lirDITDRJAL . "To everything there is a season" and how many things belong to the end of the year ! It is a time of hope and of expectation ; of rejoicing because of the freedcm and the home life that the holidays bring, and of regretting because there is parting and the loss of friends and of things that have meant much to one for many years. Vfe look back on both failures and on achievements, and we look forward to new beginnings and fresh fields to conquer or old ones in which to labour more perfectly. 1931 has been well lived at Kearsney, The beginning of the year saw a considerable increase in nimbers, and this had its effect upon the atmosphere of the School. There was a sense of greater confidence and of greater alertness and efficiency. There was distinctly a new zest and a new pride, and the sight of the hall now well filled with boys, seemed to confim success and to promise its continuance for the future. Particularly was a new spirit observable in the upper forms and among the prelects, and it is our anxious wish to pay tribute here to the way in which K. Balccmb and the prefects under him have carried out their duties. Never has the School been so well served in this connection. Their lot has not been easy - it is hardor in a small school than in a large one, for friendships may hinder the exercise of authority - yet they have set and main tained a standard of devotion to duty and loyalty to one another that will be a measure v/ith Vvrhich to judge those who follow them in the years to come. They have shirked no issue, shovm no favouritism and neglected lio duty. They have at all times thought first of the good of the School rather than of their ovm personal comfort'or popularity,and on this account they have made sacrifi ces and have done the hard thing in a way v/hich has evoked both the admiration and the gratitude of those v;ho have watched them. The well-being of a school is peculiarly in the guardianship of its prefects. It is easy to be slack and to tolerate things that hurt it, and it is more difficult to be firm at the risk of arousing unpopularity. The temptation to let things take their course can be acute and persistent,and it requires strong charac ter to overcome it. But never for a moment has the choice been in doubt this year, for Balcorab and his fellovj-s, faced v/ith many
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