. You
have graciously said, Mr. President, that I have not been an entire
failure. I shall always treasure those courteous words of yours. If it
is written in the annals of this school that Hudson's regime was not
fruitless, I hope, too, it will be written that the headmaster was fortunate in his colleagues, in the loyalty of the boys, in the faith placed in
him by the parents and in the strong support of the Old Collegians. I
have been fortunate and blessed in all these ways and in one otherI have been fortunate in the lady who honoured me by marrying me
and who has been a constant help in my work here. Of all these
74
things I shall speak more fully on Speech Day, but today I want particularly to talk of you Old Collegians. You welcomed me when I
came. You supported me during the difficult war years, and in these
post-war years you have been a constant source of strength to the
school. For all your friendly co-operation and sympathy I give you
most sincere thanks.
"I know there arc some Old Collegians who, in the words of
William Gilbert, often quoted by R. D. Clark, would 'kick away the
ladder by which they climbed', and do little to help the school. In
moments of depression, I have- sometimes felt as Clark must have felt.
In retrospect, however, I feel the great majority of Old Collegians
have a deep and abiding love for their school and wish to help to
keep it in its high place among South African schools. Therefore,
gentlemen, I ask you to give my successor the great assistance you
have given me. Wre are all glad to see him here today. We know him
to be an Old Collegian himself-the first to become headmaster. That
alone commends him to us all. He is young and virile, and I hope and
believe he will find in you a fine spirit of helpfulness which will sustain
him in his inevitable difficult moments. There arc three ways in which
you can assist. The school needs a Hall and a Pavilion. The first
the Province will build in its own good time. Help him to urge that
that time comes soon. For the pavilion, the school must work to raise
funds. Support him in that.
"But above these two things, give him your moral support. It is
so easy and so untrue and so typically Old Boy-ish to say that the
school is going to the dogs when it has a bad rugby season or a bad
cricket season or even a bad examination year. These things inevitably
happen. The only time the school is likely to go to the dogs is when
the boys and the Old Boys forget the high traditions of service-service
for which it has always stood, not only to the school, but to the
country and to our fellow men.
"And now, gentlemen, I must end. I have reached the topmost
rung of a ladder. Because of the pressure of younger men, I must fall
off. Normally one falls into obscurity and, believe me, it would have
been obscurity indeed, on my pension. That someone, by a kindlv
providence, has provided a net into which I shall fall, I hope you will
not hold against me. Since 1926 my heart has been here. My love
for College and for its welfare will never falter, and I hope I shall be
privileged to attend Reunions with you for many years in the future.
"May College always flourish. God bless you all and thank you
once more for your great generosity to one who will always treasure
the memory of his life among you.''
PROGRAMME FOR REUNION DAY
4th DECEMBER, 1954
1. REUNION LUNCHEON.
The Reunion Luncheon will be held in the Victoria Hall at
College.
2. CRICKET.
Two matches between Old Boys and Scholars will be held at
College at 10 a.m., while a match between Pietermaritzburg v. Other
Old Collegians will be held on Sunday, December 5, at the Standard
Cricket Club ground at 10 a.m.
75
3. REUNION DANCE (in aid of Cricket Club Funds).
A Reunion Dance, organised by the Cricket Club, will be held
at 8 p.m. at the Collegians' Club, Pietermaritzburg.
Tickets are 12/6 double and may be obtained from the Collegians'
Club, where tables may be booked.
All Old Boys are asked to give this function their fullest support.
4. CIRCULAR.
A circular containing a review of Reunion Day activities and
of the 1954 Annual General Meeting, together with a programme of
the Association's proposed activities during 1955, will be issued to all
members of the Association early in the New Year.
REPORT OF THE HONORARY SECRETARY
To be presented at the Annual General Meeting of
Members of the Maritzburg College Old Boys'
Association to be held on Friday, 3rd December,
1954.
Mr. President* and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my report on the activities of the
Association for the year ending the 31st Octobcr, 1954.
ADDRESSOGRAPHS:
An investigation of the cost of an addressography system for
the Association's membership mailing list revealed that it would be
cheaper to have Old Boys' envelopes addressed by a local typing
bureau. The latter course has accordingly been adopted.
ASSOCIATION'S NEWSLETTER:
The first of the Association's newsletters was circularised in
July. The next newsletter will cover the 1954 Reunion, together
with other current activities, and will be distributed in 1955.
COLLEGE TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS:
It would be greatly appreciated if Old Boys possessing any of
the following team photographs could lend them to the school
to make duplicates for replacing missing photographs at College:
Cricket Team, 1st XI's: 1920, 1922 and 1924.
DURBAN BRANCH:
The first Annual Dinner of the above Branch was held on the
31st March, 1954. This was a most successful occasion, being well
attended by Old Boys in this iegion.
FUNCTIONS:
The Reunion Cabaret was held at the Collegians' Club on the
5th December, 1953. The proceeds from this function, which was
organised by the Cricket Club, accrued to the Club's funds.
The 1954 Ball was held in conjunction with the Girls' High
School Old Girls' Guild at the Collegians' Club, Showgrounds, on
the 15th May. The credit for this most enjoyable occasion must be
given to Messrs. C. P. W. Francis, W. G. G. Hay and G. I.
Maxwell, who, together with the G.H.S.O.G. Dance Committee,
76
were responsible for the successful organisation of the Ball. A net
profit of £64 10s. 2d. was realised, and equal donations therefrom
were made to the G.H.S. Old Girls Guild and the Association s
Funds.
HEADMASTER'S PHOTOGRAPH:
A suitable photograph of Mr. J. W. Hudson has been obtained
for framing and hanging in the Victoria Hall. The cost of this
enterprise is being borne by the Association.
MEMBERSHIP:
Life membership of the Association was increased by the enrolment of 55 new members during the year, whose subscriptions totalled
£66 12s. 6d.
OLD COLLEGIANS' BLAZERS:
An appeal has been made to all local auction marts to discountenance the sale of second-hand Old Collegians' blazers to nonOld Boys.- Members who wish to dispose of any such blazers are
requested to contact the Honorary Treasurer, who will endeavour to
sell them to other Old Boys.
REUNION CRICKET MATCH:
Arising from a proposal by the Durban Branch, it has been
decided to institute an annual post-Reunion Sunday Cricket Match
between Pietermaritzburg v. Other Old Collegians.
SPORTS PAVILION FUND:
The total of this Fund now stands at -£909 8s. 5d., which
includes a most generous donation of .£100 from Mr. G. Payn. The
sum of,£183 4s. 8d. was donated to the above Fund by College.
This amount represented the profits accruing from the school's production of "The Pirates of Penzance'' during 1953.
WESTERN PROVINCE BRANCH:
Arrangements arc in progress for tlve formation of a Western
Province Branch. Old Boys in this area should contact Mr. J. du
Plessis, 19 Soeteweide Street, Stellenbosch, or Mr. G. J. P. Cundill,
"Helderberg," P.O. Box 20, Stellenbosch.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Up to and including October, there have been nine Committee Meetings, with the following attendances: H. M. Balding ...
C. T. Brooke
C. P. W. Francis
5
7
2
8
4
8
7
V. P. Jackson .........
E. Kean...........
G. I. Maxwell .
3
7
6
8
6
7
3
▼ . I 1(11 1 louil •••
W. G. G. Hay ...
D. N. Hirst............
I. G. Horak.............
G. V. Harrison ...
V. C. Harrison ...
S. G. McEwen.........
D. I. McGlew ........
P. E. G. Nicholls ..
M. N. Prozesky.......
FINANCIAL:
77
JOHANNESBURG BRANCH
Report of the Executive Committee submitted to the
Annual General Meeting of the Members of Maritzburg
College Old Boys' Association (Transvaal), held on
Friday, 1st October, 1954.
Your Committee, appointed at the Annual General Meeting held
last year on the 2nd October, was as follows: President: A. A. Lambie.
Immediate Past President: H. C. Farrant.
Hon. Secretary: J. G. Barnes.
Hon. Treasurer: M. A. Martin.
Members: N. L. Bamford, O. P. Cassidy, M. A. R. Child, N. G.
Loney, D. C. McNaught, D. D. Will.
The resignation of your Hon. Treasurer, Maurice Martin, during
the year, on transfer to Cape Town, was accepted with great regret,
and his duties have since been ably carried out by Neville Bamtord.
Your Committee was also sorry to lose the services of Owen Cassidy,
owing to his moving out of town, and expresses its appreciation of his
and Maurice Martin's valuable work in the past.
MEMBERSHIP:
The active membership of the Association, at 35, shows an increase
over the last year. Possibly owing to the fact that the school has since
the war only been able to cater for boys resident in Natal, there do
not appear to have been many applications in recent years from boys
who have just left the school. It is hoped, however, that members
who know of other Old Boys who are not yet members, will hand their
names and addresses to the Secretary.
ACTIVITIES:
The outstanding social event during the year under review was
undoubtedly the dance, held at the Old Edwardian Club in June.
Once again, although your Committee would have liked to see a
larger percentage of Old Boys, those who were able to attend were
unanimous in their verdict that it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
A homely atmosphere was created by the decorations, carried out in
the school colours, and greetings were received from the present and
past headmasters of the school, Messrs. Fuller and Hudson.
An enjoyable tennis afternoon was held during the year at the
Wanderers Club, and was followed by cocktails and a social gettogether in the Tudor Room of the Club. It was pleasing to see
several non-tennis-playing Old Boys and their wives at the cocktail
party.
Your Association this year was responsible for the organising of
the Annual W. M. Frames Golf Competition for Old Boys of High
Schools outside the Transvaal, and two teams were entered to represent Maritzburg College Old Boys. The competition was held at
Crown Mines Golf Club, and the trophy, contested for by approximately twenty Old Boys' Associations, was won this year by Old
Andrcans.
It is fitting that the year's sporting activities conclude with a
reference to the fine achievement of the Old Boys in winning the
annual seven-a-side rugby competition held recently in Johannesburg.
The congratulations of your Association are extended to Keith Oxlce
for so ably organising and skippering the team.
78
On the social side, it was gratifying to see quite a number of
Old Roys at the Cocktail Party which was held at the Douglas Hotel
just before Christmas, and your Committee recommends that the
incoming Committee endeavours to arrange a similar party this year.
Serious thought will, however, have to be given to the question as to
whether it is worth while continuing to hold the monthly cocktail
parties at the Carlton Hotel on the first Friday of every month. The
attendances have been most disappointing, and your Committee would
welcome a discussion on this matter a t the forthcoming Annual
Meeting.
SCHOOL MAGAZINE:
Members will have welcomed the copies of the School Magazine
which were distributed once again during the past year, and will no
doubt have appreciated the opportunity of keeping in touch with the
activities at the school through the news reports in the Magazine.
The parent body of the Maritzburg College Old Boys' Association
in Pietermaritzburg has recently commenced issuing a Nows Letter, and
it is hoped that sufficient copies will be obtained in future to send one
to each member of your Association.
In conclusion, your Committee once again expresses the hope that
all Old Boys who receive this report will make it a matter of personal
duty to attend the Annual General Meeting and Dinner, and to support
the functions which your Committee arranges from time to time. Only
thus can other Old Boys be afforded the opportunity and pleasure
renewing your acquaintance and exchanging reminiscences of their days
at the school of which all Old Boys are so proud.
By order of the Executive Committee,
A. A. LAMB1E,
President.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - PROCEEDINGS:
The Annual General Meeting was held immediately after the conelusion of the Annual Dinner, which took place in the private diningroom of the Douglas Hotel, Johannesburg, on the evening of Friday,
1st October, 1954.
The President, Mr. A. A. Lambie, was in the ('hair and said:
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here tonight,
particularly those who have come from some distance. Although, as
you know, the attendances at our odd functions during the year are
not always as well attended as we would like, I know that all members
welcome the opportunity afforded by this Annual Dinner and Meeting
of getting together and renewing their school-day friendships. It is a
real pleasure for all of us to meet again in a congenial and perhaps I
might say convivial atmosphere.
School news is always of interest to members, and we are
looking forward to receiving the School Magazine again later in the
year. It was very pleasing indeed for me to hear when I was down in
Maritzburg a week or two ago that this year's school rugby team has
achieved the finest record for many years and has received unstinted
praise from everyone. It is perhaps just a coincidence that our own
team of Old Boys was so successful this year in the seven-a-side rugby
in Johannesburg, having as you know, won the competition for the
first time.
79
There is some news of Old Boys from other parts, and having
seen Maurice Martin in Cape Town this week, I am able to bring
you all his regards and best wishes. Some of you, too, will probably
remember Erskine Harrington. He spent a night in Johannesburg
recently on his way back to Edinburgh, where he is practising as a
dentist, and apparently doing very well for himself. There are a
number of other Old Boys in the U.K., including David Roome, who
has a stockbroking business in London. Harrington wished to be
remembered to you all.
It is very pleasing to hear that new branches of the Association
have been started in Bulawayo and Salisbury. I venture to think that
our old friend Chas. Blair has had something to do with the Salisbury
Branch, and we wish these new branches every success. If any of our
members are ever up in those parts, I am sure they would receive a
great welcome from the Old Boys who are resident up there. The
School Magazine will no doubt give the names and addresses of the
secretaries.
You will have noted from the Annual Report that your Executive
has recommended that you give a little thought tonight to the question
of the monthly gatherings at the Carlton Hotel and also the arrangements for holding another pre-Christmas Cocktail Party in December.
There has been another suggestion, too, which I hope you will consider, and that is that we should endeavour to enlist the assistance of
a member on the East Rand and another on the West Rand, to be
co-opted on to the Committee for the purpose of occasionally rounding
up the fellows in their areas for some sort of sporting fixture with
our Johannesburg members. This suggestion has been made because
we all appreciate that it is difficult for members in the outlying areas
to get in to all our local functions.
There is very little to comment on in connection with the financial
accounts, except to say that once again we have just kept on the right
side, with an excess of income over expenditure of £10 18s. 8d. for
the year ended 30th June, 1954.
It is with great pleasure that I am able to take this opportunity
of expressing my personal thanks for the very able and willing
assistance rendered during the past year by our Hon. Secretary, Geoff
Barnes, our Hon. Treasurer, Neville Bamford, and all the members
of the Executive.
The Annual Report and Accounts were unanimously adopted, and
the following office-bearers were elected: President: H. G. Downes.
Hun. Secretary: J. G. Barnes.
Hon. Treasurer: N. L. Bamford.
Members of Cummittee: H. C. Farrant, N. G. Loney, M. A. R.
Child, L. Knight, K. Oxlee, R. D. Stretch.
Hon. Auditor: R. E. Mason.
After some very useful discussions on various suggestions for the
future, the meeting terminated.
80
DURBAN BRANCH
Report of the Secretary presented at a General Meeting
of Old Boys on 5th February. 1954.
The Durban Branch of this Association was revived at an
informal meeting held at the "Tudor Room", Playhouse, Durban, on
12th December, 1952. There were approximately 3 3 Old Boys
present.
At the next meeting held on 30th January, 1953, the following
office-bearers were elected:
Him. Secretary: K. Burns.
Chairman: Mr. J. Mooney.
Committee: Messrs. Fell, Irvine, Egner, Kean, L. Hosking and
R. Jones.
ACTIVITIES DURING THE YEAR:
This Branch has no fixed membership, or subscriptions, and no
separate constitution.
Accordingly, informal meetings have been held about once every
two months during the year, at which a collection has been taken to
cover the expenses of advertising the meeting and of providing the
refreshments. Attendances have been fairly good, but we hope to see
even larger numbers at the "get-togethers" which will be held in 1954.
The highlight of 1953 was a cocktail party held on 19th September at
the Southern Club.
There were over 100 Old Boys present from all provinces in the
Union, and the evening was a great success. An appeal has been
made tor contributions to a Presentation Fund for J. W. Hudson, who
has retired as headmaster ot College, and for "Bill" Payn, who has
also retired from teaching. It was intended to make those presentations
at the Cocktail Party. Unfortunately Mr. Hudson was unable to
attend, but we were able to hand over to Mr. Payn two very handsome
gifts for himself and his wife. Those of us who were present at
Reunion Day at College on 5th December, 1953, saw how Mr. and
Mrs. Hudson received their gifts at Reunion Luncheon.
ACCOUNTS:
During the year a savings account was opened at a Building
Society. This is represented by the General Fund standing at £17
2s. 5d. and is carried forward to 1954.
GENERAL:
I should like to express the Committee's thanks to Mr. W. R.
Harte for auditing the books for the year.
Special thanks is due to the Committee of the Southern Club for
allowing us the use of their lounge tor meetings.
During the ensuing year, our activities will be centred in raising
funds for the College Pavilion.
In conclusion, it is to be hoped that even larger and more
frequent meetings will be held in 1954, with possibly a dinner or a
dance towards the end of the year, together with occasional sporting
fixtures arranged with other clubs in Durban and Branches of our
Old Boys' Club â– elsewhere in Natal.
KEN BURNS,
Hon. Secretary.