KEARSNEY COLLEGE CHRONICLE I. ■ m a f-/ - ■ A? < o July, 196! Pi Wt-
Kearsney College Chronicle Vol. 5, No.3 July, 1961 EDITORIAL We have heard of a recent utterance made on the question of the indispensibility—or otherwise—of the individual in any society. It is an interesting theme, worthy of a httle moralising. The theme "The King is dead, long live the King" is age-old. As the Tempter says in "Murder in the Cathedral", kings rule, barons rule—but when they die, others take their places, and life goes on. Thinking in general terms we would imagine that no-one is really indispensible, unless we except the highest-grade scientist or mathematician, and. Heaven knows, he has caused enough trouble. Or, perhaps, a really good spin bowler. As for the rest of hoc mortale genus, anyone who considered himself indispensible would be guilty of an inexcusable act of presumptuousness, placing himselfin line with the Deity. The duty of all, from highest to lowest, is to get on with his job,doing humbly,rehably,and as efficiently ashecan,the work that is entrusted to him. This applies to all, from the King or President down to the lowest fag in the prep school. Ifsome attain responsi bilities denied others, it is presumably because they have better qualifications at the time; but when they move out, others will move in and the work will go on. Undoubtedly every individual can find some piece of work which,rendered in the service ofothers, he can do with good effect. If he does this, no matter how minor it is, with full energy and a reasonable modicum ofself-effacement, he is doing his bit for the community. When he feels himselfno longer adequate or reliable, let him step out and another will step in. Life will go on! But it will go on better, we hope,for what we individually have done, be it lowly or important. In that sense we are all of us indispensible. 127
THE NEW HALL The architect's plans for the new Hall are complete, and by the time this comes from the press the contract will probably have been granted. This haU will cost approximately £33,000 and has been made possible by a magnificent gift of £25,000 (R50,000) by Mr. W. L. Henderson, of Botha's Hill. The hall will be dedicated to the memory of his wife, who was a school teacher devoted to her work. Words are inadequate things when one tries to express appre ciation for a gift of this kind. The hall represents the last of our big requirements, but something which we saw little hope of ob taining. Mr. Henderson will remain in our hearts as a wonderful benefactor. The hall will seat 750 comfortably and will have a large stage, music and changing rooms, an orchestra pit, projection room and screen and is designed in a fashion which will make it an object of beauty as well as usefulness. The architect is Mr.Peyton ofDurban. SCHOOL NOTES We welcome to our midst this year Mr. T. Hepworth, who comes up from the Cape,and Mr.J. Vincent, who will be here only until the end ofthe year unfortunately. Both have keenly submerged themselves into the life of the school and we wish them continued happiness among us. Likewise we welcome Rev. Athol Jennings as our Chaplain. Known for many years as the South African mile champion and record-holder, he is proving to us, by personal example, that there is nothing incompatible between athletic prowess and Christian ideals. We congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Jennings on the birth of their first child, Mark. We are sorry to have to say "Good-bye" to Sister Sambrook, who has been at the helm in Finningley for so many years. Her cheerful smile and gay personality have endeared her to all at Kearsney, and her helpfulness and warm understanding within the house have made her greatly loved. She is as sorry as we are at her de parture, but the needs of her ailing mother now call her away, and we wish her health and contentment in this act of devotion. We were sorry, too, to lose the services of Mr. T. Long, after two very useful and pleasant years here. In the classroom, the house, and on the sports field, his cheerful company was always a delight. He was also a member ofthe Chapel Trust and Quarterly Meeting. For health reasons he has had to move up-country, and our loss is St. Stithian's gain. 128
We were sorry to read of the death, on June 9th, of Mrs. E.F.W.Hulett, the sole remaining member ofthe second generation ofHuletts(taking Sir Liege as the first). Many ofthe older Kearsney associates will remember the warmth of her hospitahty in days gone by, and will extend their sympathy to the members of her family. The School are the proud recipients of a medal presented by the Grand Priory ofthe Order ofthe HospitalofSt.John ofJerusalem in England,inscribed "For Service in the Cause of Humanity" and with the name "Keith Lewis, 17th May, 1959". This is awarded posthumously for Keith's unavailing attempt to save an African man who was marooned in the floods of May,1959. We are hoping that it may be suitably framed and placed in the Chapel. Mr.L.D.S. Glass(past staff) has obtained his M.A.(History) at Natal University. Repubhc Day was celebrated on May 31st and taken as a hohday, about the first Public Holiday we have ever observed. But first there was an Assembly at which the Headmaster outlined the course of South African history leading up to the formation of a Repubhc. He called for full support of the new regime, and re minded the school that there must now be insistence of equal opportunity for all people, of whatever colour. After the assembly, flags and medals were issued from the Houses. The Oppenheimer Science Block seems to have gone up with frustrating slowness. We look forward to the chance of moving in properly next term. The Hall, soon to be started, will, we hope, rise with greater acceleration! It is intended to convert classrooms 13 and 14 next year into dormitories and so bring our numbers up to about 350. The Rugger XV,showing variable form, has, on its good days, brought memories ofthe great 1944 team. It has certainly provided open play of a nature we have not seen for many years, and a little research by your editor reveals the fact that it has scored more points per match average than any previous team. The defeat of Rondebosch, after thei3r0-match run without defeat, was very satisfying. It was a good game. Mention should be made also of the Cricket XI. They regu larly play against current Springboks,such as Jack McGlew(Spring bok captain), Roy McLean and Tich Wesley,and againstProvincial players such as Chris Burger and John Atkinson, and are by no means disgraced. It must give a school bowler a great thrill to bowl McGlew, for instance—a feat which Statham and Trueman have laboured long to do! Major Farnden lectured on June 10th, on "Natal Pre-history", talking mainly on hand-implements as flaked by the various Stoneage groups. 129
A Fortnightly Fellowship Class has been started, at which some ofthe staff and some friends from outside meet for helpful spiritual discussion. We wonder why it was not started earlier! The initiation of the decimal currency on February 14th was celebrated by a Public Holiday. Wecannot quite see the connection; but we believtehat junior school arithmetic teachers and pupils, relieved of £ s. d. and the decimalisation of it, now find life one long holiday. Mrs. Reece, daughter and younger son, had a narrow escape from death in January, when she collided with a lorry at Camperdown. The "chariot" was smashed beyond repair, but fortunately personal injury was confined to cuts and bruises. Mr.and Mrs.Oram have kept up a continuous correspondence from overseas, where they are having a wonderful time, thanks largely to the generosity of the Old Boys. Their journeyings have taken them to many parts of England and Wales, and in addition they had a month's tour of the Continent, including a visit to Oberammergau. They have also, of course, seen a good deal of the varied entertainment which London has to offer. Well...it is a very handsome reward for 37 years in the service of Kearsney, and it is not difficult to reahse how difficult it will be for them to settle down to a retired existence on their return. "We offer a program ofconstants plus broad electives. Recently there has been a greater tendency on the part ofcolleges to liberalize the exact requirements for admission in favour of evidence of and over-all ability to do college work." We offer no prizes for a translation ofthe above. We think the first sentence means,"Some subjects are compulsory, other optional", and the second,"Some colleges now lay less emphasis upon scholarship and more upon other qualities, of character, etc.," but we are not sure. In a cam paign for simpler and more intelligible English, we wonder why an American school should open its prospectus with the words quoted above! On June 20th 37 boys were confirmed by the Bishop of Natal in the Chapel of St. Mary's, Kloof. They had been prepared for this important day in their lives by Archdeacon Brook, Vicar of St. Agnes Church, Kloof. A most impressive and thought-provokingsermon was preached by the Bishop and the service was followed by tea with visitors and parents in the school grounds. The Sixth-Form Dance was held on Saturday, June 24th. It was a miserably cold and wet night—unusual for this time of the year—but the external conditions were compensated for by the attractiveness of the hall itself. The motif was a Chinese one, with 130
pagodas, lamps and fearsome dragons(bom from the brush ofD. Dale), and a gay evening was spent by all—not, we are glad to say, quite as noisy as it was last year! The preparation of three stained glass windows for the Chapel is now well in hand in England. These should be installed by the end of the year and will add greatly to the beauty and dignity of the Chapel. The central one is a gift by Mrs. W. N. Cornelius, in memory of her late husband; the side ones will ultimately be paid out of Chapel funds. They say that toothache is a blessed thing because it is such a relief when it stops. The nagging ofa tooth is almost pleasant by comparison with the business, month in and month out, of trying to study to the sound of circular saws, concrete mixers, drills, and the ceaseless chipping of solid concrete. When the din ceases for an hour at noon, the calm is heavenly. It is peace on earth. If to work amid such distractions is an aid to concentration, we are equipped for life in this respect. PRIZE-GIVING For the records, we have delved into the archives and report that Prizes were given away by the following people; 1928 Mr. A.Eaton(Mayor of Durban) 1929 Mr.Hugh Bryan(Sup. of Education) 1930 Dr. T. C.Loram(Sup. of Education) 1933 Senator W.E. Thrash 1934 Mr.B. M.Narbeth 1935 Rev. I. MacDonald 1937 Mr. Lief Egeland, M.P. 1939 Mr. W.J. Williams(Chairman of Board of Governors) 1940 Mr. J. J. Crookes 1941 Rev. C. E. Wilkinson 1942 Mr.C. J. Offord 1943 Mrs. Russell(Mayor of Pietermaritzburg) 1944 Mr. R. A.Banks(Director of Education) 1945 Mr. G.H. Calpin 1946 Dr. E. G. Malherbe 1947 Mr. J. R. Sullivan, M.P. 1948 Mr. Humphrey Jones 1949 Mr. A. Hopewell, M.P. 1950 Mr.C. M.Booysen (Director of Education) 1951 Hon.C.te Water 1952 Dr.E. G. Malherbe 1953 Rev. J. W.Hunt 1954 Rev. Dr. J. B. Webb(President of Conference) 131
1955 Justice Caney ,• / ; 1956 Prof. G.H. Durrani 1957 Justice Broome 1958 Prof. A.Keppel-Jones 1959 Sir de Villiers Graaf(Leader ofthe Opposition) 1960 Mr. Uys Krige (fVe cannot trace the missing dates, and would be glad to have information.—Ed.) APPOINTMENTS HeadPrefect: G.D.Dyer(J). SchoolPrefects: G.D.Dyer,D. Adendorff(F), P. Mackinlay(G), K.Morgan(P)(left at Easter),P. J. H.Short(P), M.Smith(P). House Prefects: F—O. GrifRthis, D. Leitch, A. Procter, G—D.Coetzee, J. Price, H.Wade. P—R.Coleman,D.Evans. J—B.Hulett, A. Knox,M.Kotze, J. Muir. Cricket Captain: G.D.Dyer. Rugger Captain: D.Adendorff. Tennis Captain: A.Procter. Swimming Captain: O. Griffiths. Drum Major: H.Nightingale. Librarians: A. J. C. Daniel, L. M. Johnston, F. A. Lissauer, A.P. Meyer, O.K.Turner. Bell: E.von Maltitz, T. W.Beckett. SALVETTE Post-Matric.: B.H.Emslle (left in May). Vb: D.F. Ford,S. G. Marr,D.W.Roper. IVb: T. Toombs. Illd: A.S. McEwan,G.C.Osbom,C.R.Roberts,D.I. Smillie,A.R.Delport. nic: P.C.Cattell,S.D.R.Cave,C.M.Ellis,B.N.Lawrence,N.B Leibbrandt, R.Piper,C.Sherwell, L. H.Trahern (left at Easter),R.A. Watts. Illb: D.E.Alcock,I. R.Hardie,N.J. Hermer,A. A.Hipkin,M.Kark,A.J. B. Lawrence, R. A. Meyer, T. R. NeiU-Dore,T. J. Stapelberg, V. N. Stuart. Ilia: J. C.B.Balfe,D.M.Barnard,G.K.Brown,G.M.CoUotty,P.H.Foster, B. Hart, J. A. Perkings, J. A. Pitout, N. F. Pollard, J. L. Rivett-Camac, S. S. Ryan,R. V. Salm, R. O. Salvesen, T. W.F. Smith, N. J. Tomkin, C.D. van der Westhuizen. lib: R. M. Atherstone, D. D. A. Brett, 1. W. Broughton, B. O. Goldman, M.E. Martin,R. Myburgh,F.B. Newby,D.H.Knox,A.W. W.Paterson, D. N. Smith, W. D. Sommerville, J. H. Woodhouse, A. A. L. Wright. 132
I Ila: B.T.Bath,R.J. Bonfa, A.R.Crewe,R.B. Eccles,P.E. W.Freer,T. M. Holaway, C. G. Lee, W. A.A. Maguire, G. A. Phipson (left at ^ster), - G-G.Roach,T.Theunissen. lb: R. G. Alien, A. W. Fowler, E. P. Frank, D. O. Guyer, M. C. Hittler, R. D. Mackay, R. I. McLaren, R. A. Nilsen, K. T. A. Smeath-Thomas, L.E, N. Wareing. la: P. R.L. Allen, A. L. Batchelor, R. J. Benney, T. L. Clarence,D.C. Cole, M. R. Cope, M. A. English, D.R. Filby (left in June), N. B. Hagemann, B.S. Low,J.D.Milbank,D.F.Reece,G.F.Rice,P.,Watson,L.F. Wills. EXAMINATION RESULTS DECEMBER 1960 MATRICULATION: First Class: R. A.Birkby (History), A. C. Cantrell(Latin), J. R. Clarke, G. D. Dyer (Latin, Maths), R. S. Kamstra, L. H. Turvey, E. A. P. Watson, G. P. Williams (Latin, History, Maths), G.D. Wiseman. Second Class: N. J. Blackburn, R. A. Bouman, M.J. C. France, R.Lund, V. Lund, I. S. Mackay, K. Morgan, F. E. Rickaby, G. R. Stead,J. C. Stockil, M.W.Sutton,T. W.Thompson, W.J. Travis, J. G. van Heusden, K. J. Wooller, R. G. Henley, F.R.Hagemann,G.C. Kanaar. Third Class: P. T.Bird,G.G.Coventry, B.D.L. Meyer. SCHOOL LEAVING: Second Class: D. A. Greer (History), J. Lacey, O. Lund, D. P. D. Smart, J. D. Walter, A. M. Webber. Third Class: P. H. Arnold, J. G. Brown, I. C. Coates, A. R. Ewing, P. Morrison, A.J. W.Haley. In the Supplementary exam,in March we hear that the following improve ments were effected: Matriculation: Second Class: G.Brown,I. R. Moffatt. Third Class: A.R.Ewing,A.J. W.Haley. School Leaving: Second Class: R.A.Dyer. JUNIOR CERTIFICATE: First Class, First Division: D. J. Brothers", A. J. Calderwood", D. M. Watson*. First Class: T. W. Beckett*, M. O, Brutsch*, B. G. Deane, C. J. C. Dunscombe, L. Fienberg*, R. V. Gerhardt*, A. M. O. Gordon,D.G. F. Hardie, D.C. L. Hemson,J. C. Heron*, M. A. Jewitt*, A. Lowenstein*, M.B. Lyons*, S. E. Piper, J. F. Plummer*, K. O. P. Shires, H. A. Tedder*, E. von Maltitz*, B.G. Williams*, M.R. Wood. Second Class: G.W.Brown,P.H.Bryan, G. W.Cox, M.S. Cunningham, H.J. Daykin,J. E. Francois,T.G.Goodricke,R.J. Greene, C. W. James, M. A. Johnston, G. M. Jones, M. R. Macfarlane, J. W. Shire, P. D. Smith, F. B. Walker, P. B. Walsh,E.G. Young-Thompson. Third Class: R. M.Barber,G.H.O. Beier, A.L. Bjorkman,C.B.Carter, R. Doidge, G. M. Edwards, B. G. Harvett, R. K. Jackson, J. A. Johnstone, J. S. Kaplan, C.C. Larsen, D. A. Rastall, V. G. Russell, A. P. A. Seymour, B. H. Todd,. "These boys obtained Provincial Bursaries. A.J. Calderwood was awarded the School Bursary for the highest marks obtained. 133
BILINGUAL EXAMINATIONS: Second Grade: A.C. Cantrell(English "A"). Third Grade: R.A.Bouman, G.D.Dyer, D.A.Grew, L. H.Turvey, G.P. Williams. TAALBOND: Higher: R. A. Birkby, A. C. Cantrell, I. S. Ford,D. A. Greer, L. H. Turvey, G.P. Williams. Lower: T. W.Beckett, D. J. Brothers(higher grade), D. O. Coetzee, R. G. Coleman, A. J. C. Daniel, P. R. Hamilton, L. M. Johnston, M.P. Kotze,P. J. H.Short, D.P.D.Stuart, G.R. Stead, Q. K. Turner, A. H. Unstead,E. Von Maltitz(higher grade),D. M.Watson, K.J. S. Wooller, A. F. Zurcher. Preparatory: J. E. Anderson, M.A. Barnard, P. B. J. Behr(higher grade), A.R.Broom,J. G.Craven,R. M.Crewe,P. K.Cunnington, A. J. Eriksson, M. H. Fienberg, S. R. Gibson, P. C. Giles, M. L. Griffiths, P. de C. Huich, A. P. Kluge, D. A. Lang, T. A. Lissauer, B. Q. Manicom, J. P. Muller, E. Rogaly, R. A. Rogers, A. L. Somers-Vine. ACADEMICS TROPHY JUNE EXAMINATIONS Form F G P I 51.6 45.7 53.6 P. Allen(F)81, D. Reece(F)69, B. Low(?)68. lib 43.3 42.2 46.3 Ila 59.7 57.4 61.5 A.R.Crewe(?)76,R.J.Bonfa(?)75,J.?.Field(F)72. Illd 38.4 36.4 36.3 IIIc 40.4 45.9 42.3 Illb 48.8 54.6 45.8 Ilia 70.0 61.8 64.7 M.H. Fienberg (F)85, R. O. Salvesen (?) 78, B. Q. Manicom (F) 77, D. M. Barnard (G) 77. IVc 39.6 36.7 35.5 IVb 43.0 48.0 44.4 IVa 60.4 55.6 58.6 A.J. Eriksson(F)77,E.Rogaly(?)73,?.Bland(?)73. Vb 43.0 39.0 47.6 Ya 60.6 63.9 64.3 A. J. Calderwood (G) 82, D. M. Watson (G) 76, B. G. Williams (?) 73, H. A. Tedder (F) 71, E. von Maltitz(?)71. VIb 43.4 40.0 40.0 Via 53.5 44.1 51.9 A.Meyer(?)76,?.Volckman(?)60,F.Lissauer(F)60. Pembroke 50.8, Finningley 50.0, Gillingham 48.8. Total Average: 49.9. 134
( FINNINGLEY FANTASY Finningley began the year with the usual team: Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, Mrs. Sambrook, Mr. Whiteford and Mr. Le Feuvre. Upstairs a new Vlth Form took over complete with drums,trumpets and other "musical" instruments. We record great progress not only in their playing but in their original musical composition as well! Derrick Adendorff was appointed head prefect, and he and his prefects, Owen Griffiths, Donald Leitch and Anthony Procter, have done their work with admirable calm and efficiency. Con sequently the House has moved forward through a very smooth half-year. Our sporting achievements have not been as outstanding as we had hoped. At the swimming gala we found ourselves tying for second place with Pembroke, while on the cricket field we were forced to acknowledge Pembroke as the winners with ourselves running second once again. Talking of running, we found the cross-country just too much for us and we congratulate Gillingham on a fine victory. The tone of the House has remained good and morale is high; the passages and dormitories overflow with babble and laughter; transistor radios are everywhere in evidence. The health of the House is also good despite the usual bone-breaks and a mysterious outbreak of tummy trouble at the end of the second term. The news that Sister Sambrook would be leaving us in June was indeed a shock. "Sister", as she is affectionately known,came to Kearsney originally for a term only and has stayed for eight years. Her pleasant laugh and her friendly and familiar ways have become part of Finningley and we are going to miss her very much. The truest comment came quite unsolicited to me from a Sixthformer: "Nothing is too much trouble to her; she'll do anything for the boys". We sincerely hope that the health of her mother and aunt will improve as ours has so often done under her kindly administrations, and that we will see her often here—perhaps, one day, permanently once more. We welcome Mrs. MacMillan to the House in Mrs.Sambrook's place,and hope that she will be happy with us. P.Le F. 135
GILLINGHAM HOUSE NOTES Housemaster: Mr.G.E. Burger. Assistant: Mr. T. Hepworth. During the first half ofthe year Gillingham has made its contri bution to the fife of the school on the cultural as well as on the sporting side. In the Dramatic Society's production of "Murder in the Cathedral", Coetzee, Doidge, C. D. C. Hemson, Mackinlay, J. A. L. Price and Wade played leading roles. In recording our success in the annual Swimming Gala held at the end of the first term, special congratulations go to A. S. Marr and Goodricke on breaking records. We say "thank you" to all those who participated and helped to win points for the House in the heats and extend a special word of thanks to Lee Price, the Captain,and his enthusiastic committee for the time spent on helping to train the finalists for the big day. Gilhngham also won the cross-country this year. In the senior section our team tied with Pembroke and we congratulate Daykin of Pembroke on coming first in this race. In the junior section Kluge ran very well to finish first and help us win this section and the race outright. We are pleased to see Goodricke back for the last three weeks of the second term after a prolonged stay in Addington Hospital where he underwent a serious operation. We wish him a complete recovery and better health in the future. The House is extremely grateful to our Matron, Mrs. Hornby, for what she does for the boys and staffahke. We extend to her our special gratitude for all the extra hours she so wilhngly put in during a minor "flu" epidemic in the first term, when she herself was not too well. We extend a warm welcome to Mr.Hepworth and hope that he will have a long and happy association with the School and Gilling ham House. He is participating fully and enthusiastically in the various aspects of the fife of the House and the School and has proved a most wilUng and co-operative assistant in the House. The Prefects have done their duty and have served the House well. We pay tribute to the fine tradition built in Gillingham by Mr. and Mrs. Clegg and hope that we, their successors, may prove worthy of it. Thank you for the lovely painting presented to the House on your "retirement" to your own home. G.E.B. 136
j PEMBROKE HOUSE NOTES We report, with great regret, the loss to Pembroke,and to Kearsney of Mr. Long who, owing to illness, has had to move away from our temperamental Botha's Hill climate. He is now teaching at St. Stithians outside Johannesburg and we extend to him, in his new position, our warmest wishes, and hope that he will be as happy there as he always said he was here. Everybody who remembers Mr. Long will appreciate how much he is missed. In his place comes Mr. Vincent who will be assistant house master until the end of the year, when he hopes to move to "fresh" woodsand pastures new"in his pursuitofthe study of bird anatomy. Mr.Vincent has instituted fencing as a sport in the school and, with a nucleus of enthusiastic boys who have had previous fencing ex perience, hopes to establish it as a recognised sport. The end of the first term also saw the departure of one of our prefects. Ken Morgan,to whom we would like to extend our good wishes and grateful thanks for his services to Pembroke. In the field of sport we are able to boast of several successes. In the first term we won the cricket house trophy and the house has been well represented in the first XI—with Dyer acting as captain for the second year in succession. At the swimming gala, Gillingham beat us into a tie for second place with Finningley! Two members of the house represent the first tennis team which has done outstandingly well in the league. In rugby too, we have been very well represented in the first XV, having more than half the team's regular players. Coleman leads the second XV. Pembroke also provides five student officers in the cadet corps, together with a very patient drum major who may be heard every evening after supper trying to instil some semblance ofrhythm and melody into the school band. Perhaps it is on account of our military tendencies, but the prefects, ably led by Peter Short—Douglas Evans, Michael Smith and Richard Coleman—must be credited with an efficiency which has won the respect of the house, whose numbers are large. To this end also, the sixth formers must receive their share ofthe credit for their able assistance in many respects. It is largely at school that a boy's character is moulded and on the shoulders ofthe senior members of a school rests a fair measure of fhe responsibility of doing this. Members of Pembroke must also be mentioned and congratu lated for their very creditable performances in the school play. Rory Bishop deserves special mention for his performance as the Archbishop. 137
Sad news to all members and ex-members of Pembroke and of Milner House, is the passing away on June 22nd of William who for so long was responsible for keeping the dormitories clean and thereby contributing in no small manner to the comfort of many boys. He earned the affection of all who had dealings with him. KEARSNEY PARLIAMENT OFFICIALS Speaker Reece, J. F Roodepoort Clerk Johnston, L. M Jaggerfontein Prime Minister Daniel, A.J. C Durban Leader of Opposition Lissauer, E Ladysmith Publicity Officer Nightingale, L. B.H. .. Nkandhla GOVERNMENT: Justice Lyons, M.B. Ladybrand Foreign Aff., Propag., Inf. Meyer, A.P Meyerton Defence & Interior .. Coetzee, D.O Fredrikstad Railways, Trans., Posts & Tel. Fienberg,L Colesberg Bantu Administration Williams, B.G Welverdiend Finance, Commerce, Mines Smith, M.H. Scottburgh Education, Arts, Sci., Public Works .. Lowenstein,A Leeudoringstad Health & Social Welfare Distiller, L.A Dundee Lands, Agr., Food & Water .. .. Bishop, A.M.R Bergville OPPOSITION: Deputy Leader.. .. Plen, N.J Pinetown Beckett, W.M Botha's HiU Calderwood, A.I. Clydesdale Crewe, R.M Creighton Emslie, B.H Ermelo Howarth, C. M Harding Morgan, K.A Mafeking Muir,J. Margate Walsh,P. B Waterval Boven And 38 CROSS BENCHERS Jan. 3rd Feb. 17tk PROGRAMME Election of officials. Vote of No Confidence in the Government, proposed by the Leader of the Opposition (F. A. Lissauer) and opposed by the Prime Minister. No vote taken. 138
March 3rd .. Motion: "That the Government's anti-British legislation cannot be reconciled with its pleasfor unity and friendship". Proposed by the Hon. Deputy Leader of the Opposition and opposed by the Hon. Minister for External Affairs. Motion won. March 17th .. Motion as for March 3rd. Proposed by Estcourt School and opposed by Kearsney Prime Minister. Motion won. May 5th .. .. Open debate on "What is the solution for South Africa?" June 2nd .. .. Motion: "That the recent legislation has led to the for mation of a police state in South Africa". Motion lost. There must come undulation in the quality of any society and, as we have anticipated, this year sees, nota decreasein enthusiasm,but a decrease in debating skill. In recent years we have had speakers who would have held their own in any company, but it would be unreasonable to expect this always to happen. Often the very skill ofthe leading speakers forces the rest into an awed silence. This year we have had a levelhng, and no-one need sit in awe. For all that, the cross-benchers remain strangely silent. Surely, as the choice of their constituencies, they must have some views to express, or questions to ask? Daniel, as Prime Minister, has a good political grasp, as has Lissauer, Leader of the Opposition and the best speaker to date. Others are in the process oflearning. Once again we welcomed the Headmaster, Stalf and pupils of Estcourt School, to a lively debate, and are glad to think that they enjoyed the evening. The best speeches ofthe year were presented in an open debate, without political alignment, on "What is the solution for South Africa?" Sincere and well-conceived views were expressed on this subject, and a secret vote taken, with the following result:— 1. Equal opportunity for all 2. Integration, with White domination 3. Continuation of Apartheid 4. Complete equality at once This reflects a very sensible and reasonable attitude of mind. Among questions at question time were:— Where are our cadet rifles, now that the "emergency" is over? What is being done to render the coastal resorts safe from sharks? Why have the police been tapping private phones? Why has South Africa sold 200 tanks to Switzerland? When will the Bantustans come into existence? When will the shortage of cent coins be overcome? Why cannot an Indian golfer play in the South African golf championships? Why is it necessary to keep an army in Pondoland? Why did the Prime Minister state that South Africa would be better off without Natal? What will the Ministfeor Propaganda do with the Republic Day medals that have been returned to him? What steps are being taken to curb the outflow of money from the country? 139 80% 10% 10% 0%
AFRIKAANSE VERENIGING Werksaamhede van die eerste halfjaar; 10 Februjirie .. Verkiesing van ampsdraers vir 1961. 24 Februarie .. .. Plate-aand. 10 Maart Rolprentvertoning waartydens die volgende kort rolprente vertoon is: (i) ..Livingstone aan die Sambesie". lii) ..Die Wreedaard"... die woestynsprinkaan. (iii) ..Hulder aan die Trekkers". .. 'n indrukwekkende prent cor die bou. hoeksteenlegging en opening van die Voortrekkermonument. 28 April .;. .. Lesingaand. Die volgende persone het lesings gelewer: . (i) Larsen' ..Die onlangse oorstroming in die Karoo". (ii) R. Crewe: ..Suiwelboerdery". (iii) Williams: ..Ons Almanak". (iv) M. Barnard: ..Spinnekoppe". ■ ■ - , (v) T.Beckett: ..Die Wonder van Afrikaans". . (vi) Courie: ..Robert Bruce — Vryheidsheld van die Skotte". 12 Mei .. .. .. Debat: ..Dat studente aan Suid-Afrikaanse Universiteite te veel van hul tyd bestee aan die politiek". Mosiegewen met25stemmeteenoor 15. 23 Junie .. .. Vasvra. Die spanne was soos volg: A-span: Mnre. Castleden. L. Fienberg en Watson. B-span: Mnre. Q. Turner. Lowenstein en Howarth. Die A-span het hierdie wedstryd gewen met 38 punte teenoor 30. G.E.B. MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL It is not easy to write an objective review of a play which one has co-produced. One is torn between loyalty to the players for their efforts, and a realisation of flaws which may not have been apparent to the less critical audience. This is not an easy play. Eliot is a poet, and clothes(I nearly said "conceals") his meaning in the lan^age of the poet, and right through the preparation it is doubtful if some of the actors fully understood their lines. It is certain that any normal audience, not having studied or heard the play before, would come away with a tenuous idea of the theme, wrapped in fine poetry, grandiloquent lines, and a good deal of rather meaningless chorus work. For indeed it is a play that requires study. Someone has called it the finest play outside Shakespeare (perhaps he has read no Greek plays). As such,it is not to be tackled lightly. Unlike the modem "cash-cropper", it does not depend on a plotwhich, once seen, would offer no interest to a second seeing. It could be seen many times over, and provide more meat each time. 140
Eliot has the Greek tragedy in mind. There is an inevitableness about Becket's end, somehow. The women of Canterbury sense this, and urge him to go back and leave them to their humble chores. Becket's subconscious intent to become a martyr is strength ened by the insistence of the Fourth Tempter. He had anticipated the other three temptations—to become the man ofthe world again, to become Chancellor again, to aid the barons to overthrow despo tism. But the Fourth Tempter tempts him with his own desires, and from that moment he makes no effort to save his Ufe. The action of the play is relatively static, and success must inevitably depend upon characterisation. The failure ofthe central figure would have meant the failure of the play. The part of the Archbishop was played, appropriately, by Bishop. It was a brave decision by the actor. His voice is normally a quiet one, with a tendency to drop. In the poor acoustics of our Chapel, and with no stage, so that many of the audience could see little, this was asking for trouble. But by perpetual effort, for which wecommend him, he achieved a good clarity and, as far as we could tell, little was lost. His long part had been meticulously memorised, and he achieved the various shades of elation, dejection, and determination which the part involves. Well done! Other characters, although having considerable parts—and difficult ones to play, must be subordinate. Their succemssust he, not in action, but in voice production, and the Chapel is no place for anyone with a weak voice. There were some which did not carry, in spite of effort. The exception was Price, whose resounding words, as First Tempter and First Knight, penetrated toevery corner, and in this respect at least he was the pick of the cast. But Mr. Le Feuvre, as Fourth Tempter and Second Knight, had plenty to say, and spoke with the certainty and conviction of an experienced actor. The Chorus, well drilled in their unison speech (and this is difficult, for one voice out of step makes the rest inaudible) spoke wth great clarity and hardly a word was lost. At no stage did any of them really know what they were talking about, but the intent here is to create atmosphere by the use of word-pictures. Whether the words have logical meaning is beside the point. But the Chorus were monotonous,and one would have welcomed a change of pitch. Change of speed, on the other hand, was good. Perhaps it is inevitable(for we have seen it before)that choral speech must adopt a monotone. The stage manager and his assistants almost stole the show Mr. Metcalf is an expert in this. Lights and spotlights were set all over the place, with dimmers, and lights faded in and out or focussed themselves, often to the background of Plain-Song, in a fashion that no professional theatre could have bettered. 141
Perhaps it was appropriate that the Play coincided, as is customary, with a break in the weather,so that the nights were cold and mistily wet. After all it was on such a night that Thomas was murdered,and Canterbury must have been depressingly cold. J. F. R. DRAMATIS PERSONAE Thomas Becket A. M. R. Bishop First Priest M. T. Staniland Second Priest . . . . . . . . C. D. Hemson Third Priest D- O. Coetzee First Tempter . . . . . . . • J. A. L. Price Second Tempter R. P. Mackinlay Third Tempter H. R. Wade Fourth Tempter . . . . . . R. P. J. Le Feuvre, Esq. First Knight . . . . . . . ■ J. A. L. Price Second Knight . . . . . • R. P. J. Le Feuvre, Esq. Third Knight H. R. Wade Fourth Knight R- Doidge Messenger . . . . . . . • . G. A. Holden Chorus of Women ofCanterbury , . P.R.L.Allen, M.H.Beveridge, R.J. Bonfa,j. Dickens,N.D.R. ffrench, M. C. HriTLER, B. N. Lawrence, N. W. Monks, B. R. Morel du Boil, G. G. Roach, D. A. Westgate. The play was produced in the Chapel of Kearsney College by J. P. Reece, Esq. artdP.E.Metcalf, Esq. Costumes by the NatalSchools Theatre Organisation Make-up under the direction of Mrs. N.C. Metcalf Lighting and Sound Effects by P.E. Metcalf,Esq., assisted by: C.W.James, M. A. McFall, S. M. Webb, A. R. T. MmLER, R. Doidge, R. J. T. Shaw-Gray. Programme Cover and Prompter: D.G.Neville-Dale. SPEECH AND DRAMA At the risk of seeming almost tedious, I cannot sufficiently emphasize the value of this type of work, and wish that more boys would avail themselves ofthe opportunities presented. Competency in public speaking is one of one's greatest assets. At varying times in life he will be called upon to address an audience, even if only to propose a vote of thanks. This involves clarity of speech and the confidence which comes only from full preparation. In our country, criss-crossed by many different languages, the interplay of tongues must lead to the deterioration of each, unless a conscious effort is made to keep each one pure. On this particular occasion the seniors did not give themselves sufficient time for adequate preparation. My own role as trainer 142
had to be fitted in between "Murder"and the exams(another form of murder)—an effective ten days' work only. With so many items to rehearse and guide, this developed into a wild scramble. The competitors, on the other hand, had had ten weeks, which they did not use. Nevertheless the results were good. Adjudicator, Mr. David Homer, one of the country's best in this line, was not prepared to lavish First Classes unless they were well merited. Results below indicate that he was pleased. Given another fortnight, and they would have done better. It is impossible to eradicate a lifetime offaulty articulation in ten days. The juniors, well drilled by Mrs. Payne, showed, in many cases, good promise and I hope they will continue with this work. Last year's adjudicator stressed the pronunciation—the music of the vowel sounds and the clarity given by consonantal attack. This year Mr. Homer laid emphasis more upon the intellectual presentation, the tone of voice, interpretation of the passages, and above all the sympathetic contact with the audience. All this is ve^important. Some boys with the best voices scored less through unfeeling, declaiming at the audience instead of talfang to them. Without this proper contact, speech has no value,for the audience are not interested. Following are the classes obtained. To give fuller details would involve too much space, but the items included lectures, scripture passages, prose excerpts, blank verse, set poems, narrative poems and sight reading. All, of course, memorised, if possible. SENIORS A.Broom: First, second,second,second. J. Daniel: First, first, first. L. Fienberg: Second, second, second second. (Lecture; Greek Plavs 1 D.Hemson; First, first, first. (Lecture: Basutoland Trip.) F.LKS.WE^n First,first,first, first. (Lecture: Steps leading up to theformation A. Meyer: First first, second. (Lecture: Travelin a Shrinking World.) M.Staniland: First, first, first. (Lecture: Bees.) P. Volckman: First, first, second. (Lecture: Soil Erosion.) JUNIORS E. Ashby: Second,third. P. Allen- First, first. M.Beveridge: First, first, second,second. M.English: First, second. M.French: First, first. M.Hittler: First, first. R. Mackay: Second,second. J. Milbank: First, first,second. R.Price: Second, third. D.Reece: First, first, first. G.Roach: First, first,fost. P. Watson: Second,second. J F R 143
MUSIC NOTES ORGAN RECITALS Four organ recitals were given during the first half of 1961, Soprano songs were sung at the second of these by Mrs. Irene Harper. The details ofthese recitals are given below. February 26th: Mr.J. Harper. Fantasia in G.—S.Bach. Idylle.—Sir Edward Elgar. Trumpet Tune.—^John Stanley. March 26th: Mrs.Irene Harper and Mr. J. Harper. Overture: Ptolemy.—G.F. Handel. Song: Art Thou Troubled.—G.F. Handel. Prelude and Fugue in D Minor.—Mendelssohn. Songs: I Will Lay Me Down in Peace \_Maurice Green. O,Praise the Lord J Triumphal March.—Lemmens. May 21st: Mr. J. Harper. Overture: The Occasional Oratorio.—G.F. Handel. Three Pieces for Musical Clocks.—J. Haydn. Chanson de Matin.—Sir Edward Elgar. Fanfare.—Lemmens. June 25th: Mr. J. Haiper and Mrs.Irene Harper. Choral Prelude: Wachet Auf.—J. S. Bach. Three Pieces: March, Meditation, and Introduction and Toccata—by Nicholas Choveux. Two Songs: He Shall Feed His Flock(Messiah).—Handel, Allelujah.—Mozart. RECITAL—March 18th: Soprano: Mrs.Irene Harper. Pianoforte: Mr.J. Harper. Violin: Mr.Peter John Carter. Pianoforte: Mr. Yonti Solomon. This recital was given in the school hall to a large and apprecia tive audience. The programme ranged from classical to modem music, both serious and novel items interspersed. The audience gave a warm welcome to Mrs. Harper who sang songs by Brahms and Hagemann,and a set of Folk Songs. Piano solos included music by Grieg, Chopin and Goossens. We were pleased to welcome two visiting artists who were on a concert tour of this country—Mr. Peter Carter and Mr. Yonti Solomon, who played sonatas by Beethoven and Brahms, and a group of short solos. The fine viohn playing ofMr.Carter was warmlyapplauded,and he was ably accompanied by Mr. Solomon. 144
CONCERT—May 13th given by the Nederlands Zang en Vrienschap Society. This was arranged by the Pinetown Rotary Club. The choir conducted by Hans Menke began the evening with a setting of the Te Deum by Purcell, and continued with operatic and musical comedy choruses, and a group of Dutch Folk Songs. After a shaky start in the Purcell they settled down to give some lively singing which reached a high spot with the Folk Songs. CHOIR The choir this year, though well up to strength in trebles and altos, is woefully short of tenors and basses, which make for diffi culties in balance. Two anthems have been performed;— All Glory, Laud and Honour.—J, S. Bach. Lead me. Lord.—S. S. Wesley, At present the choir are rehearsing music for a concert to be given during the third term. MUSIC SOCIETY Meetings have been held regularly, and this year composers and their music are being taken chronologically. Members ofthe society and ofthe choir also attended a Youth Concert on May 9th in the Durban City Hall given by the Durban Civic Orchestra conducted by Mr. Philip Britten. The music was instructive and entertaining, and was devoted to music written about the sea. The items were: 1. Overture: The Hebrides—Mendelssohn. 2. Scheherazade: Sinbad's Voyage—Rimsky-Korsakov. 3. Sea Pictures (Noelle Waddell, Contralto)—Elgar. 4. Overture: The Flying Dutchman—Wagner. I am pleased to record an increased number of instrumental pupils making good progress this year. Five are learning the clarinet, three the flute, and two the trumpet. It is my hope eventually to have an orchestra at Kearsney,and this is a promising start inthat direction. J. M.H. 145
WESLEY GUILD The first six months of the year have proved to be very enjoy able and successful for the Guild. Membership has topped the century mark for the first time and the time now seems to be ripe for the creation of separate Junior and Senior Guilds. At the beginning of the year the new Chaplain, Rev. A. Jennings, took over chairmanship of the Guild and his leadership has been out standing. Highhght of the year occurred at the end of the first term, viz., our annual visit to Epworth High School. There we had a most enjoyable devotion-cum-social evening. In addition we have had some excellent talks by Mr. Nelson Palmer of Pinetovvn, Mr. Ian Vermaak, the Springbok tennis player, and Rev. Jennings on his trip to the Olympic Games in 1952. In May we were given a magnificent song recital by the Wesley and Sanctuary Singers from Ehirban. In addition during the year we have had two films, one on India and the other a Fact and Faith film. At the end ofthe second term,the term of office ofthe 1960^61 committee expired. May I express my thanks to all those retiring committee members for their excellent work over the past year. May I wish to new secretary, Gavin Brown,a happy and successful term of office. J. Daniel LIBRARY The library has been overhauled this year. It has been severely pruned of its older and more unreadable material, and the balance has been regrouped into more accessible categories. New books are continually being added but ofcourse are expensive. If any readers ofthis column have books,either of fiction or for study, which they want to get rid of, the Librarian will always welcome them. I should like to thank Mr. Clegg (senr.)for his help with the work. J. F.R. YACHT CLUB This year there have been some developments in the yacht club, notably the enthusiastic response from the juniors, and the building ofa new club-workshop. We have also been fortunate in having two outings, one at the end of each term. These outings were made possible by the very kind gestures of Mr. G. Goodricke of the P.Y.C., Mr. Ellis-Brown and Mr. SmilUe(who placed the well-known Durban cabin-cruiser "Saraben" at our disposal), Mr. Milne, and Mr. Wilson. A highly enjoyable evening was had by all when we were privileged to have Mr. Collins, a well-known "Sprog" skipper of the P.Y.C. to give us a lecture on the finer points of competitive 146
sailing. All were keenly interested in Mr. Collins' very informative and interesting lecture. I should like to thank the headmaster for arranging this enjoyable evening. Mention must be made of both Mr. Storm's and M. France's invaluable assistance during the half-year. The club is now also flying its own colours, having its own "Cadet" down in Durban. Thanks go to all those who helped in its construction. I should personally hke to wish the new committee, which will be coming into office soon, the best of luck in their sailing, and all future activities. C.E. Knightsbridge, Commodore. THE "CHRONICLE" AND "PUNCH" We would not normally expect to find ourselves featured in "Punch", but this was the case on February 8th of this year! In a delightful leg-pull, the writer intimated that the new Daily Mirror-Odhams amalgamation had now taken over the control ofschool magazines,including Eton College Chronicle,the Kearsney College Chronicle, and a named list of others. They would save the backs of overworked Editors by printing the same Magazine for each school,leaving suitable gaps for the insertion ofnames,etc. Schools would have to put on the same Plays, of course, and there would have to be syndicated characters for the football teams. These, however,are minor diflBculties compared with the advantages of uniformity, and Editors would now be able to get back to their studies in writing, reading and arithmetic. Your Editor wrote to the Editor of "Punch", indignantly denying this take-over,and stating that in fact we had hoped to take over the Mirror-Odhams pubUcations, and in any case had a perfectly good printer who would produce a Magazine in under six months if pushed. The Editor of "Punch" replied: "I don't know who's been more indignant, the schools we put down for a take-over or the ones we left out. "Yes, why don't you take over Odhams? You'd have to lake over the Daily Mirror as well, but a King*(which goes with it) might be a useful counter in the current political situation." There the matter unfortunately rests, but should our readers discover that the Daily Mirror is now being produced by the Provincial Printing Co., Durban, they will know that the take-over has come to pass. (^The Editor ofthe Daily Mirror is a Mr. King—Ed.) 147
CRICKET MEMORIES I WAS openly and unashamedly a Hobbs fan. There was something about him that was different, possessed by no-one else—an aura of divinity; he was a god, whereas others were merely mortals. Other batsmen poured forth the runs and sometimes even topped him in the averages, but none of them was Hobbs. Although conscious of his existence, in a vague way, from an early age, I first grew to know him at about the age of 13 when friends ofmine,engaged in social cricket, used to assume the names of well-known cricketers,one of whom, with cap awry, and wielding a monstrous cross-bat, always referred to himself as"Hobbs"(who would have been flattered). Little did I realise then how often my future hero was to regale me with innings of delight. Gradually the daily papers came to serve one purpose only—to provide the county cricket scores, which I absorbed like a sponge (yet could never remember a History date). But even here only one thing mattered—how many had Hobbs made? Public and press were very much of like mind,for his name appeared invariably in the headlines—"Hobbs again ... another century for Hobbs,... brilliant innings by Hobbs ..." etc. I had to wait until I was 16 for my first glimpse of him, when Surrey came to play Somerset at Bath. The days and nights of anticipation were almost too much for my nerves,for I knew he would fail to score. Came the day,and he did not fail. He made 116 and, moreover, it was a landmark in his life as well as in mine,for it was his hundredth century, and I saw it! He has then 40. By that age most cricketers to-day consider their cricket behind them, but after the age of40 Hobbs went on to score 97 morecenturies,the last at the age of 52. In fact at 40 he was only half way through his illustrious career. He scored 197 first-class centuries, yet lost years through World War I and the whole of 1921 through illness; nor did he make so many overseas tours as players do to-day. I know it was his greatest sorrow that he could not top the 200centuries,butclearly he would have scored 250,given full opportunity. When he realised at last, at the age of52,that his skill and usefulness werefailing him,he withdrew from first-class cricket. It must have been a poignant decision. After leaving school I watched him countless times in London, and he scarcely ever failed me. The runs flowed from his bat at a rate that would be considered immoral slogging to-day. Lightning footwork was the secret. I saw so many centuries that I have forgotten details. But I remember watching him (271) and Sandham (183) put on 428 for the first-wicket against Oxford University—and how papers slated him for tiring himself before the Lords Test Match the next day! Well—I went to Lords and saw him make 119, so he could not have been too tired. In a purple patch at the Oval he scored 107, 87, 104, 143 not out. 111 and 215 in successive innings within ten days, and I saw three of them. In that year, aged 44, he scored 16 centuries, and in 1931, aged 50, he averaged over 80! Truly he never grew old. I think that one of my biggest regrets at leaving England was the fact that I had to leave Hobbs behind! I never saw him again. He is now 80. A recent biography by Ronald Mason has brought back so many nostalgic memories that I wrote appreciatively to Sir Jack Hobbs himself and to Ronald Mason. Hobbs wrote a charming reply, which I treasure greatly, and I have received several letters from Ronald Mason, who is now engaged on a biography of Walter Hammond, a near neighbour of ours at Kearsney. I have had many chats with Hammond about those "good old days", and now I see that Denis Compton is to settle in our neighbourhood. J.F.R. 148
DEPARTURE GtEAMNG blacks cloak the yellow deck with cargo. Vote consciousness and the trip weight puffily each obsidian eye. Lizard-like they register the foreman's bawl and beck, knitting whoop and wharf of the docks. Skull-white and skeletal the ghostly ship flips oily cables snakily awry. Foam is slowly churned in smoky swirls to lap the rocks crouched at the harbour mouth. Lightjumps from off the wavelets. The small, stark twin cranes stick angle-poiasgeadinst the searing blue, self-consciously. With pop-coughings,rhythmic, muffled thumps, the ship swims,lurching,fast away. Disturbed,the sun reclutches greasy brains of watchers, melts their moulting bones to glue, transmutates their lumpy vessels back to clay. The port, its daily duty done, relaxes, slumps in languid torpor, bakes somnolently. The porters grope for shade, blindly grasping, with dull curses, swatting at the sun. The solid air boils on the winch. The sheet-ironed capital of all the lakes waits for the clanging smithy-heat to fade, pulls on its fly-blown, mephitic shroudings inch by inch. D.J.Livinostone FAITH Do NOT WEEP in loneliness for your love. Nor curse the darkness hiding her from sight. For she is near,a sweet enchanted dove To take possession of your broken life. Do not despair and kill that happiness you shared Or let a surging bitterness fill the heart That once you gave and which she dared To call her own,from which she would not part. Do not forget,though you see her smile no more. And listen for those footfalls faint in vain That she is closer now than e'er before. Without her mortal suffering and pain. Do not then lose the trust, the faith to pray. For prayer it was that brought you two together. And prayer it is that changes night to day. So thus will both your souls bejoined forever. Anon 149
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