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This year's cover, which depicts the main entrance to the College, was designed and drawn by Howard Pearce, a fourth-former in the Junior Boys' School. The original drawing was made during a routine outdoor sketching

class.

THE OPEN DOOR

Moor MAGAZINE OF THE SWINBURNE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

1957

CONTENTS

Page

EDITORIAL 5

PRINCIPAL'S PAGES 6

GENERAL NEWS 8

PERSONAL ITEMS 15

SCHOLARSHIP AND SKILL 24

SPORT RECORD 34

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES 40

LITERARY SECTION 49

D. D. GRIFFITHS

VALEDICTORY

With the death of Mr. Griffiths there has passed from amongst us one who, to a high degree, was responsible for the development of our College, he having been on the teaching staff since 1915, and Vice-Principal and Head of the Engineering School since 1939.

Mr. Griffiths was born in Queensland but obtained his technical education at Kalgoorlie School of Mines. After gaining experience as a ship's engineer on a cargo boat trading between Melbourne and Vladivostock, he returned to a position as electrical engineer in the mines at Kalgoorlie.

As "Grif," he became well-loved and respected by generations of students, many of whom, on the basis of his training, are now prominent engineers in Australia or abroad. H e took the greatest interest in the personal welfare of each student. In the immediate post-war years he gave outstanding service in organising and super­vising Reconstruction Training Classes at this College, when the number of engineering diploma students increased from 158 to 607.

On the more material side, over a period of years when build­ings, furniture and equipment were even more difficult to obtain than at present, Mr. Griffiths' ingenuity solved many problems, and much that he designed and had constructed at the College is still in use.

He had a strong and colourful personality. He was intellec­tually honest, with himself and with others. H e was extremely loyal, to his College and to his country. He spared himself neither time nor effort in his vocation. He was well-informed, his reading and interests extending into wide fields. And he was wise in the ways of the world.

All of us who were his colleagues are the richer for that experience. H e has left with us who remain something of himself and his ideals which we will continue to pass on to students who never knew him personally.

T H E PRINCIPAL.

EDITORIAL

Like a schoolman of old, we begin with a definition. A maga­zine has been defined as a periodical publication containing articles and other matters by various writers, intended chiefly for the general reader. This year's "Open Door" is planned to comply with that definition.

In the pages that follow student thoughts, experiences and extra­curricular activities are reflected in reports, paragraphs, articles and other ways. And it is a source of considerable satisfaction that of the total material in the literary section approximately one-third is con­tributed by those who have come to Swinburne from homes overseas.

Underlying all this is the belief of the Principal that the art of written expression needs vigorous and determined cultivation. Tele­vision, radio and a luxuriating pictorial press are our constant dis­tractions, but they are no substitute for the written word. Equations, formulae and graphics are the language of the professional people we produce, but they need the language of ordinary intercourse to make their appeal to laymen on committees, councils, commissions and, perhaps, cabinets.

Our 1957 issue is, therefore, more than ever a students' maga­zine. Although a fraction only of the available material could be printed, we have tried to cover the general scene. Thus, each of our six Divisions gives its picture of work and play and reveals what it can of the Swinburne spirit. For help in compilation, thanks are due to a large number of people who remain anonymous: their reward must be the feeling of participation in a true community effort.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

F. BUDGE J.KEANE (Miss) L. COTES (Miss) J. McGOVERN W. FRICKER L. PENDLEBURY B. HAMES S. ROBERTSON A. JORDAN A. TYLEE

General Editor: C. SAUNDERS

5

PRINCIPAL'S REMARKS

Of Open Doors and Opportunities

"An open door" runs an old proverb, "will tempt a saint."

By Rafael Sabatini this has been interpreted, probably cor­

rectly, to mean that opportunity makes a thief. Fortunately, oppor­

tunity leads also to other goals, such as were in the minds of those

who called our magazine "The Open Door." The door of this College

has always been open, to enter, and to leave, since it was first opened

in 1909. A nd down the years, of the generations of students who

have emerged from our open door, many have served the com­

munity with distinction.

With passing time, the opportunities available to those who

enter our open door have increased. To the original part-time

classes were added first two junior schools, then a variety of diploma

and certificate and trade courses. With scientific and industrial

development, modern equipment has been installed in our labora­

tories and workshops, and instruction in specialist subjects under­

taken.

But over and above the technical instruction students have the

right to expect and undoubtedly receive in an institution such as ours,

attention has been given to other aspects of education, often, of course,

implicitly. The mixing on a variety of occasions, of students old and

young, male and female, from Australia and from overseas, study­

ing art, science, engineering, commerce or dressmaking, is valuable

training in social development. Given proper conditions students

educate each other, and such a mutual education is aided by the pro­

visions of libraries, the theatrette, the social hall, a senior students'

common room, and the fostering of clubs, student bodies, social

functions and sporting activities, in number such that each can

receive but brief mention in this magazine. By religious instruction

6

Principal's Page

in our junior schools, the holding of an annual inaugural church ser­

vice, and in the work of the Swinburne branch of the Student Chris­

tian Movement, is the no less important spiritual side pf life fostered.

And now, with the approach of our Jubilee Year, there comes

to thousands of ex-students, students, and all who have benefited by

the work of the College, an opportunity to help in still further

improving the facilities our College has to offer. Between now and

1959 the College Council, with the aid of a general committee, will

endeavour to raise funds for the establishment of a Students' Centre

which will have something to offer students past, present and

future. A n enlarged hall, a cafeteria and students' common rooms are amongst amenities envisaged, according to finance available.

When the appeal is made, you will have the opportunity to help.

GENERAL NEWS

Presentation to "Grif"

O n Wednesday afternoon, 24th July, a group representing various sections of the College visited Mr. D. D. Griffiths, the retiring Vice-Principal, and Mrs. Griffiths at their home to make a presentation on behalf of the staff. Because of Mr. Griffiths' death early in October the occasion is one to be remembered. His colleagues' gift to "Grif" was to comprise records for his radiogram, but as he wished to choose the records the actual presentation took the form of a cheque. In pre­senting it, Mr. Tylee paid a tribute to Mr. Griffiths' long service to the College, his independence, his loyalty and riis courage. In a characteristic reply, Mr. Griffiths related stories about numerous and varied incidents that occurred during the forty years and more that he had been here. H e acknowledged that many of these incidents could not occur in the Swinburne of 1957, and that it was un­desirable that they should, but claimed that the essential humanity that inspired them was characteristic of the College and deserved to be perpetuated. So long, he said, as the staff regarded its students, not as educational units, but as young men and women with separate individualities and problems of their own, the College would remain true to the old Swinburne no matter how many changes were brought about by growth and development. Jubilee Year

In 1959 the College will celebrate the fiftieth year of its opera­tions. The idea of establishing a technical school in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne was first proposed by the Hon. George Swin­burne in 1907; however, it was not until two years later that classes in carpentry, plumbing and blacksmithing began. At the end of the first term there was an enrolment of eighty. A College publica­tion of those times shows that the only prerequisite for entry to the courses was ability to read and write. Mr. and Mrs. Swinburne each contributed £1,000 to a fund to establish the College. U p to the time of his death in 1928, Mr. Swinburne's gifts totalled some £-20,000. It was not till the beginning of World W a r I that the name was changed to "The Swinburne Technical College." Plans are already being made to suitably celebrate the events and achieve­ments of fifty years, and students and members of the staff are being given opportunity to express their ideas. Funds raised will be used to provide a Students' Centre, to include a cafeteria and other amenities.

8

General News

Boys' School

Growth of school population since 1945 is gradually forcing changes on many educational fronts. Swinburne, the second largest school in Victoria and the most diverse in activities, with two junior schools, diploma courses in Art, Chemistry, Commerce and Engineering, and a trade section of some 800 apprentices, is very conscious of the problems. In particular, the need for a new boys' school has been apparent for years — a need increased recently by the rapidly expanding senior school. Lack of a suitable site has been a long-standing handicap, but now the Education Department, with the assistance of the College Council, has provided one to the east of William Street. In addition, plans have been prepared. If the State's overall financial situation justifies the large expenditure involved, tenders will then be invited. A perspective sketch of the proposed building is this year's frontispiece. It reflects contemporary trends in school architecture; also allowance has been made for provision of many modern facilities.

Education Week

This year the College welcomed parents and friends on Tues­day, Wednesday and Thursday of the second last week in Term II, when classrooms, laboratories, workshops, studios, the theatrette and libraries were made available for inspection. The opening ceremony was performed by the chairman of the Institute of Engineers (Mr. A. J. Mcintosh), who spoke on the community's .need for engineers and technicians. The main centre of attraction was the Social Hall, where 18 commercial firms and Government departments co-operated in an outstanding exhibition showing the relationship of work done at the College and the ultimate commercial products. But each room and every exhibit had its enthusiastic visitors. Both teachers and students felt their weeks of intensive planning and preparation were well worthwhile. There seems little doubt — judging by public response — that this year's display was the best the College has provided, meeting very adequately the theme of parent-teacher co-operation put by the Director of Education (Mr. A. H. Ramsay), and demonstrating on a magnificent scale Swinburne's facilities for training young people in the professions and skilled trades. Overseas Students

More and more Australians are reading in their newspapers about events and developments to the north. For Swinburnians these accounts have a new reality, as this year there are approximately one hundred students from these countries attending the College. Five are Colombo Plan students. Places represented include Thai­land, Malaya, Ceylon, North Borneo, Singapore, Sumatra and Hong

9

General News

Kong. Almost half the visitors are taking Engineering Courses; Commerce is second favourite, the remainder being distributed in the Art, Dressmaking and Chemistry Schools. These fine young men and women are constantly winning friends and goodwill. They are keen participants in College life, and have formed for themselves a very active Overseas Students' Club. Altogether, their presence among us is a reminder of a new chapter in world relationships.

Diploma Assemblies

For most people memories of school assemblies are all too vivid. Judging by the demeanour and interest of senior students at the now well established Diploma Assemblies, Swinburne's approach to the problem of bringing the various sections periodically together is very successful. Formal announcements by staff members are reduced to a minimum, permitting a smart introduction of the visit­ing speaker by Mr. Tylee. Visitors have included men of distinc­tion like Mr. P. Law of Antarctic fame, Mr. V. Stout of the Mel­bourne Trades Hall Council, Mr. J. Cairns, Federal M.P. for Yarra, Professors Moorhouse and Ball of the University of Melbourne. Keen questioning has always followed the addresses. Mr. Law found Swinburne's potential geologists very interested in aspects of Ant­arctic strata, and Professor Ball very obligingly gave an overseas student interested in White Australia a detailed defence of the doc­trine. Speeches of thanks have shown that they also shine in ora­tory who only study. Amateur Painters

The post-war years have seen the growth of a tremendous en­thusiasm for painting by many people in different walks of life. Following examples set by Sir Winston Churchill and President Eisenhower, the latest world personality to become an enthusiast is the Duke of Edinburgh. The popular trend is reflected at Swin­burne, enrolments for part-time day and evening classes in painting increasing steadily each year. Doctors, lawyers, business executives, salesmen, housewives and mechanics are among the one hundred and twenty attending this year's classes. The main desire of these amateur enthusiasts is to do some form of creative work apart from normal occupations, and they are finding that painting is a most satisfying experience. More interesting still is that this Swinburnian trend is part of the general upsurge of community interest in art generally. Australians are clearly realising that they must be cul­turally as well as technically equipped. Film Society

A new and vital movement — the Film Society movement — is now in its third year of operation at Swinburne. The group is

10

General News

already a leading member of the Australian Federation of Film Societies. Each month the eighty-two members screen special fea­ture films with supporting documentaries. Every effort is made to present for discussion films of artistic merit, also those of con­troversial, rare or historic interest. Typical films are: Sentimental Bloke (Australia); Cannery Boat (Japan); Romeo and Juliet (U.S.S.R.); Frenzy (Sweden); That Others May Live (Poland). At present the Society is considering matinee screenings of children's films, and the production of a short experimental film. Membership is open to the public, the existing rate being ten shillings a year, and inquiries should be directed to the Secretary (Mr. K. Ingram), or the. President (Mr. R. J. Lyons).

Parents-Teachers

The Parents-Teachers' Association, which aims to promote the welfare of children by bringing the school and the home together, has had another successful year. Two Film Nights proved very popular. A "Students Present" Night offered items from the school choirs, the school orchestra and a one-act play, cast by the Form IV boys and girls. At the Talent Night Show, which was compered by Hawthorn footballers, Roy Simmonds and Phil O'Brien, mem­bers of the boys' and girls' junior schools gave items. In addition, P.T.A. helped to provide finance for essential school equipment. Although it made contributions to erection of bicycle sheds its major project this year, it was also able to donate £.100 to the junior girls' library. Altogether, P.T.A. is very well established at Swinburne. Most significant is that this enthusiastic body has ac­hieved its objective of making co-operation between parents, teachers and students a reality. In addition, it seems to provide many enjoy­able evenings and highly desirable practical results.

Anzac Day

Anzac Day this year was commemorated at a special ceremony held in the Hawthorn Town Hall on Wednesday, 24th April. Pro­ceedings began with an address by the Principal, Mr. Tylee, on "The Significance of the Ceremony." After the flag was lowered to halfmast, Mr. Cavill recited "Anzac Day." Head Prefects of the Girls' and Boys' Junior Schools placed wreaths at the base of the flag mast. A formal address was then given by the Rev. W . J. Fleming. Following a minute's silence, the sounding of the "Last Post" and "The Reveille," the flag was raised to mast head. During proceedings two hymns — "0 God our help in ages past" and "Re­cessional" — were sung. With the passing of the years only older people remember the actual events of Australia's most national day. However, in simple and dignified style Swinburne is very effectively

11

General News

maintaining the role of the school in transmitting to the younger generation the values and spirit of this great Australian tradition.

Church Services

This year's inaugural services were held on Friday, March 8th, at 9.30 a.m., in the Hawthorn Presbyterian Church and the Roman Catholic Church at the corner of Glenferrie and Burwood Roads. To enable all who desired to accept Mr. Tylee's invitation to attend no classes began till 10.30 a.m. As previously, there was an excellent response from staff and students. This is in keeping with the general situation in Australia and the other parts of the English-speaking world, there now being, because of recent developments in the physical sciences, a vast interest in the ethical implications of modern living. This is also seen at Swinburne in the continued success of the Student Christian Group, and the existence of a number of groups of students concerned with Social Services.

Adventurous Journey

Three of our senior students, Graham Lorimer, David Hall and Robert Fallshaw, left the College on April 18th in a Land Rover on a rather lengthy and adventurous journey through a large portion of central and eastern Australia. They travelled via Mildura and Port Augusta to Alice Springs; from the Centre they went to Mount Isa, through the Atherton Tablelands to Cairns, Townsville, Rock-hampton, Brisbane and Sydney back to Melbourne. One of the highlights of the trip was the sight of the sun's first rays on the gigantic Ayres Rock. Discarded, shattered tyres, rotting remains of animals and notices warning of no water for hundreds of miles were features impressing on them the nature of Australia's outback. Being engineers they found material of interest at Morgan, a Murray River pumping station, Mount Isa, the famous mining centre, and the Snowy River Scheme.

Book Drive

This year, for the first time, the Junior Boys' Library has been the responsibility of a trained teacher-librarian, Mr. K. Ingram. Realising that the available finance was inadequate to buy the desired number of fiction and reference books, he made a plea to the boys for donations of books and organized the drive on a com­petitive basis between forms and individuals. House to house collec­tions were made in surrounding suburbs following distribution of a duplicated appeal notice. The results were very pleasing to Mr. Ingram and the boys. Altogether the total number of books col­lected was 7,462. After sorting approximately 1,450 books were

12

General News

found satisfactory for inclusion in the boys', girls' and seniors' libraries. Rejected books were sold. Form 3B with a total of 1,184 books won the form competition.

Music Festival

Music is no longer a Cinderella subject at Swinburne. In addi­tion to weekly lessons in a tastefully decorated and well equipped music room, there are a number of extra-curricular activities based on music. Selected artists periodically visit the College and give lunch-time concerts. However, the highlight of this year's activities was participation in the Schools' Musical Festival, held in Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne, at the end of term one. Miss Webb, Swinburne's teacher-in-charge of music, took a prominent part in the organization of the festival. Altogether, approximately forty schools were represented. Girls of the College choirs took part in the performances, and the Madrigal Group won high honours for its renditions. Generally, the occasion was an inspiration to our students, and parents who attended some of the sessions were loud in their praise for the work being done to give a lasting appreciation of one of man's finest arts.

Social Service

In recent years Swinburne has added one more service to the many already provided for community use. Situated on Burwood Road are several well-equipped classrooms where people who have suffered from special illnesses or disabilities are helped by staff members to qualify for positions in the commercial world. Tuition is provided in Accountancy, Book-keeping, Typing and Shorthand. Direct control is exercised by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services. A visit to our social service centre is an uplifting experience. A n atmosphere of efficiency prevails; smiling faces greet all visitors, who cannot fail to notice the pride and keenness of the students in their work. It is an achievement of great distinc­tion and merit on the part of all the authorities concerned. Most pleasing of all is the response of employers, who are offering excellent positions, and, in some cases, asking the College for additional staff.

Kiandra Trip

A trip to Kiandra in N e w South Wales during the M a y vacation was an enjoyable experience for a number of senior students. One group, supervised by Mr. White, travelled by air to Cooma, while another, in charge of Mr. Brewer, made the journey to and from the Snowy Mountains in cars. The first three days were spent in inspecting the engineering works of the Snowy Mountains Authority.

13

General News

A very heavy snowfall made conditions suitable for ski-ing. There were sufficient skis for each member of the party, and under the expert guidance of Mr. Brewer, assisted by Mr. Waghorne, most made attempts to become proficient at this popular mountain sport. Short trips were made to the Yarongobilly Caves, to the Eucumbene Lookout and to Mount Kosciusko. The party stayed at the Kiandra Chalet and was very pleased with the service provided by the man­ager, Mr. Palfrey, and his staff. Both students and staff on the trip were grateful to Mr. Tylee for organization of a memorable vacation.

Ballarat Trip

Inter-school contests are popular with senior students, and this year's visit to Ballarat was particularly successful. In June a party of over one hundred, supervised by Mr. K. Lovitt and Mr. E. White, journeyed by bus to play various games against teams representing Ballarat School of Mines. The party received a very enthusiastic welcome and was shown over the city and the old gold mining areas from the top of Black Hill, after which a visit was paid to the famous Eureka Stockade, the Ballarat Gardens and Lake Wendouree. Team members were kindly provided with hot soup and tea to augment their cut lunches. Many overseas students were in the party, and were interested to see some of the scenes associated with one of the most exciting periods of Australian history.

Art Activities

Work done by our Junior Girls' Art Department has been re­ceiving publicity. Early this year, at the request of Mr. Hopwood, in charge of the training of art instructors, samples were displayed at an exhibition for country teachers in the Sale district. Students Betty McDowell, Lynette Matthews and Gail Woodger were success­ful in having their work hung in "The Sun" Child Art Exhibition, Lynette's study of a Swinburne girl in school uniform attracting considerable public interest. The new ceramic sculpture classes have produced beautiful and unusual pieces of art. One modeller, Sandra Allen, is adopting the oriental ideal of not covering the work entirely with glaze, but leaving portion of the body exposed to show its humble clay origin. Also, Mrs. Timmings of the Junior Girls' Art Department has for two years been receiving for correction and advice work from three senior boys of the Evangelical Mission Station at Sarawak, Borneo. The primitive and unusual aspects of these studies have proved very interesting to staff and students.

14

PERSONAL ITEMS

Sir William Angliss

Sir William Angliss, one of Australia's most colourful million­aires, who died in June of this year, aged 92, was well known at the College and to the technical school world. From November, 1942, to February, 1950, he represented the Governor-in-Council on the Swinburne College Council. His Council colleagues agreed with the widely held view that he was the nation's youngest old man. A few years ago the Victorian Government accepted his offer to build a technical trade school and the William Angliss Food Trade School was built in Latrobe Street. Another large gift of 3,000 acres at Bacchus Marsh greatly assisted British migrant boys and girls. By his pioneer work in the meat export trade, Sir William Angliss made a magnificent contribution to Australia's development. The College will always remember its association with this truly great man.

Mr. Justice Mann, M.B.E., Q.C.

Mr. Justice Mann, recently appointed Chief Justice of the territories of Papua and New Guinea, is an old Swinburnian. A few years ago he decided to add painting to the wide range of his interests. He attended part-time painting classes at the Swinburne Art School, and revealed more than average ability. Mr. Justice Mann's newly acquired skill will enable him to appreciate the northern environment with an artist's eye.

Mr. R. M. Arisen

Mr. R, M. Ansett, head of Ansett Transport Industries Ltd., which owns a thriving airline, a chain of hotels, a fleet of tourist buses and a big bus-manufacturing business, received his secondary education at Swinburne Junior Boys' School. After leaving the College in 1923, having gained an interest in machinery, he began servicing and assembling knitting and sewing machines. At 21 he learned to fly. In the 1930's Mr. Ansett opened a garage in Hamil­ton, started flying passengers to Melbourne and formed a public company. In the next few years Ansetts will spend £ 9 million — £ 3 % million on the A.N.A. deal and £ 5 % million on new aircraft.

15

Personal Items

Mr. J. L. Skerrett

Mr. J. L. Skerrett, recently appointed Victoria's Director of Post and Telegraphs, is another old Swinburnian. He received his secondary education at the College, and on obtaining his Intermediate Technical Certificate in 1928 was immediately selected for a special training course with the P.M.G. Then came jobs as linesman, tele­phonist, mechanic and engineer. In 1948, he was transferred to departmental building works and in 1955 became director of build­ings.

Miss M. V. Thomsen Miss M. V. Thomsen, Headmistress of the Junior Girls' School

until her retirement at the end of last year, is at present holidaying in England. She proved herself an outstanding teacher in many parts of Victoria before coming to the College. To the girls and members of staff she was more than a Headmistress; she was a fine and generous lady, a person whose very example was an inspiration. Her happy knack of knowing about and paying careful attention to what others may have regarded as the less important details (flowers, points of etiquette and a friendly word), enhanced the effects of her charm and personality. Her sense of humour was keen; her deep knowledge of human nature very evident. The girls at Swinburne were very near and dear to her heart, and throughout their lives they will be favourably influenced by her standards of thought and conduct.

Mr. A. Jordan

Mr. A. Jordan, senior instructor for many years, was last year appointed Head of the Art School. As an illustrator and wood engraver of distinction, he has played a large part in the develop­ment and success of the College in the art world. Mr. Jordan is particularly well known for the excellence of his wood-engraved book plates, which have earned him an international reputation, and are in many collections here and overseas, including the Melbourne and Adelaide National Art Galleries. A European publication "Boek-cier," published by the Netherlands Ex Libris Society, has given these plates great prominence. A recent trip abroad enabled our distinguished colleague to form comparisons both favourable and encouraging to Swinburnian standards.

Mr. J. M. Keane

Mr. J. M. Keane, who is in charge of English and Social Studies in the Junior Boys' School, was married at the end of first term to Miss A. M. Jeffrey, formerly a member-of-staff at the Junior Girls'

16

Personal Items

School. The wedding took place at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo. The bridesmaids, Miss Mary O'Keefe and Miss Helen Lombard, and the groomsman, Mr. D. R. Fraser, were all graduates in Arts. Among those present were representatives from Swinburne and other schools, and the bridegroom's brother, Dr. W . M. C. Keane, Medical Superintendent at St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne. It is interesting to note that the happy couple's association developed in the Dramatic Club conducted by them for the Girls' and Boys' Junior Schools.

Mr. M. A. Johnson

Mr. M . A. Johnson, member of staff at the Commerce School, has had a book on the teaching of commercial principles and prac­tices accepted for publication by F. W . Cheshire Pty. Ltd. Prior to coming to Swinburne he was Commercial Master at Camberwell Grammar and Assistant Headmaster of its junior school. During the war years Mr. Johnson was Technical Librarian for the R.A.A.F. and associated with its Rehabilitation Education. Later he was connected with the Department of Labour and National Services vocational guidance testing and correspondence training for dis­charged servicemen, and was for four years a Senior Tutor and Editor for Hemingway and Robertson. While at Camberwell Gram­mar Mr. Johnson directed the Madrigal Singers, who appeared in several radio programmes. Another interest is hockey, our colleague being an umpire in senior matches and a line umpire at the Olympic Games.

Mr. K. Watson

Mr. K. Watsnn, mathematics instructor in the Senior School, was coach to the Australian Basketball Team at the Olympic Games last year. He was also a member of the Olympic Games Organizing Committee, 1951-56. For some years Mr. Watson has been secre­tary of the Amateur Basketball Union of Australia, delegate to the Australian Olympic Federation, and a member of the Rules Com­mittee of the International Federation. He is also a player of note, having been a member of State sides, 1946-54, and of the Australian Team 1949-50. Our colleague was coach of the Victorian State Team when it won the Australian Championship in 1954-5. Also, he won Victoria's medal for best and fairest basketball player during 1950.

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Personal Items

Lauris Elms

Lauris Elms, art school student in 1951, sang a leading role in the Covent Garden performance of Berlioz's "Trojans" in June. It was a most distinguished occasion. In "The Trojans" Berlioz had accomplished the stupendous task of setting the ancient Roman poet Virgil's Latin epic, the Aeneid, to music, and the Covent Garden performance was a great event of the London season. Lauris's part in it was praised by the London critics, including those of the "Times" and the "New Statesman." The latter, a man very sparing of praise, named only seven out of the entire Covent Garden cast. He wrote that in "an opera which needs all the genius and talent that professionals can bring to it . . . Lauris Elms did well as

Dido's sister."

Miss Lois Howden

Miss Lois Howden, who held her third exhibition of pottery at the Kozminsky Galleries in October, is an old student of the Swinburne Art School. She was the only student to take two dip­lomas — Advertising Art in 1951 and Pottery in 1952. Miss How­den is a pianist and cellist and a choir singer in the Camberwell Philharmonic Society; she is also treasurer of the Musical Society of Victoria, and was recently honoured for her work in the Younger Set Auxiliary by being made a Life Governor of Prince Henry's

Hospital.

Ronald Thompson

Ronald Thompson, who gained his Diploma of Illustrations at this College in 1952, recently returned from a successful three months in the U.S.A. The purpose of his visit overseas was to study the latest in television advertising. His trip included centres like New York, Los Angeles and Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Thompson pre­dicts a bright future for television advertising in Australia.

Norman Griffiths

Norman Griffiths, a fourth year Civil Engineering student, has an unusual qualification. In 1954 he was able to win one of six scholarships offered by the R.A.A.F. for Training Corps for young men between the ages of 14 and 18 years. After intensive part-time training, he passed the necessary examinations and tests for a private pilot's licence. Norman has since had additional training in aero-

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Personal Items

batics, night, instrument and formation flying. To date his total flying hours are approximately one hundred. Proof of Norman's ability can be supplied by fellow students Ted Holding and Barry Thripleton, who are still talking about a certain flight in a Tiger Moth. After completion of his Diploma our flying student hopes to obtain a position with the Department of Civil Aviation as an airport engineer.

Robert Rooney

Robert Rooney, fourth year Art student, who contributed the article "Skipping Rhymes" to the literary section, has written a book on the subject. The Chief Librarian of Victoria wrote com­plimenting him on his production. He said that Robert's achieve­ment of compiling, illustrating and printing the book was a very fine one, and that he would be glad to add it to the Public Library's collection. The book was produced while Robert was in his third year as a Diploma of Illustration student.

Janet Horsfall

Janet Horsfall, first year art student, this year won first prize in the under 16 years section for Watercolours at the Dandenong Art Festival. Her entry was a design based on a bamboo motive, and the prize the sum of £10. Janet came to Swinburne from Fintona Girls' School. She intends to follow an art career. Chief hobby is art in its many aspects; she is also a keen horsewoman.

Don Sharp

Don Sharp, who was also awarded a major prize by the Society of Chemical Industry in Victoria last year, is another Swinburne product. He started as an Engineering Diploma student and switched to a Chemistry Diploma at the end of the second year. Don was awarded the Diploma of Applied Chemistry in 1954, and then pro­ceeded to the Diploma of Chemical Engineering. For some years he was employed in the laboratory of the Melbourne and Metro­politan Tramways Board; then he worked in the Development Sec­tion of I.C.I.A.N.Z. At present Don is at the Melbourne Iron and Steel Mills.

Neil Chesterfield

Neil Chesterfield of Swinburne's Senior Chemistry School was last year awarded two special prizes by the Society of Chemical

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Personal Items

Industry in Victoria for two of the most difficult subjects in the

course — Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, Grade 2.

The prizes were competed for by all technical school chemistry stu­

dents in the State. Neil left Trinity Grammar School with Leaving

Certificate and went to work in an industrial laboratory. In 1953

he began evening studies in our Chemistry School; in 1955-56 he

was a full-time student. Neil is completing his Diploma of Chemis­try this year, and is already at work part-time on a Diploma of

Chemical Engineering.

Graeme Rochfort

Graeme Rochfort, equal dux in the Boys' Junior School in 1951,

is an old boy who has progressed in the world. At present he holds

an important position with the Snowy River Authority, concerning

which there is information on other pages of this publication. After

completing the Junior courses, Graeme entered the Swinburne

Senior School, where he was successful in obtaining a Diploma of

Civil Engineering.

"Bill" Ross "Bill" Ross, equal dux of the junior school in 1951, has com­

pleted the final year of the Civil Engineering Course at the University

of Melbourne. After completion of his junior school course, "Bill"

entered the Swinburne Senior School, where he obtained a Diploma.

Psychologists of the Commonwealth Employment Service recom­

mended him to become a motor mechanic, but "Bill" followed the

advice of the late vice-principal, Mr. D. D. Griffiths, and began

studies for a Swinburne Diploma

Doug Mitchell

Doug Mitchell, a former student of Swinburne Chemistry

School, is at present doing a B.Sc. course at the University of Mel­

bourne. Doug came to Swinburne from Box Hill Junior Technical

School at the beginning of 1954 and began a Diploma of Chemistry

course, completing three years before his transfer with great credit

to himself. Last year he was awarded the Unilever Prize of ten

guineas for being the best student in third year course for Diploma

of Applied Chemistry at Swinburne. Of interest also is the fact

that Doug was a regular contributor to this magazine.

20

Personal Items

Guenter Arndt

Guenter Arndt, an engineering apprentice who completed his Apprenticeship Proficiency Course at the College in 1956, was suc­cessful in winning the Bronze Medallion Award for Craftsmanship for 1957. His project, a Bench Drilling Machine, was displayed at Preston Motors, Russell Street, Melbourne, together with the pro­jects of award winners of other trades. Guenter was early this year awarded an Argus Scholarship. He is engaged on further studies, part-time, for a Mechanical Engineering Diploma.

John Peck

John Peck, prominent as a Hawthorn footballer this year, was educated at Swinburne Boys' Junior School. He was outstanding in sporting activities while at the College, particularly in the football sphere, being a member of the school premiership side. His personal friend at Swinburne, Maurie Young, has also played with Hawthorn this year. The boys' successes are particularly pleasing to their former sportsmaster, Mr. H. McKenzie, who foresaw and encouraged their potentialities.

Ian Wing

Ian Wing, who was in Form 4 D in 1955, played a secret but significant part in the success of Melbourne's Olympic Games last year. Ian suggested to the appropriate authorities the march past of the nations, which proved such a brilliant and thrilling spectacle on the opening day. Our former student is now a second year car­pentry apprentice with D. R. Swan Pty. Ltd.

Eldon Smith

Eldon Smith, who was Head Prefect in the Boys' Junior School in 1955, is now doing the second year of the Civil Engineering Course in Swinburne's Senior School. While in the junior school, Eldon was a prominent member of the Dramatic Club; he was also the winner of the "Stanley Liebich" Scholarship and a Senior Scholarship. Eldon is a keen footballer, being on the Fitzroy senior training list.

Lindsay Jackson

Lindsay Jackson, who was in the fourth form of the Boys' Junior School in 1952, continued his senior school studies at Ben­digo School of Mines, where he completed a Diploma of Electrical

21

Personal Items

Engineering. He was then awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship

to the University of Melbourne. Lindsay seized his opportunity and

is now a full-time student in the Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

Course.

James Potter

James Potter, a fourth form student in the Boys' Junior School

in 1950, completed a Diploma of Communications Engineering at

Royal Melbourne Technical College. He received an appointment

with the Research Division of the P.M.G., and is now studying

part-time for a degree at the University of Melbourne.

Barry Nicholls

Barry Nicholls, who was a member of Form 4B in Swinburne's

Junior School in 1954, is this year Head Prefect at Melbourne Boys'

High School. Barry made the difficult decision to transfer to the

high school side, and last year succeeded in gaining his Leaving

Certificate in six subjects. He was a brilliant athlete while at Swin­

burne; in his new sphere he has been outstanding in swimming

events. Barry will continue studies at the University of Melbourne,

where he intends to become a Physical Education teacher.

Betty McDowell

Betty McDowell, who has acted so capably this year as Head

Prefect in the junior girls' school, has also achieved success with

her art work. A n entry for "The Sun" child Art Exhibition was

accepted and displayed. Examples of her work were also shown

at Sale during a teachers' conference. Although very interested

in art, Betty has not made up her mind about making it her career.

Joan Down

Joan Down, a fourth-former in the junior girls' school, who is

very keen on ballet, was this year selected to dance at the Moomba

Festival. She took part in the Swan Lake Ballet, which was per­

formed in public in the Alexander Gardens at night. Joan, who is

very keen on science and hopes to find employment with the

C.S.I.R.O., will continue her studies next year at Camberwell High.

22

Personal Items

Coral Willett

Coral Willett, who attended the junior girls' school during 1951-3, has achieved distinction in an unusual field. In recent years she was a successful driver in "Hot Rod" races, having won a number of prizes and trophies at Brenock Park, Ferntree Gully. Swimming and badminton are other sports in which championships have been won since leaving Swinburne. Coral's many friends will be interested to know that she is being married at the end of this year.

Margaret Blackman

Margaret Blackman, a student in the junior girls' school in 1953, is now in her third and final year at Emily McPherson Col­lege. Last year she was awarded the "Lucy Secor" prize for dress­making and the "Edward Spencer" prize for art and craft. Margaret is the holder of a Teaching Bursary.

Norma Allsopp

Norma Allsopp, who will be remembered as a student in the junior girls' school in 1953, has been very successful in women's sports since leaving Swinburne. She has been a member of the Victorian Women's Baseball Team, the Victorian Women's Softball Team and the All-Australian Women's Softball Team.

Erica Pigott

Erica Pigott, who attended the junior girls' school in 1955, is at present in her second year of the Diploma of Advertising Course at Royal Melbourne Technical College. Erica is holder of a Senior Technical Scholarship. Her special friend at the College is Kathy Watson, who attended Swinburne in 1954.

Pat Lynch Pat Lynch, a student in the junior girls' school in 1955, was

successsful in gaining her Leaving Certificate at MacRobertson's Girls' School last year. This year she began a two-year course at the Burwood Teachers' College. Pat is very interested in dramatics, and took a leading part in the College play, Noel Coward's "Blythe

Spirit."

23

SCHOLARSHIP and SKILL

DIPLOMA NIGHT

Diploma Night this year was held at the Hawthorn Town Hall on the 15th August. Diplomas and certificates were awarded and prizes distributed to students successful in class work and sport. Members of the College Council, Mr. H. E. Brehaut, Mr. H. R. Hone, Cr. J. Fowler and the President, Mr. R. G. Parsons, made the pre­sentations.

In his report the Principal, Mr. A. F. Tylee, commented on the overall school enrolment of more than 4,000, the need for new buildings, the retirement of Mr. D. D. Griffiths, Vice-Principal, and appointments to the College Council. In addition, he expressed thanks and appreciation to officers of the Education and Public Works Departments, the members of the College Council and College personnel. Mr. Tylee drew particular attention to the long list of prizes donated by industry and expressed gratitude to the firms and individuals concerned. Heads of Departments and selected in­structors also furnished reports on their sections and special College activities.

DIPLOMA ADDRESS

The guest speaker was Mr. John Casson, who was for twenty years in the Royal Navy, twelve of these being spent in the Fleet Air Arm. Mr. Casson came to Australia after the war as a pro­ducer for J. C. Williamson; in 1955 he accepted an appointment with Personnel Administration (Vic.) Pty. Ltd., Management Con­sultants.

The subject of the address was "Communication." As de­veloped by the speaker, it had considerable significance for those with technological backgrounds and was much appreciated by them. Mr. Casson argued that no matter how great the quantity and quality of the scientific knowledge won, the human problem of communicating it to others remained, and proceeded to deal with the mechanics involved, the necessary philosophical and psycholo­gical approaches. In the matter of speech he gave advice on using the mouth correctly and recommended the practice of reading aloud.

24

Scholarship and Skill

Although the written word, he said, was only a form of the spoken,

correct choice of words was essential for meaning. Mr. Casson

advised his listeners to think primarily in pictures when using words

to others, to remember always that words were only labels, and that

intellect and reason were the keys in dealing with things, but intui­

tion and feeling with people. In conclusion, the speaker stressed

that the underlying essential was courtesy, in the sense that there

must be patience and manners in our endeavours to communicate

ideas to others.

DIPLOMAS

Art

MATHIESON, Robert John McQUILLAN, Phillipa Maive WICKS, Janice Marion

Applied Chemistry

ANDREOLA, Gino Mario BAKER, Ian George BOURKE, James Vincent DANIEL, Brian Eric DERRICK, Arthur Percy GIBSON, Ian Hampson HILL, Geoffrey Lloyd MILNER, Malcolm Lyle RITCHIE, John Allan WHITE, William Robert WILSON, Lawrence Albert

Chemical Engineering

BRAMMER, Lindsay George SHARP, Donald William

Commercial Practice

HARRIS, Iva Elizabeth MILLARD, Alison Jean WELLMAN, Pearl Amelia

Engineering — Civil

BAILEY, Noal Henry BOOTH, Albert Leonard CAIRNS, John Robert COUPER, Robert Roy ELSWORTH, Gavin Robert HALL, Kenneth Edward

HOPPER, Peter LISHMAN, Edward John MURPHY, Denis Joseph McNALLY, Patrick Andrew NEWBY, Murray John NICHOLLS, Brian Frederick PAYNE, Allen David PHILPOTT, Edward Leslie SMITH, Harry Raoul Fellows TALACKO, Peter Alois THOMPSON, Thomas William TRIST, Alan Arthur TRUNDLE, Keith Joseph WOOD, Ian Frederick

Engineering — Electrical

DOWER, Geoffrey Thomas LEES, Brian Malcolm MITCHELL, Arthur Graham MacLEAN, Alan Kenneth RYAN, John Bernard STILL, George Andrew WILLIAMS, Geoffrey Kenneth

Engineering — Mechanical

BLOW, Rupert Hector DUNSTAN, Robert Stewart GOTCH, Rex Neville GRAY, Ronald William John KING, Phillip Henry MITCHELL, Arthur Graham PEACOCK, Andrew Robert Graeme WAKEFIELD, Allan John WILLIAMS, Geoffrey Kenneth

25

Scholarship and Skill

CERTIFICATES

Art BASSETT, Frank John BIRD, John Edwin BISHOP, Richard Alan CERINI, Margaret Robin CLARKE, Helen, Marion CLEVELAND, Brian Edward CROOKS, Rosemary Jean LANG, Clifton Albert LLOYD, Neville Francis McCLEAN, Judith Nance SYKES, William George WOODS, Stuart John

Applied Chemistry GARNHAM, Peter Hartland Engineering — Civil DICKASON, Robert Leslie Engineering — Electrical DARSON, Richard Wilson SMITH, Ross James Engineering — Mechanical DENMAN, Harold James MITCHELL, Donald Hugh PRICE, George Lindsay RANKINE, Roy Albert ROBERTSON, Ronald William SMITH, Ross James

CLASS PRIZES

National Press Pty. Ltd. Stephenson & Turner Fowlers Vacola Mfg. Co. College Council

H. B. Selby & Co. Pty. Ltd. C. Mortenson Unilever Aust. Pty. Ltd. College Council

Art 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year Chemistry 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year Civil Engineering 1st Year A. E. Parsons 2nd Year Watson-Victor Ltd. 3rd Year N. H. Seward Pty. Ltd. 4th Year College Council Commerce 1st Year Sands & McDougall Pty. Ltd. 2nd Year National Press Pty. Ltd. 3rd Year Chartres Pty. Ltd. Commercial Practice 1st Year C. Mortenson 2nd Year General Motors-Holden Ltd. 3rd Year Marfleet & Weight Ltd. Electrical Engineering 1st Year H. Rowe & Co. Pty. Ltd. 2nd Year General Motors-Holden Ltd. 3rd Year Australian Electrical Industries

Pty. Ltd. 4th Year College Council Mechanical Engineering 1st Year Demco Machinery Co. Pty. Ltd. 2nd Year Moore Crane Engineering Co.

Pty. Ltd. 3rd Year Marfleet & Weight Ltd. 4th Year College Council

MORGAN, Frederick Gilbert BASSETT, Frank John DAVIDSON, Rosemary ZURBO, John Balint

WISEL, David STEPHENS, Graeme John MITCHELL, Douglas Graham CHESTERFIELD, Neil John

KURZEME, Marcis DOWNEY, Keith Edward GIULIERI, Graham Dennis KIRKHAM, Colin Edward

McALPIN, Alfred David NORMAND, Alan Ross WICKSON, Joan Mary

FRANCIS, Felicia Mary OWEN, Pamela Eirawen WELLMAN, Pearl Amelia

SCARCE, Ian Leslie HODSON, Bernard Laurence

BEANLAND, David George LEDIN, Frederick William

WILLIAMS, John Francis

BALINT, John George AUSTIN, Victor Joseph JAMES, Noel Clifford

26

Chemistry Organic — Physical Chemistry Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria

Chemical Engineering Society of Chemical Industry of Victoria

Civil Engineering Institute of Engineers (Aust.)

English A. E. Supplies Pty. Ltd '

Engineering Drawing Moore Crane Engineering Co. Pty. Ltd.

Industrial Report Ferrocast Pty. Ltd.

Mathematics General Motors-Holden Ltd.

Physics Australian Electrical Industries Pty. Ltd.

Machine Shop Practice 1st Place McPherson's Ltd. 2nd Place McPherson's Ltd. Outstanding Services as a Student

Mr. & Mrs. H. R. Hone

Scholarship and Skill

SPECIAL PRIZES

CHESTERFIELD, Neil John

SHARP, Donald William

BERGEN, Robert Herbert

JAMES, Noel Clifford

FOX, Bruce Malcolm

DOYLE, Bruce Alfred

KIRKHAM, Colin Edward

CHESTERFIELD, Neil John

GRAY, Ronald William John MORRIS, Allen Richardson

HOLDING, Edward John

OLD SWINBURNIANS' MEDALS Scholarship Chemistry Old Swinburnians' Association ANDREOLA, Gino Mario Engineering Old Swinburnians' Association KING, Phillip Henry Athletics Engineering Old Swinburnians' Association BEANLAND, David George

Award Athletics Baseball Cricket Football Swimming Tennis

Presented by College Council College Council College Council College Council College Council College Council

SPORTS PRIZES

Won by OSBORN, Robert Alexander BEANLAND, David George PATTERSON, Graeme Charles SMITH, Eldon Clifford RENNIE, John Charles ESPERSON, Peter James

AWARD NIGHT Award Night, held in the College Social Hall on 14th June, was

a successful and interesting event. Prizes for outstanding crafts­manship were presented by Mr. 0. E. Nilsson, Chief Inspector of Technical Schools, and the class prizes by Mr. R. G. Parsons, Pre­sident of the Swinburne College Council. A n address by Mr. H. E. Brehaut, a member of the College Council and a prominent manu-

27

Scholarship and Skill

facturing engineer, on "The Apprentice" was appreciated by the

audience. Another pleasing feature of the evening was a series of

musical items by College apprentices. There were several songs;

piano accordion, mouth organ and trombone solos were also popular.

Arrangements for the musical portion of the evening were in the

hands of Mr. C. A. Lawrence. The accompanists were Mrs. Shine-

berg and Miss J. Webb.

AWARDS

OUTSTANDING CRAFTSMANSHIP

Cabinet Making WILLIAMSON, Graeme Allan

Carpentry and Joinery YOUNG, Terence Ross Engineering Machine Shop ARNDT, Guenter (State award winner) Plumbing and Gasfitting DARVELL, Ronald James

CLASS PRIZES

Cabinet Making 1st Year D A R W I N , James Roderick 2nd Year Y O U N G , Bruce Maxwell 3rd Year WILLIAMSON, Graeme Allan

Best over 3-year Course JONES, Ian Barry

Carpentry and Joinery 1st Year PAISLEY, James Harold 2nd Year HIGGINBOTHAM, John Clement 3rd Year PREUSKER, Mervyn Fredrick Charle? 4th Year Carpentry Y O U N G , Terence Ross 4th Year Joinery CARTER, Philip Best over 4-year Course Y O U N G , Terence Ross

Electrical Mechanics 1st Year JACKSON, Robert Allan 2nd Year H O U S T O N , Robert Bruce 3rd Year C H A N D L E R , Colin John 4th Year R Y A N , Gerard Michael 5th Year • CORNISH, Charles Alan

Best over 5-year Course CORNISH, Charles Alan

Engineering Machine Shop 1st Year EVANS, John Campbell 2nd Year .... HARRIS, Ronald Kevin 3rd Year FINDLAY, Colin Russell 4th Year A R N D T , Guenter

Plumbing and Gasfitting

1st Year SPRIGGS, Ronald John Desmond 2nd Year H A Y , Gordon Alexander 3rd Year C O M E R F O R D , Leslie James Best over 3-year Course DARVELL, Ronald James

28

Scholarship and Skill

SPEECH NIGHT (1956)

Speech Night for the Boys' and Girls' Junior Schools, held in the Hawthorn Town Hall, on Tuesday, 11th December, was again an outstanding success. Parents received printed copies of the Annual Reports tendered by Mr. L. C. C. Iversen, Headmaster, and Miss M. Thomsen, Head Mistress. Formal proceedings, which occu­pied the first half of the programme, included remarks by Mr. A. F. Tylee, Principal of the College; Mr. R. G. Parsons, President of the College Council; the Head Prefects, Diane Whitelock and Marcus John; an address by the famous Australian writer, Mr. Alan Mar­shall, and presentation of the prizes by Mrs. R. G. Parsons and Mrs. G. Swinburne. After interval there was an orchestral item, singing of carols and traditional songs by boys' and girls' choirs, a fencing and a gymnastic display. All items were enthusiastically received by the large audience. A very memorable evening was brought to a close with the singing of "0 Come, All Ye Faithful" and the National Anthem.

BOYS' SCHOOL

SCHOLARSHIPS

P. J. COSSINS G. A. GIBSON G. C. PRESTON

Senior Technical P. F. PURDY G. A. DYER G. A. MORGAN G. R. DITZ Intermediate Technical R. P. CURTIS F. W. EAVES "Stanley Liebich" Scholarship — P. F. PURDY "Rushall" Scholarship — 0. ZARINS Russell Scholarship — J. M. WILKINS Westcott Scholarship — D. K. LYONS

G. W. KELLERMAN B. W. PITTS

CERTIFICATES Intermediate (Dip. Ent. Standard) 4A: P. F. PURDY C. L1GHTF00T A. B. SKINNER J. A. DeCARTARET 4B: P. J. COSSINS G. A. DYER G. R. DITZ J. R. GAY G. A. MORGAN G. A. GIBSON R. C. GULLY

A. L. JONES R. W. HEALY H. R. McCULLY D. V. ROACH A. J. WORLLEY P. F. RAMUS C. M. COOPER C. A. EVANS R. A. HOGGINS N. A. FISHER K. G. PEDDERSEN

C. M. COOPER A. L. JONES P. F. RAMUS

J. T. WITHINGTON J. P. SCASCIGLIMI

G. C. PRESTON D. R. BEECHAM P. J. BALLAN T. J. CAMPBELL J. EWENSON B. H. JUPP P. W. SEAL D. R. ALLEN R. A. DAWSON K. M. GREER

29

Scholarship and Skill

Intermediate:

4A: D. G. FLETCHER R. J. SIMMONS R. C. SHEEDY 4B: R. S. WOOD R. J. MARINER 4C: D. R. CANTWELL G. D. SIMON R. J. WILKINSON 4D: R. J. CAMPBELL B. P. RICHIARDI D. J. BRUCE Junior: 3A: 0. ZARINS W. N. OWEN J. L. NAISMITH T. E. WELSH R. O. MAGGRIDGE A. PETO A. N. SIMPSON J. McL. BUNTIN 3B: F. W. KELLERMAN J. P. SCASCIGHINI R. K. MARSHALL T. E. CASEMORE A. T. HORNE J. W. PETERS B. A. MITCHELL G. J. TAMAS 3C: M. J. RODHOUSE R. F. FULLER P. W. DEAN E. A. NICHOLLS M. G. BROWN B. G. TROTTER A. T. MAY 3D: G. R. PARTINGTON T. J. COYNE G. J. GOUDIE R. C. BARCLAY R. E. POYNTER

C. FARLEY L. S. MOUAT R. B. MULHOLLAND

V. D. BEAMES E. A. P. CHANDLER

R. G. MURRAY G. B. O'SHEA M. N. CALLANDER

D. W. BALL A. J. INGHAM L. J. FREEMAN

R. P. CURTIS F. W. EAVES D. K. LYONS P. GRIGOROPOULOS R. P. WESTCOTT E. L. KENT G. C. McGHEE G. E. DAWSON B. W. PITTS R. J. LANE J. V. CROTTY R. I. CLARKE G. E. GRAHAM T. C. HUGHES G. J. HEWARD A. C. WATERS S. W. AYLEN A. K. LEWIS R. G. ARMSTRONG K. J. BRAY R. M. ANNELLS I. T. BELL D. J. McCONKEY D. PHILLIPS K. C. FAWCETT F. V. PEARCE N. L. JENKINS M. J. WESTLEY

B. A. BLACKBURN G. W. BARTON

M. R. JOHN P. J. E. FIANDER

K. T. BURTON B. G. WARD P. J. DONNELLAN

F. W. HOBSON B. D. KIDD

N. G. ASCHE J. T. WITHINGTON B. W. HEPBURN H. J. TABART P. J. HUGHES M. R. DUNLEVIE G. R. BOURNE

J. M. WILKINS L. A. HERBERT L. R. RUSSELL J. R. COLLIER M. B. MAIRS R. R. ARMSTRONG G. P. ROBERTS R. J. WOODROFFE H. W. PEARCE B. J. HAIN J. G. MORGAN K. N. EMERSON R. C. ABRAHAM G. E. EDWARDS R. G. CUMBERLAND J. M. GARBERS L. E. ASHDOWN K. V. VOWLES R. F. NEWING

30

3E: J. C. JAMESON I. D. KAYNE R. F. PLUMRIDGE I. L. DAY K. W. BAIN D. W. ORWIN 3F: I. J. ATKINS G. R. SCOTT D. RICHARDSON A. P. FLETCHER P. W. DAVIDSON G. N. CHALK R. G. OKE

Intermediate: Natalie MORRISON Barbara MATTHEWS Valerie St. AUBYN Jenefer BOWE Linda KENDALL Barbara KING Dianne BEARE Joy NAUGHTON Faye DABB Nancye HAWKINS Lauriene KING Patricia BLYTH Anne HART Marian SHEAHAN Lynette TIDD Lynette BELL

J. A. SUTTON I. G. RUSHBURY R. D. CARTER N. F. RULE R. K. REED R. P. SMITH

L. F. SARGEANT J. IRWIN-BELLETTE C. G. TAYLOR P. G. BENNETT C. R. BOWER R. L. KELSEN

GIRLS' SCHOOL

SCHOLARSHIPS

CERTIFICATES

Barbara LAMONT Suzanne GARDNER Thea BUYS Betsy PITMAN Helen MARKBY Mary ROGERS Patricia FOOTE Marlene BENHAM Beverley MARTIN Barbara CHALK Dale GOODSON Majorie MORIESON Fay LIVERINGTON Valerie CARPENTIER Lorraine BAIRD Judith YATES

Scholarship and Skill

M. FORSYTH I. D. WRIGHT G. F. BIRD G. A. T. WILDE A. T. RICHARDSON

D. C. CARTER J. N. SCHOLES-ROBERTSON

J. HERMON P. H. JONES I. C. HOOPER G. J. NEWTON

Pamela CLUTTERBUCK Heather CHEYNE Helen OATS Lynette MATTHEWS Lynette DAVIS Brenda ONLEY Margaretha BODDY Lynette WALKER Joy SMITH Diane WHITELOCK Pauline MILLER Beverley D'ALTERIO Valerie BUTT Laurelle MOLLISON Faye MILLIER June VOGEL

Pam Clutterbuck, Part I Art; June Morley, Part I Chem; Dale Goodson, Commerce; Helen Oats, Chem.

BURSARIES

Christine Frickie, App. Chem.; Thea Buys, Art; Heather Cheyne, Needle Craft.

Nursing Bursaries: Claire McFarlane. Intermediate Tech. Scholarship: Dorothy Brown, Marie Barratt.

31

Scholarship and Skill

Junior: Dorothy BROWN Gael WOODGER Yvonne HAYES Sandra ALLEN Wilma McCONCHIE Marie BARRATT Lolita SENBERGS Deirdre ROBINSON Anne SALVAGE Patricia WATSON

Joan D O W N Betty McDOWALL Marilyn POWELL Margaret McLEAN Helen SEAL Judith ROBINSON Helen MORLEY Terri YATES Lorraine HANGER Doreen SYMONS

Claire McFARLANE Carol D O R M A N Lorraine N E W M A N Gillian CRUNDALL Ellen CHANDLER Ann MEREDITH Jeanne EVANS Lynette COLLINS Lorraine SKINNER Judith CROMB

BOYS' PRIZES

Form I First Brian J. JENKINS Second Alan M A W S O N Third Peter J. STOSIUS Form II First Gerhard SEIFERT Second Kevin R. HUGHES Third Graham HALFORD Form III First Robin CURTIS Second Olaf ZARINS Third William KELLERMANN Form IV A.B. First Patrick PURDY •

Donated by Mr. A. F. Tylee Second Peter COSSINS Third Graeme PRESTON Form IV CD. First Ronald CAMPBELL

Donated by Cr. J. Fowler Second Denis BALL Third Frank HOBSON

SPECIAL PRIZES

Art Ronald CAMPBELL Engineering Patrick PURDY Electrical Graeme GIBSON Building Trade Frank HOBSON Woodwork Robert LANE Donated by Clements Langford Pty. Ltd. Plumbing Leslie FREEMAN Vocational Guidance James WITHINGTON

Donated by Stephenson & Turner Physical Education Graham PARTINGTON

32

SENIOR SPORTS CHAMPIONS.

SENIOR BASEBALL TEAM.

JUNIOR SCHOOL PREFECTS.

•LIFI 1/11

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS CAPTAINS.

Scholarship and Skill

ATHLETICS

Under 13 Championship David BERGIN Under 14 Championship Peter HANLON Under 15 Championship Victor BEAMES 3 Mile — First Anthony SIMPSON 3 Mile — Fastest Time Lance RUSSELL 1 Mile — First Richard HOGGINS Head Prefect Marcus JOHN House Competitions HENTY HOUSE

GIRLS' PRIZES Form I First Yvonne MacNAMARA Seqqnd Annette GARDNER Third Waltraud HUGEL Form II First Valerie BURROWES Second Robyn KENNEDY Third Estelle KARANGES Form III General Gael WOODGER Commercial Marie BARRETT Professional Dorothy BROWN

Donated by Misses Holmes Form IV General Course Pamela CLUTTERBUCK Professional Course Lorraine COUTTS Dux of School (commercial course) Nancye HAWKINS

Donated by Mrs. A. F. Tylee

SPECIAL PRIZES

Cookery Heather CHEYNE Art .... Pamela CLUTTERBUCK Dressmaking Mary Beth DEEBLE-ROGERS Special Prizes Lorraine COUTTS

Beverley D'ALTERIO Donated by Cr. J. Fowler

Special Prize for Interest in School Faye MILLIER Music Lynette WALKER

Head Prefect Diane WHITELOCK

SPORT

School Sports Captain .... Lynette BELL Sports and. School Leadership Faye DABB Senior Athletic Championship Valerie St. AUBYN Junior Athletic Championship Joan D O W N Senior Swimming Championship .... Lynette BELL Junior Swimming Championship .... GAEL WOODGER House Competitions McPHERSON HOUSE

33

SPORT RFXORII

SENIORS

Swinburne teams had another successful year in 1957. Al­though only one premiership was won, all teams were well up the ladder and upheld the College's reputation nobly. It is pleasing to report an increase in the support from non-competitive students.

The Swimming, Athletic and Football teams were particularly well supported, which is a healthy sign of a developing school spirit.

Athletics: Swinburne finished third on the aggregate list after a distressing sequence of near misses. N o less than twelve minor placings were scored before R. Osborne finally produced an outright win for the school in the open mile event.

Baseball: Full credit for the baseball premiership goes to captain Dave Beanland, who built up a winning team from a small group, many of whom had not played the game before this year. He was only supported by Alan Anderson, who starred in several of the games.

Cricket i A very close competition was finally won by Foots-cray by a narrow percentage margin. Swinburne finished second after being the only team to defeat the premiers. G. Patterson was the best all round performer for our team.

Football: Another premiership could well have been won had we been able to field our best team consistently. Our team defeated the ultimate premiers in a pre-season social game and with a weak­ened team lost the competition match by only 5 points. The Asian 'flu, together with injuries to key players, however, robbed the team of wins in two other matches. Captain Eldon Smith, Frank Bassett and Stuart Woods were chosen as most successful by votes of team members. Many others gave them solid support.

Swimming: Our swimming team produced many individual stars, but in team events we failed to score many points, so that we had to be content with third placing on aggregate points. John Rennie with two wins and a second was our top scorer. J. Hill, P. Willoughby, F. Bassett and R. Meggs also won individual events.

Tennis: With most of the stars of past teams having left, we are in the process of building a new team. Two wins and two narrow defeats from five matches played give us hope for an early return to our traditional place as tennis champions.

34

Sport Record

JUNIOR BOYS

Swimming: The Inter-House Swimming Carnival was held at Glenferrie Baths on 27th February. Final results were: Henty, 238 points; Batman, 1 9 2 % points; Collins, 1 9 0 % points; Flinders, 170 points.

After the carnival the team to train at the new Olympic Pool for the Inter-Technical Sports was selected. This year Swinburne competed in "A" Division, having been the winner of "B" Division the previous year. Richmond Technical School, with three Victorian junior swimming champions in their team, were expected to "scoop the pool," but after winning a few races failed to live up to reputa­tion. Though Richmond won other schools did very well. Final scores were: Richmond, 1 5 4 % points; Brunswick, 109 points; Pres­ton, 105 points; Swinburne, 9 9 % points; Moorabbin, 82 points; Footscray, 59 points.

Outstanding performers for Swinburne were as follows: Olaf Zarins (1st Open Breastroke, time 40.8, a record); Ian Blythe (1st under 14 Backstroke and 1st under 14 Freestyle); John Simon (1st under 13 Backstroke and equal 1st under 13 Freestyle).

Cricket: This year Mr. Cant took over the cricket team and it improved greatly under his coaching. The first match was against Ferntree Gully, scores being Swinburne 7 for 88, and Ferntree Gully 5 for 132. Next Swinburne was all out 164, and Box Hill 1 for 152. Swinburne scored 5 for 98 against Jordanville, and the latter 7 for 90. Swinburne and Box Hill finished level on points, and a Zone Final had to be played. A very interesting match resulted in Box Hill, 69, defeating Swinburne, 65. During the year Brian Pitts proved a very capable captain, while Lionel Mahoney, a natural left armer, and Ray Simmons, as wicketkeeper, had successful seasons.

Baseball: The team is to be congratulated on a very good year. They finished second in their section, and had to their credit a splendid victory over the leading team, Jordanville. Swinburne also had victories over Essendon, Brunswick, Footscray, Richmond, South Melbourne and Williamstown.

Leading players were: J. Roberts (captain and first base), T. Casemore (pitcher), K. Bray (catcher), G. Bray (second base), T. Bray (short-stop), J. Wilkins (outfield).

Football: This year Swinburne was in the team-building pro­cess, as only one player returned from the 1956 team. W e were fortunate to again have Mr. Ingram as coach. Bill Sharp was cap­tain and Jim Scasighini was vice-captain. Swinburne defeated Jor-

35

Sport Record

danville twice, Ferntree Gully twice, Box Hill twice, Prahran twice, but were defeated twice by Richmond. The last game against Rich­mond proved the best match of the series, as a win would have placed Swinburne in the finals. Swinburne kicked too many be-hinds (eleven), and was six players short because of influenza.

Prominent players during the year were Bill Sharp, Lionel Mahoney, Ray Duncan and Brian Pitts. Bill Sharp and Lionel Mahoney were selected in the Victorian Schoolboys' Interstate team. Two other players, Ian Blythe and John McGaw, visited Liverpool, N.S.W., as members of a team representing Hawthorn district.

Under 14 Football: The team, under the expert coaching of Mr. G. Edwards, played a series of matches against other schools — Collingwood, Ferntree Gully, Noble Park and Richmond. The team also took part in the Lightning Premiership promoted by Hawthorn Football Club, reaching the semi-final. Ian Fyfe proved a very capable captain during the year.

Second Eighteen: Once again we were pleased to have Mr. Letcher in charge of this team. Matches were played against Colling­wood, Box Hill Grammar and the Under 14 team. Many good players were revealed in this and the above team; they will be avail­able for the First Eighteen next year.

Soccer: At the beginning of the season there seemed doubts about our team, so many boys of the old team having left. By the time the first game came the team had become stabilised by a com­bination of "old" and "new." W e discovered a new champion goalie in Foik, who was ably assisted by Grigoropoulos and Myer, full backs. The half back line had to be completely reorganised with Zarins in the centre, flanked by Duncan and Van't Reit. Rickerby occupied the centre forward position, with Partington and Kammer-gruber on the wings and Davidson filling the other position.

W e were regarded as the best team in the competition, but finished only third because of drawn games with Box Hill, Richmond and Prahran. Ferntree Gully gave us our only defeat. The boys are particularly grateful to Mr. Johnston and Mr. Chalk for their valuable help and guidance during the year.

Lacrosse: The team did not fulfil its early promise, though it had quite a few wins and at times played brilliantly. The boys thank Mr. Tait for coaching and managing the team, also for refereeing several matches. Swinburne won matches against Oak-leigh and Heidelberg, and drew matches with Heidelberg and Wil-liamstown, but lost matches against Caulfield, Coburg and Williams-town. Next year a stronger team will result from this year's matches.

Captain of the team, Eric Nicholls, is to be congratulated on being chosen to represent Victoria in the under 16 team.

36

Sport Record

HENTY HOUSE

Henty House is again on top; therefore, our spirits are ex­cellent. W e are well represented in school teams by the following boys: Cricket — Pitts, Sharp and Casemore; football — Sharpe, Pitts, Heward, Geere, Berry and McLennan; Baseball — Bray, Crocker and Casemore. On behalf of the House, thanks are ex­tended to our House Masters, Mr. Ingram, Mr. Crook and Mr. Hul-bert.

T. CASEMORE, Captain. I. K A Y N E , Vice-Captain.

FLINDERS HOUSE

All the boys in Flinders House would like to welcome the new House Masters, Mr. Story and Mr. Boyes. W e all hope they like being with Flinders House. In the House this year we have a num­ber of boys who have been in the school Football, Soccer, Lacrosse and Baseball teams. Our position is improving and other Houses will find us stern competition in the future.

M A X B R O W N , Captain. ' R O B E R T KETTERIDGE, Vice-Capt.

BATMAN HOUSE Batman has had a very successful year, being well represented

in all the school teams. Batman recently won the Lightning Pre­miership in both sections. Indications are that we are going to have many more sporting successes before the year is over. All these results we owe to our very capable House Masters, Mr. Chalk, Mr. Braunstein and Mr. Maskiell.

LESLIE SARGENT, Captain. J O H N PETERS, Vice-Captain.

COLLINS HOUSE

Collins was well represented.in the school teams this year, with five in the First Eighteen, five in the Baseball team, two in the Soccer team and two in the Lacrosse team. All members would like to thank Mr. Smith and Mr. Cant for helpful advice and co-operation.

J. SCASCIGHINI, Captain. M. DUNLEVIE, Vice-Captain.

JUNIOR GIRLS Tennis

This year's team won four matches and lost three. Many thanks are due to Miss Commons for assisting us during our practices, and

37

Sport Record

also to Mrs. Blackman for allowing us the use of St. Columb's courts at lunch-times and after school.

JOY TAYLOR, Captain. JUDITH ROBINSON, Vice-Captain.

Hockey

As this year's team is made up of mainly inexperienced players, it has not been very successful. Next year the experience gained will produce better results. Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Whiteside have been very helpful. Also, Miss Sabey has been particularly patient with us,

PAULA BRYZENSKA, Captain. CAROLE GARBERS, Vice-Captain.

Swimming Early in March the swimming sports were held at the Hawthorn

Baths. The weather brightened up in the afternoon. After exciting events Blackmore won by four points, with Pridmore a very close second. At the Girls' Technical Schools' Swimming Carnival we won the aggregate and junior cups.

GAIL WOODGER, Captain. A N N SALVAGE, Vice-Captain.

Basketball

Both junior and senior teams have had only moderate success this year. However, it is clear that the teams next year will be very strong. Our special thanks go to the coach, Miss Martin, who has given up so much time to help us at our practices.

PAT WATSON, Captain. ANNE MEREDITH, Vice-Captain.

Softball

Although we have fallen a little short of our last year's standard, we feel we are building up a team of second and third year girls to bring the Cup back to Swinburne next year. The trips to Sunshine, Brighton, Box Hill, Prahran and Preston have been very enjoyable. We are grateful to Miss Shay for her coaching during the year.

CLAIRE MACFARLANE, Captain. GAIL WOODGER, Vice-Captain.

SWINBURNE HOUSE

Congratulations all Swinburne competitors for your fine efforts in the House Swimming Sports. We would especially like to con-

38

Sport Record

gratulate Marion Akhurst and Joan Down for doing such a fine job. Marion Akhurst later represented us in the Girls' Technical Schools' Swimming Sports. W e are represented in several inter-school teams. W e are sorry to lose our house vice-captain, Pam Abraham, and wish her success in the future at her dressmaking.

J U D Y ROBINSON, Captain. P A M A B R A H A M , Vice-Captain.

PRIDMORE HOUSE

Congratulations Pridmore girls for putting up such a good per­formance against your opposing houses in the House Swimming Sports, to be only four points behind the winners, Blackmore. And later Anne Salvage, Dorothy Brown and Judy Smith also swam in the Interschool Swimming Sports at the New Olympic Pool. W e are well represented in our house for the school teams. W e were very sorry to lose Miss Jeffrey as House Mistress, but wish her every happiness, and hope she remembers us whenever she sees a certain bie white vase.

H E L E N W A L K E R , Captain. DEIRDRE ROBINSON, Vice-Capt.

BLACKMORE HOUSE

Blackmore has regained the Inter-House Swimming Cup after much hard work by all the competitors. W e are pleased with the form of the first-year girls who show promise of our keeping the Cup for some time yet. Nine of the girls were good enough to represent the school at the Inter-School Sports. This year we are pleased to have the School Sports Captain and Vice-Head Prefect in the House.

CLAIRE M A C F A R L A N E , Captain. P A T W A T S O N , Vice-Captain,

McPHERSON HOUSE

The first big event of the year was the House Swimming Sports held in March, when McPherson House gained third place. Al­though we did not win, the girls really co-operated and tried their very best. Four of our House were picked to represent Swinburne at the Combined Swimming Sports, held at the New Olympic Pool early in April. Several girls from McPherson were chosen to repre­sent Swinburne in the school teams, these teams being Softball, Basketball, Tennis, Hockey and Fencing.

D I A N E S H U T T L E W O R T H , Captain. B E V E R L E Y W O O D , Vice-Captain.

39

CURS and ACTIVITIES

STUDENTS' REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

The S.R.C. has met each Tuesday in the Chemistry School to discuss matters of interest for senior students, to effect better co­operation with the staff and improvements to the College. Fourth-year student. Ted Holding proved an efficient and enterprising leader. The organised social events were very successful, picture nights and dances being particularly popular. Funds raised were donated to the purchase of a modern radio gramophone. A prominent part was played by the S.R.C. in organising the very happy trip to Ballarat. At the request of the "Old Swinburnians" the Council had four representatives on the Reunion Ball Committee. Repre­sentatives were also active on the College Jubilee Committee, putting up a number of ideas for the provision of a students' amenities block. In many other ways the S.R.C. played a prominent part in College life in 1957.

STUDENT CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT

The Student Christian Movement is still very much part of life at Swinburne. Meetings have been held throughout the year every Thursday in the Chemistry School. Visiting speakers have brought interesting, helpful and challenging ideas. Studies and dis­cussions have also provided much interest. Other activities have included films, work-camps at C h u m Creek, conferences and socials. Another vital part of this year's S.C.M. activities has been the short meetings for prayer and worship in St. Columb's Chapel at the be­ginning of the lunch period every Monday.

OVERSEAS STUDENTS' CLUB

Increases in the number of Asian students studying at Swin­burne this year led to the formation of an Overseas Students' Club. Its objects are to foster friendship among Asian students and to help Asian and Australian students to understand each other. The Club is prepared to assist prospective students overseas by advising them

40

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CHRISTINE KIRK AND JANICE HASSETT PANNING FOR GOLD NEAR KIANDRA.

FOURTH FORM, JUNIOR GIRLS' SCHOOL.

Clubs and Activities

about Australian immigration procedures and accommodation prob­lems. The first meeting was held in April, when a constitution was adopted. Harbans Singh was elected President, and Lee Poh Lim the Secretary. Since its beginning, the Club has held regular meet­ings and a number of social gatherings.

APPRENTICES' SOCIAL CLUB

The eight hundred apprentices attending the College have oppor­tunities for social life as well as for instruction in their chosen trade. Under the guidance of Mr. C. Laurence, Head of the Plumbing Department, a Social Club was formed early in the year. Members of the Club's committee have met regularly to plan suitable functions. The two most successful events have been a monster picture night at the Regent Theatre and an end-of-term dance. As shown by the report on Award Night, the apprentices have in their numbers some very talented artists. These performers have always been available to add to any entertainment. The Club is delighted with its success­ful meetings and hopes to expand activities next year.

SEN/OR PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

At the inaugural meeting this year, Alan Birkett was elected President and Evan Evans the Secretary and Treasurer. Since the Club began last year good progress has been made with the dark room, which is now fairly well equipped. At meetings many sugges­tions were made for improvements to the dark room. A competition for club members was held and the best prints exhibited. Altogether, the Senior Photography Club has had an interesting and worthwhile year, and is gaining in popularity with students.

SENIOR EXCURSIONS

Gradually the idea of excursions in the senior schools has been extended, until it is now one of the brightest features of College life. Also, because students are seeing in the field practical demon­stration of class lectures the educational benefits are enormous. This year Civil Engineers made a three-day geological trip to Wilson's Promontory and a vacation trip to Kiandra, N.S.W., where the work of the Snowy River Authority was inspected. Evening Civil En­gineers visited the Maroondah Dam. Mechanical Engineers visited the Commonwealth Marine Workshops, Point Cook, Kornies Foods and Bethune Pty. Ltd. to study engines of various types. Machine Shop Practice students made excursions to Ferro-Cast Pty. Ltd., Crusader Plate, Russell Mfg. Ltd., Bethune Pty. Ltd., Vickers Ruwolt

41

Clubs and Activities

Pty. Ltd., Richardson Gears, and Sutton Tool and Gauge Co. Stu­dents attending all these excursions submitted to their respective instructors scientific reports on interesting mechanical aspects observed.

JUNIOR BOYS' EXCURSIONS

As part of their Social Studies courses, boys in the third and fourth forms of the junior school have made a number of visits to help them see for themselves the organisation of industry in the community and the nature of various occupations. Afterwards they collated their views in the form of reports, which were submitted to their teachers. This year visits were made to Ford Motor Works, Australian Cement Works, Upper Yarra Dam, Auswool, Australian Chenille, Wilson Hot Water, Neto Industries, Edgerton and Moore, Bethune Pty. Ltd., Brown Gouge, Crestknit, Electro-Chemical Engin­eering, Excelsior Printing and Non-Porite. Students were made very welcome at the places visited, being supplied with literature and amenities on their personally conducted tours. Altogether, the excursions have been helpful to our boys in their studies and choice of a future career.

JUNIOR GIRLS' EXCURSIONS

Girls in the junior school concentrated this year on excursions helpful to choosing of future careers. A visit was paid to the workrooms of an exclusive dressmaker, located in Hawthorn. Girls saw filmy evening and bridal wear being made and inspected the staff tea and rest rooms. Those interested in outdoor occupations went to Burnley Horticultural School, where, after a talk from the Principal, they inspected hot houses containing rare flowers, orchids and ferns. Another very interesting excursion for girls keen on hos­pital work was to the Royal Melbourne School of Nursing. These students inspected wards, sterilizing quarters and the Cookery De­partment. Several Commercial Students visited Victoria Police Headquarters, at Russell Street, to study their systems of record keeping. Another group of girls visited a well-known hairdresser in Glenferrie, and were particularly interested in hearing about the rights of apprentices in this occupation. The visit to Kraft Foods was also very popular.

JUNIOR BOYS' LIBRARY

Under the guidance of Mr. K. Ingram who undertook a special course in library work at the Melbourne Teachers' College last year, the junior boys' library is working to a three-year plan to bring

42

Clubs and Activities

present facilities to a much higher standard. This year organiza­tion has been completely revised and many new books resulted from a book drive. Borrowing is now usually done after school, when the library is open to all, and a special library period each week aims to help boys in their research for projects and other school assignments. Success is very evident; nearly 200 books are now borrowed each week and as many as 85 per cent, of the boys in some forms are regular borrowers, with no form less than 70 per cent. Boys have been trained to file cards and to issue books. In 1958 it is aimed to build up vertical pamphlet and Vocational Guidance files for form four. The following year there "will be a drive to expand the facilities for form three, particularly the picture file section.

JUNIOR GIRLS' LIBRARY

The junior girls' library, which is attractively housed in the prefab, building across John Street, has grown considerably this year. A fine Science Library, which was built up by Mr. D. Cohen over a number of years, has been transferred to the prefab. Also, the Parents-Teachers' Association generously gave £-100 to the library this year. The money was spent mainly on attractive non-fiction books, so that the Music and Theatre sections are now con­siderably enlarged. Several very beautiful art books have been acquired, as well as additions to the sections on Hobbies, Sport, Travel and Australia. As a result of the boys' Book Drive, the library received a number of fiction books suitable for girls. The second part of the lunch hour is library time for the girls. With the assistance of senior girls, Miss McGovern, teacher-in-charge, issues books, explains the Dewey System and the Catalogue and answers many queries on books and general knowledge. The increasing use made of the library has been very pleasing to staff members.

BOYS' SOCIAL SERVICE

During the year over £100 was raised. Each boy is asked to bring a small sum of money for his form's weekly contribution to charity, regular giving of small amounts being the aim rather than spasmodic and large donations. Cheques are sent each year to organizations looking after the interests of crippled children, also, at intervals, to the Red Cross "Save The Children Fund." The Royal Melbourne and Prince Henry's hospitals were given funds to purchase eggs. The latter hospital awarded the College a Life Governorship Certificate. A Certificate of Appreciation was also received by Mr. A. Johnston, who is chief organizer of the move­ment, from the Spastic Society of Victoria.

43

Clubs and Activities

GIRLS' SOCIAL SERVICE

Every Tuesday morning after form assemblies in the girls' school the captains collect voluntary donations from their class­mates. Also, individual forms vie with each other in friendly spirit to organize stalls for sale of sweets, drinks and cakes at lunchtime. One enterprising group organized a "Pick-a-Box" Show, prizes being very kindly presented by Tongala Milk Products. Another junior girl made attractive white plastic flowers which she sold as Swinburne colours at the Combined Swimming Sports. Prefects collect the monies obtained and hand to the teacher-in-charge. This year nearly £.50 has been collected and donations made to the Mission of St. James and St. John, the Spastic Children's Society, the Presby­terian Children's Aid Society, the Sutherland Babies' Home, the Society for Crippled Children and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The activity is clearly providing opportunities for leadership and unselfish service to others less fortunate.

JUNIOR SCHOOLS' NEWSPAPER

"Swink," a joint-production of the boys' and girls' junior schools, has continued to appear regularly throughout the year. Representatives of the two schools meet at lunchtime and plan pro­duction. Different members of the committee are given the tasks of covering social, sporting and other school events. The best items are selected, written up and given to the teachers' representative for final corrections. They are then corrected, typed, fitted into pages on stencils and printed. The whole committee helps to staple and distribute the issue. "Swink" is an old English word meaning "hard work." The committee agrees with the translation, but thinks the experience is a good one.

HOBBY CLUB

Members of the above club meet every Wednesday afternoon in the Blacksmith Shop, where Mr. Ferrier is in charge of activities. There are no special rules or fees. The only stipulation is that each boy must have an active interest in building models. Mostly planes, boats and trains are favoured. The boat-builders periodically visit the Albert Park Lake to try out their models. Makers of planes have been in difficulties with council by-laws against flying engine-powered models in parks. All the boys are very grateful to Mr. Ferrier for his guidance and professional skills.

DRAMA CLUB

Boys and girls from the junior schools make up the members of the Drama Club. Miss Commons is the teachers' representative for

44

Clubs and Activities

the girls and Mr. Keane for the boys. The Club meets every Tuesday night. The members not only occupy themselves with rehearsing but also with properties and costumes, the problems of staging and lighting. The most successful play performed this year was "The Waiting Game." This was a comedy and was put on at the P.T.A. function "Students Present."

FENCING CLUB

This year there are twelve girls in the Fencing Club. They are coached by Prof. O'Brien and Miss Webb. The Club meets in the College Hall every Thursday and also practices there several times each week. During the year matches were played against the girls of Brighton Technical School and the Church of England Girls' Grammar. The girls find that their Club not only gives many en­joyable hours but also helps mental and physical development.

JUNIOR PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

There are twelve members this year. President is Terry Hughes and the Secretary is David Norman. Members meet in the Club room every day at lunchtime; sometimes there are special meetings. The boys are mainly concerned with printing, developing and en­larging, and are very grateful for the hints given to them by the Principal, Mr. Tylee. During the year members visited the Heales-ville Sanctuary; they made careful preparations for the trip and obtained some excellent shots. A special display of the year's best prints was prepared for Education Week.

CHESS CLUB

There are at present 34 members in the Club; however, new members are still welcome. R. Datson is President and D. Phillips the Secretary. There are 11 sets in operation, and new subscription monies will be used to buy more. The first competition this year was very keenly contested, with A. Purdy being the winner and R. Curtis the runner-up. In the second term the ladder contest pro­vided a good deal of friendly rivalry and some interesting games. Members are convinced that Chess is indeed the "Game of Kings."

PREFECT SYSTEM

The prefect system has again worked very well in both the boys' and girls' junior schools. Working in close co-operation with Mr. Iverson and Miss Scott, the prefects have helped to keep up dis­cipline, and at the same time have remained on good terms with

45

Clubs and Activities

their fellow students. Their own high standards of behaviour have assisted in maintaining a fine tone in both schools. Head Prefects in the respective schools, Olaf Zarins and Betty McDowell, have been particularly good and inspiring leaders.

PREFECTS' AFTERNOON TEA

During the second term the Prefects in the boys' and girls' schools met the Principal, Mr. Tylee, and Mrs. Tylee at afternoon tea. Mr. Iverson and Miss Scott were present to introduce the Pre­fects to Mr. and Mrs. Tylee, also representatives of both staffs. Most of the cakes provided were baked in the cookery school, and re­ceived special praise from the boys. By the end of the afternoon everybody knew everybody, and there was plenty of conversation and laughter. At the end of proceedings the boys covered them­selves with glory, needing no prompting to help the girls clear and wash up.

HERALD ART SHOW

Girls in the junior school were taken by Mrs. Timmings on a visit to the Herald Art Show, held in March this year. The show was staged in the Treasury Gardens, which provided an emerald green background for the long rows of brown coloured easels and the vivid splashes of colour on the many canvases. There was great delight when the girls discovered a painting by a former teacher. For many days afterwards the visit was topic for eager conversa­tion.

MADRIGAL GROUP

The Madrigal Group, composed of the best singers in the girls" school, has met every Wednesday. The Group (popularly known as the Mads) acquitted itself very well at the Schools' Music Festival. Another successful appearance was the occasion of the Schools' Chamber Music Evening, held at Wesley College. The Madrigal Group also participated in the very happy concert held by the girls' school at the end of term two. Miss Webb, who has trained the girls, is very pleased with the response to their singing.

VIOLIN CLASSES

In the second term of last year six violins were borrowed from parents and friends, and the first violin class began. The College bought six more violins and a second class was formed. This year the Education Department lent four outfits, and with more borrow-

46

Clubs and Activities

ings from friends two more classes were formed. At present, there fore, twenty-three boys and girls are receiving instruction from Miss Webb during lunch hour and after school.

COLLEGE ORCHESTRA

After the violin classes began the College provided a cello; then another came to light; and soon two junior boys were receiv­ing instruction from Miss Webb* At the same time a class was formed for flute players. With the nucleus for an orchestra, prac­tice began after school. The orchestra made its debut at a Parents-Teachers' function early in term two. The first public performance was given at the Schools' Orchestral Afternoon. The orchestra also performed at the concert at the end of term two. More instruments are gradually being added and the orchestra's future seems very bright.

ORCHESTRA VISITS

During the year Miss Webb, Miss Commons and Miss Martin have taken the junior girls to a number of concerts given by the Victorian Symphony Orchestra in the Melbourne Town Hall. Con­ductor was Clive Douglas, and the leader of the orchestra was Bertha Jorgensen. The girls heard explanations of the music and instru­ments, and participated in community singing. The programmes were very enjoyable, one item — Mozart's "Magic Flute" Overture — being particularly of interest to the girls.

VISIT TO M.L.C.

This year Miss Webb, in charge of music in the junior girls' school, organized a visit to M.L.C. for choir members. After a warm welcome the girls were taken to the music room, where the Swinburne and M.L.C. choirs were mixed and games played. Then came afternoon tea, the "left-overs" being given to the boarders. Afterwards the two choirs provided entertainment. The choir items were put on a tape-recorder and played back. It was an exciting and very enjoyable afternoon.

VISIT TO OLYMPIC FILM

Boys and girls from the Junior School attended a City showing of the film of the Melbourne Olympic Games. They were after­wards asked by their teachers to write frank comments about it. While all seem to have appreciated the opportunity of reliving those memorable days of last year, many were very critical of aspects of

47

Clubs and Activities

the film. Most would like to have seen more swimming and gymnas­tics events. The chief criticism was to the effect that Melbourne as a city was not shown to best advantage. But the comments leave no doubt that the visit was enjoyable and interesting.

VISIT TO "MOZART" FILM

As part of their course in music girls in the junior school attended a showing at the Savoy Theatre of the film "Mozart." Ger­man was spoken but there was an English translation. It was a beautiful film, against the lovely background of Vienna. Mozart proved a very interesting character. The girls were grateful to their music teacher, Miss Webb, for a memorable afternoon.

EMPIRE YOUTH MARCH

Boys and girls from Swinburne took part in the Empire Youth March, held on 5th May. From Flinders Street Station, where they assembled, they went to the Alexandra Gardens for final prepara­tions. All were very excited when they reached the Town Hall, as the Governor-General, Sir William Slim, took the salute, having flown down from Canberra for the occasion. At the Church Service which followed the march one of the lessons was read by the Head Prefect of the Boys' Junior School.

COUNCIL VISIT

In July boys and girls in the third and fourth forms attended a meeting of the Hawthorn City Council, at the Hawthorn Town Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Tylee accompanied the party. Agenda items included construction of flats and the fate of another school, Tin-tern. After hearing the ensuing debates the party was conducted to another room, where a tasty supper was waiting. All were very grateful to the Mayor, Cr. Slobom, and the other Councillors for a pleasant and very educational evening.

BALLROOM DANCING

Instruction in the techniques of ballroom dancing, an activity which began to attract interest last year, is now very popular. About fifty boys and girls from the Junior Schools attend each Tuesday afternoon after lessons end for the day. Attendance is limited to third and fourth form students, and records supply the music. Dances taught this year include the Foxtrot, Pride of Erin, Barn Dance, Modern Waltz, Samba, Rumba, and Tangoette. Those attend­ing think that what they are learning will be very useful in their post-school social life.

48

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LITERARY SECTION

S N O W Y MOUNTAIN HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT

In the year 1884 the first proposal to divert the waters of the Snowy River into the Murray was put forward, and many other proposals have been made since then; however, it was not until 1946 that the Commonwealth Government decided to make an investigation of all proposals. This resulted, in 1949, in the forma­tion of Snowy Mountain Authority.

The project is one of the largest ever undertaken in Australia. It is designed, basically, to provide water for irrigation in the Murray and Murrumbidgee Valleys; in the process of doing this large quantities of power will be generated. The scheme, as finally adapted, involves the construction of seven major dams, fifteen power stations, and 8 3 % miles of tunnels, up to 30 ft. in diameter. The scheme will provide 2,000,000 acre feet of water for irrigation, and about 3,000,000 kilowatts of power will be generated.

When the Snowy Mountain Authority was formed, it was faced with difficulties, the worst of which was lack of technical and admini­strative staff. At that time Australia was suffering from an acute shortage of technical staff, so the authority recruited men from overseas. N o w they employ 1,200 professional men, as well as 1,500 tradesmen, semi and unskilled workers. Also, before any­thing could be done, a complete and very detailed survey had to be made of an area 100 miles long and 30 miles wide. This, of course, presented many problems. Many of the problems were of a technical type, so an extensive laboratory was built at Cooma, where a great deal of research into many technical problems has been done. To quote just one example of this, for many years the amount of mica in a concrete aggregate was limited to 2 per cent. However, the only aggregate source within reasonable distance of one of the pro­jects contained about 22 per cent. mica. After a thorough investi­gation the authority decided that this quantity of mica was not harmful to the concrete. In the eight years since its inception, the Snowy Mountain Authority has accomplished much. Over 150 miles of new roads have been constructed, and 100 miles reconstructed. The Guthega

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Project on the Upper Snowy River was completed in 1955. This project consists of a concrete dam with walls 100 feet high, a three mile tunnel and a 3,200 foot steel pipe line, as well as a power house of 60,000 k.w. capacity. Four other projects are under construc­tion; a mile long tunnel 21 feet in diameter, a concrete arch dam 290 feet high on the Tumut River, as well as the accompanying power station, which is being excavated underground; finally, work is in progress on the construction of the giant Adaminaby Dam, walls 376 feet high constructed of earth and rock fill, the width at base being approximately half a mile. The finished wall will contain some 9,350,000 cubic yards of rock, clay and sand. The completed dam will hold over eight times the volume of water in Sydney Harbour.

The Snowy Mountain Hydro-Electric Project will be of great benefit to Australia as a nation, for besides the power generated and water supplied for irrigation, Australian engineers and or­ganisers are proving that they can hold their own with people from overseas.

K.D.

*

SHIPS IN DOCK

0 sleeping yachts that, calmly nodding, lie Within this drowsy, sun-soaked river dock, I would that you forsake your gentle rock, Unfurl your snowy wings into the sky To breathe a bracing wind, to swiftly fly O'er the sparkling seas, to dip, and lap, and knoek The rising wave to spray. Oh! feel the shock Of freezing spray, and hear the seagull's cry! What joy to cut the wave, to rise and fall, To breathe the strong sea-scent and race the wind! The joy is yours; but there you idly sleep And waste (as many men, life's sweetest call) A day of glory, breeze, and sunshine kind — A wasted day; a day for Time to reap.

R.M.

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LAKE TARLI KARNG

Possibly one of the remotest of Victoria's scenic beauties, yet •by far one of the most awe inspiring, is Lake Tarli Karng. Not many people have been fortunate enough to see this beautiful sheet of water, hidden among the folding spurs of Mt. Wellington, as it is accessible only to intrepid horsemen and experienced walkers.

Tarli Karng is located approximately twenty miles from Licola, a small milling town of population about one hundred, situated 160 miles from Melbourne in Gippsland.

Although situated on the slopes of Mt. Wellington, Tarli Karng is 2,000 ft. below the summit and the top of the mountain may be crossed many times without revealing the secret. The lake is visible from only one or two points, and the way down is not easy. Al­though well known as a watering place to the Welenduk tribe of aborigines it was not until 1886 that its discovery by a white man was announced.

For a person wishing to make the trip to Lake Karng, experience in bushwalking and camping are essential. A party of bushwalkers setting out from Licola would require at least three to four days to make the trip, there and back. Camping equipment, including tents and sleeping bags, is essential.

Leaving Licola the track follows the Macalister River for three miles to where the first mountain range must be crossed. This is called the Mt. Margret Range and is 4,500 feet above sea level. The track over this range is very steep, but affords many beautiful scenic views of the surrounding mountainous country. Crossing over this range we encounter the Doldrook River, which although drain­ing a large catchment area is very low in summer months. Leaving the Doldrook River, a small subsidiary spur is crossed, the height of which is 3,300 ft. above sea level.

From the top of this spur, a magnificent view of the Wellington River Valley for many miles is obtained. Following the spur down, the Wellington River is met, this being the overnight camping place for most walkers. Leaving the Wellington River early next day a long and arduous climb is made up Riggals Spur, named after the man who discovered the lake. The spur climbs steadily for a distance of three miles, rising to a height of nearly 4,700 ft. above sea level. On reaching the top of this spur the first view of the lake is seen. It is impossible to write about the feeling a walker gets to find a view such as this after one and a half days of rugged and tiring climbing.

The lake is seen as a vast blue sheet of water in sharp contrast

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against the tall mountain timber and rugged spurs. Looking down the valley away from the lake, there is seen a deep gorge which has been gouged out of the river valley, surrounded by sheer rock, faces at least 100 ft. in height. This gorge is known as the "Valley of Destruction" and was probably formed at the same time as the lake. Looking beyond the lake at the surrounding mountain range a sharp projection of rock, standing abruptly on the top of the mountain, is seen. This is called a butte or tent hill and is formed by differential erosion of the mountain exposing a hard, resistant layer of rock which withstands the erosion to a greater extent than the underlying sediments. This towering sight is known as the "sen­tinel" and a view extending as far as Mt. Buller can be seen from the tip.

Having taken in all the panorama available from the point a steep descent is begun to the lake. O n reaching the lake, one of the first things which catches the eye is the steepness of the sides. At the present time, the water level is 30 ft. below the top water mark and many dead trees lying on the banks are exposed. The lake is fed by two streams, and overflows into the Wellington River when full. A recent survey undertaken by two engineering students found the lake to be 2,583 ft. in length and 1,200 ft. wide. At the top end of the lake a giant landslide has occurred in recent years, exposing loose rock consisting of quartz porphry and slightly metamorphosed sandstone. This is due to the presence of a batholith, deep under­ground, forcing a dyke to the surface through the surrounding country rock. It is said that the lake is abundant with fish, but few hikers attempt to carry fishing gear such a distance. Black swans glide across the surface of the lake, sheltered from strong wind by the surrounding mountains.

The height of the lake above sea level is 3,000 ft., placing it above the snow line in winter months. It is sometimes stated that the lake is bottomless, but soundings taken many years ago revealed the depth to be about 150 ft. There has been a good deal of con­troversy in scientific circles as to the origin of Tarli Karng. One theory is that the barrier of rocks which dams the water back had been deposited by a glacier in the far off ice ages, whilst another — and more likely — suggests that this barrier was caused by a huge landslide.

Whatever may be the cause of its formation Tarli Karng re­mains one of the scenic highlights of Victoria.

M.K.J.

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TRANS-TASMANIAN ADVENTURE

At 4.16 p.m. on the 24th December, 1956, I left, with a group •of young men, from Outer East Station Pier, Port Melbourne, for Devonport, Tasmania, via Bass Strait, on the Union Steam Ship Taroona. It is a ship with only 16 feet draught and a great deal of superstructure, which became obvious to us as we crossed the Rip. It was not a good design for an interstate sea journey. The sea was only moderate and we found it hard to believe that this ship crossed Bass Strait in rough weather as well.

Being inquisitive young men, after tea we asked to have a look over the bridge and we were there as the ship passed through the heads. It wasn't much later when we were asked to leave the bridge because of the fast closing darkness.

When we awoke the following morning we noticed land over the starboard bow. This was Tasmania, and we berthed at Devon-port at 8 a.m. After disembarking we headed for the hotel where we had previously booked in for Christmas Dinner, which we were really looking forward to.

After dinner we embarked on our bus and headed for the home of the Ranger and the starting-off place for most of the hikers travelling through the Cradle Mountain — Lake St. Clair National Park. W e had a surprise waiting for us as we arrived. It was snowing on Christmas Day.

The following morning saw us headed out for a walk round the nearby mountains, a distance of eleven miles, and so it was early in the afternoon when we arrived back at the Chalet at Wald-heim. Next morning we again set off, this time with packs, headed for Windemere hut, a distance of fourteen miles. Because we left at 6.30 a.m. we arrived at Windemere in time for lunch at 1 p.m. The reason for our speed was the cold and the rain which made it very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this was the way we had to travel for the next five days. From Windemere hut we went to the next hut (eleven miles), then on to Windy Ridge hut, a further nine miles, and from there to the end of Lake St. Clair and Narcissus hut.

The next day we spent climbing Mt. Gould, the highest mountain in the National Park. When we left Narcissus hut we walked along­side the lake to Cynthia Bay where the Pumping Station for the Tarraleah Power Station is situated. W e had a look at this Pumping Station the following day whilst enjoying the sun and clear weather in a walk to Derwent Bridge and then by bus to Hobart, one hun­dred and five miles distant, where we stayed until we were due to leave on January 5th.

Whilst in Hobart we travelled to the top of Mt. Wellington

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on an organized bus tour. On the morning of the 5th, one of the young men and myself caught a train to Launceston where we spent about 2 % hours seeing as much as possible before leaving for the airport in order to catch our plane back to Melbourne. The plane' had the rest of our group in it when it arrived at Launceston and so with the two of us on board it completed the party. W e arrived back at Essendon at 6.43 p.m. after a very enjoyable and unevent­ful journey.

I recommend the hike through the National Park to anyone who enjoys hiking and hope, myself, to go back and do the hike again, but with fine weather if such is possible.

A.B.C.

*

SCHOOLBOY IN THE QUADRANGLE

One night through the window I saw a school­boy in the quadrangle. The moonlight made him echo his shadow, and as I watched he took his bag from his locker and looked up to see us at the window. In his eyes I saw the last (never to return) child dream, but he looked away, took a book from his bag and ran dwarfed by the shadows into the darkness.

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Literary Section

ADVENTURE IN PALESTINE

Often as we sit around the table in the evening, my parents and older brothers and sisters fall to reminiscing, and, of course, to me these stories are all very interesting because I don't remember much about the country where I was born. One particular story I remember was when m y father, as a boy, with several of his pals, went searching for caves.

It seemed that a certain Mr. Baumert had business connections with two highly esteemed archaeologists, who told him of their belief that limestone caves existed in the Juda Mountain Range. This was quite possible because there were limestones everywhere. They gave Mr. Baumert the approximate location of the caves on the map of Palestine.

So at Easter in 1913 Mr. Baumert asked several young men of the colony of Wilhelma to join him on this excursion. M y father, fourteen at the time, was among the keen young volunteers. When the party was assembled on the day and ready to leave, it consisted of eight men. They walked from the colony, passing through flat sand, which would have been fertile had it been worked. Of course that would be all changed now.

The first two miles passed uneventually, when they came to the first Arab hamlet, "Tyre." It looked and smelled just like any other Arab hamlet. They passed on to higher country, where the rugged hillsides contained many loose and implanted limestone rocks. These rocks are burned and made into mortar, which is then used by the Arab to make his home. The Arab gathers small thorny bushes which grow abundantly, and uses them for fuel. This method is much cleaner than if the rocks were burned by coal, and is un­changed since the time of Jesus. The actual site of the furnace has been there for many centuries. The hot lime is tipped into a large wooden pan; water is added, and the bubbling mixture is then poured into a hole in the ground and covered with sand to prevent drying out before use.

Three miles further on the party came to the foot of the moun­tain where the caves were located. They saw the entrance, and. when they reached it, it proved to be quite impressive — twenty feet high by fifteen feet wide. Once inside the gloom, and after their eyes grew accustomed to it, they discovered three stalagmites six feet long hanging from the roof of the cave. These were quite dry and dead-looking.

A shepherd, w h o m they met on the hills, explained that they would find water in these caves, so they were quite eager to push on and find it. Candles were lit to find the entrance to the next cave.

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It was a narrow opening on the floor, and the men had to get on their stomachs to crawl through. There was nothing in the second cave. The third one, entered in the same way as the second, proved more promising. Against the far wall of the cave there was a large bowl-like hollow in the rocks, worn by the eternal drip, drip of water which trickled down the wall of the cave. Where did it come from? They didn't stay to find out. They had found the water and were satisfied.

Being still full of energy the party decided to climb over the mountain to the other side. There (I don't know whether it was a surprise or not) they discovered a large reservoir, with a capacity for a million gallons, which was supposed to have been built by the Romans. There were many similar pools along the road the Romans built, leading to Rantin and to Nablus. This road is now only a footpath. It was once a strong road but because of its uneven surface the large stone blocks were removed and thrown aside.

The party climbed the rest of the way down the hillside and up the next rise, where there was another cave. This one was approximately fifty feet high. N o excursionist ever entered very far into this cave because of the awful odour caused by thousands of flying foxes inhabiting it. The men built a fire to observe how these animals hung in clusters which covered the walls and ceiling of the cave. Some yarn-spinning Arabs had fun telling those young impressionables that the caves continued right to Jerusalem; so that at a later visit to this cave they took plenty of string to allow for their further exploration in safety, but they lacked the courage and a good strong torch. That cave would give anybody the "willies" and in any case it smelled terribly.

Once back in the fresh air the party followed the valley north­wards where they came upon the ruins of a village, in which only the foundations of former homes and a few storage wells remained intact. The wells were used for storing grain. They did not know the name of the village, how long it had been in ruins, why it had fallen into such decay, or who were the one-time inhabitants. The place apparently had no historic value.

Further along, shortly before the village Em Sera, there was an old building, "Chan Jehjeh," which was a kind of hostel for travellers and their animals. It was not very big, with only one entrance. Five large pillars adorned the front. The roof was covered with stone slabs four feet by six feet by one foot deep; an incredible size and weight to have been put up by manpower, but it had been there since the Romans, and it is quite amazing what the Romans were able to do.

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From that point it was four miles back to home, the hilly country suddenly changing back to flat steppes again. The trip home is never as exciting as the one out, and this one passed as unevent­fully as any other. The party reached the colony quite safely by the evening.

H.S.

STUDENT FEARS

I used to be healthy and happy, Untroubled by heart-galling care;

The worries I knew Soon vanished from view

Like bubbles that burst in the air.

I turned a calm face to the future, I was placid and brave and serene Till I found out one day That the scientists say

A man's just a human machine.

He's controlled by his hormones and enzymes; If his vitamins don't do their stuff,

Or his cells go askew, Which they frequently do,

His pathway is sure to be rough.

If the tiniest duct doesn't function, If his heart doesn't steadily pulse,

Or his endocrines shirk Any part of their work,

There may be distressing results.

So I'm filled with alarms and forebodings; I frequently fret myself sick

Lest in some vital hour M y thyroids go sour And m y thymus refuses to click.

I once was completely contented, But now I shall never be free

Because of m y fears Of a grind in the gears

Of this fragile, mechanical me. J.T.

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CHINESE FUNERAL CUSTOMS

If a Chinese dies his children will have to go to a public water-tap to buy water. The buying of the water is done by scattering a few coins around the tap. With this water all of his children have to have their faces washed and dried with a towel.

The bottom of the coffin is then lined with quicklime and the top of the body is covered with joss-paper. Even though the corpse has been put in the coffin the lid is only half nailed. The purpose is to enable the corpse to come out, if the corpse decides to come back to life. Relatives then have to visit the graveyard to choose an appropriate spot. A "Sin-Say" (a Chinese medicine man) will tell them which direction the coffin must face so that no harm will befall the family. The coffin has also, if possible, to face a stream of running water whereby the spirit of the corpse could always quench its thirst and never feel thirsty.

The coffin is kept in the house for at least three days of mourn­ing. If the person is poor or dies young, he or she is buried at once. Monks are hired to say prayers a day before the funeral. The family and other close relatives have no ceremony, having only to cry bitterly, early every morning.

If a female dies, the top canopy of the cart is decorated with a stork, and if a male dies, it is then decorated with a metal lion. When the coffin is about to be removed from the house, offerings are made to the departed spirit. If the daughters are married, each one of them has to offer a pig's head.

When the funeral procession takes place, the family and other relatives have to follow behind the coffin until they reach the cemetery; but if the dead man leaves a young wife, she then refuses to attend the funeral because if she remarries she will bring bad luck to her new husband. If the cortege passes over a bridge, the eldest son has to kneel down and say a little prayer before the cortege reaches the bridge. When the person has been buried, all his personal belongings have to be burned, but in many cases his personal belongings are buried together with him in the coffin. Seven days after the person's death, the family has to pay a visit to the graveyard. They have then to pray every morning for the next hundred days, during which period the sons will not be allowed to go to a barber or to have a shave.

The family of the dead person keeps a wooden tablet on which the dead man's name is written, and this tablet is worshipped by them.

The customs described above are still being observed by certain sections of the Chinese community in Malaya.

L.Y.

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KUALA LUMPUR

The luxuriant tropical forests, rubber estates, tropical fruit plantations and to some extent rice fields and tin mines are the common sights of some rural districts of Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of the Federation of Malaya. It has made vast developments since the past century. There are big commercial firms which are a few storeys high, government offices, schools, churches, hospitals and good roads are built. In many suburbs away from the city are the modern bungalows which are residences of Europeans and the rich people. The less fortunate people live in squalor. Government servants are provided with quarters and they live in them as long as they are in the government service.

As time goes by, Kuala Lumpur is expanding and more and more buildings are erected and new suburbs are formed. The roads are very wide and cars imported from European countries and America run on them. Like many other countries, there is a strickened poverty suffered by unfortunate people and these people labour hard to earn a living. Some work in farms, factories, and other fields of work which are hard labour. Some work as trishaw riders. The trishaw is a bicycle with a hooded car­riage made of cane where one or two passengers can be transported from one place to another. The robust rider has to spend a great amount of energy peddling, either under a blazing sun or in wet weather. I recall an incident where an unfortunate rider had a fat passenger and the farmer was puffing his way with all his might up a hill, yet they were going at snail's pace. The unreasonable fat man had an impatient countenance but I should say that the rider had done his best! The schools are situated away from the busy city and noises. They all have good surroundings with ample play ground for the children. Most of them are missionary schools and they are govern­ment aided. The headmaster, headmistresses and' some of the teachers of the schools come from England. The rest are Asians who are trained locally or in England to become efficient teachers. A child starts his school life at the age of six or seven, and has to spend at least eleven years at school. After the eleventh year, it is the turning point of his life. He either intends to further his studies or be engaged in a field of work which interests him. For entertainments there are many theatres, amusement parks, sports clubs and a wonderful garden for the public. In this garden there are two artificial lakes which add to the beauty of the natural greenness everywhere. The garden is well taken care of and

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some flowers bloom throughout the year. The tranquillity of the place attracts many people and their families to go there in the afternoons and evenings to admire the beauty of nature. In the gardens itself stands a colossal white building on top of a hill; it is the residence of the British High Commissioner. The architecture of the building is unique. There was a museum situated in another part of the garden, but this was destroyed during the war. Golf players have their games in some other parts of the gardens. W h e n one is on top of a hill and looking down, one can see the golf players and their caddy boys who appear like tiny moving dots, and the small red flags every few hundred feet give an interesting view.

When we travel away from the city towards the rural areas, we find some arresting scenery. The rubber estates stretching far and wide are growing in neat rows after rows. Sometimes during the day we find labourers who are either tapping or collecting latex from the rubber trees. In some parts we may find the tin mines. In the mining pool is a small ship-like mechanical tin dredger which grounds the earth from the bottom of the pool and separates the earth from tin ore.

Kuala Lumpur has ample room for improvements and there is no doubt in the near future there are promising days.

Y.

-x A JUNIOR'S COMPLAINT

I am asked to write for "The Open Door", A composition — it seems a bore To rack m y brains for a subject fit, And I fear I cannot accomplish it. If I were Byron, Burns or Scott, It would be easy, but of course I'm not. A n apt thought born in their teeming minds Would soon be clothed in immortal lines; No need to stay their progress fleet, For faulty grammar, rhyme or feet. Like a bubbling spring their verse of gold, Which gushes forth till the tale is told — But it's not like this, as I said before, When a junior writes for "The Open Door."

M.M.

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THE ISLAND OF PENANG

There are many small islands round the coast of the Malay Peninsula. One of the famous islands is called "Penang" which is situated on the North West of the peninsula. Formerly Penang was a British colony, but in the year 1948 it was annexed as part of the Federation of Malaya as a settlement.

Though the island is not very large, it is approximately forty-six miles to go round it by road. It is a very good holiday resort, as it has many interesting places for tourists and visitors from other states; also, geographically, it has an important economic position in the Federation of Malaya, as it holds an entrepot trade.

The island has a good harbour, and good communications such as air-port, railway lines, and tarred roads connected with the main­land of Malaya. All local products from the mainland, such as rubber, tin, copra and so on, are sent to Penang for export to various parts of the world. Penang is especially important for the tin market, for Penang has the biggest tin smelting factory, which is named "The Eastern Tin Smelting Company Limited." They quote the tin price for the world market. Tin ores from Sumatra (an Indonesian Island), South Siam, and the Kinta Valley of Perak State are sent to Penang for smelting. Penang also imports manufactured goods such as machinery, motor vehicles, textiles, and so on, from Britain, the United States, Germany, Japan, and Aus­tralia, and then re-exports them to the mainland of Malaya and the neighbouring countries, like Siam, Burma, and Indonesia. All the ocean liners which pass through the Straits of Malacca have usually made a call at the Penang Harbour for fuel and water, as well as for some tourists to visit the natural beauty spots of the Penang Island.

An interesting place is the Ayer Item Temple, which is very famous for its attractive coloured pagoda, and is four miles away from the harbour. The Penang Hill is about 2,550 feet above sea level. From it you can take in a whole view of Georgetown which was promoted at the beginning of this year 1957 to be called "The City of Penang." It is the second busiest city in Malaya. At the Snake Temple, you may find various types of snakes with different colours, from two to fifteen feet long, but the big ones are kept in iron-barred cases, where they are fed with eggs and chicken. Usually visitors make a donation of money to maintain the animals. Another interesting place is the One Thousand Two Hundred Steps Temple which is built on the top of a hill. During week-ends you will see a lot of youngsters taking their exercise there by climbing up and down the stone steps. The well-known Penang Botanical Garden is a good

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place for young and old couples to appreciate the beautiful tropical flowers. The natural silver sand coast is a spot where you can have a swim or go rowing at any time of the day because the weather is always warm, day or night, throughout the year.

For entertainment, there are many, many picture theatres. They are the Cathay Theatre, the Odeon Theatre, the Majestic Theatre, the Star Theatre, the Rex Theatre, the Windsor Theatre and the Sun Cinema Hall and so on. In these cinema halls they show all types of English, Malay, Indian and Chinese films, but American films have a good demand and influence in the movie market. There are two amusement parks, one called "The Great World Park" and the other "The New World Park." There are a lot of things for visitors to play, to enjoy, and to eat in these two extensive parks. If you want to have a dance, you may go to one of the following dance halls: the City Light, the Piccadilly Hotel, Eastern and Oriental Hotel, the Penang Chinese Swimming Club, and some other night clubs.

In short, I should say, Penang is advancing in its prosperity, and it is not only very important for its economic position, but also very famous throughout South-east Asia for its natural beauty spots.

KI S-L.

THE COUNTRY

I'm going up to the country To see the views and sights Because I've been there such a lot And it always draws m e back.

The fragrance of the country air Smells so fresh and good, Around the little country homes And the little country towns.

The smoke comes from the chimney And circles round about. I'm going there again, I'm sure 'Cause it always draws m e back.

J.P.

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PORT PIRIE

It was scorching in the sun, one hundred and six degrees to be exact, and stifling in the car. W e came in sight of what is known as Port Pirie and gratefully accepted directions to the beach. The beach was the continuation of one of the largest and most important ports in Australia. The swimming area was no deeper than five feet with the tide in and the sand for the beach had been transported there. The pool, about twenty yards square, was the only place we could attempt to swim.

Port Pirie has a population of over fourteen thousand, accord­ing to the figures in our travel folder. N e w Australians have added considerably to the development of the town and we noticed them everywhere. The town seemed like that in a western film, sleepy by day, wild by night. Port Pirie looks very old, especially as the main railway line runs up the centre of the principal street. But the new residential area, -called Solomon Town, in contrast with its neat rows of houses, is as modern as any city suburb.

The main industry is mining for atomic materials, gold, iron and other minerals. Some of these are mined from the slopes of the rugged Flinders Ranges which are about six miles from the town.

There was not a solitary tree in the town or around the district. The only shade we saw was from the shadows of the verandahs and cars along the streets. The land is practically useless for cultiva­tion. Tank water is very scarce so bore-water is used. It has a warm earthy taste. Port Pirie, situated on the Woomera Highway, about one hundred and thirty miles from Adelaide, is certainly a town unique in Australia.

C.I.

*

THE WATERFALL

The veil of white descending down the rugged glen, The sapphire waters gleaming and sparkling like a gem. The beauty of the rainbow spun with red and gold, The willows bending o'er the stream admire the rocks so bold.

The gentle white cascading makes the thunder roar, A boiling foaming cauldron in which the fishes pour. The veil of white descending down the rugged glen, A wondrous sight of beauty that always I must see again.

J.T.

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LIFTS

Lifts, elevators, ascenseurs, are modern contrivances, but they have an ancient history.

Lifts to raise human beings were planned in ancient times— and even built. It is even said that, two centuries B.C., the founder of mechanics, Archimedes, designed a lift in which the passenger wound himself upstairs by means of a windlass. During the first century A.D., the Emperor Nero had a lift installed in his palace at Rome. But Archimedes' lift was purely theoretical, and Nero's was strictly non-commercial. For the lift to become a commercial proposition, there needed to be a safety-device that would auto­matically stop the lift from falling if the ropes break.

This was invented in 1852 by E. G. Otis. His name has lived on! H e founded a business that still bears it; his invention made possible the deep-lead mine, modern sea-travel and, above all, the skyscraper. The price of land per foot on Manhattan, or on Collins Street, is due to Otis's automatic safety-device.

To meet the growing demand for rapid vertical transport, lift speeds have been increased, automatic controls have been developed and extended, car and landing doors have been equipped with devices for automatic opening and closing, and safety has been still further improved.

In recent years, the method of determining the economic number and capacity of passenger lifts required to provide adequate lift service in a building has been carefully investigated. To calculate the probable number of passengers to be carried in a given time, it is necessary to consider such variables as the kind of building and its purpose, its population during normal and peak hours, its layeut and floor area, and the number of floors. The capacity of the lift depends upon the size of the lift car, car speed, method of control, type of car and landing doors and whether they are manually — or power — operated, also floor heights and the probable number of stops per journey.

The Escalator (the name is officially patented by Otis Elevators Co. Pty. Ltd.), or moving stairway, is of special advantage where passenger traffic between two levels is particularly heavy, as in department stores and underground railway stations. Escalators have become particularly popular during the twelve years since the war. But they can never take the place of elevators, because the speed of an escalator cannot be increased. If it were increased, it would only cause a bottleneck at the end of the travel. Escalator speed depends on the rate at which you step on to the moving stairs, and this rate will remain constant until the human race becomes more nimble.

64

"STILL-LIFE" (TAN SEE TONG)

"LIGHT AND SHADOW" (LEE POH LIM)

CAMERA STUDIES BY OVERSEAS STUDENTS.

< a. h-co LU

I <J O _ i

o o X (J in

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Literary Section

T w o important factors which must be considered by designers are speed and comfort. Speed is most important in high buildings, skyscrapers. There, high acceleration can cause discomfort to passengers.

But safety must remain the supreme consideration. There are old people who can remember seeing lifts with imperfect safety devices crash to the bottom. There are still a few superstitious people who prefer to walk the stairs. Nowadays very few accidents occur, and the few which do occur are often the fault of the passengers.

Fatalities are rarer still. The 3,000 lifts in Victoria (most of them in Melbourne) travel approximately 750,000 miles a year; they carry as many passengers as Melbourne's trams and buses, and over 130 million more than suburban trains. One Bourke Street emporium has altogether 65 lifts and several escalators. Yet fatalities among Victoria's 300 million elevator travellers average less than one person a year; compare this with fatalities caused by road acci­dents. By the way, to instal a lift in your home will cost about £2,000.

Safety features include the safety gear usually fitted at the bottom of the car. This will stop the car if the normal speed is increased or if one of the lifting ropes should break or slacken. It stops the lift by means of a governor which operates a clamp against the guides, or vertical pillars.

Then there are the safety landing gates which cannot be opened if the car is not there, and car doors which cannot be opened while the lift is in motion — if it is opened, the lift immediately stops. Again, the modern lift will not start if the doors are imperfectly shut, if the car is overloaded or unevenly loaded. If, by accident, the lift should stop between floors, an emergency outlet is always provided. Some modern lifts carry a telephone.

In the design of an entire lift service, a primary consideration is the behaviour of the passengers. Except in fully automatic lifts the efficiency of the lift depends greatly on the lift driver. If the driver is slow and quiet, service efficiency drops; if the driver is active and calls out the floors, efficiency is greatly increased. If a lift stops mainly at floors where there are two or more passengers at, say, the ground floor, then the time taken by each passenger to enter the car is around % to 1 second. If this car stops at another floor to pick up or let out a single passenger, then the time taken by the passenger to enter or leave the car will be anything from 6 to 13 seconds.

Automation is now applied to the control of lifts. The early elec­trical lift was controlled by a rope passing through the lift car and

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mechanically operating the switchgear. To start, the attendant pulled the rope in the direction he desired to travel; to stop, he merely held the rope as it passed, thus opening the switch and stopping the car. The "pull-a-rope" system was taken over from the earlier hydraulic lifts. There are still a few of these in Mel­bourne.

With the modern lift there need be no driver; the passenger can press the button of the floor he wants and when another button is pressed the doors are automatically shut immediately before the lift starts. The lift stops at the floors previously recorded on the indicator. If somebody else requires the lift at any intermediate floor, he has to press either a " D o w n " or " U p " button and the nearest lift car to that floor will stop, pick him up, and go on to stop at the floors recorded on the indicator. If the car is fully loaded, any of these external calls will be recorded and answered by another lift in the battery.

Although busy buildings usually have lift drivers, the modern tendency is to make all sequences of operation automatic, so as to eliminate possible failure by the driver. Controls are by means of a series of contractors. With automatic control it is now possible to have accurate levelling; this is of particular importance in goods lifts and hospital lifts where trolleys and stretchers must be wheeled in and out.

Electronic control has yet to come. At the moment it is being tried out in combination with conventional electrical contractor sys­tems. It is claimed that with appropriate electronic control it will be possible to bring floor levelling to an accuracy of plus-or-minus one-sixteenth of an inch and control the rates of acceleration and deacceleration so as to eliminate for ever the sensation that one has been shot out of a gun.

T.R.

METRICAL

There are metres trochaic, And metres iambic, And metres of musical tone; But the metre that's neater Completer and sweeter, Is to meet her by moonlight alone.

E.G.

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POWER-ASSISTED STEERING

In recent years, the tendency in designing road vehicles has been to put increased weight on the front wheels and, with the use in many cases of low pressure tyres, steering loads necessitate high ratio steering (often 4 % - 5 % turns from lock-to-lock). The exer­tions of the driver of a coach or heavy lorry when manoeuvring his vehicle in a confined space are examples of the sheer physical effort often required of drivers.

The main object of employing power-assisted steering is to reduce the physical effort needed by the driver to steer his vehicle and thus reduce driver fatigue. This is a definite safety asset be­cause avoidance of accidents m a y depend upon a driver's ability to alter course more quickly than he could unaided, particularly if he is fatigued after long periods at the wheel.

T w o basic power-assisted steering units are used, namely, the integral unit which is fitted into the steering box at the base of the steering column, and the linkage unit fitted into the steerage linkage of the vehicle. Both of these units can be operated either by com­pressed air or hydraulically, the hydraulic units generally being pre­ferred for motor cars.

Essentially hydraulically operated units consist of an engine driven pump, an hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement (called the jack), a control valve (generally incorporated with the jack) and an oil reservoir.

Power-assistance is given briefly as follows: interposed in the mechanical steering linkage, or the steering box, is the cylinder, piston and valve mechanism, the valve of which, when operated by the normal steering wheel movements, permits high pressure oil from the p u m p to pass to one or other side of the jack piston. Since this piston has connections to the steering linkage, movement of the piston causes movement of the linkage and thus power-assistance is given to the driver.

Most systems are designed to give power-assistance when a minimum force of between 3-6 lb. is applied at the steering wheel rim. Increased assistance is obtained by applying increased force at the wheel rim. Thus, full mechanical steering is available where road-wheel forces are low, such as on icy surfaces or when a vehicle is travelling at speed. All systems are, of course, designed to "fail safe," i.e., full manual steering is obtainable if the hydraulic or compressed air system fails.

To ensure that the driver does not "lose" the steering of a vehicle fitted with power-assistance, artificial "feel-backs" are pro­vided. To obtain the "feel-back," the high pressure oil acts upon small pistons incorporated in the valve, thus tending to oppose

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motion of the valve. This opposing force is then transmitted back to the driver.

Quiet and vibration free characteristics for power steering units are essential but hard to obtain and even to-day, most units although reasonably free from vibrations, are relatively noisy. The noise and vibration centres mainly around the p u m p and the hydraulic lines.

It is necessary to have a very efficient mechanical system within the power-assistance unit, otherwise the control valve is likely to have stickslip characteristics and be subject to false signals. Also, it is essential that the self-centring properties of the systems should be adequate to avoid the driver having continually to steer the vehicle in order to maintain it on a straight course.

Before power-assisted steering units can be fitted to existing vehicles, the stresses in each part of the original steering linkage must be reviewed to ensure that the linkage can withstand the thrusts and/or torques given by the power units.

The first cars fitted with power-assisted steering were offered to the public in 1951 by the Chrysler Corporation. Since this in­troduction, the public demand has been such that to-day, all the larger American cars and commercial chassis and an increasing number of European cars and commercial chassis can be obtained fitted with power-assisted steering. A m o n g the latest European companies to offer power-assisted steering are the Rolls-Royce, Bent-ley, Daimler, Austin, Armstrong-Siddeley and Citroen.

It would seem, then, that power-assisted steering has an assured future and, possibly within the next ten years, we m a y find it fitted to all production vehicles, thus ensuring faster, more positive, smoother and safer steering for the majority of the motoring public.

A.N.L.

*

SPRINGTIME

Springtime brings a cheerful scene, Lawns are painted dainty green; Blossoms clothe the apple trees, Harbouring hosts of busy bees; Birds are singing everywhere, Happy and gay in the scented air. W e revel in colours of brighter sheen, Forgetting that winter winds were keen.

M.J.

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STEEL

A steel is an alloy of iron and carbon containing varying, and generally small, amounts of other metals. Steel is usually made from pig iron which contains up to 4 % per cent, of carbon; this carbon is completely removed during the refining process and then the necessary amount of carbon is added to produce a steel of the desired composition. During the heat-treatment to which the pro­duct is subjected, alio tropic changes take place in the iron, resulting in the development of the desired properties. This process is also affected by the percentage of carbon and by the presence of other substances in the metal. During the production of the steel, sulphur and phosphorus must be removed, as they render the steel brittle. These find their way into the pig iron mainly from the coke used in the blast furnace.

Other metals added to the steel during manufacture include aluminium, which is added in small amount to remove the last trace of free oxygen from the steel. Manganese and silicon are usually present in small amounts even in plain carbon steels, being intro­duced mainly from the original iron ore. Manganese up to 2 per cent, is commonly present in low alloy steels used for constructional work. Here it increases the strength and hardenability of the steel. High manganese steels with up to 14 per cent, of manganese are employed for such uses as railway cross-overs and jaws of rock crushers, where great hardness and resistance to wear are necessary. Nickel is often added to increase the hardenability and toughness. U p to 5 per cent, of nickel is often present in steel for engineering construction or for armour plates on battleships and tanks. Chromium up to 5 per cent, is added to increase the strength and resistance to wear, being specially favoured for material that is to be used for ball- or roller-bearings, pinions and the like. Molybdenum and vanadium are also added in small amounts (less than 1 per cent.) to improve mechanical properties. Copper is used in small amounts to reduce corrosion by the atmosphere. Tool steels usually contain tungsten in amounts up to nearly 20 per cent, to resist softening on heating.

Stainless steels are high alloy steels with usually more than 14 per cent, of chromium. The resistance to corrosion is apparently due to a protective film of chromium oxide. It is worth noting that stainless steels do not necessarily stand up to corrosion better than ordinary ones. If the conditions of use involve the wearing away of this protective film, they may last less well than ordinary steels.

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For handling many chemical solutions, including neutral, alkaline and oxidising acids, a steel with up to 18 per cent, of chromium and 8 per cent, of nickel, and sometimes up to 3 per cent, of molybdenum, is much used. Thus modern industry needs and uses a large number of different materials, all of which are varieties of steel. These are manufactured by the steel makers to have a surprisingly large variety of properties suited to their uses. The compositions are regulated to within very close limits and the chemist plays an important part in controlling this desired composition.

A.B.C.

-K

MALAYA

Land of tin and mangrove — rubber trees, Land surrounded by blue-gleaming seas, Land that I sincerely love, No gauntlet hand, Shall loose the band, That binds m y heart to thee.

Must the bandits of the jungle hour, Send shrieks through every village bower, And spread their injurious hand, Through our beloved land?

0 God, if you be kind and dear Bring peace to us, Bring rain, and stir with green This brown eroded dust.

Malaya has one breath, And this from shore to shore, Stirs in us the latent powers, Sleeping never more.

H.S.

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CLEANING OF MILK BOTTLES AND CANS

Milk is such a good food that it is particularly suitable to nourish foreign organisms such as bacteria and it is well known that absolute cleanliness is essential, particularly in places where the milk is handled in bulk. O n reading an article written in 1943 I found that the "old-fashioned" idea of using caustic soda to clean milk cans was not as effective as it had been supposed to be. Acidic solutions had been discarded on account of their corrosive action on the cans and alkalis had been used because of their better deter­gent action. Alkaline cleaners, however, react with hard water and with the protein materials found in milk to form a "milkstone" — or "waterstone" — the dread of all dairies. Alkalis also form a skin over the can which harbours bacteria. Acid detergents dissolve these "stone" deposits and leave a perfectly clean surface, thus lowering the number of bacteria in the milk. The ideal detergent has now been found to be an alkaline detergent followed by an acidic rinse with, of course, efficient flushing with plain water after­wards to remove traces of acid which would promote corrosion of the can.

Becoming interested to find what was done here, I went to one of the leading dairies and asked the bacteriologist what they used. Imagine m y surprise when I was told "four per cent, caustic soda." Possibly the fact that Melbourne water is not hard enables them to use caustic soda and escape deposits on the can. There is, how­ever, at least one firm selling a detergent for cleaning milk recep­tacles which contains both acid and alkaline components; I hear that most of their sales are in the country. This firm recommends the use twice a day of an alkaline detergent containing a sequestering agent (to deal with hard water), a wetting agent, a steriliser and so on, and the acid, once a week. The firm I visited feels that in a few years this procedure will be in general use all over Victoria.

J.H. *

WORKSHOP WOES

"Life is a hard grind," said the emery wheel. "It's a perfect bore," said the auger. "It means nothing but hard knocks to me," said the nail. "You haven't as much to go through as I have," said the saw. "And I am being constantly sat on," said the bench. "Let's strike," said the hammer. "Cut it out," said the chisel, "here comes the boss." and awl was silence.

I.S. 71

Literary Section

SAFETY IN HANDLING RADIO-ISOTOPES

The use of radio-isotopes is growing rapidly. Their use in dermatology is well established and new applications in therapy, such as the treatment of goitre with radioactive iodine, are being found every day. In addition, they are being used to a continually increasing extent in research and even in industrial laboratories.

They are definitely part of our modern way of life.

In all cases where they are being used, special safety precau­tions must be taken to protect the users and the general public. Where only small amounts are being used, it is generally sufficient to cover floor and benches with paper which is afterwards burnt, to use trays to catch spilled liquid and to supply all workers with rubber gloves. It is also necessary to use "shadow blocks" which are blocks of metallic lead interposed between the worker and the radioactive material, so that his body is shielded from direct radia­tion. The most important thing is to ensure that the dosage of radiation received by any worker does not exceed the safe maxi­m u m and a very strict check must be kept on this. Where millicurie amounts of radiosotopes are to be handled continuously, it is best to have specially designed laboratories. In these the equipment is specially designed for safe handling; fume cupboards must be safe and not allow radioactive dust or gases to leak from them. Special material must be used for floors and benches and it must be so treated that liquids cannot soak in and render them radioactive. Attention must be paid to air-conditioning to ensure that air flows from rooms where activity is low to those where it is high and that the air cannot carry dusts which in addition to being dangerous to health can invalidate experimental results. Storing of the isotopes is an­other problem, the usual method being to use a large hollow con­crete block with thick walls and a thick lead door which can be clamped shut. Provision must also be made to enable the workers to carry out the necessary manipulations of material and apparatus without coming so close to the materials as to be exposed to danger; the use of tongs with long handles for manipulations is almost stand­ard practice and in some cases it may even be necessary to handle the materials by remote control devices.

Disposal of wastes is one of the greatest problems. The usual thing is to burn as much as possible of the substances that may be so disposed of, but if large amounts of material, underground.

E.E.

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SUGAR AS A CHEMICAL RAW MATERIAL

Many of the products manufactured by chemical industry today are dependent of a cheap raw material and, preferably, a raw material from which it is not too difficult to manufacture products having the desired properties. Sugar is a comparatively cheap and pure chemical and economists have shown that it would be com­paratively easy for the world production of sugar to be doubled. It has also been shown that from sugar certain useful products can be manufactured at least as cheaply as by existing methods. For instance, reductive aminolysis of sugar produces diamines which are used, amongst other things, as solvents and as water-softening agents. It is also possible to obtain esters of aconitic acid which are used as plasticisers or with further modification one can obtain substances useful as wetting agents. The possible use of sugar as starting material is very much in the news amongst the scientific world; the 1955 sitting of the American Chemical Society was largely devoted to a symposium on the use of carbohydrates as raw materials for chemical industry. Sugar, by the way, is a carbohy­drate and one of the cheapest and purest of them. From the little information that is available, it would seem that no chemical manufacturer is prepared to "break the ice" and start off on the utilisation of sugar in this new way. The situation is very similar to that obtaining just before the general introduction of coal tar, of petroleum and of natural gas as chemical raw materials. The use of these is now a well-established fact and it is reasonable to predict that in the near future the enormous poten­tialities of sugar will be better exploited than they are now. Since Queensland is a large producer of sugar, it would seem that there is a future for this development in Australia.

P.D.R.

KNITTING

We all know that knitting's a schoolgirls' delight, She'll sometimes make jumpers from morning till night, And then at a scarf she will patiently knit, Then finish with gloves of the cosiest fit. And, when all is finished, she'll dream and she'll drowse, There's no more to knit, so she's knitting her brows.

—D.M.H.

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PLASTICS IN PAINTS AND LACQUERS

Plastics are being used in modern paints in increasing quan­tities as is evident from the advertisements. These paints are of two types; solvent-type paints in which the "drying" occurs through evaporation of an organic solvent and water-emulsion-type paints which are becoming increasingly popular. Paints of this latter type are credited with being quick drying, can be quickly recoated, are easy to apply and have only a mild odour. Rubber latex is often so used but has certain disadvantages. Firstly, from the manufac­turer's point of view, there is the necessity of avoiding hard water, the inability to use pigments which incorporate calcium sulphate and the special techniques of fabrication required. Secondly, from the user's point of view, there are yellowing and embrittlement with age, inability to withstand large extremes of temperature, poor re­sistance to washing till aged and poor resistance to wetting. Many of these drawbacks of rubber-emulsion paints are minimised or cor­rected by the use of the newer types of synthetic materials such as acrylic, polyvinyl acetate ( P V A C ) , vinyl-vinylidene copolymer or polystyrene. Under normal conditions of temperature and humidity, paints containing acrylics are dry and ready for a second coating in twenty to thirty minutes; P V A C paints, on the other hand, require one or two hours. Such fast drying is of vital importance in reduc­ing loss of business or rental time. The retention of colour and resistance to washing or staining are also good qualities. Acrylics can be applied on very cold or humid days, which makes the painter less dependent on weather; they can also be used on radiators since they do not become brittle or emit odour when heated. O n the other hand, the cost of acrylic paints is greater than for those using rubber latex or P V A C resins. For floors, solvent-type paints containing copolymer or chlor­inated-rubber resins have the field virtually to themselves, the former being most used. Disadvantages of these are that special preparation of floors is needed and, due to evaporation of solvent, there is con­siderable nuisance from odour. Goodyear have recently developed a paint based on a vinyl-toluene resin which has far less odour than the conventional types and should be on the market soon. Such materials are finding increasing competition from water-emulsion products made with acrylics, polyvinyl acetate or styrene-butadiene. A new paint for concrete surfaces contains a mixture of latex and acrylic and other resins and has in its favour the points that the floor does not need previous etching with acid, the paint being thinned with water is virtually odourless and it dries sufficiently hard to be walked on in less than an hour. Protective lacquers for equipment made of aluminium also

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contain plastics. For a number of years coatings based on cellu­lose acetate-butryate have been used because of their resistance to weather and long-lasting nature but, owing to their high viscosity, they are unsuitable for spraying. It is economically impracticable to reduce the viscosity by addition of solvents. Recently, however, a new lacquer has been developed for this purpose which has a sufficiently low viscosity to permit spraying, in spite of its high content of solids, and it would seem to be the best to date for the purpose. A coating only half a mill thick is sufficient to give a high degree of protection to the aluminium and this thickness can be applied in a single spraying. It is also non-inflammable and the article can be handled less than a quarter of an hour after applica­tion.

Thus we see that these modern types of paints and lacquers are providing us with better materials than have been available in the past and we can expect to see further developments along similar lines in the future.

N.A.

CHOIR BOYS

Little boys all full of fun, Till the Vicar comes and drags them in. Then out they come, all dressed in white. Good gracious! Not one ounce of fight.

Their hands were black, but now they're clean To begin their songs, they look so keen. They are angels now, not like before, With m u d and dust and cuts galore.

They do not look as though they'd fight N o w they're here all dressed in white. The songs they sing are sweet to hear Their voices are so fine and clear.

The ladies say, "What lovely boys, They'd never make one scrap of noise." But we know better than the girls To trust blue eyes and golden curls.

J.D.

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ROAD FAILURE

During the past years, it has been a constant worry to engineers that well constructed, well drained sealed roads suddenly fail during wet weather, possibly after many years without any sign of breakup. It was obvious that, since water was not entering through the bottom of the formation, that it must be entering through the seal coat at the road surface. The fact that water enters through the seal coat may be demonstrated by placing a glass cylinder on the road with one end sealed down around the bitumen. The cylinder is then filled with water to a depth of approximately two feet, and allowed to stand for a given period. It will be noted that after this period, some of the water will have passed through the bituminous surface into the road subgrade. This will be shown by the fact that the level in the glass cylinder has dropped. It will be found that the amount of water passing through the seal coat will vary with the type of surface and to some extent with its construction.

When this test was demonstrated, many observations were made on roads under similar conditions. One such test was conducted in New Zealand at the junction of the Ngauranga Gorge road and the Hutt road near Wellington. Because of the high banks, this section of the road received very little sunlight during the winter months. During the time of the test, the road was under water in many parts as a result of continuous rain. One particular hollow, which was full of water in the outer wheel track, was thought to be a likely spot for the road to pothole. During the first three days of observation the road showed no signs of breaking up or potholing in the area of observation. However, during the third day cars passing through the hollow began to throw out pieces of road metal as well as water. O n sweeping away the water it was found that a small pothole was beginning to form. O n arrival at the scene next day observers found that the area had been patched by a Ministry of Works maintenance gang. The size of the patch, however, in­dicated that the holes had become larger in the afternoon of the previous day and overnight. Samples of the road material taken from the road at a later date showed that it had been constructed from well graded, virtually non-plastic material. From this observation and many similar ob­servations in different areas, it can be seen that even good sealing over a sound topcourse will tend to pothole under continuously wet conditions combined with heavy traffic flows.

What actually happens prior to potholing and breakup of these roads is generally as follows: When there is water laying on the road surface, tyres with pressures of 25-100 pounds per square inch

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passing over the road will drop a fine film of water and tend to force it through any small cracks in the seal coat. The effect this water has upon the stability of the road depends upon whether or not the binder portion in the road under the seal is plastic or not. If it is virtually non-plastic the water will tend to evaporate when the sunlight falls on the road surface. Evaporation takes place through the cracks in the seal coat surface. If there is very little sunlight on the road as described above, lack of evaporation will allow the moisture to build up and cause a slow failure of the road surface. If there is plastic material present in the binder moisture will gradually build up whether there is evaporation or not, causing plastic movement of material under the seal coat. Under these con­ditions, the surface of the seal coat will begin to crack, allow more water to enter the road, thus causing more widespread failure.

T w o important steps towards preventing this type of failure is to make the binder of roads to be sealed non-plastic; also, to give a fairly steep cross-slope in shady areas so that water will be quickly shed from the road.

B.M.R.

FREEDOM

I'm tired of the life in town The dust and rush and roar,

I want the swishing of the sea, Where seagulls dart and soar.

I'm longing for the surging waves, That dash against the mighty caves,

To feel the heaving of the ship, As through the waves she'll swiftly slip.

See the crew now furl the sails, Fall in smartly by the rails,

Watch the canvas strain and heave, As through the waves we'll swiftly cleave.

0, I'll be going out to sea, To the swishing, boiling waves,

To a life where sights are free To a life where the old sea raves.

R.S.

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THE MODERN MANAGER

The modern manager is concerned, not with machines and materials, but with the handling of people. It is now generally conceded that though it is desirable for a manager to have a basic training in the industry in which he is working, this is not essential. We see announcements now-a-days to the effect that the manager of a shoe factory has taken over the managership of a metal pressing shop, or that an army officer now heads the police force. In other words, managers are now a professional group.

What then is the task of the manager? First he needs to so co-ordinate his technical staff that the working force may be de­ployed to the best advantage; and secondly to so handle his work­men that they want to work. The idea of a workman who wants to work is new to some, but once it is realised that a workman is just as concerned with his own interests as management is with its, then it will also be realised that if management can identify, in the workers' mind, their interests with his, then he, the worker, will work for management as if for himself.

This, of course, takes some doing, but that it can be done has been shown by many firms including Unilever, Lincoln Electric and a number of other world-wide organisations. Probably the manager's greatest tool is that of group discussion. People do not like to be ordered about; they like to participate in a common task. They like to work for "us" rather than "them." If, then, a manager can, by guided discussion at the level of the informal working group, convince that group that a particular course is desirable, not only does the individual want to reach the common goal, but social pressure is put on him by his fellows to maintain his standard, so that the group may reach the goal they decided on.

Group Discussion can be used at all levels. The sight of an engineer going down on to the shop floor to talk a problem out with the foreman and leading hands, and perhaps also the machine opera­tor concerned, is becoming increasingly common. It is now realised that the interaction of one mind on another tends to trigger many thoughts that otherwise might not find expression. At the higher levels both development and production planning conferences are almost standard practice.

This is just another confirmation of the fact that if you treat your workmen as men and not as "hands" or auxiliaries to the machines you will get more from them.

R.F.

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PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

Swinburne's laboratory has been recognised by the National Association of Testing Authorities as being capable of carrying out the various jobs in precision measuring work which conform to the Association's exacting standards. Swinburne is the first tech­nical college in Australia to have this honour. The chapter is a recent one in a long story.

It is a far cry from the simple condensing steam engine invented in 1699 by Captain Thomas Savory for draining mines to the complicated electronic machine which calculates the payroll of 10,000 employees, thereby eliminating 40 clerks using orthodox machinery. Nevertheless, the objective in each case has been to perform all possible operations by machinery instead of by hand. Just as in the Industrial Revolution mechanical power replaced man's muscles, so now automatic electronic machines are taking over some of his simpler mental processes. In a word, we are entering on an era of mechanised brain work.

About one hundred years after Savory's engine and other im­portant steam discoveries had been made, it was realised by Eli Whitney, an American industrial pioneer, that it was possible to produce an article consisting of fully interchangeable parts. By ade­quately controlling the size of each part, Whitney was able to mass-produce muskets for the army. His name lives as the father of industrial mass-production, and early last year the Sheffield Cor­poration of Ohio, U.S.A., dedicated a metrology laboratory to his memory.

Precision-measurement is of prime importance in production, and so optical and mechanical instruments have been developed for both linear and angular measurement. Slip-gauges form the stand­ard for all our measurement at Swinburne. Our gauges are steel blocks having accurately ground and lapped faces; they can be "wrung" together to form any desired length, which can then be used to set instruments used for purposes of comparison. A n optical dividing head, which can measure angles to one-300th of a degree, and a "mikrokator" comparator, on which lengths can be compared to an accuracy of one-10,000th of an inch, are important features of College equipment. A recent acquisition is an optical projector which can be used to screen profiles of threads and gauges, mag­nifying them up to 50 times. Temperature variations, leading to inaccuracies in measurement, are kept to a minimum in our labora­tory because there are no external walls, and the air is kept free from dust by an exhaust fan system.

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Thus Swinburne is playing a part in creating the new mechanical age ahead — the age of automation. Its realisation of the necessity for training professional men in the production paths of the future is a further illustration of the service it is rendering the community.

B.J.Mc.

WINTER'S APPROACH

Husks and shrivelled stalks shivering in cold grey rain

shafts of grey rain pattering on a tin roof

falling on the listless ground

falling. ..

Here, where in summer the tall gold grass swooned under the endless blue and the aniseed raised feathery fingers in supplication when all was ashimmer with light and alive with birds' voices

this small patch of ground graced ugly red brick and masked

ancient rotting palings and the yellow tattered sunflower

petals swayed in the heat

seeming summer's self all took on a glamour then

under the sun's gold gaze. Now glamour is turned to greyness an all-pervading bleakness

the lank straw coloured grass shivers under a cold blast of wind All is shrunken, shrivelled, shrinking

from winter's approach. N o w is a time of withdrawal and waiting of waiting amid dry stalks for the sun to come again.

R.D. 80

SWINNY BURNS

Literary Section

COMMERCE AS A MEANS OF CIVILIZATION

There are several ways in which civilisation has been carried from one country to another, and so spread all over the world. One method has been conquest, when a civilised nation, such as the ancient Romans, subdued a barbarous race and introduced the arts of civilisation among them. Another has been due to the desire of establishing some particular religion in foreign countries, which have had zealous missionaries of various religions penetrate, at the risk of their lives, into savage portions, where many of them were killed. Such religious missionaries have brought not only their religion, but also the civilisation of their own countries, to uncivilised people. But one of the most potent factors which is admirable in the spread of civilisation has been commerce.

In ancient times, Egyptian trades probably brought civilisation to Crete and Aegean Islands, where a high form of civilisation flourished 2,000 years before Christ. Probably trade, through the Phoenicians and Syrians carried that civilisation to Greece, and to all lands round the Mediterranean Sea. It was not only Roman arms, but also Roman commerce, that civilised many nations under Roman sway; and later, the military power and commerce of trade brought eastern civilisation to many lands including Europe.

In the previous centuries, it was trade that led the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English to the far East. The opening up of Africa in the 19th century was also due mainly to commerce, represented by merchants, who went to Africa to make money by trading with the natives. Even the entrance of western civilisation into Japan, and the Asian countries, also, was the result of com­merce.

Civilisation, whether it was Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Ro­man, Arabic, or modern European, has no doubt been a blessing to the savage and backward races it has reached. But it has often brought a curse with it, when it has introduced to savages the vices as well as the culture of the more civilised races. And this is the chief evil connected with the spread of civilisation by commerce; for trade does not act from any philanthropic motive, but goes to foreign countries simply to make money.

WISDOM

A broken heart is a sad, sad thing. A broken head is worse,

But a broken purse, m y trusty friend, Is mankind's greatest curse.

—J.E. 81

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AUSTRALIA AND ASIA

It is a universally known fact that a country, no matter how large its territory and how great its population, can never succeed in its aspiration of becoming a potential power of the world if the government of the country isolates itself from the outside world. The fact seems to carry more truth at this time when friendship and mutual co-operation are greatly needed to uphold the spirit of co­existence among neighbouring countries in the light of a possible nuclear war which would certainly annihilate the human race.

In Asia and South-East Asia there are young and old nations whose total populations number more than half of the world's. As there are young and old nations, there are also rich and poor nations. Thus, in order to foster the better understanding among the neighbouring countries many of the rich countries have gone to the rescue of the poor under the name of foreign economic aid.

Australia is geographically linked with Asia because of its situation at the corner of South-East Asia. Therefore, she auto­matically becomes a great neighbour and friend of those Asian countries. Being a prosperous country, she does not require any foreign economic help. O n the contrary she helps to finance the Colombo Plan. But, as has been pointed out previously, a country cannot survive by itself. It is more or less indispensable to its neighbours socially, politically and economically.

Since the last World War Japan has been one of the biggest customers in the Australian wool market. China was once a constant buyer of Australian food and machinery, but the embargo imposed by the United States of America has discontinued the trade. There are many more countries in this part of the world which buy a tremendous amount of Australian goods every year. At the same time Australia must sell all her surplus goods in order to pay those hundreds and thousands of workers in the factories.

Asian people are very grateful to Australia because of the privileges she has given to them under the Colombo Plan. Many hundreds of students have been sent to this country, at the expense of the Australian Government, to be trained in the colleges and universities, so that when these students return home they will be able to help in the development of their respective countries.

Again the Asian people are very grateful to the Australian Government for the military aid given in time of war. They are deeply sorry for those soldiers who lost their lives in both the

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Second World W a r and the Korean War. Approximately two years ago a few thousand Australian soldiers were sent to Malaya to help the British Government suppress the Communist uprising there. As there were already about four hundred thousand armed forces, com­prising British and Fijian troops and the Malayan police force, the arrival of the Australian soldiers seemed to be unnecessary. Surely 400,000 armed forces were more than sufficient to overcome those few hundred insurgents in the jungle. The people of Malaya would have been more grateful to the Australian Government had it sent foods instead of troops to Malaya. Moreover, the guerilla war fought in Malaya was on a comparatively small scale and certainly the people would appreciate the gift more if it was in the form of flour rather than gun-powder.

One of the main obstacles that stands in the way of promoting better understanding between Australia and Asia is the White Aus­tralia Policy. It is true that people living in Asian countries are "coloured people" and it is also true that they are slow in standards of civilisation in the eyes of the Western people. But if they are offered the same opportunities they can be as good and successful as any other people. The Australian Government sent its troops to Malaya because if that country came under Communist domination the safety of Australia would be threatened. In a way the Govern­ment was wise to try to prevent Communism from spreading in Malaya. But apparently, it did not think that Communism would also spread in Indonesia, India, China and Japan. Thus it seems the Australian Government has made a great mistake in barring the people of these countries from the Australian shores. Under slum and poor conditions Communism spreads quickly and easily. Thus China has to give way to Communism because of its large popula­tion of peasants. In this huge continent of Australia there are still thousands and thousands of acres of vacant land waiting cultivation. If the Government will open the door to these people it will not only save the people from poverty but also free them from Com­munist domination. Lately it has been gratifying to know that some broad-minded Australian politicians are suggesting the introduction of a quota system of Asian migration to Australia. It is to be hoped, then, this suggestion will arouse the interest of the Federal Ministers in Can­berra. Furthermore, it is to be hoped that the White Australia Policy will eventually be abolished, thus paving the way to further strengthen the social, political and economic ties between Australia and Asia.

K.

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CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN SINGAPORE

A brief introduction is necessary for the understanding of the constitution of Singapore today.

The Colony of Singapore as it stands now consists of an island off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It has an area of 224.5 square miles and a population of 1.2 millions of many nation­alities, the majority of which are Chinese. Singapore owes much of its wealth and continued prosperity to its local position in South-East Asia, on the international sea and air routes. Its position and its deep-water harbour have enabled it to become the largest port in South-East Asia, the national outlet for the products of the Malay Peninsula, and one of the world's greater commercial.centres. It is also an important naval and air base in time of war.

Since Sir Standford Raffles established a trading station in Singapore in 1819, Singapore has either directly or indirectly been included as a territory of Britain, except for the years 1942-45, when it was conquered by the Japanese.

In 1946, Singapore was made a separate colony from her former sisters Malacca and Penang as the Straits Settlement. Since then Singapore has made progress towards independence despite the complications inevitable in a society composed of many racial groups. From April, 1955, its council of Ministers, which is responsible for government policy in all fields, except external affairs, internal secur­ity and defence, has been mainly composed of elected members of the legislature of w h o m one is the Chief Minister. The governor of the territory is now in general required to act, under the constitution on the advice of the Chief Minister, except on matters concerned with the assembling and dissolution of the Legislative Assembly. It is clear that the constitution introduced in 1955 has given the people of Singapore a large measure of control over their own affairs. However, a further constitutional development was sought the follow­ing year in London between the U.K. Government and a representa­tive delegation from Singapore in the light of a year's working of the new constitution. The delegation which came from Singapore to the conference in London in April, 1956, represented all parties in the Legislative Assembly and was headed by Mr. Marshall, the Chief Minister. The conference failed to reach final agreement on the form of con­stitution which would satisfy the aspirations of the people, and at the same time take proper account both of Singapore's importance in the defence system of the so-called free world and of the vulner­ability of its mercantile and political life. During the talks in the 1956 conference between the U.K. Secretary of State of the Colonies,

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Mr. Lennox Boyd, and the Chief Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lim, it was agreed to hold another constitutional conference in London to begin on 11th March, 1957.

Mr. Lim and Mr. Lennox Boyd then signed the agreed report of the negotiations for constitutional change. The report set out the prin­ciples of Singapore's new self-government, but left external defence and the conduct of foreign relations in the hands of the British Government, this arrangement being the same as before.

In short, Singapore is to have virtual control of trade and cultural relations, but obviously there has to be some method of consultation on borderline issues. A council is about to be set up to deal with external defence and high level foreign policy. Its composition is not yet known. It is believed that the Federation of Malaya has declined to be represented on this council, not wishing to be too closely involved in the affairs of Singapore.

On citizenship there is agreement for the creation of a Singa­pore Citizenship open to aliens who have to live in the colony for a continuous period of not less than ten years. They will be required to take an oath of allegiance to the constitution of Singapore and to renounce any nationality they may be entitled to outside Singapore.

K.Y.T.

*

MY POEM

We were hounded, we were hunted, And we groaned, and then we grunted. W e were threatened if we couldn't Write an article, or wouldn't. That a man of high upstanding W h o to us these threats was handing Would write a piece or two About the students old or new. That would not be very pleasing But I hope that he was teasing. But just in case he meant it I've written this and sent it In the hope that he'll forget That most unpleasant threat.

A.M.

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WESTERN MUSIC IN ASIA

Western music is enjoyed by the people in Asia, be it a classical or hit tune. Western music circulates in the air in amusement parks, restaurants, cafes and dance halls. But it is necessary to mention here that not all Western music listeners are English-educated people.

In the well-off families a good collection of Western music records may be found. It is not surprising that they keep sets of soprano records in their treasures. They often know the names and history of great composers by heart and can play a piano with ease.

The host of a party often has to supply Western music when guests of different nationalities are invited. The non-vocal records are chosen to suit every one as the guests may not be able to under­stand the words, although they like fashionable music.

Western music is frequently introduced by the musical pictures, which are so well loved by the picture-goers. W h e n a hit tune is recorded it is often first introduced by the radio stations, which put it on one of the weekly or monthly programmes. Then the listeners will rush to the record sellers who have to take orders. As a result of this selling, the buyers will have to wait for two or three weeks before the records they ordered are available.

Classical music and sopranos also find a great number of lis­teners, too, in the cities. In fact, they are always played and heard in the theatre with luxurious seats and in a solemn and appreciated manner, and by those so-called high-class people. But on the whole, it is not so frequently heard by a passer-by as the top tunes.

When a top tune is on sale, those English educated people may be able to appreciate it. But others find the rhythm so pleasant on the ears that the piece is often translated into local tunes which can be understood and sung. This is done by the singers in the revues who earn their living by using their voices.

On the other hand, there are Western tunes translated from Asian hit songs, such as the top tune "Rose, Rose I Love You," which is a Chinese song, the "Malayan Moon," a Malay song, and the "Moon Above Malaya," which originated from a Japanese tune. All these have gained a degree of popularity in the world of music. In the translation of Western music, the music notes are occasionally altered.

A top tune is always replaced by another new composition. As soon as new music is created the old one is miserably deserted and never heard of from then on, except occasionally the radio stations play it in the musical guest programme.

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In the dance halls Western music is supplied by a small group of either part-time or full time musicians. These musicians are skilful in entertaining the customers by their abilities in both the Western and Eastern music, according to the wish of the customers.

In the advertising of some of the well established firms, such as the Ovaltine Company, Western music is played to attract public attention. One will often hear music issuing from a moving canteen in the streets as food is being sold to the public.

Western music is so popular in the East that most of the people are able to hum a tune or two. It is regarded as a fanciful amuse­ment in the interval of their laborious hours. Western music is no unfamiliar sound to the ears of Asians, although they may be com­pletely ignorant of modern music.

T.S.M.

-K

THE CIRCUS

The circus, the circus, Oh, how I love the circus!

It is so bright and gay And cheerful in every way.

The roundabouts and swings, And monkeys which are funny things,

The clowns with their false frowns Make you laugh until you cry,

The girls with gorgeous gowns Make you sigh as they whirl by,

The people on the trapeze Fly through the air with greatest ease,

The circus, the circus, Oh, how I love the circus!

C.C.

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SURF CLUBS

The main objective of surf life saving clubs is to prevent loss

of life on surf beaches. From the first of November until the

thirtieth of April each year, the main surf beaches in Victoria are

patrolled by members of the respective surf clubs. In this movement,

all services are given voluntarily, and the majority of the members

have to travel long distances to do their duties.

Taking the Portsea Club as an example, the active membership

of which is approximately forty-eight, members are obliged to make

themselves available on at least five week-ends throughout the season.

In addition to this, a member must consider himself on patrol when­

ever he is present on the beach, but in this case he is required only

in cases of emergency. The patrol consists of seven members, five

of w h o m are on beach duty. These five are beltmen, three linesmen,

one of w h o m is a resuscitator, and a reelman. The duty of the belt-

man is to tow the line out and retrieve the patient. The duties of the

linesmen are to pay out the line and also to pull it back in again after

the beltman has reached the patient. One linesman also administers

resuscitation if necessary. The reelman has to make sure the line

is not tangled as it is pulled out, and to wind it back on the drum

as the patient is hauled in. One of the remaining members of the

patrol has to be on duty to make sure swimmers bathe in the correct

places and to advise the patrol if bathers are seen in difficulties. This

member has the use of a public address system, and is in com­

munication with the beach patrol via field telephone. The remaining

patrol member is a shark lookout, and he is also in telephonic com­

munication with the public address attendant.

Surf carnivals were initiated to make members keen and to

receive vital training for the actual life saving work. A secondary

reason for having these is to raise funds which are necessary for

the continuation of an organisation of this type. At the carnival,

the blue ribbon event is the Rescue and Resuscitation Event. Each

team submitted for this event consists of six members, these being

beltman, patient, three linesmen, one of w h o m is the resuscitator,

and a reelman. Each member of the team must be proficient in all

six positions, as each position is balloted for during the competition, and no member knows beforehand which position he will be asked

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to take. A points system is used and this brings out the most pro­ficient overall team. Other events include surf board, boat and ski events which encourage the use of these as life saving equipment. There are also belt and plain surf races. Beach events are designed to make members efficient on the sand, and to move quickly in cases of emergency.

At the beginning of the 1957 season Australian life savers had saved over 98,000 lives. Of these, 583 had been saved in Victoria since January, 1947. Furthermore, in seven years, over 185 lives have been saved on one particular beach. This was the Portsea surf beach, which is regarded as the most dangerous in Victoria.

J.R.

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YACHTING

During the summer week-ends, if you go to Sandringham you see many yachts with their red, orange and white sails skimming along the blue water in the glittering sunshine. To have the spray splashing on to the deck, and the sail taut above you, is one of the many pleasures experienced in sailing, either when racing or just sailing leisurely.

Down at Sandringham there is the Victorian Ladies' Yacht Club, and also the Sandringham Yacht Club, where many yachts, both big and small, are kept throughout the year. In summer they are used for competitive races and for pleasure, whilst in the winter they are brought ashore, painted and every preparation made for the next season.

The Victorian Ladies' Yacht Club, although comparatively young, now has a membership of over a hundred, and already owns six Sabots and Moths. Races are held each week-end, but up to date only Sabots compete owing to the shortage of V.J.'s and Moths. After the serious sailing the yachts go out and indulge in light-hearted fun — water fights are the order of the day. Frequently at this time the boats "bottle," much to the amusement of their opponents, but there is always someone there to lend a hand and come to the rescue. The end of the racing is not the end of the day for a true yachts­woman and her crew, for they must bring the boat to the club-house, thoroughly hose it down, and stow the boat away, sails and mast, ready for the next outing.

The club-house consists of four sections, namely: the members' room, which is upstairs, and from the window there is a splendid view of the surrounding bay and suburbs; a room downstairs is used for table-tennis, and for housing the masts, lockers and a few of the boats, together with other pieces of yachting equipment; there is also a shower-room and boat shed.

During the winter months there is very little sailing, so most of the members set to work to either paint their own boats, the club's sabots, or the club-house, and do any minor repairs that may be necessary to either the boats or club-house. Throughout the year there are social functions, which include dances, picture nights, and picnics. Meetings are held every few months to admit new members and to discuss coming events.

Each season more women are becoming interested in yachting and maybe it will not be long before they will be competing against the men in important races such as the Sydney-Hobart race.

H.P.

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SAXOPHONES

Numerous musical instruments have been devised in the history of man and many have given out lovely music. The beauty of an organ, the quality of a harp, the purity of a unique violin, the rhythmic beat of drums and even the vicious clash of symbols are well known. All of these have captivated, at one period or another, the imagination of certain people.

There is, however, another class of instrument, one not so widely known. These are spoken of in secret only, by small bands of fana­tics who have a peculiar "shop talk" all their own.

This secret class has a social scale, and right at the bottom of it, in the darkness of iniquity it lies — the saxophone.

This is a bright, shiny monster about three feet long with a large end like a trumpet, gradually tapering to a narrow orifice at the other, over which is placed a reed — to produce that haunting, yowling music which saxophonists love. Along this length are drilled numerous holes, which are covered by stops or valves, actu­ated by finger keys.

This sounds very simple; obviously all that must be done is to blow into the reed, touch the right keys and out comes a tune.

That is what I thought, when, one night at about midnight, as I trudged to our front door, I heard terrific squawls and yowls from our house. I walked in, and there happily puffing away at a saxophone was my brother Fred, normally quite sane.

Fred continued to make weird noises and he was having the time of his life as he listened with a gleam in his eyes to the noise he was making. He seemed to be playing a scale, but what a scale! Run up three notes then a pause, a gasp for breath, a puff, and out would come a weird note not found in the scale.

Curiosity finally overcoming me, I said, tentatively, "Fred, is that a scale," and he said, "All right, so it isn't yet, but after I've practised a few more nights it will be."

As I struggled vainly to sleep, what he had said suddenly hit me, "... a few more nights' practice." This made me sit up and take notice; surely there were not going to be repeats of this mid­night revelry. "Fred, you're not going to do this any more; I won't let you." "Oh, Pete, listen to it, it's wonderful; no other instrument like it." How right he was!

With great persuasion, I listened to him play, falteringly at first, but gradually improving until after three days and nights he could play reasonably Well.

I observed that it hit the high notes very well, though the tone was a bit raucous. The middle range sounded quite mellow, and

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the bass was very good, with a sound deep and booming — maybe a bit better than m y piano.

I tried it myself and found out immediately a few things; firstly you can't just blow. The instrument was devised with dia­bolical cunning just to defeat me, so grimly I persevered despite the fact that periodically the instrument played the wrong note and made a horrible wail.

Secondly, you just can't play anytime. The instrument must be in the right mood and the temperature just right or it won't play. You must pick the right time, or no music.

The music is quite agreeable and it won't play too often to bore you.

It's a funny thing, but the saxophone sits nicely in your hand, the reed feels at home as you blow into it and it's a triumph to play difficult music and hear the trills and cadences come out with power, and booming notes. Perhaps it isn't raucous on those beauti­ful high notes, as I thought it was at first; at least it's superb com­pared with the hideousness of some instruments that I know.

Listen to organs, harps, violins, drums and cymbals, all ghastly instruments. They always work; they sound too common and not comparable with a saxophone, which is a beautiful instrument. I am now a saxophonist.

P.M.

*

DAWN

I wandered in the garden, Just at the break of day;

When the sun was tinting softly The flowers and the hay.

It seemed like a fairy fancy, And it would not cause surprise

To see some elves a-dancing, And their gossamer wings arise.

Then all my dreams were banished, And the hay looks just like hay,

And not like a pinky shadow, As it did at the dawn of the day.

F.S.

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MOTORING EXPERIENCES

I feel fully qualified to write on this subject because I have just spent fully fifteen minutes at the controls of a car. The fact that it remained stationary throughout the whole journey seemed to increase m y confidence. Before the great journey, I spent many hours studying the theoretical side of this fascinating occupation.

The first thing that seemed evident was to obtain an automobile upon which to exercise this knowledge. As I explored the city streets, the vision of a nice sleek, shiny new car became fainter and fainter, until finally I came to the conclusion that it would be neces­sary to use an older model as these seemed to be the only ones that I seemed to be able to enter without a key. At last I selected one that I would use: it was a lovely job, not more than fifty years old. I did not like the monocle in the front, but as this was only a minor detail, I did not worry much about it. After much puffing and panting, I finally managed to reach the driver's seat.

Then I proceeded to take out m y book of instructions. First the book said to "swing" the engine with the starting handle. After much hard labour, I decided that the engine was firmly bolted down, and that the starting handle would not be strong enough anyway. Then I climbed back to the seat and referred to the instructions again, which said to "throw the clutch." After much pulling and tugging, I decided to leave it where it was.

The book then said to select a gear. I selected the fourth gear, and proceeded to engage it — a few bangs and a few kicks and it was in gear. The book then said to release the brake. With one mighty heave it gave way, and I gently placed it on the back seat. Then the book said, "swing the steering wheel towards the road." N o w this was more stubborn than the brake, but eventually it gave way. Unfortunately I swung it too high, and it got caught in the electric light wires.

Then I looked up and noticed someone coming down the street. This, I presumed, was the owner of this so-called automobile that would not move, except backwards into the car behind. I quickly abandoned the contrivance and ran off up the street. Before I raced around the corner, I looked back over m y shoulder and just got a glimpse of the old lady leaning her crutches against the car and then surveying the damage. That night I dreamt that I was driving nails — not automobiles.

A.L.

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CYCLING FOR PLEASURE

When cycling is mentioned in a conversation, our immediate thoughts are of racing, either track or road. Rarely is it ever thought of purely as a sport to offer mental relaxation and physical pleasure to the rider. The following notes are based on m y own personal experiences of non-competitive cycling.

A lightweight racing bicycle is the most suitable for cycling any appreciable distance. Gears are essential for easy negotiation of the many and various grades our highways follow. Some country roads are of a rough nature and care must be taken of the wheels and other delicate mechanisms of the bicycle. Installation of two brakes is a safe precaution as the cables can never be completely relied upon. Mudguards are superfluous and only clutter the bike unnecessarily. Any m u d which collects beneath these guards hinders the motion of the wheels. For night riding, portable battery lamps are suitable as they may be detached when not in use.

Cycling for pleasure does not entail the need for crash helmets and other essential equipment of the racing cyclist; it calls simply for clothing to suit only the weather and the comfort of the rider. Shorts are preferable to slacks. A close fitting T-shirt is the safest as it helps to prevent the wind reaching your sweating arm pits. Sun glasses help to protect the eyes from grit as well as the sun. A short rain jacket is a suitable attirement for wet weather. A light haversack with comfortable shoulder straps is useful for carrying accessories.

M y friend and I have enjoyed many rides together, expending our energy in a way pleasant to us both. During these rides we have had a great deal of enjoyment because of the cycling and the splendour of seeing much beautiful scenery. As we live at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges, the shorter rides take us over Melbourne's scenic showplace. W e do not mind cycling up the mountains, be­cause it is a great thrill coming down again. Anything can happen on these trips. I have lost a headlamp which jumped off to roll under a passing truck. A chain chose an embarrassing moment to come off as we passed a group of hikers. O n occasions punctures have to be mended with adhesive tape and parts held together by wire. All the time something is happening, and the cold war be­tween the motorist and ourselves is always being waged.

Our largest and most exhausting trip was the 132 mile venture from Rochester to Ringwood. (Not to be recommended to the be­ginners) . Rochester is eighteen miles from Echuca, on the Campaspe River. I was visiting m y friend there during the Christmas to New

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Year holidays last year and sent m y bike up by train. Our New Year's Eve celebrations extended till half past one the following morning. W e were up at five-thirty the same morning, had break­fast, and ventured on to the highway. Elmore was our first port of call. It took ages to get there, a strong south wind blocking any rapid advancement. The country was perfectly flat, and the only interesting factors were the many varieties of birds we saw. Pro­gress became slower. W e were tired and weary with only thirty miles behind us, now stopping every few miles to attend to m y friend's back tyre which had a slow leak in it. Heathcote was reached, and I showed great displeasure at the squashed fruit in m y haversack. W e struggled on and still further on, trying to hitch a ride from the few trucks that passed. The drivers laughed and roared on their merry way. The H u m e Highway and Kilmore were reached by two o'clock. W e sank a huge meal, rested a bit, and rode on over Pretty Sally Hill. After this obstacle was conquered we wound ourselves up and never stopped till we reached Melbourne. M y friend had a flask of fruit juice for refreshment; I had some lemons. N o w we were reaching home territory — Heidelberg, Doncaster, Mit-cham. W e finished with a great spurt, using energy we did not seem to have had before. Dismounting, we could still feel the bicycle seat punishing us after thirteen hours on the road. W e were both very proud of this achievement, but have not really recovered yet. J.C.

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THE MURDERER STRIKES AGAIN

The time was twelve o'clock sharp, and murder was afoot. The

net of death was spread. The merciless killer was well hidden in

a corner waiting for his victim. He was ugly, well-built, strong,

ruthless and dark in complexion. He waited there firm and motion­

less as rock'n'roll music was playing so loudly nearby. H e was no

amateur killer and he meant business. H e was not shivering or

perspiring as most other killers whilst waiting for his victim. Not

a muscle twitched as he watched, watched, watched cold-bloodedly

his approaching victim.

The victim was approaching directly towards him. Not realis­

ing the danger that lay ahead of her, she ventured closer and closer

to possible death. The killer surveyed her every movement and

patiently waited for the precise moment to strike.

Curious at the scene of the surroundings she looked. The

moment she set foot in this region the killer pounced on her. She

was dumb-stricken and paralysed. She had never dreamt of meet­

ing a killer in broad daylight, and she was indeed in a very desper­

ate situation. The sight of this monster terrified the life out of her. He was on her before she could regain her senses. His long, hairy

and massive arms were already round her delicate rhythmic pattern

of curves. Recovering her senses, she struggled with her adversary

with all the strength she had left in her. She bit and kicked, as it

was a struggle for her life. The killer was bigger and many times

stronger, so he easily overpowered her. The massive hairy arms

clamped, and she found difficulty in breathing. Then suddenly

she was dead. A cold-blooded murder had been committed and there

was not a single person to witness the crime. Not even the long

arm of the Law could track this murderer down, and this merciless brute had got away with many murders. W h o says that crime does

not pay? She struggled no more and the killer released his hold and

dragged her away.

Thus the ingenious spider had secured another idiotic fly for his midday meal.

L.Y.

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A TRUE GHOST STORY

Like most people, I have always been very fond of listening to ghost stories. They send the creeps down, down your spine, and set your hair on end. However, I did not believe that such weird things really existed. I always thought that it was just the imagina­tion of those unfortunate people that had run wild. Most of you will agree with m y reasoning at that time as it represented the general opinion. To you I say, "Hold on." The day may come when you will think otherwise, just as it came to me.

It happened during my last year at school. As we had excep­tionally good results that year, we decided to celebrate our good for­tune with a picnic to Port Dickson, which is one of Malaya's seaside resorts. W e managed to obtain the use of a bungalow situated up a hill, surrounded by rubber plantations. W e got there sometime in the afternoon and in the excitement and eagerness to get to the beach, no one bothered to inspect the house. W e got back to the bungalow late in the evening and, being too tired to cook, we decided to take our dinner in the town a mile away. W e were returning quite late and it was very dark. As we approached the bungalow, to our astonishment it was not to be seen. It had not vanished but was just hidden behind the trees. W e had a hard time getting to it as there was only a narrow footpath. W e were well smothered in mud by the time we got in. It was then we got the second shock of the day: there were no electric lights in the house and we had to be content with one small kerosene lamp. There being two large bed-rooms, the thirty of us divided up and arranged our mats on the floor and lay down to rest after a very tedious day. There was only one bed in the room I was in, and everybody rushed for it. Later I thanked m y stars that I was not fast enough to get it. Before we fell asleep, we had been chatting for quite some time and now sleep was gradually getting the better of a few and snores could be heard. It was about 11.45 p.m. when we heard the first strange sound. It was a mixture of cackling and hooting which came from the distance. A few bright sparks com­mented that it was some sort of night-bird. The sound gradually seemed to draw nearer and nearer and it was then we all started to get concerned. Most of us were awake but kept silent, probably through fear. Nearer still it approached till it seemed to come from a tree close by the room. It was then that I threw m y blanket over m y head. M y hair was on end and I felt a strange unearthly atmos­phere. Then everything happened in a split second. I heard the sound approaching our room. There was a shuffle of footsteps and as I threw m y blanket off and jumped to m y feet to follow m y com­panions out the door, I saw a ball of light bobbing about in the

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room. I stumbled, knocked against trees, fell, got up again and started running again till I reached the main road with the rest of the group.

We did not dare return to the bungalow so we spent the night on the beach. W e shivered with the cold breeze and with shock. Next morning we returned and found the house in order, just as we had left it. W e made inquiries of a Malay fisherman living nearby who told us that the house was haunted. He brought us to the room and pointed at an old dilapidated rope hanging from the ceiling above the bed. The former owner of the house had been suffering from an incurable disease and in despair had hung himself. Ever since then his spirit has haunted the house. Yes, it definitely was not imagination playing tricks — all of us saw the same thing. Many boys got quite sick from the shock; the picnic was cut short and we returned home immediately.

This experience will never be blotted out of my mind. For many, seeing is believing. Well, I have seen and I believe. Now, your turn may come! Be mindful of dark alleys and corners for you can never tell when it will be! And, when it comes you, like me, will hope that it will never happen again.

A.F.B.S.

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NIGHT IN A HAUNTED HOUSE

The sun was sinking slowly behind the rolling horizons of the French countryside as I picked m y way through the hedges and across the soft green fields. Fiery red fingers of light crept across the sky, reflecting down on the distant tree-tops, and, further still, transforming the old brown hills with a soft, unearthly red light.

I saw the old farmhouse as I reached the top of a pebbly path which meandered up a slight hill. It was not far away down in a tiny valley surrounded by a few drooping trees. I wandered down the hill towards it, whistling, for I was in high spirits after an especially satisfying day. As I came closer I could see that it was deserted. With a sagging roof and drooping doors, its walls were supported by rotten timbers. It had the sort of atmosphere about it that goes with an abandoned gold mine. But at that time it seemed any thing but frightening to me, because I stepped across the decaying door step and pushed m y way inside.

The rooms were large with hollow wooden floors and high cracked ceilings. However, I decided to stop the night there as I had not slept under a real roof for a couple of weeks. Night was stealthily creeping in, so I lit the lantern. I found a dilapidated old couch in a corner, brushed some of the dust from it and laid my sleeping bag on it. After blowing out the lantern, I settled down for a good night's sleep. Everything was hushed with a deathly silence. I could not hear myself breathing. The air was strained and tense. I lay there, scarcely breathing, afraid to move, for some reason which I did not know. I tried to shut m y eyes but they mechanically sprang open again. I became aware of a noise some­where in the gloomy background. It was not an ordinary noise, not a creak or a rattle but a different, unearthly sound, the sort that you cannot put your finger on. I lay there, tensed up, too frightened to toss and turn. Huge shadows loomed on the walls. Shafts of diffused moonlight filtered through the grey cobwebs on to the floor, which was a vast void of shadows and shapes. The ceiling stretched miles above me, up into the black unknown. The noise started again. This time it was in a rhythmic pattern. I worked it out subcon­sciously. I knew just when the next one would split m y nerves. I found myself waiting for it, waiting tensely for it to explode like a bomb and smash m y feverish brain into a thousand fragments. It was like being in another world in a horrible, never ending night­mare.

I crept out of that house, at the long awaited cold, grey dawn. As I stumbled, bleary eyed, across the grey fields all I wanted to do was to get away as far as I could from the horrible fears of the black, forbidding house.

J.W. 99

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MELBOURNE WEATHER

As I was born in a tropical country, it is obvious that I am not used to Melbourne weather. Geographically, Melbourne is in the Temperate Zone. Moreover, the situation of Melbourne seems to make its weather tend to resemble that of Mediterranean countries. Thus I can quite justify myself by saying that the weather here is not suitable for me. Nevertheless, I hope I can become used to it, and whether or not I can succeed remains to be seen.

Melbourne weather is unpredictable even if we can predict other things. The weather bureau here, which I consider as quite an efficient and accurate one, cannot give a prediction more than approximately accurate. The weather forecast over the wireless is not a hundred per cent, reliable, though it sounds perfect. The fore­cast of a fine day may turn out to be a mistake, if not a falsehood, as the day may be rainy or even stormy. So people's coats are dry, and the human bodies are soaked with water. From whom can one claim the compensation? One is just unfortunate if one happens to go out on that day. The certain change of weather from fine to rainy, from warm to cold, is undoubtedly a nuisance, yet you should be pleased if you do not catch a cold. You are just lucky.

As the Bureau forecast is not reliable, one's judgment and self-confidence play an important part in deciding one's going out with or without taking a pull-over or a raincoat. As to my personal experience, the decision is always a difficult one. The sky is cloudy; it must be a rainy day. The decision is reached and I take my raincoat along. However, as soon as I go out, the sky, once cloudy and gloomy, now is clear and bright. I may wish it to be a rainy day so that I can be satisfied with my judgment. In spite of this, I may find myself left in a totally ridiculous state with a raincoat in my hand whereas the day is more sunny than ever before. Either I have misjudged the weather, or else I have no confidence in my judgment. Thus one can see how significant it is to be able instinctively to foresee Melbourne weather. On the other hand, if my decision proves to be an appropriate one, I feel a sense of triumph rather than a mere satisfaction. Some people like Melbourne weather but some do not. Thus it is very hard, if not impossible, to say that Melbourne weather is bad. I do not allow myself to conclude that it is either bad or good. As long as I am in this city, I will face the weather problem. Naturally, I may be soaked with water on a rainy day; I may be carrying my raincoat on a sunny day also. The weather does not cheer me greatly, neither it does depress me greatly. Let it be so.

T.S.K.

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SKIPPING RHYMES

When the first signs of spring appear, the legato movement of the see-saw and the swaying rhythm of the swing are once again seen and felt. But it is the skipping rope, not the see-saw or the swing, which dominates all play. When the buds burst open on the branches, children's senses quicken and their feet become light and airy. The whole pattern of life becomes filled with the sound of the rope, and the children's feet tapping the earth in a dance of awakening.

The skipping craze may continue throughout summer and even into autumn, but it is in spring that it is most intense. Boys tend to use skipping as a test of skill, trying to pass the rope as many times as possible without interruption, but few can resist joining in, singing the old rhymes, and enjoying the sensory pleasures derived from its movements.

Although skipping rhymes have undergone many changes, through being passed on from one generation to another, their outlines remain, although changed slightly to suit the times. The metrical standard line has always remained the same even though the words have changed over the years. Because of the continuous nature of skipping itself, the rhymes often become tagged on to each other forming a continuous movement.

Many of the rhymes follow the Salt, Mustard, Vinegar, Pepper, or Tinker, Tailor formula, while others describe the actions of the skipper. In the following two children hold the rope and another skips in time to their chanting.

Early in the morning at eight o'clock You shall hear the postman's knock. Post-boy, post-boy, drop your letter Lady, lady, pick it up.

Teddybear, teddybear, touch the ground; Teddybear, teddybear, turn around; Teddybear, teddybear, show your shoe; Teddybear, teddybear, that will do.

Teddybear, teddybear, run upstairs; Teddybear, teddybear, say your prayers; Teddybear, teddybear, blow out the light; Teddybear, teddybear, say good-night.

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In others, like —

All in together This fine weather —

two children hold the rope, while a number of children enter it. Skipping games in which a single skipper performs various actions are very popular amongst children, such as the following:

I am a girl guide dressed in blue, These are the actions I must do: Bow to the King and bow to the Queen, Stand at ease and bend m y knees.

In some rhymes, like "Fly away Peter," one child enters the rope and by using appropriate phrases like: "Come back Peter," "Out goes she," and "You're out," commands another child to enter the rope while he or she vacates it. The rhyme "I call in my very best friend" is an example of a single skipper calling in another to join him. The obsession with letters of the alphabet and numerals, lists of nouns and place-names, recitation of numbers and words, letter by letter, is apparent in many rhymes. These are often closely identified with the school-life of the child. Examples of a number of these obsessions are contained in the following rhyme:

Q. Will he marry me? A. Yes, no, yes, no. Q. What will you go to the wedding in ? A. Wheelbarrow, motor-car, dust-cart, etc. Q. What kind of dress will you wear? A. Silk, satin, cotton, rags. Q. What kind of house will you live in? A. Wooden house, brick house, etc. Q. H o w many children will you have? A. One, two, three, four, five (until the skipper stops), etc.

What it is that makes children revive skipping year after year is hard to say, but we do know that when spring first appears the children will once again uncoil their ropes and relive the mysterious pleasures of skipping.

R.R.

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NIGHT AT THE BALLET

On the 22nd June my escort and I were lucky enough to have tickets for the final night of the Margot Fonteyn, Michael Somes ballet. These stars, with the New Zealand pair, Rowena Jackson and Brian Ashbridge, were appearing as guests of the Borovansky Ballet Company, who were to continue their season here after the stars had returned to England. But you must be wondering how we were lucky enough to get the tickets in the first place.

It all started out by father getting up at four one Tuesday morn­ing, the day the bookings for the Ballet opened, and getting for my escort and m e the very last tickets for the evening sessions!

Saturday night came and I dressed in all my finery. We left early for the theatre so as to get a programme, as we had been warned of the shortage of them. Even though we started out early, I had only time to glance through m y programme a couple of times before the warning bell rang, and the lights began to dim.

The conductor took up his position, amidst applause. An ex­pectant hush flowed through the theatre as the haunting tune of "Les Sylphides" filled the auditorium. The curtain was slowly raised, and once more the familiar ballet unfolded before our eyes. This ballet, as well as "Aurora's Wedding," "Graduation Ball," which we were privileged to see, was performed by the Borovansky Ballet Company, with some exceptions as regards "Aurora's Wedding." "Graduation Ball" was the usual humorous frolic on stage, enjoyed by both the audience and the dancers.

Rowena Jackson and Bryan Ashbridge danced "The Black "Swan" pas de deux from "Swan Lake." These two were brilliant to say the least—combining with each other as though they were one — R o w e n a Jackson crisp and precise in her presentation of the ballet, almost equalling Dame Margot in her technical perfection, but not in beauty of movement.

"Rose Adigo" and pas de deux of "Princess Aurora and Prince Desire"—both excerpts from "Aurora's Wedding"—were danced by Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes. These two difficult roles were presented with such perfection and grace, with Somes' artistic presentation showing off the daintiness of Dame Margot to such an extent as to bring tears to many people's eyes.

The curtain fell to a stunned silence, giving way to exuberant clapping, cheering, and a stamping of feet. Coloured streamers were being thrown on to the stage from the audience, while Dame Margot and Michael Somes made curtain call after curtain call. Coloured

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papers were let down from back stage, giving the effect of roses from a distance.

Finally, Sir Frank Tait, managing director of J. C. Williamson Theatres Ltd., introduced to us Edouard Borovansky, founder and artistic director of the Borovansky Ballet Company, who, in turn, introduced us to D a m e Margot Fonteyn. D a m e Margot spoke to us for about five minutes, thanking everybody concerned with the pro­duction, from wardrobe mistress to the orchestra, and finally us, the audience, for our support of Australian Ballet in general.

We were so thrilled by the whole performance that we waited at the stage door for just one more glimpse of the artists. A n hour later we saw Dame Margot and Michael Somes come out and get into their car. Being in the front row, I managed to say good-bye to Dame Margot: she answered and flashed her well-known smile at me. A n hour worth waiting for another minute of this wonderful personality.

I made my way home with nostalgic memories and a small bottle of perfume given to each of us by the management as a souvenir.

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TELEVISION

One of my girl friends and I were very pleased and excited when one of the head technicians of T V in Melbourne asked us to come to the studio one night to watch one of the very well known and popular variety shows being produced.

W e reached the studio, and on opening the door were greeted by hundreds of glaring lights hanging from the ceiling.

On the floor were wires and two big cameras, called Camera One and Camera Two. They have wheels to go forward or back, for whichever kind of shot is required.

The man who invited us was having his night off, and instead we were taken over by the man that televised the Olympic Games, and w h o m we knew quite well. After the rehearsals and all the items had been timed to make sure that they would not go over their time limit, we were told to follow, and we were rushed up a flight of stairs to the control room.

Only the control men and technicians are allowed in there, but they have a huge glass window through which you can look in at them. Head phones on, and waiting tensely for the pro­gramme to start, sat the technician. On the wall above his head were three T V screens; one gives what is showing on Camera One: and the other what is on Camera Two; and the third what is showing at that time in your homes.

The closer shot is shown on the Camera One screen; then if the producers are satisfied it goes on to the "Now Showing" screen.

There was a young boy playing the banjo, and they put the two screens on at once, showing first only the boy's face; then putting the other camera's scene of his hands playing the banjo over the top. This was most effective.

I have been told that you cannot wear white on T V and the only reason I can think of is that it is too glaring for the screen.

The time went quickly by as the camera crew were given different angles to be taken. When the programme was over we thanked everyone very much for a most enjoyable and interesting time, and left the studios looking forward to many more hours of T V viewing made all the more interesting by our inside information.

L.T.

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MY ANCESTOR

In 1836, my great-great-grandfather, James Harvey, travelled from England to South Australia in the H.M.S. Buffalo, the ship carrying the first Governor and settlers to that State.

As my great-great-grandfather was only fourteen at the time, he was placed in the care of Governor Hindmarsh during the three months' journey. On arrival at Holdfast Bay the travellers disem­barked, and a Proclamation Ceremony was held under a big gum tree. Many of the settlers, including my ancestor, James Harvey, camped near that same gum tree for several weeks, then treked inland with their few belongings.

As each found a spot to suit, they settled down to home building and their new life. Great-great-grandfather built his wattle and daub cottage at a place now known as "The Meadows" — and it still stands today. The chimney is as wide as the cottage and the whole family could sit around the fire in the chimney. The floor was made from chunky pieces of timber, of all shapes and sizes. It is interesting to know that this cottage still stands today in memory of the early pioneers in that part of South Australia.

D.B.

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PREPARATIONS FOR A DOG SHOW

Before a dog show begins, there are endless preparations. In most cases the preparations begin about a week before, but in larger shows, like a Royal Show, work begins about one month before. First the entries are sent in, and the walking and brushing begin.

The dog is bathed a week before the show to give his coat time to harden up again. Then he is brushed regularly twice a day, and walked three or four miles a day. If the white becomes dirty during the week, French chalk, powder or a dry cleaner, can be used to clean it up. The night before the show everything is prepared: dish for water, lead, benching chain and rug, ring numbers and lunch. Then at about eight o'clock the following morning we leave home, ready at last for the show.

D.B.

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REWARD!

A reward will be paid for the capture of Hopalong Capacity who escaped from a Primary Cell late last night. He is armed with a carbon rod and is wanted for the induction of an 18 turn coil which was burnt out just outside the Oscillatory Circuit. If captured he will offer great resistance, which must be neutralised. The Poten­tial Difference between him and other criminals is that he always returns to the screen of oscillation in a complete circuit. The Electro Motive Force has been searching for him for several ampere hours in the surrounding magnetic field, but so far with no result. When last seen he was riding a kilocycle approaching the ten hour rate. Charges against him are under Ohms Law.

R.G.

& iWerrp Cfcrtatmas to all 3l\eabera

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