in no way abdicate our leadership through conservatism or complacency. We are a 'young' country in practically every sense —we can afford to leam from others and profit by their wider experience — this is no more true than in the sphere of education. The tide of change may not reach us for yet awhile, but as and when it does, let us not be left as driftwood on the solitary shore. I am convinced that with mutual trust and in a spirit of willing co-operation the Private Schools ofSouth Africa can,and will, not only maintain their status, but set the pace for any future development. SPORTS COMMITTEE The 1965 report on the activities of the Sports Committee is again encouraging. The sporting activities continue to flourish. Every Saturday during the summer terms an average of six home and seven away cricket matches are played and during the winter terms five or six rugby teams are sent away and we are happy to entertain six or seven visiting teams at Kearsney.In addition, athletic and hockey teams travel regularly and home and away mid-week fixtures for the more junior teams are a regular feature. General development has continued, but we have been severely handicapped by the serious drought. The two new fields, built last year,the one for rugby and cricket and the other for cricket and hockey have been used during the year. The lower one was used throughout the year, but the upper, due to the poor grass surface could not be used for hockey, although it did provide an extra cricket field, even though the surface left much to be desired. However,now that the rains have started, considerable work is being done on this field, a lot of it by the boys themselves, and it should be in good condition by 1966. It will then become the main Kearsney hockey field. The 'Hulett' Score Board on the Smith Oval is now complete and in full operational order. The old score board is to be moved up to the Matterpn Field. One sight screen on the Oval which collapsed due to the passage of time and highwinds, has been replaced with an all-weather metal screen, and we hope to rebuild the other in metal at a later date. In spite of the drought and the resulting ban on the use of hosepipes, the fields are in good condition generally. This is due mainly to the very generous gift offive tons offertilizer by Mr.J. N.Hulett. This gift has been most valuable and greatly appreciated. In addition, the Mount Edgecombe Country Club has made us a generous free gift of'Bullie' soil for the main cricket pitch. A great innovation has been the laying of an underground pipe line from the swimming bath to the Stott Rugby Field, which has enabled us to pump water during the dry months. We are also indebted to the Tuck Shop for the provision of the new extension to the portable stand. This has provided the much needed accommodation for the extra boysin the school and for the demand for seating at the annual Swimming Gala and Athletic Sports. Future plans include the laying of a turf cricket pitch on the Matterson Field and the re-surfacing of the tennis court. The very high cost of these two necessary improvements is the present stumbling block. Once again, we are very much indebted to the Board of Governors, for, without their constant assistance and encouragement we would be unable to function. Finally, the Sports Fund wishes to offer its sincere thanks to all mem bers of the staff who give so freely of their time to attend to the many sporting activities within the College. It is quite normal for these men to be away from their families every Saturday during the school year. They render a great service to the college. (N.B.—Items ofSchool Routine which are or have been recorded elsewhere in the Magazine are here omitted,to save duplication. Editor.) 63
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