AGS Magazine December 1959

THE

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 76tb year No. 18 5 (New Series Mtbyear No. 176)

DECEMBER 1959 -

Vol. LXIII

No. 1 - _

The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club twice during the year, in December and June.

The Magazine Committee Rector of the School

.

John Vass Skinner, M.A., sairr., DIP.ED.

General Editor

.

Campbell Connon, M.A., LL.B., 5 8 Dee Street, Aberdeen.

.

Editor of Notes, ObitBrian K. Crookshanks, M.A., LL.B., uary, and Marriages 12 Bon-Accord Square, Aberdeen.

Editor of the School . Alexander Tait, M.A. Section Chairman of the F.P. . G. E. C. Barton, M.A. Club Executive Secretary of the F.P. Club J. Scott MacLachlan, M.A., LL.B., 220 Union Street, Aberdeen.

Advertisements

.

. Frank C. Connon, M.A., LL.B., 11 Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Printed for The Former Pupils' Club at The University Press Aberdeen

•

CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS Some work of School Photopage 3 Skinner, Esq. Facing Vass John graphic Dept. Facing page 68 School Cricket XI, 1959 4 The School Staff—June 1935 „ 69 School Athletic Team, 1959 ., 4 General Section— • Pap 3 . . . . .

Our Ncw Rector . .

The Club's Welcome to our new Rector .

3 4 The Appointment of our Rector—in 1826 . " The School " through French spectacles in 1868 5 6 " The Other Place " (Robert Gordon's College) . .

7 Tibet and its Neighbours—P. J. Diack II Aberdeen Endowments Trust—D. E. D. Connie 15 . . .

Editorship of " The Notes " .

16 . . . .

The late Wm. Donald, M.A. School Section— 17 . . . .

• • School Office-Bearers • i8 .

• • • Our Ncw Rector . . .

• 19 . . . . . .

School and Random Notes 20 • • • . . .

• School Holidays .

21 Lit. & Debating Soc. Dramatic Soc. Schools Scientific Soc. • 22 . . . . . . .

Arts Club. Music .

23 . . .

Photography in Aberdeen Grammar School 25 . . . . . .

Combined Cadet Force . .

26 . . . . . . .

House Notes . .

28 . . . .

Changes in the School Staff .

30 . . . .

Hill Walking Club. Scripture Union . . . . .

Film Soc. Edinburgh Festival 31 . . . . . .

33 Scout Notes . . . . . . . .

34 Photographic Soc. . .

School Sporting Activities— . . . . . . . .

Rugby .

35 36 . . . . . . . .

Hockey . . . . . . .

Cricket .

37 . . . . .

39 Swimming. Badminton . . . .

40 . .

The Sir James Robertson Prize . . . . . .

41 Last Leaf—Andrew Wyllie . . . . . .

42 Vigil—M. G. Henderson . .

42 On First Climbing Beinn a' Ghlo—S. J. Mitchell . . . . .

42 A Harvest Song—C. Farquhar . . . . .

42 Murder at Night—K. Stewart . . . . . . .

43 Goggles Gray—T. Riach . . .

44 The Haunted House—S. Hepburn . . . . .

44 The Bloodthirsty Pirate—G. Angus .

• . . .

44 The C.C.F. and I—A. Taylor . . . . . . .

45 Old Castles—G. A. Robb . . . . . . .

46 No More in Jest .

46 . . . . . . " Babes in the Wood " . . . . . . .

47 A Trip to the Zoo . . . . . . .

48 Lower School . .

Section— Club Pupils' Former . .

49 .

Club Office-Bearers . . .

51 The Annual Dinner .

52 . .

Glasgow Centre .

53 London Centre. Edinburgh Centre .

54 Rugby Section. Cricket Section 56 . . . .

Hockey Section • . .

57 Notes about Old Boys .

61 . . .

University Notes 63 . . . . .

Marriages 65 . . . . .

Obituary 68 . . . .

New Members 69 . .

1935 Staff Photograph • Pt

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4

Our New Rector In promoting Mr. John Vass Skinner to the post of Rector of the Grammar School the Education Committee of the Town Council followed recent practice by appointing a distinguished classical scholar from the west.

A pupil of Clydebank High School, he entered Glasgow University as Sir Walter Scott bursar in 1927 and graduated in 1931 with first class honours in Classics, having collected meantime the Ramsay Prize in Roman History, the Cowan (Blackstone) Medal in Greek and first prize in Junior Honours Arabic! He was awarded the Post-graduate Ewing Fellowship in Classics and did his teacher-training at Jordanhill Training College where he also gained the Diploma in Education with distinction.

From 1932 to 1946 Mr. Skinner turned his qualifications and theoretical training into practice by teaching Classics in various schools, and for the next two years returned to Jordanhill as lecturer in Classics and Methods. From 1949 he was Rector of Alloa Academy, a Senior Secondary School with a Primary Department and a total roll of 8oo pupils.

Learning did not cease with graduation, for in 19f4 Mr. Skinner gained the degree of B.Litt. in German from his Alma Mater. Add to his fluent German a sound knowledge of French and Italian and a moderate acquaintance of Russian, Spanish and the Scandinavian languages and it will be readily seen that our new rector is a real linguist, both ancient and modern. Knowledge of European languages has been backed by European travel, partly in war service from 1940-45 as Captain in the Army Intelligence Corps. Mr. Skinner therefore brings to his post a profound knowledge of people and affairs which is a sound background to the true educator. Furthermore, a keen interest in the affairs of the Dramatic Society is foretold by his membership of the Torch Theatre in Glasgow for several years before and after the war, not only as an acting member but also as stage manager.

Mr. Skinner's talents have been freely given as they have been freely sought, not only by his professional colleagues, but also by the communities in which he has served. From the supreme quality of his qualifications and the intellect underlying them, from the depth and width of his professional service, from the soundness of the nature of his human contacts both at home and abroad, but especially from the acceptable impact he has already made on staff, pupils and parents of the Grammar School, we are convinced that Mr. Skinner is well fitted to take his place as the latest of a long line of distinguished Rectors of the Grammar School. * * * The Club's Welcome to the new Rector Having taken official farewell of Sir James Robertson at the luncheon which preceded the presentation of the portrait in June, the Club Executive thought it appropriate that it should welcome the new 3

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 4 Rector in like fashion. The Executive meeting held on 8 September was therefore preceded by a well attended dinner to Mr. Skinner, the Edinburgh centre being represented by its President, Major Douglas Spark and its Secretary, Mr Allan Frazer.

Mr. Barton, who presided, welcomed Mr. Skinner to his first, somewhat unusual, executive meeting, observing that, following Sir James Robertson's waygoing, there was considerable speculation, not to say trepidation, as to the person on whom the choice of Rectorship would fall, more especially as the Grammar was no ordinary school. Consideration of Mr. Skinner's qualifications, however, showed him to be a person of the highest intellectual quality who had, by dint of considerable post-graduate study, wide teaching experience and contact with men and matters, fitted himself in the fullest possible degree for the post of Rector of the Grammar School.

Observing that " to follow a failure is easier than to follow a success ", the Chairman remarked that we all appreciated the tough job Mr. Skinner would have in following on Sir James's footsteps but he pledged the Club's support for Mr. Skinner in anything concerning " our common pride and interest " and assured him of our confidence in him and in his ability to tackle the problem.

In a brief reply Mr. Skinner admitted that he had quailed at the thought of the task ahead in relation to the size, antiquity and traditions of the Grammar School and he confessed his trepidation at having to follow in the steps of " a giant in the educational circles of our day ".

He was much impressed, however, to find so lively and vigorous a Former Pupils' Association and looked to the Club as a sheet anchor upon which he could count in any difficulties which might arise.

Although the days ahead might not be easy he was confident that the Grammar School had adequate ballast to enable it to ride out any storm effectively. * * * The appointment of our Rector—in 1826 !

James Cromar, who had been Rector for zz years, died on loth November, 182 , and the Magistrates and Town Council of Aberdeen, who were then responsible for the management of the School, determined to fill the vacant office by a comparative trial and examination of such candidates as might come forward. According to an account which appeared in the Aberdeen Journal of z6th April, 1816, " James Melvin, one of the present masters of the School and two young gentlemen from the west country appeared for examination."

This continued for three days " and was carried on with a degree of strictness well calculated to draw forth the talents and classical attainments of the competitors. The exercises proposed were various; and comprised reading of passages from the Latin Classics, both poetry and prose, which the candidates were required to translate, construe, and analyse; answering as they went along such critical and other questions as the passages suggested: passages in English prose were also translated into Latin; and the knowledge of the candidates in

JOHN VASS SKINNER, Esq.

Our New Rector

School Cricket XI, 1959

Bath Row Mr. A. L. Stevenson, B. A. I lendersun, A. I. Soppitt, M. B. Edwards, E. D. B. Bain, D. R. Auld, I. P. Souter, E. Lorimer (Scorer).

Front Row—J. Leiper, P. A. Walker (Vice-Captain), H. M. Aird (Captain), A. J. Simpson, T. Morrison.

School Athletic Team, 1958-59

Back Row— A. NI. Draper, P. G. Henderson, W. Hird, M. G. King, F. N. McKenzie, A. N. Collie.

Middle Row—M. C. Gibson, D. A. Jones, NI. W. R. Gauld, A. W. M. Bews, D. R. Auld, D.

. T. Paul, R. I. L. Smith, E. M. Walker, Mr.F. R. Paterson.

Front Row—C. T. Preshaw, D. A. G. Cameron, T. N. Ducat ( Tice-Captain), W. Stevenson (captain), M. Wood, W. A. Wilson, NI. B. Edwards.

"The School" through French spectacles in 1'868 5 Latin Prosody, and the various kinds of Latin verse ascertained by scanning, and by minute questionary trials. An examination also took place of their knowledge of the elements and grammar of the Greek language, which it is now intended to introduce into the course of study in the two higher classes. The whole of the examinations being completed, the examiners reported to the Town Council their unanimous opinion in favour of Mr. Melvin, who had greatly distinguished himself above the other candidates, and exhibited classical abilities of the very highest order." * * * " The School " through French spectacles in x868 Recently a former pupil Harry Slater, London, drew my attention to a large quarto volume of 664 pages in the clearest French, entitled De Penseignetnent meandaire en Angleterre et en Ecosse, 1868, by Jacques Claude Dcmogcot, and H. Montucci, distinguished graduates in literature and in mathematics respectively. Demogeot (1808-94) was well known for his History of French Literature. These two first class gallic intellectuals were invited by Victor Duruy, Minister of Public Instruction, to visit Great Britain, and to report upon Secondary Education in England and in Scotland in 1866-67. The report on Scotland is the clearest and most penetrating account of religion and of education, made by any foreign visitors. (I found a copy, "Presented to the Library of Aberdeen University by John Struthers M.D., 31st Dec. 1884 ".)

Of the 664 pages, 273 arc concerned with Scotland, where, according to the authors, secondary schools had not yet found an historian. First on the list of courteous headmasters to whom the authors offered their sincere thanks, was " le reverend W. Barrack, M.A., d'Abcrdeen ", upon whose Grammar School the authors reported in chapter 18 of six pages.

They found a municipal school of about 320 pupils, all day boys, ten to fifteen years of age. The new building, 1863, was a graceful example of feudal Scottish style, perched upon a hill (the Den bum being still open), providing excellent conditions of hygiene and of peace. It needed an extensive playing field, not provided by its building grant of £15,000. The Rev. Wm. Barrack, Rector from 186o to 1868 conducted the Frenchmen round the School. Subjects taught were chosen by the parents; apart from an opening reading and prayer, there was no teaching of religion. There were five classes, each consisting of from 5o to 70 boys, all fee-paying. Annually in autumn, there was a competition for the twentysix bursaries, payable at the end of each ensuing session, if conduct and diligence were approved. The bursaries varying in value from £3 to £t6, were tenable for one year only, and subject to competition annually. Until the debt on the new building was paid, the sixty pounds of annual grant for prizes was withheld; in place of prizes, certificates were presented with wonted solemnity. For punishment, pupils were detained after 4 p.m. or on Saturday. " Ou a raremcnt rccours a la tawse. L'expulsion cst naturellemcnt l'ultima ratio." Once a week the teachers met in the hall to discuss in presence of the pupils any questions of discipline, and of suitable reprimands and punishments. Within each class pupils were continuously moving up or down, as they gained or lost places by succeeding or failing to answer; such a system seemed to keep all the pupils wide awake and closely attentive.

The subjects taught in the five classes were: [Here follows in the book itself a detailed list of the subjects for each year].

So equipped, the boys moved on at age fifteen to the University, with no Leaving Certificate or University Preliminary Examination. Thcrc was a definite examination for University Bursaries.

Boys seeking entrance at age ten to Aberdeen Grammar School were examined in English dictation and elementary grammar. In Mathematics a little Arithmetic was taught throughout the five years with a little Geometry in the fourth and fifth years. Writing, drawing, gymnastics, modem languages could be had in a small way by special arrangement. Each teacher collected the fees from his own class for each subject taught; the fee varied with the subjects from 6s. to i5s. per term;

6

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

in addition the Town Council added a small fixed salary. In this way the Rector earned about £400 per annum.

The summer holidays lasted from zz June till 7 August approximately; Christmas Holidays from zz December till 3 January. There were no holidays at Easter, which was not observed in Aberdeen; instead school closed for fast days in the week of Communion in April and October. " We left Aberdeen Grammar School, fully convinced of the excellence of its instruction, but likewise desirious of seeing its circle of regular subjects enlarged after the manner of Edinburgh High School."

Up till igosi, I can certify chat Secondary Schools taught only the five subjects prescribed for the Aberdeen University Bursary Competition, Latin (4oo marks), Greek (400), English (400), Mathematics (400), French (zoo). In Science, I never had a single lesson.

Dr. A. A. CORMACK. [In writing the Editor with the above, Dr. Cormack pays appreciative tribute to the great assistance he has had from time to time from Harry Slater's extensive knowledge of the Department of Printed Books in the British Museum.—Ed.1 * * *

" The Other Place " In September of this year the Governors of Robert Gordon's Colleges published an appeal for £loo,ooo for urgently-required improvements and additions to the School. " Gordons " owes its existence, as, in a substantial degree we do too, to a rich benefactor of several hundred years ago. In our case it was Dr. Patrick Dun (about whose " Mortification " we wrote in our last issue); in " Gordons " case it was Robert Gordon, who, born in Aberdeen in 1668, amassed a fortune from trading as a merchant in the Baltic ports. By his Deed of Mortification dated 1729 he left his entire estate for the building of " a Hospital for the maintenance, aliment, entertainment and education of young boys ".

Actually the first occupants of the building erected with the Gordon funds were the Hanovarian troops of Cumberland in 1746, and it was not until 1750 that the first " Gordon's boys " entered upon their heritage. Further generous bequests in 1822 and 1827, made it possible to extend the school considerably; and in 1881 it was changed from a residential institution for poor boys to a fee-paying day school (and, as a point of passing interest, it is noted that the father of our Magazine's General Editor was one of the first fee-paying scholars to attend "Gordons "—viz. the late William Connon, Solicitor in Aberdeen—who went to Gordons as a boy of twelve in 1882). " Gordons " now caters for r,too boys, of whom z6o receive free education under the bursaries payable under the Robert Gordon Mortification.

Robert Gordon's College is the only senior boys' school in the North-East which is independent of the local Education authorities, and it cherishes this independence greatly. Actually, it is controlled by a Board of Governors who receive from the Scottish Education Department an annual grant not exceeding 6o per cent of the approved expenditure, but all funds for capital expenditure must be found by the Governors—hence the need for the Appeal for £too,ooo.

Notwithstanding the spirit of friendly rivalry which has long existed between us and " the other place ", we wish " Gordons " fantabulous success in their appeal, and illustrious longevity in their enviable independence.

TIBET AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

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[We are obliged to Robert Scacc a pupil at School who prepared this map especially for us, to illustrate the following article, which is of considerable topical importance.—Edj

Tibet has always been a land which has titillated the Imagination being, as it is, the roof of the world, cut off from all outside influence.

It has become extremely topical recently and it may be of interest to consider, very briefly, its situation and that of its nearest neighbours.

The plains of Bengal are a great alluvial plain stretching for some 450 miles from the delta of the Brahmaputra and the Ganges rivers to the Himalayas. Siliguri, the terminus of the main railway line at the very foot of the mountains, is 35o feet in altitude, and this will give some conception of the flat nature of the lush, fecund land of Bengal, (a veritable Garden of Eden) which, unfortunately, suffers from overpopulation. North of Bengal, and Behar which has the same topography, lie the Himalayas; rising abruptly first to 7,000 feet, then to a io,ooo feet level, then to 15,ooo feet, and on to zo,ooo feet, and 29,000 feet. Behind this massive mountain chain is the high plateau of Tibet, with an average height of some 16,ooo feet, much of it 20,000 feet. But before considering Tibet let us look at at its neighbours to the south, the independent hill states of Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan.

ITS NEIGHBOURS

Nepal is known to many as the recruiting ground for the famous Ghurka Rifles of the Indian Army; those intrepid soldiers whose fortitude and discipline have gained for them indelible renown. Nepal lies entirely in the mountains and the only means of ingress is by mule path; no proper roads lead into the country and there are only a 7

8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

few miles of roads around the capital of Khatmandu. An aerial ropeway at Raxaul in Behar is the only means of getting goods into the country other than by pack mules. The Nepalese are slightly built people with a touch of Mongolian features, and they have an interesting history. Several hundreds of years ago a Rajput army, defeated by Mohammedan invaders, retreated into the fastnesses of the Himalayas and clamped their hegemony on the indigenous inhabitants. They have ruled what is today called Nepal, ever since, and because of that, the religion of the country is Hindu, not Bhuddist as is the case of its neighbours; the army, both its internal army and the regiments of Indian Army Ghurka Rifles, were, up to the last war, all recruited from the fighting castes of Chctri, Rai, Gutung and Limba.

After the end of the last war a revolution took place and the ruling oligarchical family of Rana, who were the hereditary Prime Ministers and Commanders-in-Chief, were deposed and, for a short time, communists held sway.

The people of Nepal are very virile and are great emigrants. They have filled up the foothills for hundreds of miles as well as having supplied all the labour for the Darjeeling Tea plantations and possibly about a third of the labour for the adjacent tea area of the Dooars.

Contiguous to Nepal is the Darjeeling District of India, which was purchased from Sikkim in 1835, and north of that Sikkim itself, with its jewel of a capital, Gantok, set at an altitude of some 6,ooo feet on a sharp ridge from the end of which an unforgettable view of the Kanchcnjunga range of the Himalayas is to be found. One looks down a valley far below and then up and up to the endless vista of snow clad mountains at the end flanked by that peerless peak, Sonialchu, the " Queen Goddess of the Snows ".

The inhabitants of Sikkim are the Lepchas, a dying race whose place is being taken by Nepalese immigrants. The Lepcha women are very beautiful, having very fair skins.

The last of the " buffer " states is Bhutan, peopled by a dying race who arc born mountaineers but who thrive only at 15,ooo feet and over. Their country is entirely without roads, tracks for ponies being the only means of communication. The country is completely feudal and is ruled by a Maharaja and approximately two feudal lords. The few Dzongs, or castles, are the homes of the territorial lords who have the power of life and death over their subjects. The thief is punished by the loss of a hand; the punishment for certain crimes is to wander about with a heavy iron ball chained to a leg; whilst the death penalty is exacted by flinging the victim alive from the cliff on which the Dzong is invariably perched. As women are at a premium, polyandry is the custom: the rule of primogeniture holds good and marriage is preserved for the eldest sons, although all the sons have access to the wife.

These are the countries which flank Tibet to the south. Most of the Tibetan trade goes through Kalimpong in the Darjeeling District and the two passes into the country lie between Sikkim and Bhutan.

Tibet and its Neigbboser.r 9 Tibet itself is a forbidding country, continually swept by wind, carrying very little vegetation except in one or two valleys such as the Tsangpo later named the Brahmaputra. The population is some 3 million people and is spread over an area of perhaps x million square miles, but by far the greater part of the population is concentrated in the south-east where the few fertile river valleys are to be found. The plateaus are uncultivable as they are frozen for eight months of the year and only the very coarsest of grasses can maintain an uncertain existence.

The people of Tibet are sturdy and fairly tall in build. The social system is fundamentally feudal, much the same as Bhutan. Unlike Bhutan Tibet has a little trade, the main export being the extremely coarse wool which used to go as far as the United States to be made into carpets; one of the principal importations is salt. The peasantry are firmly held to the land by the feudal lords without whose permission they cannot leave the place of their birth. But the most striking social feature of Tibet is its religion. If ever a country were priest-ridden this is it. Monasteries, mostly filled with celibate monks, abound and house enormous numbers of men. The biggest is said to contain so,ooo monks! Round Lhasa, the capital, there are several monasteries all with thousands of inmates, besides the huge Potala Palace of the Dalai Lamas which dominates the town. The population of Lhasa is reckoned to be about 30,000. The whole country abounds in Prayer Wheels and flags, bearing the inscription of " 0 Mane Padme Hum ". Superstition and dirt are rife. Yak dung is the main fuel for fires as there are not trees over most of the land, and the acrid smoke plus the use of rancid butter as an ointment for the face and body adds to the odours.

The Himalayas are a very young mountain mass and rose from the bottom of a shallow sea whose shore was roughly where Darjeeling is today and which stretched right through to the Gobi Desert. It seems fairly certain that Tibet itself was a small sea long after its elevation, as sea shells are to be found round the perimeter of the plateau. Whether there is mineral wealth or not no one knows although it was the opinion of Sir Charles Bell that there is because semi-precious stones can be found on the surface. The Tibetan authorities have never allowed any prospecting. During the reign of the thirteenth Dalai Lama, who began to rule towards the end of the nineteenth century and died in 1934, three boys were sent to Great Britain for training in Mechanical, Electrical and Mining Engineering. On their return electric light was installed in the Potala and the Mining engineer was detailed to prospect for minerals.

He eventually began mining operations in a certain area but had not gone very far when the Abbot of the nearby monastery sent instructions for him to stop and to fill up the hole which had been made. Despite the influence of the Dalai Lama himself, the local Abbot prevailed; the hole was filled up and all mining and survey work suspended. The Abbot had taken his stand on the sound religious ground that to mine at all must result in the country being overwhelmed by the release of myriads of demons from the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine underworld where they were entombed and against whose release the church was continuously wrestling. As far as is known no further attempts have been made to investigate the mineral resources of the country until the advent of the Chinese since the war. One wonders how much of the theological support was used because the conservative element felt the danger of unearthing mineral wealth of any kind.

A " trade post ", perhaps a euphemism for " listening post ", was maintained by the Indian Government at Gyantse since the Younghusband expedition of 1904. The head of the post until about 1930 was a Mr. McDonald whose father was a Scotsman and whose mother was a Nepalese. A platoon of Indian infantry was stationed at this town, or large village, which is i 5o miles inside Tibet and about 120 miles from Lhasa. McDonald's intelligence service was good and the Indian Government was well posted in what was going on in the country. Presumably with the Chinese in control of Tibet the Indian Government has had to withdraw the personnel stationed at Gyantse and thus have lost an invaluable listening post in the heart of the country. Gyantse stands at some 13,500 feet of altitude at the head of the Chumbi valley in the more populated part of the country.

In 1934 Sir Charles Bell, who was then the greatest living authority on Tibet and who had known it for over twenty years, said to the writer in reply to a question, that Tibet was ripe for Communism.

Nothing has changed in the interim. It is the view of the writer that the recent upheaval in Tibet was due to the Chinese liquidating the monasteries, these monstrous parasitical establishments, absolutely unproductive, and which must be anathema to any communist. That there has been much organised resistance against a small well drilled modern army, it is difficult to believe, for the Tibetans are still only armed with bows and arrows and very primitive guns.

What is the significance of Chinese-occupied Tibet in the context of India? Immediately it cannot be very much, and from a military point of view may never be a great danger, unless it were used as a concentration grcund for airborne troops. What is much more likely is that it would be used as a central position for the dissemination of the communist gospel, which would be filtered through the neighbouring countries that have been mentioned. Immediately after the war there was considerable labour unrest along the Bhutanese border and this was organised by communists, of this there is no doubt. In Bengal there is a strong communist party and in Nepal as well. If world peace maintains its tenuous existence for another decade, Tibet could provide political repercussions through its neighbours. lo

PATRICK J. DIACK* 1912-23)

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Advert. under " Wanted " column in Press and Journal of 24 July 1 959

" Man wants dragging with own horse. Box— "1!

ABERDEEN ENDOWMENTS TRUST (born 1739) The Endowments Trust comprises a large number of old city charities which have been amalgamated from time to time, principally under: 1. Scheme of Administration of 1888 in terms of the Educational Endowments (Scotland) Act, 188z (under which the Aberdeen Educational Trust, the forerunner of the Aberdeen Endowments Trust, was constituted). z. The Robert Gordon's Technical College and Aberdeen Endowments Trust Order Confirmation Acts 1909 and 1923 (under which the Aberdeen Educational Trust became the Aberdeen Endowments Trust).

3. The Aberdeen Educational Endowments Scheme, 1934.

1739. The birth of the Trust goes back to 1739 when the Town Council, Brethren of Guild, Kirk Session and Convener Court of the Trades of Aberdeen undertook to erect an infirmary and workhouse " to propagate industry and virtue ". Funds amounting to £48,035 7s. zd. were raised by public subscription. The institution was first named "The Poors' Hospital", subsequently "The Boys' Hospital" and later it became " The Boys' and Girls' Hospital", last conducted in the building at 352 King Street which is now the School of Domestic Science.

1888. The Scheme of Administration of 1888 amalgamated the following charities: The Boys' and Girls' Hospital and funds; The Female Orphan Asylum and funds—the gift of Mrs. Elmslie, daughter of an Aberdeen merchant, who built the old part of the High School for Girls with frontage in Albyn Place in 1840 to house female orphans and endowed it with £35,82o of 3 per cent. Government Annuities; The Hospital for Orphans and Destitute Female Children (at one time in Huntly Street) and funds; Shaw's Hospital and funds; Chalmers's Girls School and funds; Ross's School and funds; Brown's School and funds; Thain's Charity; Davidson's Endowment; The McRa Trust; and the Aberdeen Educational Trust, formed to administer these charities, had power to grant bursaries, provide free school books, conduct the Boys' and Girls' Hospital School (where 305 children were provided with three free meals on five days each week and the most needy of these were provided with clothes and boots or shoes), and conduct the Girls' Home and School of Domestic Economy.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

1909. In terms of the " Robert Gordon's Technical College and Aberdeen Endowments Trust Order Confirmation Act " 1909 all the properties, funds and estates comprising the endowments which had been administered by the Governors of Robert Gordon's College and by the Aberdeen Educational Trust, excepting school property and the property at 35z King Street, were transferred to Aberdeen Endowments Trust. In terms of that Act, the administration of the School of Domestic Economy became a function of the College Governors, the feeding of school children by the Trust was discontinued and a fixed sum became payable to the School Board and later to the Education Authority to be applied towards their expenditure on meals, and the award of Robert Gordon's benefactions became a function of the Endowments Trust.

1934. In terms of the Aberdeen Educational Endowments Scheme, 1934, the following Endowments were transferred from Aberdeen Town Council to the Endowments Trust: Approximate annual income

Aberdeen (Endowed Institutions) Scholarship Fund • £430 James Annand's Mortification . . .

• 50 Mrs. Helen Duff of Braco's Mortification . .

IO Patrick Dun's Mortification . . . . .

IS5 Jean Guild's Orphan Mortification . . . .

70 Dr. William Guild's Orphan Mortification . .

480 James Leslie's Mortification . . . . .

I2 Samuel McKnight's Mortification . .

▪ 28 .

Bell's Trust, Old Aberdeen, was also transferred to the Endowments Trust under that Scheme.

1958. Under the City of Aberdeen Educational Endowments Scheme, 1958, the John B. Stephen Bursary Fund and Thomas Wilkin's Fund were transferred from the Town Council to the Endowments Trust.

The present functions of the Endowments Trust include the following awards: 1. Robert Gordon's Foundations and Bursaries. "Foundationers" are granted free education and cash allowances of £Io to Li 6 per annum. Total expenditure £1750 annually, apart from fees. " Bursars " arc granted free education and in some cases cash allowances ranging from £a to £5.

26o boys in the Senior Secondary School are Foundationers and Bursars of the Trust. a. Grammar School Bursaries (cash allowances of £Io to £16 per annum. Total expenditure £50o annually).

3. High School Bursaries £70 annually 4. Aberdeen Academy Bursaries L5 o „ 5. John Robb School Bursaries approx. £60 annually 6. Aberdeen Secondary School Bursaries £Iooo annually 7. Endowment Foundations for Girls £1150 9)

Aberdeen Endowments Trust

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8. Gray's School of Art £80 annually 9. Grants to children of seafaring persons in Footdee £40 to. Grants to widows of white fishers and pilots in Footdee £zo ff tr. John Robb University Bursaries £40 The Trustees also have power to make grants to or for the benefit of persons belonging to the City for the following purposes: 1. Post-graduate Scholarships. Available for research work or advanced or special study and open to persons of high attainment and promise. z. Supplementary bursaries for students attending Universities Central , )

Institutions, etc.

3. Special Grants. Open to persons over 2 I who left school at too

early a stage to obtain qualification to enter a University, etc.

Available for apprentices where practical training is not the predominant feature of apprenticeship.

5. Grants for student apprentices. Available for apprentices who are required to attend a University or Central Institution.

6. Travel Scholarships. Available for attending Universities and Educational Institutions furth of Scotland.

7. Travel Grants. Available for any purpose of an educational nature.

8. Educational Excursions. Grants available for organised educational excursions for the benefit of school pupils and young persons attending further education centres.

9. Educational Travel. Grants available for educational travel in Gt. Britain and abroad by young persons not over zi attending schools or further education centres. to. Special Equipment. Grants available for special equipment for improving the efficiency of education in schools or further education centres. ix. Sports Facilities. Grants available for sports facilities, travelling expenses of school teams and inter-school sports meetings, apparatus and equipment including personal equipment and sports clothing.

1 z. Support of Clubs, etc.

13. Adult Education. Available for expenses of lectures and for persons who require aid in attending any institution or organised course.

14. Grants for education in the Visual Arts and in Music. and Drama.

Available for persons of exceptional promise. Grants may also be made in respect of exhibitions, lectures, musical performances, maintenance of choirs, orchestras, etc., dramatic performances and lectures and demonstrations in visual and dramatic art.

I i . Holiday Homes. Grants available for sending children and young persons for holidays of not less than one week's duration to holiday camps or homes or to private houses. i 6. Educational Experiments and Research.

4. Apprentice Allowances.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

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Not less than £300, £6o and £4o is to be applied annually upon the immediately foregoing objects so as to benefit pupils attending the Grammar School, High School for Girls and Frederick Street Secondary School, respectively.

The residue of the free annual revenue of the Trust is payable to Robert Gordon's College Governors. The average annual amount for the last four years was £7,905.

The Trust owns approximately ro,ooo acres of arable farms with a rental of approximately £27,000 per annum. Investments bring in income of nearly £6,000 per annum.

The Endowments Trust is governed by seventeen trustees, elected thus:7 by the Town Council i by the University r by Churches other than the Church of Scotland r by the Society of Advocates x by the Incorporated Trades r by the Trade Unions r by the Local Assoc. of the Educational Institute of Scotland a by the Presbytery of Aberdeen 2 by Robert Gordon's College Governors 17 —

D. E. D. CORMIE, A.R.LC.S.

[The " Aberdeen Endowments Trust " is a name known to most people—but a name only to many. We accordingly asked Mr. Cormie, the Factor, Clerk and Treasurer of the Trust, to furnish us with some information, and were delighted when we received from him the above concise but comprehensive survey of the Trust. We are certain that the information contained in the above article will be widely read with very considerable interest—Ed.]

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Our Universities' Standards Speaking at the Aberdeen University Autumn Graduation, Principal Sir Thomas Taylor warned Briitsh universities that they may have to raise their entry standards. He considered that students at British universities have an easier time than their counterparts in any European country, taking together the standards of attainment required of them, the duration of their courses, and the financial provisions from public funds available for their assistance. " In no country in Europe do they have it so good " he believed.

Editorship of " The Notes " Ian Shinnie, editor of The Notes, Marriages and Obituary Section of the Magazine since the issue of December 195 5 has been obliged, on account of family and business commitments, to give up this timeconsuming job. To do it properly requires endless patience and painstaking diligence, and Ian may " retire " secure in the knowledge of our gratitude for a big job quietly and carefully and conscientiously done.

Brian K. Crookshanks (1934-46) M.A., LL.B., has agreed to take on `The Notes" editorship. He begs to be bombarded with information on his Section. His address is-1z Bon-Accord Square, Aberdeen. *

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Will-power in Sport In July last a 6z-year old Edinburgh science master, Ned Barnie, swam the Firth of Forth from Granton to Bumtisland. We reproduce one or two excerpts from the tribute paid to him on this achievement in The Scotsman of 53 July 1959. " Scotland needs more sportsmen like Barrie. He has the will-power to carry on beyond the apparent limit of his endurance to success. " Before the chunky Bamie set out on his six-mile swim, for which he holds the record of 2 hours 5z min. 42 sec., he said emphatically: ' I'll be very, very disappointed if I don't succeed.' " Having said that, nothing short of a storm would have persuaded him to give in. He had a mission and it must be accomplished. " The Edinburgh science master set himself three and a half hours for the crossing, and with the ebb tide the first half went well. It was about a mile from Bumtisland that his battle began, and it was here that we saw the dogged determination, the single-mindedness of purpose, the absolute refusal to accept defeat of a great swimmer, whose achievement belies his years. " That last mile, which took him zi hours, was one of the greatest trials of endurance he has ever had to face. For an hour on end he fought against a rushing flood tide without gaining an inch. " After about 6 hours in the water he got his first and only sustenance—a mug of rum. This bucked him up but still his strength was ebbing. He had started at zz strokes a minute. It came down to 21, 2o, 19, 18, and over the last fearsome 400 yards it was all he could do to put four or five strokes together, resting by lying face down in the water between his efforts. " No one on board doubted that Barrie would succeed. He had said he would— and that was that. All admired his amazing tenacity. " At last it was over. He needed every ounce of his remaining energy to drag himself up the rough stone, cutting his knees in the process. Exhausted, he was led to the boat, helped aboard, and bunked down. " In his first coherent statement, almost an hour after the swim, Bamie admitted: ' I was very, very, tired, near the end. That is my last long-distance swim.' " It was an epic effort. It provided a yardstick for those who want to break 4 minutes in the mile, to clear 6 ft. 8 in. in the high jump, or to do anything well.

Like Bamie, they must decide they can do it—and then, like Bamie, go out and succeed."

[Any of the Grammar masters for the Dee-Don swim?)

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The late Mr. William Donald, M.A. (A Teacher at School from 1924 to z 93o

On the eve of his sixtieth birthday and retirement there passed from our ken, but certainly not from our memories, Mr. William Donald, M.A., who was an Assistant Master of Modern Languages at the School in the late twenties (1924-3o). Mr. Donald died at his home at 13 Kingshill Avenue on 8 April 1959.

Those of us who were privileged to pass through his hands as pupils remember well the ruthless, scorching efficiency of the standards he set for himself in his teaching, and we came to hold him in affectionate regard.

Mr. Donald left the School in 1930, to take up the post of Principal Master of Modern Languages at the Dundee Morgan Academy.

In 1938 he was appointed Master of Method at the Dundee Training College, and in 1946, he came to the Aberdeen Training College as a Lecturer in Modern Languages and Method. In 1952 Mr. Donald assumed, in addition to his Lectureship at the Training College, the Headmastership of the Demonstration School in Aberdeen.

Mr. Donald, in collaboration with a colleague, who had been with him in the Dundee Morgan Academy, prepared and had published a completely original school text-book in three parts known as " French— a New Approach " a work which has become a standard textbook not only locally but in many lands.

And now to close with the human touch which Toby liked so much and sought after successfully for so long. It is for the Record that when he came to the School in 1924, he was confronted with the scallywags—and, in smaller measure, the young gentlemen, of Modern II.B. It did not take this assortment of bodies long to nickname the new Master " Toby ", after their own Class, and young man as he was and as he remained to the end of his life, it is rumoured that he expressed himself as pleased with his nickname in conversations he had with the Masters of " The Other Place " where he was—and it could be said in an almost inaudible whisper—a dux four times over at the College in Schoolhill.

Mr. Donald is survived by his widow, who was his very constant companion and nurse in his last long trying illness, which he faced with courage and a smile.

A. S. *

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Editorial Note We regret that quite a lot of material offered for this issue has bad to be declined, or held over, as with the long-promised article on "Hysloplana" ; in other casts the editorial shears have been at work. We apologise. We suspect there may be a few errors or inaccuracies or omissions—but so it happens.

School Section School Office Bearers, 1959-6o

School Prefects ALASTAIR I. SOPPITT (Senior Prefect) HECTOR M. AIRD (Deputy Senior Prefect) DAVID R. AULD HUGH W. T. BARRON ALAN BURKE WILLIAM S. R. CLARK FINDLAY M. COUTES MELDRUM B. EDWARDS GARTH W. GLENTWORTH KENNETH M. GORROD

JAMES HAMILL MICHAEL G. KING DONALD S. MCKENZIE ALEXANDER N. MAIN DAVID C. MARWICK WILLIAM L. MILLER STUART J. MITCHELL GORDON C. PETERSON House Captains Dun HECTOR M. AIRD

Byron ALASTAIR I. SOPPITI

COLIN T. PRESHAW CHARLES D. RICE DONALD F. Ross ROBERT C. SCACE ANDREW T. TAYLOR IAN VAUGHAN WILLIAM A. WILSON ANDREW D. H. WYLLIE

Keith WILLIAM A. WILSON

Melvin MELnatrm B. EDWARDS Rugby

Captain

HECTOR NI. AIRD

Captain

DONALD F. Ross

I'-ity-Captain WILLIAM A. WILSON

Hockey

Vice-Captain ALASTAIR I. SOPPITT Swimming

Captain ROBERT PATERSON

Badminton Captain IAN KEITH

President

Literary and Debating Society ALEXANDER N. MAIN Vice-President RONALD W. GRANT Secretary IAN VAUGHAN Dramatic Society

President ALEXANDER N. MAIN Vice-President ANDREW 1. TAYLOR

Secretary CHARLES D. RICE Treasurer WILLIAM S. R. CLARK

Film Society

President

Secretary GEORGE A. Ross Treasurer FINDLAY M. COL'ITS

ROBERT C. SCACE

Cadet Force

C.S.M. MICHAEL G. KING Scripture Union

Secretary DAVID C. MARWICK MICHAEL G. KING

Editors of School Section ALEXANDER N. MAIN 17

CHARLES D. RICE

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Our New Rector An article elsewhere in this Magazine has formally introduced our new Rector to our readers. To repeat the record of Mr. Skinner's achievements would be superfluous; it is enough to say that what he has done in the past augurs well for what will be done in the future.

It is good to know that he is a man of wide and sensitive scholarship and an administrator of proved worth; in the short time that he has been with us we have had opportunity to discover also that he is an approachable, generous-minded and courteous man. We believe that in this ancient School he will find scope for the qualities of mind and spirit with which he is so generously endowed; and we take this occasion of expressing to him our hope that he, and his wife and family, find this northern town a seemly, pleasant and rewarding place to work and live in. *

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" Our loss may be Aberdeen's gain but this does not console us. . . . His greatest success would be to make Aberdeen Grammar School as pleasant a place to work in as Alloa Academy has been in the past decade."

Latest issue of Alloa Academy Magazine

" How vile a thing is the abstract noun! It wraps a man's thoughts round like cotton wool. . . . In literature as in life he makes himself felt who not only calls a spade a spade but has the pluck to double spades and re-double."

School Holidays Christmas and New Year Vacation Easter Vacation

Session ends

Wednesday, 23 December 1959 to Monday, 4 January 196o (both dates inclusive).

Monday, 4 April 196o to Monday, 18 April 196o (both dates inclusive). (This period includes Good Friday and the Spring Holiday, 15 and x8 April 196o respectively.)

Thursday, 3o June 196o.

School Section

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School and Random Notes We arc finding it extremely difficult to concentrate on a beginning for our Random Notes, surrounded as we arc by chair-clanking Huwffites, and deafened by the moaning song of a lonely sex-starved prefect. Let the Notes be considered begun. * * * would like to take the opportunity of welcoming we Magazine, As editors of the the new Rector to the School, and assuring him of the boys' loyalty and support in all the many tasks which must, in the nature of things, confront any new rector. * We find it quite impossible to keep track of the constant changes in the Staff, but rumour hath it that Mr. Thomson, Mr. Miller and Mr. Banks have made good their escape. We commiserate with Mrs. Norbrook, Mrs. Charyian, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Smith, M. Dufaure de Lajarte, and Senor I)on Jose Maria Aguirre. Heaven help them! * * Now, where were we? " " Yessssss * * A new and still-keen janitor has pilfered the knobs off the radiators in the Howff, so that when we want to sit on them we can't because they're too hot, and when we want to sit anywhere else we can't because the other one's turned off and the atmosphere is freezing.

Rex Baird has been informed. * * * Can it be that our flying classics master was a member of the R.A.F. pool-winning syndicate? His improved mode of transport would suggest that this theory be correct. *

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The hooks ir. the library 11AVE been dusted! *

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The sadists of the gym department have introduced a new system of absence notes involving letter boxes and W.W.G.s (Wet Weather Groups). You have to go to games now even if you don't want to.

Shame on you, Mr. Stevenson!

• * * * We had always hoped to sec Mr. Macaulay one day sitting in front of his smoking stove on a footstool (or if you prefer, a pouffe). Helas, nous sommes desoles (Our hopes are dashed, people). Tenders for the installation of a similar stove in R29 should be sent to the editors. * * Freud is becoming popular with the prefects. They all have an urge—to read him. * * * " Chaos and darkness heard and took their flight."

On the first day of the new term all customers in Mr. Bruce's Drinka-pintamilka-day Emporium gathered to witness the expulsion of King Confusion. No longer do small prefects have to crawl through the legs of five hundred odd mites from the Middle School. No Sir! We now sip milk through a straw in an atmosphere of regimentation and robotism. Although last year's milk-wifie has disappeared, the new electronic bottle opener has not yet been installed. * * Owing to the selfishness of the Staff, the project of turning Mr. McGhee's old room into a Howffie snooker saloon did not come to fruition. Nevertheless, we do congratulate Mr. Lawson on being returned to the main building, even if it is a shame that pupils should no longer be able to come in late for classes saying: " Please sir, I had Mr. Lawson last period." *

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The ist XV have not been doing too well lately. Are they working under some sort of Andy Capp?

• Have thc luxurious new chairs recently installed in the Staff Room made the masters so sluggish that thcy even forget to buy their interval tea? *

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The Hill Walking Club has extended its activities to include a weekly excursion to Kaimhill on Saturday nights. *

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The photographs and plaques in the Main Corridor have been replaced. For the festive season? * * *

The first year, confined to their own classrooms, arc so far removed from the stream of life in thc main building that one of them was even heard to address a prefect as " Sir ". Gott in Himmel! *

The attractions of the French department have increased. *

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The official Howff late duty questionnaire is no longer in use. The question: " What's the Pope's name, then? " is no longer called for in the early morning, for the late-comers' consolers and the prefects' companions now retire to somewhere in the vicinity of the Staff Room, and the Cribbers' Union has been forced into (Dare we mention it ?) Morning Assembly. Ah me! The world's a lonely place! * * * " Aw, Job, what'll we write next? " * * * " Heads in hieroglyphic caps Heads in turbans and black bonnets, Heads bewigged and thousand other Poor and sweating heads of humans . .

As winter approaches, we wonder if this year's assortment of headgear on the Staff Room pegs will be as good as last year's, when we had everything from green beetle-shaped objects to ski-caps with an odd doo-landcr thrown in. Quite a vintage year! * * Authority is kind! It was thought that the few privileges that we of the little tin badge had should be extended. No longer were we to be inconvenienced by having to study in our quiet corner in the east-end of the building—we could enjoy the spacious and inspiring atmosphere of the library. However, honour prevailed, and we nobly turned down the offer. *

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" Shanks ain't what they used to be." * STOP PRESS: Just before publication, we received a cablegram from the editors, who arc now safely in hiding working in a chip shop in Vladivostock.

School Section

21

Literary and Debating Society At a meeting held in the school library on 23 June 1959 the following officials were elected to serve the Society for the session 1959-60: Hon. President, Mr. A. Tait; President, A. N. Main; Via-President, R. W. Grant; Secretary, I. Vaughan.

This year the Society has reached the record total of just over two hundred members.

There has been no lack of variety in topics. " The issue of sleeper .permits to collective sheep farmers on the Moscow-Leningrad railway " and " My idea of the perfect woman " were subjects, which in the hands of the expert comedians of the Society, could not fail to make the Hat Night a success. From amusement we turned to the more serious aspects of life and although the motion, " That it is better to herd sheep on a hillside than to dabble in the affairs of men ", presented difficulties to both speakers and audience, the keenness of the speaking made this an encouraging first debate.

An interesting feature of the term's activities was the Pre-Election Survey.

After the votes had been counted by a completely unbiased party the Society was found to have voted as follows: Conservative, 85; Scottish Nationalists, 4o; Labour, 14; Liberal, 12.

The senior boys of the Society were pleasantly surprised when the girls of the Academy and Albyn Debating Societies entered freely into the cut and thrust of the open debate in a manner they have not done in recent years. We hope that the girls of the High School will follow the fine example of their fellows.

Although a disappointingly small group, the sixth year members have responded well to the challenge of leadership. In particular Messrs. Robb, King, Matthews, Gallie, Plowman, Clark and Munro have rallied round Mr. Main and done much to make the meetings a success. A more encouraging feature is the group of already experienced and competent speakers to be found in the fifth year. Especially Messrs. Grant, Peterson, Mitchell, Spears, Coutts, Weir, Hamill, Millar, Stephen deserve mention for their services to the Society. Messrs. Doyle, Norbrook, McDonald, Cook and Stewart have represented the Middle School in the open debates.

The Prefects defeated the Non-Prefects by 13 points in our annual "One Minute Please".

IAN VAUGHAN, Secretary Dramatic Society At last year's Annual General Meeting, the following officials were elected for 1959-60: President, A. N. Main; Vice-President, A. Taylor; Secretary, C. D. Rice; Treasurer, W. Clark.

After considerable deliberation, it was decided that we would this Easter present The Merry Wives of Windsor, a reversion to the Shakespearean tradition. Our choice was partly influenced by the fact that we would seem to have a capable Falstaff in W. Clark. Rehearsals arc not yet under way at the moment of writing, but a provisional cast has been made, and judging from our reading, we are making considerable progress. The thanks of the Dramatic Society are again due to our producers, Mr. King and Mr. McGee. Aberdeen Schools Scientific Society Once again, the Scientific Society is proving extremely popular with the boys of Upper School; it is unfortunate that membership has to be limited.

This season's lectures again promise to be most interesting. There was a large attendance at the opening meeting held on z October, at which Professor O'Dell of the University Geography Department, told us something of the excavations he has been conducting on St. Ninian's Isle, Shetland.

Our thanks are due to Gordon C. Peterson, the fifth year representative, and to Mr. Banks, who has done so much for us. May I, on behalf of all members, wish him well in his new post.

ALASTAIR I. SOPPITT (Upper VI), School Representative

22

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Arts Club

The Arts Club commenced another term's work after the September holiday week-end. Numbers were slightly lower at first, but a little persuasion induced a few more to come along.

The craft section, under Mr. Atkinson's supervision, is as usual a hive of activity, with a large number of boys busily engaged in wood-carving, printing, pottery, clay-modelling, and poster design.

In the drawing and painting section, with enthusiasm as keen as ever, senior boys arc working individually on a " Nativity Scene" or at oil painting, while younger members are guided by Mr. Hemingway in their drawing and painting activities.

The Rector's visit to the Club on Friday, i 6 October, was most welcome indeed.

We should like him to know that we appreciate his interest and hope he will come again soon. Hector MacDonald, a past president, and now at the School of Architecture in Aberdeen, also looked in. We learn that no fewer than five former members are now at Aberdeen College of Education, training as student teachers of art.

To conclude, I must say how indebted we arc to the Art Staff for their unfailing interest in the running of the Club.

IvaN WISELY, Seerelary

Music The Orchestra The climax of last year's work was reached in the June concert. The works performed included Boyce's Fifth Symphony, Capel Bond's Bassoon Concerto (Patrick Milne) and Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola (Brian Dargie and Martin Dalby). A string quartet (Brian Dargie, Nigel Murray, Martin Dalby and Mr. Stillwell) and Ian Wright on the xylophone provided some excellent variety to the programme. The concert was rounded off with Tyson's " Three Songs of Courage ", sung with the Orchestra by a chorus culled from every form of the School.

The lack of cellos in the orchestra has been well compensated for by our excellent bassoonists. I understand, however, that the breach is to be filled shortly by two very welcome young players; and they will bring the number in the orchestra to twenty-seven. Otherwise our ranks arc well tilled: we even have a tuba player!

We congratulate Martin Dalby and lan Wright who continue our long link with the National Youth Orchestra, and it is likely that some young players will soon join them.

Our studies this term include Britten's mystical work " Noye's Fludde ", Mozart's overture " L'Impressario ", Beethoven's overture " King Stephen ", and a Boyce Symphony.

We extend our thanks to Mr. Wilson, Mr. Hawksworth, and Mr. Nicholson (not forgetting the staunch support Mr. Atkinson provides to the violins), without whose guidance we would all be quite lost.

O. T. PHILLIPSON Senior Choir The Senior Choir, under the direction of Mr. J. L. Nicholson are attempting this year a contemporary work—Constant Lambert's "Rio Grandc ". At Christmas time the Choir will give a rendering of Carols in a service in Rubislaw Church. On both these occasions the Choir will be accompanied by the School Orchestra.

In spite of our having lost from the Choir last year's large sixth form contingent, and our losing several of our members to the Orchestra, the Choir has increased in strength, and, we believe, in quality. The treble and alto section is again strong this year, but we would welcome some more voices to the basses. We look forward with confidence to our appearance in public.

T. MORRISON (Upper V)

School Seclion

25

Photography in Aberdeen Grammar School [A further article in our series on different departments at School and special subjects studied—Ed.] Just over four years ago the lower tower room, adjoining Room 24, which for many years served as an Art Department store, was converted into the School's fully equipped photographic darkroom; and a 5 mm. camera, an exposure meter, enlarger and other modern photographic equipment were added to the facilities of the Craft Room as part of the rapidly-expanding Art Department of the Grammar School.

Photography now takes its place as a craft alongside pottery, claymodelling, woodcarving, typography and bookbinding, although the nature of the subject makes it impossible to incorporate in its entirety, at the present moment at anyrate, in the normal School curriculum.

Even so, since 1955 it has been successfully combined with those other crafts in the teaching of design, and a large and varied collection of coloured slides is gradually being built up as an aid in the teaching of architecture, painting and sculpture, as well as general observation.

The School Photographic Society, an offshoot of the Arts Club, meets each Friday evening to discuss and practise photography. Its members take part in Saturday expeditions, on foot, bus or bicycle, throughout the surrounding countryside whenever weather, time and enthusiasm permit. Photographic records in slide or book form are regularly made of Educational Visits, Art Gallery Exhibitions, Parents' Day displays, Botany and Geography projects, Hill Walking Club expeditions, the Annual Swimming Gala, Sports Day, and many other aspects of the School year. Any afternoon at 4 o'clock a small group of boys may be seen slipping surreptitiously through Room 24 and down the spiral stairway to spend an hour and a half in the darkroom before hunger, homework and other factors drive them home for tea.

But it would be very far from truth indeed to suggest that all these activities began only four years ago; Photography as an Art and Science was discussed and practised by masters and pupils before our time, and to them and to other agencies we owe a debt. All the photographic facilities and the many associated activities were made possible by a very helpful and generous Education Committee, an interested and co-operative Rector; and above all, by an enthusiastic and energetic head of department. But the roots of our present activities in this field lie far deeper than this. Today a very fortunate Grammar School is reaping the fruits of the hard labours of pioneers who in most cases are probably unknown to the present generation of schoolboys.

One of the first perhaps was James Bentley Philip, head of the Science Department during the first thirty years of the century, who, himself a most enthusiastic photographer, passed on his great zeal to many boys of his time. Although he did not run an actual camera club in School, he was successful in combining photography with the teaching of science and of botany in particular: and there still remain a number of books containing photographs taken by him on numerous

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine holiday tours in Scandinavia. As far back as 1937, the Arts Club, one of the School's oldest societies, was organising regular competitions for the best photographs taken by boys. Just before the Second World War the nucleus of a School Camera Club was formed by a member of the Languages Department, Mr. Nivon McKenzie, now at Aberdeen Academy. Fine work was done by this group until the outbreak of war put a stop to its activities.

When it became obvious that cine-photography and the Film were beginning to play an increasingly important part in our everyday lives, the School quickly set about instructing boys in the correct approach to this new art medium. And in order to instil a knowledge of different types of film and to enable the boys to come to some understanding and appreciation of good film, there was founded in 195z the School Film Society: whilst to cater for the more mature appreciation on the part of senior boys the Film Study Group was formed in 1958. The conversion of the old museum corridor into a projection room, with a seating capacity of seventy, was carried out in 1954. The 16 mm. cine camera, acquired in 195o, has been the means whereby a number of fine films, both in colour and in black and white, have been produced by the School Film Production Unit, a small group of boys who are particularly interested in this branch of photography. During 1954-55 a temporary member of the School art staff, William Wilson, took a considerable number of portrait studies of boys in various classes and these formed a prominent feature of the parents' day display of that year. He it was also who recommended the purchase of the Periflex camera, a very essential and constantly used part of our equipment.

Tribute should also be paid to some one who never actually taught in the School. Mr. William Thomson, head of the Art Department at Northfield Secondary School did much by his enthusiasm and guidance to help the growth of the photographic section, as he did also the expansion of the craftroom and its equipment.

Mention was earlier made of the fact that photography, in common with other crafts, is not as yet fully integrated into the regular School timetable. Yet, the day may not be far distant when more time can be devoted to the teaching of it. It is obviously important to encourage young people to use their eyes fully, and to train them to come to a fuller appreciation of the things they see around them. Let us see to it that contempt for the wonderful forms and patterns and colours all around them day by day, is not bred by over-familiarity: or that their sense of vision is not dulled by indiscriminate submission to television or cinema screens or glossy magazine photographs or the like.

Anyone interested in seeing the extent to which the boys benefit from these varied photographic activities, or anyone who is sceptical of the value of these new techniques is advised to come and, with his own eyes, see these boys at work, or perhaps at play. All who care to take advantage of this invitation will be made most welcome on Friday evenings or at any other time.

24

J. W.

School Seaion

25

Combined Cadet Force The strength of the Contingent this year is about i3o. To this we may now officially add the Pipe Band, whose services we hope to employ on several occasions during the training year.

We intend to participate this year in the Easter visits of cadets to B.A.O.R., and a party of twenty-four cadets and one Officer will probably visit Germany in 196o.

It is hoped that Annual Camp for the Army Section will be in Northern Ireland next summer.

We also hope to participate in the scheme for arduous training designed as part of Stage III in the new training programme. This scheme will be operated by Messrs. Will and Hawksworth, who have kindly agreed to give us the benefit of their experience in this sphere. The scheme at present tentatively envisaged is designed for not more than ten very fit senior cadets, and will cover territory extending from Fort William to Braemar.

Lst year's training, as may be seen from the detailed section reports, was very successful, and as before, the greater part was done by our own N.C.O.s. Our thanks for invaluable co-operation are due to Major Morrison, to the staffs of 4/7 Gordons and 51(I1) Inf. Div. Sigs. Regiment, T.A., and to C.S.M. Grant of the University Training Corps.

We announce with regret that Squadron Leader W. G. Watt has found it necessary for personal reasons to relinquish command; this has now devolved upon Squadron Leader R. Brown. Mr. Watt continues, however, to render great service in the administration of the Contingent.

Finally, negotiations are afoot to find permanent accommodation to replace our old Headquarters, about to be demolished to make way for the new Technical Wing. No efforts will be spared to ensure that our needs are adequately catered for.

R. B. Army Section The climax to training last session was, of course, the Annual Parade, Unfortunately, due to heavy rain the March Past was cancelled and the Parade was held in the Hall. Brigadier Alexander was impressed by the high standard of training and in his speech to the Corps stressed the value of leadership.

Annual Camp found the Contingent once more at Cultybraggan in Perthshire.

Training was not so extensive as normal because the Second Year boys were not able to participate in full training. Our night exercise was curtailed by rain but a range day, a map reading exercise and platoon exercises were completed.

At Camp, Cpls. Mitchell, Smith and Keay, with Sgt. Taylor, gained signals classification. Later Sgt. Taylor attended a Signals Instructors course at Cattcrick and C.S.M. King the Scottish Command Leadership Course at Cultybraggan.

The latter course, requiring, as it does a high standard of physical fitness and initiative, is an excellent one and it is hoped more N.C.O.s will attend it in future.

This year training is being supervised by Lt. Galloway.

With the fine weather outdoor training has been extensive. The Basic Sections under C./Sgt. Ducat, Flt. /Sgt. Vaughan and Sgt. Reeves are not as large as in previous years but results are satisfactory.

The Army Proficiency Squad has received excellent instruction from C.,'Sgt. Plouman and is shaping into a fine squad.

New equipment has arrived for Sgt. Taylor's Signals Section which is progressing well.

Earlier in the term the Corps was privileged to be visited by the Rector, and we thank him for showing such an interest in our activities.

Finally, on behalf of all cadets, I would like to thank all the officers for their efforts in running the Contingent.

NI. G. K., C.,S..111.

R.A.F. Section At the beginning of the term the following N.C.O.s were promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant to take over joint command of the R.A.F. Section, Cpls.

26

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

C. Brockie, C. A. Michie and I. Vaughan. Cpl. C. Preshaw was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and is assisting with the administration of the contingent.

The abolishment of National Service has undoubtedly affected the strength of the Section, but the result has been the formation of a fairly small but keen group of cadets (35 strong). The reply to those of our critics who continue to condemn the corps as being redundant and purposeless is to be found in the news of its recent graduates. Former W.O., now Pilot Officer W. Rae has gained the distinction of being the Senior Student at the School of Navigation, Thomey Island. Another student at the same School is former Cadet Under-Officer now Pilot Officer M. G. Watt. Two other F.P.s, Flying Officers K. Petrie and D. Crichton are now flying with Hunter Squadrons of the R.A.F. We send them our congratulations and our best wishes for the future.

The congratulations of the contingent also go to Flt./Sgt. Elder who gained his Flying Scholarship this summer. Other cadets who successfully completed courses during the summer were: Flt./Sgts Brockie and Michie and Cpl. Johnston, Glider Pilots " B "; Flt./Sgt. Brockie, Cpls. Grant and Hollifield, Cdts. Plowman, Robinson and Young, Radio Familiarisation; Flt./Sgts. Michie and Vaughan, Naval Aviation May we conclude by saying how much we are indebted to all the officers for their supervision and guidance and in particular to Flying Officer F. R. Paterson who has been responsible for the success of training.

IAN VAUGHAN, Flt./Sgt. Pipes and Drums With classes begun in both sections, and with all last year's members back at School, the prospects for this year's band arc indeed bright. With the playing of " Retreat " in view, and the possibility of the band attending the army cadet camp in Ireland, there is much to encourage the boys. All last year's engagements will also be undertaken.

Although there are no vacancies in the drumming section at present, new recruits will be most welcome during the piping practices.

HECTOR AIRD, Drum Major

House Notes Byron The following officials have been appointed for the season: Howe Captain, Alastair I. Soppit; Vice-Captain, Robert C. Scace; Rugby Captain, Robert C. Scace; Vice-Captain, Donald S. McKenzie; Hockey Captain, Donald F. Ross; Vice-Captain, Alastair I. Soppitt; Swimming Captain, Garth W. Glentworth; Vice-Captain, David R. Auld.

Recently Byron House has been none too successful in the various sporting competitions, owing to bad luck, rather than to lack of ability. This year, however, I feel that if every boy gives of his best, this state of affairs could be rectified.

Our prospects in the inter-House Rugby Competition appear to be quite bright, and Captain Scace, with a number of 1st XV forwards at his disposal, should be able to build a solid side that could well surprise more fancied opposition. The hockey team, too, will include a number of ist XI players, though lack of adequate support could lessen our chances of success. I am confident that our swimmers will put up a fine performance in the Gala and, with a sustained effort from the younger boys, we could conceivably win the championship.

ALASTAIR I. SOPPITT, Howe Captain Dun The House Officials elected for this year are: Howe Captain, Hector M. Aird; Vice-Captain, Charles D. Rice; Rugby Captain, Hector M. Aird; Vice-Captain, William D. Mitchell; Hockey Captain, Francis M. Black; Vice-Captain, Ian Mackland; Swimming Captain, Robert Paterson; Vice-Captain, Terence Morrison; Junior Rugby Captain, William Lamb; Vice-Captain, James Duncan.

To date, no inter-House rugby matches have been played, but as joint holders and with ten members of the 1st and and XV's at our disposal, we have at least a

27

School Section

chance of winning the Rugby Trophy. Although the Junior XV under Captain Lamb may not be so strong as in former years, keenness and enthusiasm should offset any lack of rugby skill and our juniors should prove doughty opponents.

As in the rugby section, no inter-House hockey fixtures have been played, but I am assured by Captain Black that the House will by no means be disgraced in this year's tournament.

The School Swimming Gala is awaited with eagerness and with no little optimism.

HFcroa Amu, House Captain Keith At a house meeting held at the beginning of the current term, the following officials were elected to represent Keith House: House Captain, W. Alan Wilson; Via-Captain, Michael G. King; Rugby Captain, W. Alan Wilson; Vice-Captain, Colin T. Preshaw; Hockey Captain, Ian Armand; Vice-Captain, lan Thomson; Swimming Captain, Colin T. Preshaw; Vice-Captain, Andrew J. Leach; Junior Rugby Captain, Peter M. McIvor; Vice-Captain, Alastair C. McDougall.

Having won the Athletics Championship for the third year running last session, as well as gaining the House Trophy, and drawing with Dun House in the rugby cup final, the I-louse has a reputation to maintain. No inter-House rugby games have yet been played, but we look forward to our first game against Melvin.

Our hopes are high for the House team can select from no fewer than fifteen players who have had ist or and XV experience, including the complete three-quarter line of the ist XV. In hockey we arc also optimistic, for the House team will contain at least four members of the ist Xl. Swimming prospects, on the other hand, arc not so bright, but as in previous years we hope that the swimmers in the I-louse will shock the pessimists. We hope to repeat our past two successes in the Junior Rugby Cup competition.

The House is indebted to its House .Nlasters, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Stephen, to whose hard work and thoughtfulness much of our success has been due.

W. ALAN WILSON, Horse Captain Melvin The term opened with the election of the following House officials: House Captain, Mcldrum Edwards; Vin-Captain, Alan Burke; Rugity Captain, Alan Burke; Vice-Captain, Nigel Matthews; Swimming Captain, Meldrum Edwards; Vire-Captain, Geoffrey Reid; Hockey Captain, Brian Henderson; I 'ice-Captain, Frederick Lawson; junior Rugby Captain, Douglas Fowlie; Vice-Captain, Gordon Downs.

After a highly successful performance in all quarters last year, in which we won the Hockey Cup, the Cricket Cup, after a keen tussle with Dun in the final, the House Swimming Championship, and finished runners-up to Keith for the third year running in the Annual Sports, the prospects for a good athletic year arc favourable.

Although our winning of the Swimming Trophy was left to the last minute, when we won all three relays, we again almost succeeded in beating Keith in the Athletic Sports, and indeed, were ahead after the first day. The issue once more rested on the Senior relays, and as on so many previous occasions, the strong Keith teams proved too much for us. The margin of defeat by Keith in the last three years has been as close as 17 points, 9 points, and 11 points respectively.

The rugby games are not to be played until early November, but prospects arc much the same as in previous years. Likewise we should do fairly well in the Hockey Championship and in the Swimming Gala.

On the whole, a good year is forecast for the House, and it is to be hoped Melvin will maintain the excellent achievements of the last two years. .MF.I.DRUNI EDWARDS, House Captain

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" As is a man's imagination, as is his character, as is the harmony in himself, so and not otherwise will he speak." ''

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z8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Changes in the School Staff " All things are a' flowing Sage Hcraclitus says " We are obliged to make the time-worn comment that the whirligig of Time brings in its changes. What prompts us to the restatement of the obvious is the simple and important fact that changes in staff continue, with little sign of abatement.

It is, we take it, a sign of the times, but what the sign may signify or how the times are to be qualified, we would find it difficult to say. What we do wish is to give a hearty welcome to the new arrivals, and our best wishes for success and happiness to those who have served the School, and have now gone elsewhere.

Arrivals . . .

Mr. Simon P. Smith, B.Sc. Mr. Smith is a very welcome addition to the

Mathematics staff. Schooled at Lossicmouth and at Elgin Academy, he completed his studies at Aberdeen University, where he graduated in Science, and takes up his first teaching appointment in the Grammar School. It would seem that the air of the Moray Firth is conducive to mathematical ability, for Mr. Stephen and Mr. Flett, experienced members of the Mathematics staff both hail from the area.

Yet it would be unwise to dogmatise on the point, for Mr. Smith's earliest years were passed in more exotic circumstances: he was born in Singapore and went first to school in Perth, West Australia. Among other things Mr. Smith is a golfer both keen and talented. Once upon a time we would have assumed that this talent had obviously developed at Spey Bay, but now, as we remember Australia's dominance in golf as in so many other sports, we may reasonably suspect that Mr. Smith has benefited from the good influences of both Australia and Scotland. We welcome him and hope that he will be happy in his new school and in his first teaching post.

Mr. Peter Murphy, M.A., Ed.B. At the beginning of the Session Mr. Murphy returned to his old school in the capacity of teacher in the English department.

In the interval between leaving School as a teacher and returning to it as an instructor he has graduated from Aberdeen University in English and in Education, been instructed in the mystery of teaching at Aberdeen College of Education and practised the art with success for some years at Tarry Junior Secondary School. Now he falls heir to Mr. Miller's classes in English and also, temporarily, to a largish portion of the mantle of the religious instructor. He confesses to an interest in dramatics and in school libraries, and it is not beyond possibility that he will find opportunity to deploy his talents in those fields to the benefit of the School. Mr. Murphy is obviously well attuned to the modes and manners of his old school, and happy to be back. We give him hearty welcome.

We welcome also Mrs. Norbrook and Mrs. Cheriyan, who are temporarily teaching in the Modern Languages Department. The School is much in debt to them, and assures them of its appreciation of their assistance.

. . . and Departures.

Mr. Roy Miller, M.A., B.A., B.D. Mr. Miller who left at the beginning of

October to assume a Lectureship in Religious Education in Moray House College of Education held a unique position in the School's economy. He spanned, at least, three departments—Classics, English and Religious Instruction; and, knowledgeable, diligent and successful in each of the spheres, he was perhaps the member of staff who displiyed most evidently the range and versatility of the proper schoolmaster. His heart was, of course, in the department of Religious Instruction: when he said in a farewell speech that he was an unrepentant believer in the virtue of his subject he spoke no more than a simple truth that was known and appreciated by masters and boys alike. It had been his hope that the recommendations anent Religious Education set out in the Advisory Council's Report on Secondary Education in Scotland would be implemented by the Scottish Education Department to a greater extent than they have been, but he never gave any indication of frustration. His teaching in Latin and English was characterised by accuracy

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30

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Hill Walking Club Under the leadership of Mr. Hawksworth and Mr. Will, the Club has flourished remarkably, increasing its membership to over a hundred. There are high hopes for the future, since second-year boys constitute a fair percentage of the membership.

The first expedition of the season was to the Glen Doll-Glen Callater area.

One section of the party started off from Braedownie, proceeded through Glen Doll and, after climbing Tom Buidhe and Tolmount, descended to Loch Callatcr, while the remaining party, setting off from Glen Clunie, traversed Glen Callater, up the steep face of Tolmont and hence over Tom Buidhe to Mayar and Driesh, and finally to Braedownie.

The next excursion was a joint trip with Mr. Banks's Botany section and, while the latter were exploring Glen Derry, we climbed Ben Macdhui. After a quick descent to Loch Etchachan (sometimes by means of the fine snow-slopes which arc a feature of the mountain) we proceeded over Derry Caimgom to Derry Lodge.

The most ambitious expedition was on the September holiday, when a party of about thirty, using Strathtummel Youth Hostel as a base, spent a week-end climbing in the hills of Central Perthshire. Several summits in the Ben Lawers range were tackled on the first day, followed the next morning by some of the peaks of the Cam Mairg hills, despite thick mist and strong winds; and the final day saw some of our members enjoy a scramble up Schiehallion.

The Club has a very full programme for the cooling year. Expeditions are planned to the Caimwell region, Mount Keen, Morven, Ben Avon and a midnight hike over Cairn Toul is to be arranged. It is also proposed to spend a week-end climbing Ban Nevis by two different routes.

Our sincere thanks are due to the members of staff who supervise our activities, especially Mr. Hawksworth and Mr. Will, who organise the expeditions.

SANDY MATHIESON, NIGEL MURRAY, IAN WRIGHT, Upper IV

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Scripture Union Although we have lost the most valued and appreciated help and support of Mr. Miller, an able and willing speaker, counsellor, and assistant, we are thankful that we have been able to continue to introduce what we hope will be an increasing number of boys to the living and saving power of God's Word.

We hope, too, that the School will be well represented at the monthly rallies, the Easter and summer camps, and the twice-monthly Fellowship meetings for seniors, and that we may be not without honour in the Scottish schools' quiz.

It is encouraging to find that there is always a small group willing to give time and trouble to things that only faith shows now, but eternity will prove.

DAVID MARWICK, Secretary

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" Faith is the resolve to live as if certain things were true, in the confident assurance that they are true and that we shall one day find out for ourselves that they are true."—Inge. *

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School Section

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Film Society The officials elected for the Society's eighth session are: President, Robert C. Scace; Secretary, George A. Robb; Treasurer, Findlay M. Coutts, again having the support of a committee of representatives from each year of the Middle and Upper Schools.

This session the Society will again show films of recognised quality, but at the same time of popular appeal. " Scott of the Antarctic ", along with " 90 Degrees South ", the film of Scott's actual journey, was shown at the first meeting, held in the School Hall on 6 November. Later meetings include such notable titles as " The Cruel Sea " and " Reach for the Sky ", with appropriate shorts.

A large membership is, therefore, expected, and it is to be hoped that the discussions after each meeting will be as lively and sucrecsful as they have been in previcus years.

Our sincere thanks are again due to the staff for their support, and in particular to those masters who arc most closely concerned with the running of the Society.

GEORGE A. ROBB, Secretary

Edinburgh Festival Pot-Pourri Morality Plays and Goulash, Symphonies and Spaghetti, Tragedies and Chowchow . . . these were only some of the attractions that impressed the small group of Upper Six who spent a week-end drinking in the pleasures of the Capital during Festival time. Under the excellent supervision of Mr. Wilson, of the Music Department, we paid tribute to the Muses, and have never been quite the same people again!

Only one of our number was fortunate enough to obtain a much-coveted ticket for " Flanders and Swan ", but we all graced several well-chosen productions with our presence, and one or two of us have thought it worth while to set down our reflections here. * * * The performance of Lcs Ballets Jean Babinec was a pleasant surprise for most of us. As you might expect, a company with such varied interests as ours approached this rather unusual form of entertainment with decidedly mixed feelings. (" Song— Elvis Presley ", a small note in the programme was the only thing that attracted our attention.) However, by the interval, the gracefully moving figures of the dancers and the music had made their impression on us, and, after refreshments, the parry brightened up considerably and settled down to enjoy the enchantment of the evening. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Scomers of the Ballet might do well to note the effect it had on the hardened members of Six. Even for those of us who perhaps did not fully appreciate it, it was certainly an unforgettable " experience ".

I. V. * * * Great music performed by great exponents was at the disposal of a small group of the party for the week-end.

The opera " Die Walkare ", performed by the Royal Opera, Stockholm, was presented by a host of powerful singers, accompanied by a sensitive, strong orchestra, though the scenic effects left something to be desired.

Wilhelm Kempff captured his audience with some immaculate Bach, an intriguing Opus by himself, and typical Germanic representation of Beethoven and Brahms.

The Edinburgh University Singers provided a varied and interesting programme.

Although needing some time to warm up to optimum performance in the Victoria Mass, they sung Debussy's " Trois Chansons de Charles d'Orleans " with remarkable finesse, and the Vaughan Williams octet " O Vos Omnes " with real understanding, warmth and feeling. " Five Studies " by Antony Hopkins were just this choir's cup of tea. They were humorously, ingeniously and effectively sung.

The Scottish National Orchestra seemed to find fresh life in its new conductor, Alexander Gibson, who will, I fed sure, give this orchestra a higher standard of

32

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

playing. He controlled his orchestra very well in accompanying Pierre Fournier in Dvotiak's 'cello concerto, and his obvious love for Sibelius was shown in a very moving performance of his Second Symphony.

0. T. P. * * * Sir David Lindsay's " Thrie Estaits ", a satire on the morals and politics of his age was given its third Festival production this year. The acting version of the play, written by Robert Kemp, was brilliantly performed in the sombre Assembly Hall, and it drew enthusiastic comments from the School party.

The entire cast had to enter by the Hall doors and proceed down the aisles to the stage, situated just at scat level. The " Thrie Estaits " had a large cast, and at times more than thirty performers were on the stage together; their clear and powerful singing was impressive.

There were, however, a few outstanding characters in this excellent cast: the carefree capers of Duncan Macrae and the resounding voice of Tom Fleming in particular held the attention of the audience. The impressive power and energy of the old Scots tongue, beautifully made costumes, and thoughtful production gave us much to enthuse over; and for many it was the highlight of our visit.

R. C. S. * * * To me, the militarist in the party, the climax of the visit came early, late on Friday evening, at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Having seen part of the tattoo on television the previous Saturday, I did not know quite what to expect; as it turned out, the live display made the presentation on the small screen look insipid. Under the esplanade floodlights, we were dazzled by the displays from the colourful massed pipes and drums, bronzed gymnasts, the dashing Algerian Spahis and a drill display from the King's Squad, Royal Marines. This was my dream, the sergeant-major's delight—the perfect drill squad, and although perhaps not as spectacular as other items, this example of human co-ordination is my outstanding memory of the Festival.

After the Grand Finale, the moving sight of 8,ooo people watching a lone piper silhouetted against the lonely battlements playing " Far o'er Striuc "—the 1959 Tattoo was over M. G. K. * * * The Old Vic's production of " The Double Dealer", a comedy by William Congreve, gave us much amusement on Saturday evening. To a less experienced crew some parts of the play might have been embarrassing, but not to us!

The action was somewhat complicated, containing three closely connected plots, all of which turned on some aspect of romance. The acting and production were first-class, with Donald Houston playing the title-role with all the gusto and dash required. We felt we had gained an insight into the characteristics of Restoration drama.

N. F. M. *

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The rest was free time, when some of us revelled in more culture, and others merely revelled.

Although Monday was a free day, most of us opted to go to see an amateur production of " Macbeth "—the " only Shakespeare in the Festival ". This was probably the day we learnt most during our visit to the Capital, for we saw how " Macbeth " should not be performed! It was a pity that almost all the actors were unable to discipline their native accents; and to add to the confusion, an overenthusiastic stage-manager ruined the atmosphere of the play by sound-effects that were deafeningly loud, and lighting that was far too dim. The acting, on the whole, was good, considering the immaturity of the performers, the best actor in the company being undoubtedly the producer, who took two difficult parts in his stride; but the performance moved at such a rate that no single actor had a reasonable chance to prove his abilities, least of all Lady Macbeth, who had to play throughout at such a pitch that her climaxes were ineffective. Nevertheless, we must thank the Elizabethan Theatre Group for a noble try and an amusing afternoon!

A. N. M.

School Section

33

Scout Notes tat Troop

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Two of the Patrols, the Stags under D. Clark and the Curlews, led by G. Glentworth won the Commissioners Challenge Shield.

Unfortunately these two Patrol Leaders could not take part in the final. But M. Walkoff stepped into the breach and brought success to the Troop.

M. Walkoff who has now left School has had to give up ist Cubs due to our meeting held on Saturday mornings. She is now assisting the 41st Cubs on a Monday evening.

The Troop are now forty six strong and are all a very keen lot of lads under the leadership of A.S.M. H. Cairns and A.S.M. H. Mitchell.

They had a very successful Camp at Glen Esk which was run by S.M. Stewart Wilson. We regret that Stewart has had to resign due to his University Studies.

We are delighted to hear that he has accepted the Post as District Scoutmaster and wish him every success in his new Post.

After a lot of negotiations we have now added a new hut to our camping ground at Clinterty which very nearly doubles the previous accommodation and will be appreciated by the boys when they go to camp at Easter.

Our Cubtnaster, R. Falconer, who has now received his Warrant is now running the pack of thirty four boys very successfully with the able assistance of Miss Eva SICSSOf. The Rover Crew run by R. Johnston have had two new members since the last magazine namely R. Smith and C. Sutherland makes them a total of six.

They are still meeting in the I hit on Thursday nights, but are anxious to get a Den of their own. If anyone reading this can find accommodation, we would be delighted to hear from them.

A. W. BLAIR, G.S.M. gth Troop In July the Troop camped for ten days in Glen Gain'. For part of the camp, the patrols ranged the hills, mapping paths or observing deer, for a period of four days.

The exercise, blessed by good weather, was enjoyed by all, and the younger boys learnt much about the ways of the hills, as well as lightweight camping. The camp marked the end of a long 9th Group career for " Kitty " Mackenzie, our acting S.M., at least as an active member, cub, scout and A.S.M. over a period of years. We wish him luck in his new charge, and hope he'll keep visiting us.

Due to the prolonged absence of a permanent Scoutmaster for the Troop—a state of affairs almost three years old—we have kept our numbers this session to approximately thirty seven, with the P.L.s taking an increased part in the administration. This latter fact has been primarily responsible for a rejuvenation of the Troop, with increased attendances and the formation of a senior patrol.

This has caused promotion for seconds M. Bibby, S. Wilson, I. Glendinning, H. Park and R. Craig to the rank of P.L. The troop has now ten holders of the Scout Cord and we hope to have over twenty sat Class Scouts by Christmas.

Since a reunion of old Scouts is to be arranged in the new year, all old scouts arc asked to send their names and addresses to the General Editor of the Magazine.

In the autumn the cubs travelled by battery car to Cambus O'May to hold their annual picnic, which proved most successful, as did their fancy dress Halloween party in October. Thc parents are to be congratulated on the high standard and ingenuity of the costumes which made the party a memorable one. The pack continues to flourish although five senior boys have gone up to the Troop, causing a few vacancies for boys of eight and over.

We are again indebted to Miss Diack and to the two students from the Dunfermline College for their help which we hope will be continued in the future.

We look forward to 1960, which promises to be another successful year for the 9th, in all its activities.

IAN O. BROWN, Cub/varier DOUGLAS R. HARPER, A.S.M.

34

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 17th Group

The Troop went this year to Tillyminate near Huntly for summer camp and chose the only fortnight, in an otherwise perfect summer, during which rain fell.

The camp was nevertheless most enjoyable despite incessant warfare against wasps.

It is reported that a very small number of boys were not stung.

This year is our Cafe year and already, due to the tremendous efforts of a most energetic Parents Committee, the target of L6oo has ceased to be fantastic. We take this opportunity to thank most sincerely the parents and friends of the Group who have done so much to help in this most necessary money raising effort.

The Troop, very capably led by S.M. John Blair, is in a most healthy condition, both in numbers and interest. The award by the Chief Scout of the Medal of Merit to John Blair was an occasion of great satisfaction to all members of the Group, and we offer our most hearty congratulations to our S.M. on this well deserved recognition of his sterling services to Scouting as a whole, and to the 17th in particular.

First Class badges were gained by Scouts: R. Cook, A. Templeton and G. Pirie.

We congratulate them on their success and commend highly their keenness and enthusiasm.

Promotions recently awarded are as follows: P.L's. : D. Marshall and I. McPherson to be Assistant Scoutmasters; P.L: D. S. McKenzie to be Troop Leader; Seconds: N. McKenzie, D. Ross and D. Thomson to be Patrol Leaders; Scouts: G. Pirie, A. Templeton and R. Cook to be Seconds.

We offer our congratulations and best wishes to all those promoted.

The Cubs continued their very successful year by adding the Athletic Sports Shield to their Totem Pole win of last term. A. Bell, J. O'Leary, L. Henderson, J. Sandman, J. Anstock were members of the winning team and, along with G. Davidson, who was the most successful competitor, are to be heartily congratulated on their efforts.

We thank Miss A. Merson the Lady Cubmaster and her Assistants for the very fine work they are doing with the Pack, and to assure them of our appreciation of their efforts and the steady flow of excellent recruits to the Troop.

F. R. PATERSON, G.S.M.

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Photographic Society The yearly increasing membership of the Society is proof that it has now an assured place among the organisations of the School. Every Friday evening at 6.3o members meet to learn about and to practice photography; while students of the art who arc really keen and have advanced beyond the elementary stages have the opportunity to practise and discuss on most evenings of the week after School.

The other object of the Society is to make a record of happenings connected with the School; so our photographic work necessarily and pleasurably brings us into touch with other groups and societies. The world, we may say, is our oyster.

Under the guidance of Mr. Will we have made a good start this year and we look forward with confidence.

MICHAEL SMITH (Upper IV) (See also Article on page 23.) *

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The new one-upmanship! " Are you learning Russian . . . the lingua franca of the planets (then) first you must know that Russian bristles with insurmountable obstacles (however) since the advent of the National Health Service, we are excellently equipped for the difficulties of pronunciation—there is really nothing like a set of ill-fitting dentures for getting round like ' Vozhomznost', the Russian for ' opportunity', which explains why they are such opportunists—the only way to approach such a conglomeration of letters is to leap at it and seize it fairly in the teeth with a bull-dog grip! "—From an Article by D. C. Scott in The „Coltman

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School Section

35

School Sporting Activities Rugby Owing to hard grounds, caused by thc prolonged drought, the practice games started late, though much time and effort was spent on getting fit, and on the skills of the game. With eight of last season's XV back, there was the nucleus of a new side. As the number of players of quality in Form V was not great, almost all of last season's successful Colts' side had to move into the ist XXX. There, playing with the more experienced players, they have already established themselves.

It was therefore with a relatively untested side that School took the field against Dundee II.S. to suffer a defeat, due mainly to the weak tackling of the backs.

Against Glasgow Academy the following week, the side played with enthusiasm, fight, and determination, and, though defeated 8-i r , the fact that most of the second half was spent in the Academy half gave them that confidence which was so badly needed. This was demonstrated in the following two games.

The and XV, made up mostly of last year's Colts, has played well. Heavily defeated by Aberdeen Academy 1st XV, it has since returned two good wins.

The ;rd XV and 4th XV have not really settled yet, but are trying to play a good attacking game. Improved tackling, especially among the backs, would seem to need attention!

Further down the School, a new fixture was one between our Juniors and Glasgow Academy. This was most successful, and it is hoped that thc same sides will have a return game in Glasgow next season.

Results xst XV 20 September. v. Dundee H.S. Away. Lost 11-16.

School pressed hard in the first half with little reward. The backs seemed to lack penetration, and their defence was weak. Dundee scored the winning try in the last minutes of the game. Scorers: Aird and Preshaw (tries); King (conversion, a drop goal).

3 October. v. Glasgow Academy. Home. Lost 8-11.

A grand fast open game. School, after a slow start, improved as the game went on and finished right on top but couldn't get an equalising score. An excellent team performance. Scorers: Leach, Paton (tries); Mitchell (conversion). so October. v. Gordonstoun. Away. Won 5o-5.

School established its supremacy early Weak tackling by Gordonstoun gave the side great freedom. Tries were scored by Leach (z), Paul (a), Scacc, Wilson (;), Auld and Glentworth (all but ; were converted). Morrison and Aird (drop goals).

17 October. v. Dollar Academy. Home. Won 13-o.

School were slow to get going, but took command before half time. Later the forwards lost their supremacy, but the backs always looked dangerous. Mitchell's catching and kicking was outstanding. Credit is due to both sides for trying to keep the game open. Scorers: Paton, Milne and Leach. Mitchell and Morrison (conversions).

2nd XV v. Dundee H.S. v. Aberdeen Acad. 1st. v. Gordonstoun v. Glenalmond 3rd XV v. Aberdeen Acad. v. Gordon's College v. Aberdeen Acad. v. Glenalmond 4th XV L. Aberdeen Acad. v. Buntly 1st. v. Aberdeen Acad.

(H) (A) (A) (H)

t r-3 0-39 37-0 25-9

Won Lost Won Won

(II) (H)

13-3 o-8 o-9 3-34

Won Lost Lost Lost

(A) (H) (A)

o-3 8-14 r4-3

Lost Lost Won

{A)

Colts v. Dundee H.S. v. Aberdeen Acad. v. Gordon's College Colts A v. Aberdeen Acad. Jrs. Juniors v. Dundee H.S. v. Glasgow Acad. v. Aberdeen Acad. v. Gordon's College Minors v. Gordon's College v. N-ester Elcbies

( A) (H) (H)

3-11 Lost 6-3 Won 3-o Won

(A)

3-3

(H) (H) (A) (A)

17-o Won 044 Lost 9-13 Lost 28-o Won

(A) (A)

39-o 6-o

Draw

Won Won

36

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Hockey

After losing ten of last year's 1st XI players and eight of the and XI, it is surprising that this year's ist XI has made such a promising start to the season. The team is captained efficiently by Donald Ross and, with practice, it might well develop into a really good team. Among the Colts there is plenty of enthusiasm, and regular Saturday morning match practice should bring on several of the more promising players. Let's see plenty of practice in (a) Reverse stick, (b) Stopping, and (c) Hitting! xst XI Fixtures 12 September. v. 1958-1959 School XI. Score: 2-4. Scorers: Mackland,

Parkinson O.G. This was a most entertaining innovation which should perhaps become an institution. School were unlucky to lose to their more illustrious forebears in a hard and exciting match. It would be true to say that they lost by a " whisker "— Parkinson's! Dennis Hay was as good as ever, but some of the others seemed rusty.

Soppitt was School's most dangerous forward, while in defence Ross was outstanding.

19 September. v. Harris Academy. Score: it-o. Scorers: Campbell (6), Soppitt (a), Lawson (a), Mackland (t).

The Dundee boys were no match for School but, even so, some of School's goals were among the best I have ever seen in school hockey. Campbell was outstanding and it was good to sec his return to form.

26 September. v. G.S.F.P.s A. Score: 2-2. Scorers: Lawson (a).

A delightful game, played in the usual fine spirit associated with F.P.s. The School did well to hold a strong F.P. side. Ross was outstanding with some first class half back play. There were weaknesses at centre-half and left wing in this match. In the forward line Lawson had a splendid match.

3 October. v. Academy F.P.s A. Score: 3-o. Scorers: Campbell (a), Ross (1).

This was a disappointing display against a hard tackling Academy F.P.s XI. The game was scrappy and uninteresting. Campbell and Sinclair were perhaps a little better than the rest. to October. v. Ruthrieston Ramblers. Score: o-3.

School have only themselves to blame for this defeat. Territorially they probably had more of the game but atrocious finishing was their undoing, while hesitancy in defence allowed a lively Ruthricston forward line to take full toll. In a strong Ramblers team McAndrew and Junor gave the School an object lesson on how hockey should be played.

17 October. v. Varsity " A ". Score: 4-4. Scorers: Campbell (2), Lawson and Soppitt.

A splendid match, fought out closely and with the result just right. In a good School team Smith, Armand, Sinclair and Ross were best in defence, while in the forward line the only weakness was on the left wing.

24 October. v. Morgan Academy. Score: 5-0. Scorers: Lawson (a), Soppitt, Campbell and Mackland.

A most disappointing display against a plucky but immature Morgan side.

Mackland and Soppitt were best in a poor forward line, while the defence were not tested. This kind of form will not do against stronger opposition.

18 October. v. xst University. Score: x-5. Scorer: Campbell.

A strong Varsity side avenged last year's shock result with a decisive victory, but School were by no means disgraced. The forwards showed timidity when faced by stalwarts Christie and Buchan, but the defence played heroically. Especially outstanding were Smith and Armand, while in the forward line Lawson was easily best.

OUR LARGE AND COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF

SPORTS EQUIPMENT IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR INSPECTION A Range of Trophies and Cups is also part of our service to all Sportsmen

TENNIS, BADMINTON RESTRINGING A SPECIALITY also EXPERT GOLF AND CRICKET REPAIRS

unpsons' SPORTS EMPORIUM

Open on Saturdays until 6.30 p.m.

'PHONE 21094

38

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

29 October. P. Geo. Watson's College. Score: 2-1. Scorers: Campbell and Lawson.

School had a more decisive victory than the score suggests, and fully deserved their win. This was a most happy beginning to what we hope will be a long and friendly association with Watson's.

R. McNAT. Cricket The 1959 season will be remembered for the warm sunny weather which allowed all but one of the fixtures to be played. The XI had a reasonably successful season.

After a satisfactory start it was expected that the team would continue to improve but the early promise was not maintained. This was due mainly to the immaturity and inexperience of the side.

Of the ten games played five were drawn—too large a number for School cricket—three were won and two were lost. The drawn games were mainly the result of the team which took first knock scoring at a very slow rate, and thus taking the lion's share of the time available. In cricket the time element is of great importance and a team, batting first, must maintain a fairly high scoring rate in order to force a decision and keep the game alive.

Of the batting Auld and Bain were the most successful members of the side.

Auld promises well both with bat and ball but he must learn self control if he wishes to develop his potential to the full. Of the others Leiper, Aird, Souter, Simpson and Henderson had good knocks on occasion and all showed good promise.

The side's bowling may be said to have failed in the basic virtues of length and direction. Where one good ball per over is unlikely to produce many wickets— three or four arc likely to do so.

Morrison and Auld were our best in attack, Auld pc:tentially the most dangerous, and Morrison the most consistent. Both will need to develop more concentration and control. Walker, Souter and Bain proved useful on occosion.

The fielding, was generally good, and in Aird—a very promising wicket keeper— the side had a first class captain.

Bain (Captain), Auld, Lciper, Morrison and Edwards were members of the Aberdeen Schoolboys' side which defeated a Glasgow Schoolboys' side at Mannofield.

Eight of the 1959 side have returned to School, and with members of the successful Colts XI now in the Senior School competing for tat XI places we can look forward with confidence to next season.

At the moment Mr. Mathew, the new groundsman, is carrying out the winter work cn the Square and we would accord to him our thanks for the work he did in the weeks of the Summer term he was with us. The Cricket report would not be complete without a word of thanks to all members of Staff who gave of their time—and a cricket game can take a great deal of timc—to umpire the inter-School, inter-house, and practice matches.

Results from 3o May. and XI. 3o May r. Inverurie Acad. 1st XI—Lost.

6 June r. Aberdeen T.C. rat XI—Lost ro June v. Gordon's College—Won. 3rd XI. 3o May v. Gordon's College—Lost 6 June v. Mackie Acad. 1st XI—Lost 27 June v. Aberdeen Acad. znd XI—Won Colts XI. 3o May v. Perth Academy—Won. 6 June v. Inverurie Acad.—Won zo June v. Gordon's College—Won 27 June v. Gordon's College—Won Junior XI. 3o May r. Inverurie Acad—Lost 20 June v. Gordon's College—Lost. v. Aberdeen Acad.—Lost Minor XL 3o May r. Gordon's College—Won.

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39

1st XI Matches 3o May. v. Perth Academy.

Perth, being put into bat on losing the toss, occupied the crease for over 2 hours and scored 76 runs—a slow and laborious innings. School, with victory in mind, set out to score the necessary runs in just under the hour, but only Bain managed with any confidence to play the Perth bowling, and School, in the end, had to be satisfied with a draw.

School, 4o for 6 (Bain 27 n.o.).

Perth Acad. 76 for 7 (Morrison 3 for 32; Souter 2 for 23).

6 June. v. Aberdeen University.

This was one of the two matches in which the ist XI lost—a defeat which could easily have been averted.

On winning the toss, Varsity batted on a rather soft, lifeless wicket, and, thanks mainly to a handsome 67 by their skipper, scored 115 runs in just over 2 hours.

With a rather uphill task, School's batsmen did not rise to the occasion and had to admit defeat in the last over.

School, 53 (Henderson /7; Auld 14).

Aberdeen University, 127 for 8 (Auld 5 for 28).

20 June. v. Aberdeen Academy.

Academy won the toss and batted. Owing to the restriction on time, one would have thought that runs would have been the prime objective, but this was not so, for the openers defended solidly for 58 minutes, scoring only 14 runs. By putting bat to ball however, the later batsmen increased the total to 92.

With an hour to play, School lost 6 wickets in trying to hit up the necessary runs, and Aird and Soppitt had no alternative but to play out time.

Aberdeen Acad., 9z for 4 (Souter 4 for 19).

School, 36 for 6 (Bain 24).

24 June. v. Gordon's College.

The return match with Gordon's proved to be a rather exciting affair. Batting, after having won the toss, School scored the most respectable total of 112, of which Soutcr hit a lively, if a somewhat lucky, 32. A sporting declaration was made, and Gordons went all out for victory, but time was on School's side, for only 3 runs were required when stumps were drawn.

Gordons, tio for 4 (Walker a for 33).

School, 112 for 9 (dec.) (Sourer 32; Auld 22).

Swimming The Club is operating as in former years on Fridays after School. There has been a small increase in the membership, there being 147 on the list. Syndicates have again been formed for instruction purposes. A greater interest in life-saving has been shown by the younger members, and there arc two classes—one fur the elementary awards and the other for the more advanced awards.

There arc again three beginners' classes, but the attendance has not been as good as it should be in this category.

Friday, 19 February 196o is the date of the Annual Swimming Gala and it is expected that there will again be very close keen competition.

The thanks of the swimmers are due to the Physical Education Department; and in particular we would extend a warm welcome to Mr. G. Mortimer who has replaced Mr. Allardice.

R. PATERSON Swimming Captain G. REID Vice-Captain

Badminton The Club is this year blessed with a superabundance of players. There arc, in all, nineteen members, of whom twelve are new to the game. While the standard of play this year is possibly lower than in previous yer..rs, it is improving with every meeting, and it is proposed to hold some matches later in the season.

• IAN C. KEITH, Upper V, Caplan/

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The Sir James Robertson Prize As has already been intimated the name of Sir James Robertson will be perpetually linked with the Grammar School Magazine for when he retired from the Rectorship of the School, Sir James donated a sum of £roo the interest on which will be used to provide two prizes to be awarded yearly to those boys whose contributions, in the judgement of a panel consisting of the Rector of the School, the Principal English Master and the Magazine Editor, are the best of those published in that year; with the further stipulation that of the two prizes one will be awarded to a boy of the Upper School, one to a boy of the Middle School.

In the name of the School we thank Sir James for this generous gift. We prize it for the stimulus it should give to creative writing, and perhaps even more in that it gives further evidence of Sir James's regard for the School's past achievements and of his concern that the particular interests and talents of all boys—not only of the academically gifted—should be given due encouragement. And we who are directly concerned with the Magazine's present state and future prospects are particularly happy in that we are confirmed in our belief that the Magazine is an emblem of the School's nature and purpose which he cared continually to honour.

We would like to see many more contributions of a creative sort in the Magazine, and we have no doubt that wit, ingenuity and writing ability exist in the School. We believe that the activities of the School's clubs and societies are being adequately chronicled; what has been lacking arc stories, sketches, poems, created by the imagination.

It would be a fine thing for the Magazine if this gift were to stimulate interest in creative writing; so also it would be the finest way of showing our appreciation. We hope and dare to believe that future issues will record in prose and verse the imaginative life of a not inconsiderable part of the School's population.

[Since the above was written, a remarkable number of entries in prose and verse have been received from the boys. The following pages contain an interesting selection of these; unfortunately we have been unable to reproduce all the entries received.—Ed.]

The Art of Clear and Articulate Speech . . . in these revolutionary times the prevailing confusion of mind seems to be reflected in a general slovenliness of speech. Clear and articulate speech seems to he largely a lost art (but) . . . love of the beauty of words and the intellectual satisfaction of the apt and adequate expression . . . can still be one of the most worth-while satisfactions of the educated man."

Sheriff J. A. Lillie* (1893-1903)

Last Leaf Crackled and dry, twirling on the twisted thong of wrinkled stalk, dashing its parched, weather-smitten ribs over the hardened bark of last years twigs it hangs.

Pathetic pennant of a bygone spring, skeleton remnant, crumpled, stubborn still; whistling as it shuffles on the wind a weird old ditty to the damp new soil:— soil which the bursting shoots of greenery are thrusting through; soil which the melted moisture of the sterile snow has fused with rich and fresh fertility.

It hangs there still— miserable wreck, shattered by time's fierce flow upon the rocks of shrivelled-up senility; a faded witness of the fall of all its friends, and how they glowed with gorgeous, sickening flush and scorned the wind: the wind, recoiling with a fitful gust, which brittly snapped them off their stiffened stalks, and sent them down, chattering with harsh scraping on the bark, driven, frail, crunching scrolls into the web of twigs half dead themselves; wind smitten once again to hurtle down— down to the frosty earth— down t the icy floor— down to a strange hard soil, midst crisp and biting cold, a staggering shower of smitten fugitives litt'ring the hoary ground.

The balmy, soft spring wind began to breathe, caressing with a lingering, soft, a sympathetic touch the tender shoots; but at that worn-out flag snarling in horror.— Horror to find a mark of the old year, a victim of his tyrant's griping claws, a prisoner of his torturing frost still there.

It blew with sudden start and sent the leaf pummeling downwards, shrivelled to a ball.

Nearby there was an old old man who sat sighing long anecdotes of bygone fame, sniffing with feeble hesitant breath the scent of Spring's new days and Spring's new buoyant sun.

He saw that leaf— hardly a leaf, a mere organic scrap; a shred— he watched it fall, spinning in giddy spiral to the earth, to lie half-hidden by the sprouting grass springing up freshly to the radiant sun, drinking the cleanness of that day sublime. " Oh leaf ", he said, " how sadly does thy melancholy lot resemble mine."

ANDREW WYLLIE, Upper V

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Vigil The night grows late and the scholar weary.

Exams loom up, November, March and May; O'er books he pores, a task so dreary, Lest hard-won knowledge slip away.

His thoughts may turn from work to leisure, To films, to books, in games compete.

But for him all thought of pleasure, Must at present be forfeit.

With each day, one step nearer, With each week, a wealth of work, With each month, his way grows clearer From school to office, lab., or kirk.

His reward, one day he'll reap, His nightly won, prove not in vain.

Till then, each night, he'll keep His vigil, with paper, book and pen.

MICHAEL G. HENDERSON, Upper \' On First Climbing Beinn a' Ghlo A Sonnet Much had I travell'd in this ancient land, But always in a car or omnibus; Even the western counties had I spann'd, Where breakers crash on shores scarce known to us Oft of the mountain tracts had I been told, Free to be walk'd and gloried in by all; Yet never did I feel their biting cold, Till I had seen that notice on the wall: " Hill walking club, outing to Lochnagar."

Since then I've climbed Glas Maol and Bennachic; We were consider'd mad to walk so far.

Then came the king of climbs, at least for me: One April day we climb'd o'er scree and snow, And sat upon the peak of Beinn a' Ghlo.

STUART J. MITCHELL, Upper V A Harvest Song

Murder at Night

The cock awakes the slumbering morn, He stalks at night through many a street, O'er many a wall he'll climb; Poppies gleam among the corn.

On silent sneaking skulking feet Now it's time to cut the grain, He'll walk to the end of time.

Before the Winter and the rain.

Over the green he softly crept Yellow shines the harvest field, With one thought on his mind, Plenty of food it soon will yield.

And all around the people slept.

Binders and tractors are quickly seen, Between the oaks' low branches green. His thoughts: they were not kind!

Russet and scarlet lie the leaves, Colours bright among the sheaves.

Brambles are a juicy black, Potatoes are gathered in a sack.

GEORGE FARQUHAR, IM.

He crept up over the garden lawn, (The clock had just struck ten.)

With a flurry• of feathers the bird was gone— The cat had struck again!

KEITH STEWART, Middle IS.

School Section

43

Goggles Gray The weirdest boy at Scrumpton School Was known as Goggles Gra!.; A brainy type he seemed to be But sports he'd never play.

When sports day came they laughed and jeered, Said, " Stay in bed old hny." " O.K. ", he said, " I'll read this book, It's one I'll sure enjoy."

'Twas written by Professor Puff A scientific guy; And as he read an evil glint Appeared in Groggk's eye.

For Puff declared that he had found The secret of success, Among the athletes of the world Was some drink he called " Qucss ".

He dressed and hurried to the lab, Mixed chemicals galore; According to the formula He'd studied just before.

And ere lung last the " Quess " was made He heaved one large long sigh; Then took one jolly gulp and said, " My motto's ' Do or Die ' " He felt the stuff inside him fizz, But that did not last long, And then its secret powers took grip And he felt oh, so strong.

Gray went to see Sports Master Quinn And caused there quite a stir, When he said, " Would you put me down For a few events please sir? " Sports Master Quinn just laughed at first, He thought it was a hoax, But Goggles soon assured him That he wasn't playing jokes.

He lined up with the others, To start the one mile race, And soon had left them all behind, He set so hot a pace.

And when he'd turned the final bend And sprinted through the tape; He'd smashed the old school record but, He was still in perfect shape.

As he went to receive the cup He'd never felt so proud; But just then everything went grey As if covered by a cloud.

But soon the misty greyness cleared, He was looking at a dusty beam, And then sat up (for he was in bed), The whole thing had been a dream.

T. RIACH, Middle Ills

44

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The Haunted House A haunted house stands on a hill, Where tragedy happened years ago 'Tis said that the ghosts wander still, In the shadowed house, so dark, so low.

No flowers grow and no birds trill, As seasons come and come again.

What happens in this place so still, While pallid moons now wax, now wane?

Walk swiftly past this shadowed spot, Do not disturb, or you'll regret.

The weavers of this tragic plot, The ghosts, the ghosts, they wander yet.

STUART HEPBURN, Middle 111A

The Bloodthirsty Pirate Captain Cut-Throat was cruel and bold.

He stole as many maidens as the eyes will e'er behold He captured the king's daughter on a fine and sunny day, And demanded a ransom the king would have to pay.

Now the king was very miserly in his cold and selfish heart, And with his golden doubloons he could not bear to part.

On the sea there sailed a Prince, as brave a Prince as could be, Who captured the old ruffian and cut him up in three The beautiful Princess he took away to his own fair land, And they lived happy after when she gave him her hand.

GEORGE ANGUS, Middle IG

The " C.C.F." and I During my service in the School C.C.F. I have received training which would enable me to become an officer in the army should some national emergency arise.

I have been relatively expert in drill, the handling and use of a rifle, and leading a section, or even a platoon in battle. I am, in theory at least, able to lead a platoon to attack and capture a position, or to advance over all kinds of country by day or by night, or to find a way to some distant spot, execute a task there, and return.

This is taught as the Army Proficiency Test which I have patted.

A privilege which I value is that I am permitted, if not encouraged, to attend camps and courses. For each of the past two years I have spent a week at Cultybraggan camp, during which my theoretical knowledge has been put into practice.

I have taken part in exercises in the surrounding hills and have become accustomed to the noise of a mock battle which I think must be as loud, if not louder, than a real one.

At Easter, along with eight others from the Grammar, I attended a course in the above subjects at a camp near Edinburgh. There we increased our knowledge and ability in infantry work, both in theory and in practice, and were taught the most necessary accomplishment of how to instruct others. I learnt some of the discomforts of army life such as cold food, rain, and having thunderflashes—a kind of enormous firework—thrown in front of one, but I still retain happy memories of the course and, I hope, some of what we were taught.

One aspect of army life that has always fascinated me has been the signals.

During my second week at Cuhybraggan I attended a course in cadet signalling, and qualified with an overall average of, I believe, 98 per cent., a mark which none of my school subjects is ever likely to approach! The course included wireless, line laying and tactics—which is the organisation of the army—up to company level.

In spite of dropping a hammer on my thumb, I enjoyed the course very much.

As a result of qualifying over that course, I was permitted to attend an Assistant Signalling Instructor's course at Catterick. I found Catterick not nearly as bad as

School Section 45 I had been told it was. The only thing I did not like was that the lorry drivers stopped work at y p.m., and we had to march everywhere we went after tea (I?).

I was the only Scot there, which gave me some advantages over the others. This course took me a little further than the previous one. In the words of its C.O." It is designed to give an instructor that little bit of extra knowledge that is required to teach others ". The course revised the previous one and extended my knowledge of tactics to battalion level. At the end there was an exam (which I passed) involving giving three lessons to a class which on some occasions involved the C.O. —a Brigadier.

When School started again after the holidays, I found to my surprise that I had to command the Signals section. My knowledge was thus put to a severe test, and also my ability and ingenuity, for I had to rescue the training pamphlets from wherever they had been thrown, and also repair some of the equipment. However, so far I and my one assistant have been able to cope with the job. The test of my ability will come when the five boys we are teaching sit their exam in April or May. Until then I can only rely on the confidence which I at least have in myself.

A. TAYLOR, V, Sgt. Old Castles To some people, old castles have the colour and melancholy beauty of old romance; to others, they are no more than decaying heaps of stone. The average tourist gives them a glance and drives on; the American ticks them off in his gazeteer; the scholar murmurs " twelfth century "; the farmer regards them as convenient sources of building material. Few indeed will make the effort to reconstruct them in their minds, and even fewer are capable of recognising what those moss-clad walls and mouldering keeps represent in the story of our country.

There are sermons in those stones. The eye may see only grey walls, but the roused imagination can feel in them the life of a vanished age, and the tradition of centuries. Indeed, there are two ways of regarding old castles. The first is to take the coldly materialistic approach of architects and historians. They do see history before them, but classroom history, not history as it can stir the heart.

The materialists see curtain walls, Norman arches, machicolated gatehouses. These things lend a castle interest to them, and the dates of the siege of this castle or the burning of that arc only four figures in a textbook. Their ears arc closed to the blare of the trumpets, the screams of the dying, the sizzling of oil; they cannot sec the arrows quivering and the horses rearing. Colour and feeling are absent, but such an approach to old castles must not be despised, for the hard facts of the student arc the basis of history.

The other more philosophic approach sees history and tradition in the rude ribs of ancient castles. Now ruins, once they rang with the sounds of habitation, their occupants secure, and confident that their homes and the world they knew would endure for centuries. They forgot the hand of Time, and we British look at the lonely reminders of their English and Scottish pride. We often forget that Lord Macaulay's prophecy may yet be fulfilled, that a New Zealander will take his stand on a broken arch of London Bridge, to sketch the ruins of St. Paul's.

Of course all old castles are not ruins. Indeed, many are intact, as museums or fortresses; a few remain, despite the ravages of the Inland Revenue, in the possession of their hereditary owners. Most, however, are inhabited by owls and jackdaws, their broken battlements frowning down at Palladian mansions and Regency follies, while the heir to the title roams the night spots of the capital searching for an heiress to save the ancestral estates. Such castles reflect the transience of civilisations, while the castled rock of Edinburgh or the majesty of Windsor prove our national durability.

As an inherent part of our heritage, old castles must be carefully guarded.

Degraded and dismantled as many have been, they are now in an age which can appreciate them and which actively protects them. However, over-enthusiasm in their preservation must be avoided, tending as it does to preserve mere appearance, at the expense of character and atmosphere. Whether the trim lawns round prominent ruins were as trim in mediaeval times is very questionable. Modern Britain, however, is prodigal in the care of her ancient monuments, and may the day be far distant when civilisation has marched so far as to forget where she began.

GEORGE A. Ross, Upper VI

46

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine No More in Jest

" Tell us of your last visit to Aorta, my lord." " I might as well. It will serve to pass the time." " It was two years ago that I visited Aorta last. I stayed at my uncle's. The night before I left, 1 was at a party. As I departed, my host warned me that I had better be on my guard, as the town was full of thieves. " \XI= I was about half-way to my uncle's house, the slave who was with me pointed to a narrow opening, and said that it led us homewards. On being assured that it was far shorter than keeping to the main streets, I decided to go down it. " I had only taken a few steps when something heavy humped into me. Immediately my host's warning about thieves came to my mind. I pulled out my sword, and sank it into the thing. Liquid spurted out all over my hand. Leaving my sword sticking in the corpse, I took to my heels down the passage, shouting for the slave to follow. We reached the end of the passage without any hindrance. There was a fountain at the end, where I washed my hand. I then walked to my uncle's and went to bed without telling anyone what had happened. " The following morning, very early, there came a loud knock at the door. I heard someone speaking to my uncle. All of a sudden, several men rushed upstairs and burst into my room. They grabbed me and carried me off to the court. " When we arrived, the huge building was already full. I was thrust into the dock. The judge gestured for silence and, when the babble of tongues had stopped, spoke to me. He said that I was charged with the killing of one of Aorta's leading citizens, and had been brought to face my trial. Upon his sitting down, another man sprang up and declaimed, to great length, on the evidence against me. When he had finished I attempted to speak in my defence, but could not be heard, as the crowd was booing and shouting, stamping their feet and howling for my blood. " When I had stood mouthing at the jury for a few moments, the judge ruse to his feet. Immediately silence fell. He said that, now that my defence had been heard the jury should consider their verdict. Without the least hesitation, they unanimously declared me to be guilty. Silencing my protests, the judge then sentenced me to death. As I was being taken from the dock, he instructed that I should be shown the corpse of the man I had murdered. I was led over to it. A cloth was lifted, and I saw to my amazement, no corpse, but an old wineskin, with my sword still sticking in it. A great shout arose, and I stood for a moment, bewildered.

When I had recovered my senses 1 asked for an explanation. One of the men beside me chuckled something about the Festival of Laughter. On hearing this, everything became clear to me. My whole trial had been a joke. I was, understandably annoyed, and strode over to the judge to demand an apology. When I spoke, he, and all those near him, laughed all the louder. I soon saw that I should get no apology out of that pack of giggling jackasses, and left the court. Within the hour I was out of Aorta, and I have never been near it since. " Now . . . Guard! " " Yes, my lord? " " Is all quiet on the walls? " " Ycs, my lord." " Very well. To your posts gentlemen. We shall attack in five minutes time.

Give these instructions to your men. By noon tomorrow, not a building in Aorta will be left standing, and the inhabitants will be decimated. I wonder if they'll find that amusing! " GEOFFREY E. WooD (HI A)

" Babes in the Wood " Two weary scouts, we sat on the Tap o'Noth, and sadly looked at the view.

We admired the Buck away to the west, and silently said thanks for not having to climb it; behind us, Bennachic swam in a sea of corn. My companion and I, however, had little taste for the niceties of the landscape for we were on our firstclass hikefor scouts, and our thoughts were on our instructions. We were to find the Ealaiche Burn, and follow it upstream to a steading called White Geese.

School Section

47

Leaving the hill, and the view, we trudged along till we came to a rutted track which blossomed out into a " B " class road, but which soon withered to the same stony track.

We finally reached the stream and determined to follow the track which ran parallel to the bum and also passed White Geese. About half-an-hour later we passed an open gate and were immediately shut in by tall, straight, Forestry Commission firs. We were as surprised as Macbeth must have been when, " Bimam Wood removed to Dunsinanc ", for on our slightly antiquated map, wood there was none.

However, we plucked up courage and descended to the heart of the forest.

Soon we lost sight of the burn and the hills, and our vision was restricted to fir and spruce and larch, and larch and spruce and fir. . . . The smoky blue leaves of the sitka spruce, the long-sleeved boughs of the larch, and the slender green fir needles hung in a leafy curtain above the faded brown and orange leaves of yesterday. An °erosional chink of light, or the faint splash of the distant burn alone relieved the monotony. Now and then a slight rise enabled us to sec the swaying fir-tops stretch for miles on every side. Dusk fell. The rain ceased. Only the low " whoosh " of the wind amongst the trees could be heard, and, as we looked over our shoulders, we felt like Theseus, " How easy is a bush supposed a bear ".

We came to what was, according to the map, the only fork we had to encounter, and correctly chose the right prong. Imagine our surprise when not one, not two, but three more forks appeared. Each time we doggedly took the right side, but eventually coming to a point where the road divided into three, we gave up and proceeded to pitch camp. Little had best be said about our efforts towards that end. Let it suffice to say that each time the wind blew our fire went out. Also that, although we had a box of matches, we found it as difficult to re-light the fire as the proverbial scout sitting cross-legged, rubbing two sticks together would have done, and the cry of, " Wood, more wood? " was all to frequent.

Around eleven we crawled into our sleeping-bags and dropped off to sleep.

Slumber, though, brought little respite, for I am sure I covered more ground in Dreamland in the night, than I did in Strathbogic in the day. The following morning we sounded the three divisions of the road and finally chose the centre one. It is often said that history repeats itself; well so did those forks! We soon got ourselves thoroughly lost. We were travelling east when we should have been travelling north. We estimated that we had covered twice the distance necessary to reach our destination and by now we had quite lost faith in our map. Besides, the similarity between White Geese and wild goose was far too striking to be overlooked. Slowly we retraced our footsteps through the unrelenting forest. How we wished the trees could, like Malcolm's soldiers, their" Ica vy screens throw down," and show the way we sought.

The sun was high in the sky when we reached the border of the forest. My companion observed a notice hanging on the gate. It was addressed to anyone entering the forest, but we had overlooked it in the semi-darkness which prevailed the night before. It read, " Road Closed.

Acute Fire Danger! " We quickly shut the gate and hurried along the road with now and then an apprehensive backward glance, two escaping babes-in-the-wood.

ROBIN Cool( (Middle IIA)

" A Trip to the Zoo " Having visited the London Zoo about three times, I looked on such places as sources of information and pleasure. The animals, I thought then, were well cared for, fairly happy, and had a reasonable amount of room, but since my visit to the Marseilles Zoo my opinion has changed.

During my visit I saw only one keeper. The animals' pens were dirty and the creatures were hungry: one seal's ribs were showing through its skin. This zoo was quite small, and there were only a few animals, so that one would think that the keepers would take a pride in it, but not so the French. Their attitude towards animals is much harsher than ours. Some French girls who stayed with us thought

48

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

the British were stupid in their compasionate treatment of animals. When we. spoke to our animals and cared for them, they thought we were quite mad. Perhaps it was this compassion which made me return to the pathetic little male deer from " Eccose ", standing all alone.

The people, on the other hand, were well fed and well clothed. As they sat at tables under the trees, drinking lemonade, they made jokes about the animals and laughed at them. The children poked sticks at a seal until it reared up and reared at them, at which the children drew back to their laughing parents. They began again and the poor seal, who was too weak to get across to the other side of the pool, began to cry. A passing keeper was too busy lighting a cigarette to interfere.

Back to the Palais Longchamp, down the steps to the trolley bus, which clanked down to the Vieux Port, on to the Rue de Bompand, and back to Impasse Vermier.

I remembered George Orwell's " Animal Farm ", and I reached the conclusion that the animals of Marseilles Zoo could run it much more efficiently than their keepers.

K. BENNISON, Middle Ila

Lower School After a summer such as one might expect only on Mediterranean coasts, little wonder if some of the 319 pairs of feet belonging to Lower School boys did not approach the environs of Westfield Building with their customary (?) enthusiasm on 25 August 1959. Initially it is hard to surrender freedom for a vista of four months of " captivity " interspersed with Class exams, Transfer exams and " 9+ " tests.

But how soon routine becomes the accepted fact—accepted I fondly believe with happiness in the heart and not resignation.

The generally good weather prevailing since August has enabled classes of Primary V, VI and VII to have a satisfactory term's training at Rubislaw and in a week's time the Primary VII and XV will be putting their tactical knowledge to the test in their sortie against Gordon's College. Many enjoyable games of soccer have been played this term too, by Primary V and VI against teams of Primary schools outwith the city—a new venture which has proved most successful.

Our Monitors this session with George A. Mitchell of P VII A as their Big White Chief are as follows: Alistair G. Gracie and Gordon E. McHattic of P VII A; Peter J. Fraser, Alan G. Herbert and Alexander McNay of P VII B; John Gordon and Ian N. Reid of P VI A; Neil A. Cameron and Roderick W. H. McGregor of P VI B. If you happened to glance in the Lower School Art Room this term not only would you see paintings and designs adorning the walls as of yore, but your astonished gaze doubtless would also be rivetted on an assembly of " beastcs, wormes and Fowles to Aye "—a formidable array of masks representative of the creatures who, the Good Book tells us, took refuge in Noah's Ark. 'This is all part of the preparation for the presentation of Benjamin Britten's " Noye's Fludde " by Lower School on the 17 and 18 December 1959, in Beechgrove Church. An ambitious production this, which involves practically all the pupils of the Lower School and the attendant congregation in an inspiring mass act of worship. Great fun for all concerned has been the welding together of such a complicated structure. Let us hope that in its completed form it will be worthy of commendation and thus make participants and producers feel that their efforts have been worth while.

J. D. M.

"One of the most valuable assets a School can have is a live and active Former Pupils' Association . . . ."

Our new Rector in his valedictory message to Alloa Academy.

. . . . And so to the F.P. Section.

Former Pupils' Club Section (Club Founded Ii September 1893)

Club Office-Bearers, 1959-60 Honorary President : JOHN VASS SKINNER, M.A., B.LITT., DIP. ED. (Rector since 1959) Honorary Vice-Presidents : HENRY JACKSON BUTCHART (1890-99), D.S.O., O.H.E., T.D., B.L., LL.D., D.L. DOUGLAS PATERSON COCHRAN (1906-15).

Sir PATRICK ASHLEY COOPER (1896-1901), B.A., LL.B. JAMES CAITO DUFFUS (1897-1904), O.S.E., M.C., M.A., LL.B. Sir WILSON JAMESON (1892-1902), G.B.E., K.C.B., M.D., LL.D., SC.D., F.R.C.P. JAMES GRAY KYD (1891-98), C.B.E., F.F.A., F.R.S.E. JOHN ADAM LILLIE (1893-1903), M.A., LL.B., Q.C. ERIC R. R. LINKLATER (1913-16), C.B.E., M.A., LL.D., T.D. Sir ARTHUR LOTHIAN (1892-94 and 1898-1904), K.C.I.E., C.S.I., LL.D. The Right lion. Lord MESTON (1901-02).

GEORGE GORDON NICOL (1894-1903), D.S.O., M.I.C.E., M.CONS.E. Sir WILLIAM PETERS (1900-06), C.M.G., M.A. JOHN LENNOX RIDDELL, (1907-16).

WILLIAM DOUGLAS SIMPSON (190I - 13), O.B.E., M.A., D.LITT., F.S.A.(SCOT.), P.S.A. ALEXANDER GEORGE NICOL SMITH (1880-88), D.S.O. Sir WILLIAM ROBERT TENNANT (1904-10), C.I.E., M.A., LL.D. Sir JOHN MACKAY THOMSON, C.B., M.A., F.R.S.E. (Rector, 1920-21).

Sir LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON (1899-1908), C.B., O.B.E., M.A., D.SC., F.R.S.E., LL.D. President :

Sir JOHN WILLIAM TAYLOR (1906-I1), K.B.E., C.M.G. Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive GEORGE EDWARD COLLEDGE BARTON (1923-26), M.A. Secretary and Treasurer : JOHN SCOTT MACLACHLAN (1922-32), M.A., I.L.B., 220 Union Street, Aberdeen.

General Editor of Magazine : CAMPBELL CONNON (1926-38), M.A., LL.B., 58 Dee Street, Aberdeen.

49

5o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Secretaries of Centres : WILLIAM GEORGE MACMILLAN (1916-22), 1 Raja Assam—DR. Bengal and Santosh Road, Alipore, Calcutta.

Central Africa—GEORGE MITCHELL GROAT (1927-40), P.O. Box 394, Salisbury.

Edinburgh—ALLAN CAMERON FRAZER (1925-30), M.A., W.S., 10 Atho11 Crescent, Edinburgh 3.

Glasgow—JOHN GORDON MICHIE BIRSS (1926-38), M.G., M.A., A.C.W.A., 99 Essex Drive, Scotstoun, Glasgow, W.4.

London—NINIAN MACKIE (1927-37), M.A., 9 Old Burlington Street, London, Wa. Malaya—FORBES KEITH SELLAR (1933-45), B.L., 64 First Cross Street, Malacca.

Yorkshire—ARTHUR JAMES ADAMS (1919-30), 485 Bradford Road, Thornbury, Bradford.

Secretaries of Sections : Boarding House—GoRDON INNES GRAHAM (1936-47), 5 Westfield Terrace, Aberdeen.

Cricket—ALEXANDER MUNRO DAVIDSON (1937-45), B.L., IS Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Golf-GEORGE ALEXANDER CRAIG WALKER (1917-23), 164 Market Street, Aberdeen Hockey—WILLIAM GATT (1945-48), 82 Powis Place, Aberdeen.

Rugby—DOUGLAS HARRY CHAPMAN (1936-48), Io Crimon Place, Aberdeen.

Tennis— Executive Committee : The Vice-President of the Club, Chairman.

ALAN JAMES PETERS (1920-30), C.A., Vice-Chairman.

The Secretary and Treasurer, and General Editor of Magazine, ex erns.

The Rector of the School, ex officio.

JOHN MORTIMER (1923-27).

ALEXANDER CROMAR (1944-50), M.A. JOHN MCPHERSON MUTCH (1932-45), C.A. BRIAN KERRINGTON CROOKSHANKS KENNETH JAMIESON PETERS (1929-41), (1934-46), M.A., LL.B. M.A. DOUGLAS GEORGE DEMPSTER (1924JAMES REID 0924-34).

33), B.SC. IAN GRAY SHINNIE (1918-18).

WILLIAM GATT (1945-48).

IAN LEWIS SMITH (1918-30).

Dr. GILBERT FREWIN HAMILTON DONALD JOHNSTON STEPHEN (1946-52).

(1921-30), B.SC., M.B., CH.B. ALAN CROMBIE ROBERTSON WATT (1925GORDON HARVEY HENDERSON (192134), M.A., LL.B. 37), M.A., LL.B. ALISTAIR MACDONELL MILNE (192432).

Section Representatives Boarding HOUSe-ALFRED JOHN MELDRUM EDWARDS (1908-2I) M.A., B.COM. Cricket—WILLIAM EWEN (1932-44).

Goif—GEORGE ALEXANDER CRAIG WALKER (1917-23).

Hockey—ERIC DOUGLAS WAIT (1937-50).

Rugby—DOUGLAS HARRY CHAPMAN (1936-48).

Tennis— Siaff—ALEXANDER BRUCE, T.D., M.A., B.SC.

Hon. Auditors : Messrs. BOWER and SMITH, C.A.

Former Pupils' Club

51

The Annual Dinner The Club Dinner was held in the Caledonian Hotel on 3o October 1959. There was a record attendance of just over 200 F.P.s with their guests. In the absence through indisposition of the President, Sir John W. Taylor, George E. C. Barton, our Vice-President presided, the chief guest being Mr. William M. Dewar, O.B.E., headmaster of George Heriot's School; and a guest of honour, Mr. John V. Skinner, our new Rector, appearing at his first F.P. dinner.

We were very happy to see the School staff's interest in the function as manifest in the attendance at the Dinner of 18 members of staff. " THE SCHOOL AND THE CLUB "

He opened with the observation that Mr. Dewar proposed this toast. it was over thirty years since he drew his first salary—as a junior master at Grammar, a post which gave him many valuable experiences, not least the capacity to understand (and be prepared for!) the wiles of young boys, for had he not determined to do away with sweetie-eating in class by depriving offenders of their " supplies " and eating some of these himself—only to find a " caramel " of yellow soap in his mouth! Did he not come to learn, too, at Grammar that a master can get to know a boy better in the playing field than in the classroom? Had he not also learned at Grammar the " art' of writing reports in a euphemistic manner—" this subject does not always lend itself to his peculiar ability " or " well qualified to fill any position he is likely to obtain " or " An employer will indeed be fortunate who gets this boy to work for him "I Mr. Dewar believed Scotland to be at the educational crossroads, and that Education here would take the right course only if it gave paramount consideration to three factors: (i) A resolve that Education be raised out of the arena of party politics (which is not a matter of sectional interest).

(1) We must will the means, if we would will the end (and in connection with this he had some strongly-felt comments on the ill done to youth by indiscriminate T.V. viewing).

(3) Educational progress must not be hamstrung by an obstinate adherence to practices which have served their day.

The best of the Past must be carried forward including (a) a sustained concern for young people, (b) a deliberate Christian assumption of responsibility for the individual (so that the lad o' pains is not encouraged at the expense of his less-able class mates, for he, of all of them, is best able to look after himself), (c) a rugged insistance on fundamentals, and (d) a restoration of schools and schoolmasters to a position of high communal esteem. He then concluded with good wishes to Mr. Skinner, remarking that it will not be easy for him to fill the place of a figure of national importance.

Although this was Mr. Skinner's first attendance at one of our annual dinners he " played himself in " well in replying for the School. Although he had been made to feel that the Club was ",bulging at the scams " with goodwill towards him, he was yet conscious of a sense of personal inadequacy following upon his so-distinguished predecessor, and what with the unfamiliarity of surroundings, unfamiliar faces and other " strange " features, he felt on this occasion very much like the sacrificial lamb dressed for the slaughter. He had as yet been at Grammar only two short months but his dominant impressions to date were cf Vitality and Vigour in School, a desire for a liberal education manifest by the boys' wide interest in doing things by hand as well as by heart, a happy balance between the Humanities and the Sciences, and a strong community sense. He had indeed found at School " many fine blooms reflecting close care and vigilance, and showing the skill of the master gardener ", Sir James, whom he referred to as having " something Miltonic about him " in his fierce democracy.

For the Club Mr. Barton read the speech prepared by the President.

Mr. Barton then paid fitting and happy tribute to " The Guests ".

Replying for the Guests Professor Archibald Cameron set his sails to the ' unserious " mood of this evening and took us on a most delightful cruise of pawkiness and whimsicality. Some of the guests he knew as long as forty-five years ago and this made him feel the occasion as something like a dress rehearsal for the Last

Aberdeen Grammar Sehool Magazine 51 Judgment! After sonic rapier thrusts at institutions (as represented by F.P.s present) to which he declared himself allergic, Professor Cameron rounded ofl pithily with a quote from Samuel Pepys.

Alan C. R. Watt gave the toast of " The Chairman ", he too suiting the tone of his speech to the nigh-midnight hour.

List of Members attending Parent Club Dinner, 1959 1938-5i J. I.. Brebner.

1920-30 Alan J. Peters.

1890.99 II. J. Butchart.

1938-44 J. F. Donald.

I920-32 W. E. S. Thomson.

1894-96 J. L. Thomson.

1920-28 A. W. R. Wilson.

1939-41 W. O. l'attullo.

1902-04 George Forbes.

1902-x3 G. Angus Mitchell.

1921-34 Gordon H. Henderson. 1940-46 John W. Cradock.

1922.28 J. G. W. Davidson.

1944-58 Maurice Q. Cramp.

1905-17 H. J. Edwards.

1922-32 J. S. MacLachlan.

1905-17 limes Leith.

1 944. 30 Alexander Crotnar.

1922-28 J. S. G Munro.

1906-15 D. ;:i P. Cochran.

1944.49 R. L. Cromar.

1923.26 G. E. C. Barton.

1906-18 J. Patrick Jeffrey.

1944-58 Robert Falconer. x923-27 John Mortimer. x906-18 R. B. Williamson.

1 944. 4 8 William Gatt.

2907-08 Garnet R. Fraser.

1944-58 D. R. Harper.

1923. 34 James Reid.

1923.3o P. W. Sinclair.

1907-16 J. Lennox Riddell.

1944-38 John A. C. Michic. lilnaectie.

1924-28 William L. Forbes.

1908.21 A. J. M. Edwards.

1.

94 4 50 J. 1924.28 Francis G. Harper.

2 94 5:50 K 1.CA..513e 1908-18 E. J. Galloway.

1945.59 Ian M. Reid.

Gray Kilgour.

2909-16 1 9 2 4. 32 A. M. Milne.

1924-26 A. G. B. Young.

1945-51 C. Ritchie.

1910-17 .J. I,. R. Harper.

1925. 36 J. R. Buchanan.

2910-17 Ian G. McPherson.

1946-59 D. Murray Smith.

1946-59 Leonard Scorgie.

1925-38 George C. Massie.

19x1.18 R. J. Maitland.

1925-37 N. 1. W. Meldrum.

2946-59 W. R. Slessor.

1911-22 W. G. Thow.

2946-52 D. J. Stephen. x912-18 J. G. Sellar.

192 5-35 H. W. Rankine.

1 946. 4 9 A ..F. Tough.

1925-37 A. C. R. Watt.

1912.21 N. B. Sellar.

194 6:59 l. N! . Yeats.

1926.38 Campbell Connon.

G. Gibb.

1913-22 1926-38 H. M. R. Watt. x913-21 J. H. Henderson. ' 947. 3 8 Gordon S. Dawson.

1927-38 G. F. Chrystal.

1913.25 . S. Milne.

1947-53 Ellis M. Philip.

I947-58 Stuart F. Robertson.

1914-23 W. G. Hutcheon.

1 92 7. 32 J. S. Manley.

1914-20 John MacLennan.

1948.59 Harry Hill.

1928-4 0 Eric Buthlay.

1929-41 T. W. N. Davidson.

1949-58 Hamish G. Mitchell.

1915-22 F. B. Cartwright. x929.39 D. N. Georgeson.

1915-27 F. L. Milne.

1953. 59 A. J. C. Smith.

1929-41 K. J. Peters.

1915-23 W. W. Porter.

1953. 59 Michael Wood.

1915.19 Norman S. Williamson. 2 932- 44 Williarc M. Ewen.

Hors. Members— 2916-27 A. M. Campbell.

1932-45 Maxwell A. A. limes.

DT. A. A. Cormack, W. W. 1916.29 Maurice Cramb.

1932-45 A. Wilson McIntosh.

1932-45 R. L. Mackinnon.

Buckle.

1916.25 G. P. Fyfe.

1916-22 David Hanna.

1933.46 Eric Craig.

Staff Members— 1917-23 G. A. C. Walker. x934-46 B. K. Crookshenks.

J. Lynch, A. Baxter, R. Brown, 1918-22 H. J. Fraser.

2 934. 4 6 John M. Milne.

S. D. McLean, A. Stevenson, 1918-24 W. M. Millar.

1934-46 T. Ian Morrison.

J. Murray, J. Morrison, I. 1918.28 Ian G. Shinnie.

1935-40 James D. Chalmers.

2936.48 D. H. Chapman.

Stephen, N. King, D. Anderson, 1918-30 Ian Smith.

J. Banks, A. Robertson, A. 2919-30 J. R. Carry.

1936-37 A. C. Hendry.

Bruce, 1. Park, P. Cook, J. S. 1936-49 Eric McLeod.

19:9.29 Norman S. Clark. and 1941-51 Gordon Lawson.

1919-28 James S. Stephen.

1937. 39 S. Cowie. x919-27 J. L. S. Thomson.

Query—Who is the member (?) F. J. Meldrum who was 1937-45 A. M. Davidson. x919.22 A. D. Troup. present?

1937.50 Eric 1). Watt.

1919-31 A. M. Wilson.

Glasgow Centre The Annual General Meeting of the Centre was held in the Grosvenor Restaurant on z8 October 1959. Office bearers and Committee for 1959-60 arc: President, B. D. D. Emslie; Vice-President, Ian A. Anderson; Committee, A. E. Anton, W. O. Fiddes, W. G. Gow, C. F. Thomson, and A. L. Speirs; lion. Secretary and Treasurer, J. G. M. Birss.

The Annual Social Evening, arranged jointly with the Glasgow Section of the Aberdeen High School F.P. Club and the Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch of the Gordonian Association, took place in Burlington House on 14 October 1959.

An attendance of about eighty enjoyed what proved to be a most successful evening.

The Annual Dinner was held in the Grosvenor Restaurant on 20 November 1959, and there was a near-record attendance of forty-one members and guests.

The principal guest was Mr. T. J. Sawcrs, President of the Rotary Club of Glasgow.

Other guests included Mr. J. V. Skinner, Rector, and Sir John W. Taylor, President of the Club. " THE SCHOOL AND THE CLUB "

In proposing the toast of " The School and the Club " Mr. T. J. Sawcrs referred to the great antiquity of the School. The School owed much to its distinguished

Former Pupils' Club

53

list of Rectors and its new Rector, Mr. J. V. Skinner, came to the School with a distinguished record. It was only when we went out ink) the world that we realised how much we owed to our masters.

At the present time, said Mr. Sawers, because of the large numbers of children, the lack of teachers, and the resultant large classes, education in Scotland was becoming perilously near inadequate. The modern age was forcing many potential teachers into industry where they were more suitably rewarded financially.

THE RECTOR'S REPLY

Mr. Skinner found that to reply to this toast after so short a time at a schocl so ancient, so steeped in history, and so complex in its structure was a very difficult task.

It was well-nigh impossible, he said, for him to speak authoritatively about the School at this stage, like this. He was thrown back upon his own resources and must relate his remarks to his personal experience of other schools, but as Kipling had said " What do they know of England who only England know? " His first and most obvious impression after ten years at a mixed secondary school was that of coming back to a man's world. He had enjoyed mixed schools but he had felt the change-over to be a home-coming which had confirmed his belief that, whatever we might say of mixed schools, segregation was probably a good thing.

Of his most dominant impressions of the School so far it was heartening, he said, to find music and the arts considered so important, to find that extra-curricular activities were so impressive, and to find that the School was making a valuable contribution to the cultural life of Aberdeen.

Mr. Skinner said that he owed a great debt of gratitude to Sir James Robertson, who was largely responsible for the liberality and broadness of the curriculum, and that he was glad to be able to put his tribute to Sir James on record.

THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY

In replying on behalf of the Club Sir John W. Taylor stressed the value of annual dinners in keeping friendships in repair. Referring to the new Rector he said that Mr. Skinner commanded our entire confidence and that we were very fortunate in having him to succeed Sir James Robertson.

The toast of " Our Guests " was most admirably and wittily proposed by Dr. A. L. Speirs, and Mr. G. B. Esslemont gave an entertaining reply. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed by Dr. Ian A. Anderson.

The following members of the Club were present the list being arranged in order of seniority based on date of entry to the School: D. M. Semple (1901-6), W. O. Fiddes (19o4-15), A. D. Spark (1905-to), Sir John W. Taylor (1906-11).

A. A. R. Smith (1909-16), J. Stirrat (1911-21), I. A. Anderson (1212-24), C. F. Thomson (1912-14), A. Christie (1919-29), I. F. Stratton (1921-23), J. S. MacLachlan (1922-32), R. L. Richards (1922-34), R. D. Al itchell (1923-32), G. N. Pcnnie (1923-26), J. G. M. Birss (1926-38), A. L. Speirs (1926-38), B. D. 1). Emslie (1929-35), A. E. Anton (1932-40), T. 1. Morrison (1 934-47), S. I. Clew ( i 937-40 [It is regretted that the report had to be considerably abridged.—Ed.]

London Centre At the A.G.M. held on 22 October, George T. Simpson was re-elected D. S. S. Marr, R. A. E. Mennie, M. J. 13Ciagrel and V. N. Dean were appointed as Committee, and Ninian Mackie continues as Secretary.

The Annual Dinner is due to be held at Brown's Hotel on so December.

Presided;

*

*

*

Edinburgh Centre The Annual Dinner will be held in the Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh on Friday, 8 January 196o, the evening previous to the French International. A hearty invitation is extended to non-Edinburgh members to make this particular weekend a " double event ".

54

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine F.P. Rugby Section

An amazing summer resulted in It ubislaw's being almost brick hard, and almost unplayable, indeed several south clubs had to cancel their fixtures for this very reason, which must surely be quite unique.

The 1st XV have suffered considerably through injuries sustained by key players due to the hard surface of the ground, and this, coupled with the usual unavailability of one or two others to travel, has meant that varying sides have been fielded on every successive week. On three trips south the team conceded i ro points to Heriots, Kelso, and Stewarts, but the side has improved its form since, and wins have been recorded against Dunfermline, Harris, Allan Glens and Aberdeen University. The team narrowly lost a first class match against Edinburgh Acads, the score being 8-5. Once again, enthusiasm is mounting for the coming Gordonian game, and we hope to repeat last season's results.

The 2nd XV have had some excellent results, and have only lost one match to date. A good victory was won at the expense of a much improved Moray XV, and there is no reason why the side's winning form should not continue.

The 3rd XV were handicapped at the start of the season in that several games had to be cancelled due to lack of numbers. In certain instances players have not been calling off to the Team Secretary, and the players who have turned out are to be praised in that they did not become discouraged when finding that their side was sadly under strength. I am pleased to now report that three full XVs are being fielded regularly, and the 3rd XV is rapidly adding to its " points for " total.

In conclusion, I would like to thank Mr. Matthew, successor to Mr. Tyson as Groundsman, for his most helpful co-operation with both playing and catering arrangements.

DOUGLAS H. CHAPMAN, Secretary Results 1st XV Sept. 5 v. Panmure „ 12 V. Abdn. Wanderers „ z9 v. Heriots F.P. „ 26 v. Kelso z8 r. Stewarts F.P. Oct. 3 v. Dunfermline „ 5 v. Harris F.P. ., TO V. Allan Glen F.P. „ 17 v. Edin. Acads.

24 v. Abdn. Acads.

31 v. Abdn. Varsity Nov. 7 v. Perth Acads.

ro-5 W 27-1x W 3.43 L 8-37 L 8-3o L 29-8 W 22.5 W 8-3 W 5-8 L 12./2 D 6.5 W 5.12 L

2nd XV Sept. 5 v. Gordonians and „ 12 V. Abdn. Wanderers and o :9 V. Aberdeenshire and Oct. 3 v. Dunfermline and „ 17 v. R.N.A.S. Arbroath ist „ 24 v. Gordonians and „ 3: v. Panmure and Nov. 7 v. Moray ist

3rd XV Sept. is v. Abdn. Acads. „ r9 v. Abdn. Acads. 2nd 26 v. Gordonians 3rd Oct. 3 v. Abdn. Wands. znd ro v. Gordonians 3rd Nov. 7 v. Moray and

14-9 65.3 :1-8 8-n 29-o z 1-o 34-0 9.6

W W W L

W

W W. W

3-40 L 3-28 I..

23-13 W 30- 0 W

8-6 29-3

W W

F.P. Cricket Section The officials appointed at the Annual Meeting were as follows: President, Mr. K. J. Peters. Strathmore XI: Captain, Mr. John M. Milne; Vice-Captain, Mr. J. B. Rennie. Grade I XI: Captain, Dr. A. H. Innes; Vice Captain, Mr. G. P. Marr; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. A. M. Davidson; Match Secretary, Mr. W. M. Ewen.

Compared with one of the finest cricketing summers which we have enjoyed for many many years I am afraid that the League results of both XIs have been very disappointing. In the Strathmore Union we completed the season second lowest in the table and in the Grade XI the side finished third lowest, just avoiding relegation to Grade II. There is no obvious reason for these disappointing results as not only were the conditions perfect on most occasions but most of our regular players have been with the Section throughout the season.

Former Pupils' Club

15

Compared with the league fixtures the Section has done extremely well for they have won the Three Counties' Cup for the second year in succession against some formidable opposition. They have also won the Press and Journal cup for the seven-a-side tournament and were runners up in the Banchory seven a-side competition which the Section won in the previous year.

From these results there is no doubt that the talent is present but perhaps not the patience.

As it will be noted from the averages the batting is particularly weak probably because in the league fixtures most of the batsmen will not discipline their concentration. The tactics employed in the knockout type of cricket where it is a case of " hit out " or " get out " certainly do not pay dividends when it comes to a match of five hours' duration.

Although we have enlisted the services of one or two new players it seems that there is a grave shortage of youngsters leaving school who desire to continue playing the game with the Section. There have been several good players who have left School in the last few years who have, I know, played regularly for other clubs in the city and it is rather unfortunate that we must play against these players who would, I am sure, enjoy their cricket with the F.P.s in conditions and with the facilities which are second to none.

I only hope that next year will show a marked improvement in the individual performances and if any boys leaving School this coming year will contact me or come to the net practices when they commence in April they are assured of most pleasant company and interesting fixtures.

Our thanks are again due to all the ladies who have helped so willingly with the tea arrangements at Rubislaw and our congratulations to Mr. Matthews who has proved himself to be a most admirable successor to Mr. L. E. Tyson; also to him our thanks for the excellent pitches and his great assistance throughout the season.

Readers of these notes will be interested to know that the Section are holding a Fair in the Music Hall on 9 April, 196o and I hope that we will have the support of all F.P.s and their friends who can come along on that day.

Needless to say if any F.P.s might wish to help us in our efforts to raise money to carry on the Section, I will be most happy to give him further details.

A. M. DAVIDSON, Hon. Secretary Averages Innings

Baiting Highest score

Total rims

Average

63 43 44 30

165 140 it5 138

16.5

36

138

15.3

21 20

69

11.5

58 77

9.7 9-6

Strathmore XI

Bain, Robin Spence, Colin Milne, John Carson, Michael

12

11 10

13

12.7

11.5 10.6

Grade XI

Flay, Dennis Stuart, Douglas Rennie, J. 13.

Milne, J. M.

9 6 6 8

z8

Overt

Bowling Maidens

Runs

[rickets

Average

261.3 195'4 83

67 59 8

562 441 263

48

11.7 16.3

37.4 18o•5 47

5 44 8

133

13

420

;6

10.2 11.7

149

11

13.6

Strathmore XI

Stewart, Dr. A. W. Davidson, A. M. Mutch, John

27 II

23'9

Grade XI

Inns, Dr. A. H. Marr, G. P. Hay, Dennis

56

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Golf Section

The following Office Bearers were appointed at the A.G.M. held in the Huntly Artns Hotel, Aboyne on 7 June 5959: Captain, W. M. Miller; Vice-Captain, G. E. C. Barton; Committee, J. S. G. Munro, G. N. Henderson, R. J. Bain, F. J. Meldrum; Hon. Secretary, George A. C. Walker.

There have been the usual five outings, three at Balloter and two at Aboyne, which were well attended.

The trophies for this year have been won by: . .

Russell-Henderson Cup . .

H. G. STEPHEN Walker Cup . . . .

G. E. C. BARTON Jeffrey Mug . . . . .

A. C. MtrrcH Gibb-Tbow Troply . . . . .

R. J. BAIN J. L. Riddell Prize . . . . .

F. J. MELDRUM .

Allison Fowlie Stoplejord F.P. Mug .

Dr. M. G. GIBE As usual to conclude the Golfing season a Section dinner was held in the Northern Hotel on Friday, zo November.

F.P. Hockey Section The Section continues to hold a high place in North District hockey, and a strong representation of F.P.s. has been seen in the local trial. Tcn members of the sst XI were selected and five were subsequently chosen for North against Highlands and were retained for the match against Midlands. Those honoured were W. Dick, E. D. Watt, S. C. Banks, J. R. Wight and I. A. Middleton, plus J. Drummond, included against Midlands.

The Club again fields three teams, helped greatly by the excellent organisation of W. Gatt.

The rot XI has made a most impressive start to the season, their record so far being the best in post-war records, having played to, won so, scoring 46 goals and losing only 6. These results have been achieved by a high standard of hockey and teamwork. Our most satisfying victory to date has been the crushing 6-o defeat of the old enemy Gordonians, and at Seafield too. Both Midland teams have fallen to us and University has been the only local team to score against our excellent defence.

The 2nd XI has suffered on occasion by losing several of their players to the Senior XI, but consolation can be found in the fact that these players have helped in retaining 1st's unbeaten record and this in itself is a fair reflection on their playing standard. In the match against University, for example, five znd XI players played an important part in the 5-2 victory. They arc a young side, showing much promise for the future.

Inevitably the 3rd XI has no fixed team, and early results have tended to disappoint. However, there are now definite signs of improvement and hopes are high that they will again be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.

Weekly training sessions in the School Gym have played no small part in achieving the present success of the Section, and we must extend our sincere thanks to Sandy Munro for supervising these sessions.

The Section has more members than ever before, but in spite of this a warm welcome is extended to any F.P. who wishes to play hockey.

The Club held a most enjoyable smoker in November and during the evening the first News Gazette was distributed. It was an immediate success and I hope the members, by their contributions, will ensure that its publication is permanent.

Provisional plans arc already afoot for the Section's Jubilee at Easter, 296x.

Results 1st XI 2nd XI 17 Sept. v. Ruthrieston Ramblers 1-o W 19 Sept. v. University 0-2 L 19 „ v. Gordonians 6-o W 26 „ v. Grammar School 2.2 D 26 „ v. Ruthrieston Ramblers 3-0 W 3 Oct. v. Morgan Academy F.P.s 4 -2 W 3 Oct. v. Morgan Academy F.P.s 2nd XI 2-1 W to „ v. Aberdeen 4-o W TO ,, V. Gordonians 3rd XI 5-z W 17 „ v. Grove Academy F. P.s 5-2 W 27 „ v. Grove Academy F.P.s 24 „ v. Ruthrieston 3-0 W 2nd XI 5-2 W 25 „ v. H.M.S. Fulmar 7-o W 24 „ v. Aberdeen 1.4 L 7 Nov. v. University 5.2 W 25 „ v. H.M.S. Fulmar 2nd XI 8-o W 14 „ v. Aberdeen 8-o W 31 „ v. Gordonians xst XI I-I D 7 Nov. v. Ruthrieston Ramblers 14 „ v. Grammar School

2-I L 4-2 L

IAN MIDDLETON, Captain

Allan Cunningham Anderson* (1907-12), who has been for some years with the Department of External Affairs in the Government of Canada, was recently appointed Canadian Ambassador to Cuba where he is now resident in Havana.

He spent some years in Cuba as a young man and was our Club Consul at that time.

Francis Sheed Anderson* (1909-12), c.s., has retired from the post of chairman of the International W heat Council. The Council has recorded its deep gratitude and appreciation of the service he has given to the Council and to the international wheat industry• since 1949.

Ian Forbes Begg (5926-28), M.A., who was ordained in 1943, was the subject of an article in the Press and Journal by Dr. Duncan Fraser describing the fine work he had done since he took over the charge of St. Ninian's Episcopal Church at Seaton, Aberdeen. In particular, Dr. Fraser pays tribute to the grand effort Ian Begg has made in getting a hall built at his church. This hall is being built entirely by old and young people with gifts of materials and services from members of the community and all under his enthusiastic supervision. " If you want to see what faith and work can do, take a bus to Seaton. . . . It's a real lesson in Christian unity as old and young join forces to build that hall ", says Dr. Fraser.

Calling F.P.s in Ghana Charles Ogilvie Will Bowman* (595o-15), who was in Australia for a number of years as manager of Capital Bill Hostel, Canberra and latterly manager of the Travel Lodges belonging to Murray Valley Coaches in Albury, New South Wales, returned to this country• in 1954 prior to taking up a new appointment as manager of a group of estates belonging to the Ghana Agricultural Development Corporation and run for them by Unilever, Ltd. He was due to come home on retirement this year but the Corporation have now appointed him officer in charge of the training of agricultural students joining the Corporation and he will be stationed at the Pokoasi Agricultural Training Institute about twelve miles out of Accra. He has agreed to become our Club Consul for Ghana and he will be happy to meet any E.13.5 who arc already resident there or who may be passing through.

Ian Fyfe Chalmers* (59.42-50) on leaving the School completed his schooling at Reading School, Reading. I Ie then did one year's practical work on a farm and took his diploma in agriculture at Seale-Haync College, Newton Abbot, Devon.

He then became assistant manager on a farm on the Borders and took his National Diploma of Agriculture at Edinburgh University. He is now depot manager for southern England with J. W. Chafer, Ltd., in Winchester.

Kenneth Murdoch Campbell* (1955-59) who left the School in June this year has moved to London where he is employed with the Crown Agents.

Byron Murray Anderson Cowie ( 5 944-45, 1946-47), a member of the London branch of the British Sub-aqua Club, was one of a party of members who, whilst holidaying in Italy, discovered a large underwater grotto near a group of islands in the bay off La Spezia. Diving near the small island of Tinetto they found an entrance to a cavern which led them into a large rocky bowl, illuminated by a shaft of light from a cleft in the rock above. It was like swimming inside the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, the sea had hewn the cavern out of multi-coloured rock on which were clinging hundreds of sea anei,....5cs and sponges. Near the mouth of the cavern the frogmen found a large number of open tombs and in them the skeletons of monks, buried there 1,100 years ago.

Thomas Craig* (1945-5o), a senior under-officer in the Army, was top of his class at the School of Military Engineering at Chatham. He is to receive a medal for being the hest cadet of the National Service Officers' Course. After training as an architect at Aberdeen, Craig went to the Royal College of Science and Technology.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Clifford Adam Duffus Cruickshank* (1945-55), a member of the Caledonian Golf Club, staged a magnificent recovery in the final of the Aberdeen Quaich Golf Tournament in August this year. Four down at the turn, he came home in three under 4's and won on the eighteenth green to complete a unique double—the Links Championship and the Quaich in the same year.

Andrew John Maxton Cruickshank (1919-25), the well-known actor, has recently been showing his skill as a playwright. In August his play " Unfinished Journey " was produced on B.B.C. Television and the following month his new play " Thom in the Flesh " was launched in Aberdeen. He has formed a playproducing firm called " Theatre 33 " which is attempting to portray on the stage the contemporary British scene.

B.sc., PH.D., F.R.I.C., has recently reDouglas Watt Duthie (1915-20, turned to this country from Kenya where he was with the East African Agricultural and Forestry Research Organisation at Kikuyu.

John Michael Eddison* (1939-48), B.Sc. (Eng.), A.M.I.C.E., left this country in August to take up an appointment with Brian Colquhoun & Partners, a firm employed by the Government of Persia in laying out and maintaining airfields. The Institution of Civil Engineers has awarded him 125 guineas from the Charles Hawksley Prize Competition Fund for his design of a highway viaduct. The competition is held every year for a design of an engineering structure combining artistic merit with excellence of constructional design. It is open to students, graduates and associate members of the Institution under thirty years of age.

David Owen Edge (1937-44) has recently been appointed to a post with the B.B.C. He is an additional science talks producer for sound programmes. After leaving the School he was awarded a State scholarship on the result of the Oxford and Cambridge Higher Certificate examination. He then won an open competition in natural science to Caius College, Cambridge and after taking his degree in physics in 1955 he did research in astronomy for three years and afterwards taught for two terms at the Perse School at Cambridge.

Ian Stark Flett* (1925-37), M.A., ED.B., is now Deputy Chief Education Officer in the County Borough of Southport. Since 1954 he has been assistant to the Chief Education Officer in Preston and was previously Educational Psychologist in the County Borough of Sunderland.

James Milner Fraser* (1918-20), C.B.E., E.D., F.R.I.B.A., M.T.P.I., M.R.S.H., Who was manager of the Singapore Improvement Trust since 1946 went to Hong Kong where he has been appointed Commissioner for Housing with the Hong Kong Government.

James Martin Gardiner* (1911-2;), has now acquired controlling interest of the Caledonian Milling Co. Ltd., of which he has been managing director for the last five years. He is president of the Association of Fish Meal Manufacturers in the United Kingdom and last October he flew to Madrid to take the chair at the International Fish Meal Conference. The most important item on the agenda was the formation of the International Fish Meal Association of which he was elected the first president.

Arthur Grant* (1948-50, Captain R.A.S.C., gained a regular commission on completing his National Service with the R.A.S.C. In 1956 he was re-called to the 16 Independent Parachute Brigade for the Suez emergency and was appointed transport officer to the 23 Parachute Field Ambulance where he found that his C.O. was another F.P., Lieut-Col. John Lowell Kilgour* (1936-41), M.B., CH.B. They were together for eighteen months till Kilgour was posted to another unit. Last year he was with his unit in Cyprus and Jordan and took advantage of his leaves to travel extensively in the Middle Fast. At the end of this year he is to be posted to Malaya where he hopes to meet many F.P.s.

CH.B., one time DirectorTheodore Grant Gray* (1895-1901), General of Mental Hospitals in New Zealand and now living in retirement in Wellington, N.Z., has just published his autobiography called The Very Error of the Moon (Alfred H. Stockwell, Ilfracombe, 15s.). In this book he describes his early years at the School and at Aberdeen University.

Alexander Donald Campbell Grassie* (1940-53), M.A. (Hons.) has been elected to a Foundation Scholarship and also to a Munro Scholarship by the governing body of Queen's College, Cambridge. He recently gained Class I in the natural sciences tripos, Part II at Cambridge. He is to undertake post-graduate work in

Notes oboe Old Boys

59

physics. He spent last summer working with the National Research Council in Ottawa.

Duncan Harvey* (1943-50), who is now home on his first leave from India has been making quite a name for himself in rugby circles out there. In September playing for South India against Ceylon in the All-India rugby league tournament, he scored the only try for his side, which beat Ceylon.

Arthur Heddle (1947-48), on leaving the School was employed by the Clydesdale and North of Scotland Bank for six years until 1934 when he joined the staff of the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Co. In 1956 he was transferred to the London branch and last month sailed for Australia where he has been appointed agency supervisor in the Sydney branch of the firm.

William Gordon Henderson (1926-38), M.H., cm.n., has been appointed senior lecturer in pathology at St. Mary's Hospital and the Wright-Fleming Institute, London.

Norman Fordyce McKerron Henry* (1915-27), af.A., B.Sc., PH.D., lecturer in Geography and Geology (Mineralogy and Petrology) at St. John's College, Cambridge has been elected into a Fellowship of the College, under Title B, from January• 1960.

Harry Hill* (1948-59) had a post as waiter/receptionist/book-keeper/general handimanfinterpreter, etc., for two months earlier this year in a small German hotel outside Freudenstadt in the Black Forest. He had an interesting time and hopes he managed to " Keep the A.G.S. German VI flag flying ", notwithstanding the Schwarzwalddialekt which he had to contend with!

Stanley Hurry* (1916-21), n.sc., (Eng.), has recently been appointed management and work study adviser by the Committee of the White Fish Authority covering Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is the first appointment of its kind in the country. He has twenty years' experience as a management and work study consultant with a leading firm of industrial consultants. He will be stationed in Aberdeen.

Eric Linklater* (1913-16), C.H.E., M.A., LL.D., T.D., had a new play " Breakspear in Gascony " produced at Perth Theatre at the end of August this year.

Hallcrow McHattie* (1900-02), who recently retired from the post of higher executive officer at the Scottish Education Department at St. Andrew House, Edinburgh was awarded the M.B.L. in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Brian John Martin (1942-52) is making a name for himself as an organist and gave the first recital of the season at St. Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen in August.

Colin John Mackenzie Martin* (1951-57), has recently obtained a Short Service Commission in the R.A.S.C., and has been posted to a unit where another F.P., David Thomas Kinnear* (1950-56) is already stationed.

Alexander Milne (1911-13), 0.5.5., T.D., H.L., Colonel, Gordon Highlanders, a partner in the firm of Pcterkin & Duncans, Advocates, has been appointed a deputy lieutenant of the City of the County of Aberdeen.

David Donald Morison (1922-29), M.A., who has been Editor of the Sonia, National Dictionary since 1946 hopes that his work will he completed in fifteen years time. An appeal has been launched to raise i; ioo,ooo to finance the work.

Hugh Alexander Murray* (1919-25), m.A. (Aberd.), B.A. (Cantab.), Professor of Classics at the Victoria University of Wellington, N.Z., this autumn paid his first visit to the United Kingdom since he was appointed to the Chair in 1946.

On 22 October he attended an informal dinner of the London Centre held in the Caledonian Club, SAVA. Cambridge F.P.s.

Andrew Stephen Noble* (1939-52), who graduated from St. Andrews University in 1956 thereafter spent three years at St. John's College, Cambridge where he read for Part II of the Economics Tripos and for the Diploma in Mathematical Statistics. He is now technical officer in the statistical section of the Technical Department of 1.C.I. Ltd., Billingham. He recently met Thomas Carmichael Graham (1945-52) who is in the office administration of the same company. Whilst at Cambridge he met a number of F.P.s: George David Smith Henderson (1936-49), who is now lecturer in the Fine Arts department of the University of Birmingham, Michael Sutherland Jamieson (1936-49), who is doing research in English, Alexander Donald Campbell Grassie* (194o-53) researching in Physics and Colin Campbell Reith Macpherson* (1935-44) who is now a minister in Ayrshire.

6o

Aberdeen Grammar School Mager<ine

Ian Farquhar Ogilvie* (1935-45). We have to apologise to Ian for stating in the last issue that he was employed by Sir A. McAlpine & Sons, Ltd. Actually he has now been for over two years with Sir William Halcrow & Partners, London.

William Ogilvy Pattullo* (1939-41), M.A., LL.B., Advocate, has been appointed senior lecturer in law at Aberdeen University.

James Henderson Peters* (1904-17), M.B., CH.B., has been for many years in general practice in London where he is also a Metropolitan Police Surgeon. He went to Rhodesia in September for a holiday and hoped to meet some F.P.s while there.

Jeremy Nicol Sands* (1941-46), M.A., returned in September from the United States where he had spent a year at Stanford University, California, on a postgraduate course. In an article in the Press eft Journal he described his experiences there and in particular a journey he made by bus from coast-to-coast.

Robert Alexander Stephen (1919-25), C.B.B., M.D., F.R.C.S., Brigadier R.A.M.C., has been appointed Director of Surgery and Consulting Surgeon to the army and will take up his appointment this month.

William Hay Stephen* (192o-29), who is chairman of the Aberdeen Fish Curers' and Merchants' Association now holds the unique distinction of occupying the chief official positions in both the white fish and herring merchants' associations.

In June this year he was appointed chairman of the Federation of Port Wholesale Fish Merchants' Association, he has also been chairman of the Kipperers' Association. Ronald Fraser Skene* (1918-26), M.A., C.A., secretary of the Aberdeen association, has been appointed secretary to the national federation.

John Anthony Thomson* (1947-48) is now assistant chief designer with a firm of laundry engineers in Luton.

Brian S. Tritton (1948-59) has now completed his first term at the R.A.F. Apprenticeship School at Halton, Bucks.

Douglas Stewart Walker* (1903-56), since 1928 has been a partner in the firm of J. C. & A. Steuart, W.S., Edinburgh but has now retired from active business and is living in Hereford.

F.P. Journalists [Late item] George Gordon Allan is now a sub-editor on the Press and Journal and also that newspaper's music critic, regularly reviewing the concerts of the Scottish National Orchestra.

Peter Sinclair Brown is now a sports sub-editor on the Press and Journal.

George Fraser Chrystal (1927-38), Cartoonist with the Daily Mail, he also has had cartoons appearing regularly in the Daily Sketch and Farmer and Stockbreeder He is now resident in Guildford, Surrey, but travelled overnight from his home to attend the F.P. dinner in Aberdeen this autumn.

Eric B. McKay formerly a sub-editor on The Scotsman is now London Editor of that paper.

Kenneth Jamieson Peters (1929-41), Editor of the Press and Journal since 1956 has appeared several times on B.B.C. television in the programme " Scottish Press Conference ". His most recent appearance was in December of this year when Aberdeen's Lord Provost was the celebrity. In the past two years he has acted as a member of the Publicity Committee of Scottish Week in Scotland and of the Publicity Committee of the 1959 Scottish Industries Exhibition in Glasgow. He is a member of the Scottish Committee for the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

This year, he proposed the toast of " The City of Aberdeen " at the annual election dinner of the Convener Court of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen.

Ronald Robertson is now a junior reporter in the Sports department of Aberdeen Journals, Ltd. Ian J. F. Thomson is assistant to the Publicity Manager of Aberdeen Journals.

Ltd. He is a prominent playing member of both the F.P. Cricket and Hockey sections.

Norman M. L. Woodman is now a sub-editor on the London Evening News.

He was formerly a sub-editor on the Press and Journal, for which paper he still acts as film critic.

(See also Notes on page 7u).

Former Pupils' Club

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University Notes At Graduation Ceremonies in the University of Aberdeen, degtccs were conferred on the following F.P.s: SUMMER GRADUATION 9 and ro JULY 1959 Higher Degrees DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.)

Robert Bain* (1944-52), B.sc., Thesis: " The Auger Effect as a Recombination Mechanism in Semi conductors."

DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.)

(r) With First Class Honours Alastair Andrew Ross Henderson (1945-55), in Classics.

Innes Fraser Macleod (1947-54), in History.

(2) With Second Class Honours Ronald Wilken (1948-54), in English.

Alexander Ross Center* (1945-55), in History.

William Rae Wood (1951-55), in History.

Malcolm Nicolson Montgomery* (1949-55), in Economic Science.

(3) Ordinary Degree Michael Stewart Rae Bruce (1943 -49)• Douglas Robert Kynoch* (1948-56).

Mario Luigi Vicca* (1952-56).

Melville Forsyth Watson* (1943-56).

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF LAW (B.L.)

With Distinction Ian Slessor Smith* (1945-53), B.SC. DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.SC.)

(r) With First Class Honours William James Leslie Buyers* (1941-55), in Natural Philosophy.

Andrew Warren* (1949-55), in Geography.

(2) With Second Class Honours Richard Templeton* (19SI-S4), in Chemistry. fain Ritchie Bishop (1950-55), in Zoology.

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE (B.SC. AGRI.)

Ordinary Degree James Douglas Aberdein (1943-46, 1948-55).

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING (B.SC. ENG.)

Ordinary Degree William McIntyre Bromfield* (1945-54), in Mechanical Engineering.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

6z

thiGREE OF BACHELOR OF DIVINITY (B.D.)

With Distinction Ian Howard Marshall (1946-50, M.A. (Aberd.), B.A. (Cantab.).

James Lindsay Wilkie* (1946-52), M.A.

Ordinary Degree Ian Andrew Moir* (1940-5 3), M.A. DEGREES OF BACHELOR OF MEDICINE AND BACHELOR OF SURGERY (M. B., CH.B.)

Ordinary Degrees James Leslie Hay (1940-53). lain Alexander Macfarquhar (1945-53).

Harry McPherson (1947-53).

Roy Macfarlane Preshaw (1942-53).

DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION (DIP. ED.) Andrew Robertson* (1941-54), M.A. Medals and Prizes William James Leslie Buyers* (1941-55)—Greig Prize in Natural

Philosophy.

John George Neville Fraser (1942-55)—Society of Advocates Prizes

in Roman Law and Constitutional Law. Ian Andrew Moir* (i940-53)—Burgess Prize in Divinity.

Roy Macfarlane Preshaw (1942-53)—MacQuibban Prize in Surgery

(equal with another) and Shepherd Memorial Gold Medal in Surgery.

Ian Michael Scott Park (1942-5 5)—Hunter Gold Medal in Roman Law. James Lindsay Wilkie* (I946-52)—Lyon Prize for the most distinguished graduate in Divinity of Session 1958-59 and Mrs. Stephen Wilson Prize in Christian Ethics and Practical Theology AUTUMN GRADUATION, 4 NOVEMBER 1959 Higher Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.) John Low Brebner* (1938-51), B.Sc. Thesis: The Construction of a

Bolometer and an Investigation of the Infra-red Absorption Edge in Lead Sulphide."

DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.) Hunter Pacitti (1947-56).

Stephen DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING (B.SC. ENG.) John Adam Morgan (1 949-55)• S.R.C.

The Secretary of the Students Representative Council for this Session is Graeme Maclean Bruce* (1947-54), M.A.

Marriages Brown (1937-48).—At the West Church of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, on zo June Igig, IAN Omi-we BROWN, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Brown, Westbank, Milltimber, to Rhoda Farquharson, daughter of Mrs. P. Middleton, 21 Caledonian Place, Aberdeen.

Buxton (1947-54).—At St. Andrew's Church, Jinja, Uganda, on 15 August 1959, IAN WILLIAM DEREK BUXTON, M.A., elder son of the late IIr. W. F. A. Buxton and Mrs. Buxton, 18 Momingside Avenue, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth Margaret, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. Gullies, 147 Spica!, Aberdeen.

Coutts (1938-51).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on August 1959, THOMAS GORDON Courrs,* LL.B., son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Courts, 29 King's Gate, Aberdeen, to Winifred Katherine, M.A., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. A. Scott, 15 Gray Street, Aberdeen.

Cradock (194o-51).—At West Church of St. Andrew, Aberdeen, on 6 August 1959, RICHARD HENRY CRADOCK,* younger son of Mrs. Cradock, 125 Desswood Place, Aberdeen, to Christian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Lawrence, 9o Gaitside Drive, Aberdeen.

Crookshanks (1934-46).—At Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen, on 1I September 1959, BRIAN KERRINGTON CROOKSHANKS,* son of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Crookshanks, 6z Desswood Place, Aberdeen, to Joyce Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arch.

Steele, 2 Raeden Avenue, Aberdeen.

Cruickshank (194z-48).--At St. Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, on 6 August 1959, DOUGLAS EDWARD CRUICKSHANK, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Cruickshank, 13o Gray Street, Aberdeen, to Eleanor Gardner, daughter of the late ex-provost and Mrs. David Brodie, Ravenscraig, Dumfries.

D 'Agostino (1940-48).--At Craigiebuckler Parish Church, Aberdeen, on 3 October 1959, ANTHONY MICHAEL D'AGOSTINO, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. D'Agostino, Dunvegan, Slug Road, Stonehaven, to Sheila Wyllie, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Allan, J.P., Byways, Newtonhill, Kincardine.

Durnin (194o-45).—At the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Vincent de Paul, London, on 31 October 1959, LEO MICHAEL DURNIN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Durnin, it Osborne Place, Aberdeen, to Jacqueline, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. V. R Watts, 88 College Road, lsleworth, Middlesex.

Esson (1949-51).—At Kirkinner Parish Church, Wigtownshire, on 4 September 1959, ALEXANDER EssoN, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Esson, 67 Richmond Street, Aberdeen, to Isabella, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. McKenzie, Knockiffrick, Kirkinner, Wigtownshire.

Ewen (1934-4o).—At North Church, Aberdeen, on 2 September 1959, HAROLD DUPFUS Ewing, son of Mrs. L. Ewen, i 5 Elmbank Road, Aberdeen and the late Mr. W. Ewen, to Jean Rae Gibb, younger daughter of Mrs. C. Moir, 6 Danestone Place, Bridge of Don and the late Mr. J. Moir.

Finlayson (i933-37).—At Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, U.S.A., on z8 October 1959, JAMES KERR FLNLAYSON,* son of Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Finlayson, Lismore, Westhill, Inverness, to Anna Isabella, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Robertson, Linnorie, Huntly.

Fraser (i936-49).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on t o October 19S9, JAMES EDWARD FRASER,* M.A., S.A., elder son of Dr. and Mrs. J. F. Fraser, 17 Carden Place, Aberdeen, to Patricia Louise, M.A., younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Stewart, Ballcchin Cottage, Ballinluig.

Glashan (T938-51).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 21 July 1959, Roans: WA-rrie GLASHA_N,* M.B., CH.B., son of Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Glashan, 63 Desswood Place, Aberdeen, to Wilma Miller Rae, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Thomson, Balnoon, Inverkeithney, by Huntly.

Green (1947-5 I).—At Salcombe Regis, on 2 x November 1959, DAVID ALEXANDER GREEN, elder son of Mrs. B. Green and the late H. J. Green, P.R.C.S., M.R.C.O.G., of Banff, to Sheila Mary, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. II. C. Self, of Salcombe Regis, Devon, late of Banstead.

Inkster (1945-48).—At St. Mark's Church, Rcmucra, Auckland, N.Z., on II July 1959, IAN ANDREW INKSTER, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Inkster, Torramhor, Banchory, to Doris Ann Rachel, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. NI. Warren, 2 Nork Gardens, Banstead, Surrey.

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Aberdeen Grammar Sebool Magazine

Leith (x939-51).—At St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen, on 19 September 1959, JAMES ALEXANDER LEITH,* son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Leith, 22 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, to Anna Joyce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Mitchell, 3 Burnside Gardens, Aberdeen.

Lynch (1936-49)At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on x6 July 1959, FREDERICK PA SSMORE LYNCH,* M.B., CH.B., younger son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lynch, 9 Stanley Street, Aberdeen, to Alison Forbes Hunter, M.B., CH.B., only daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. A. Birnie, 32 Albyn P ace, Aberdeen.

McIntosh (1949-52).--At St. Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen, on 4 July 1959, CHARLES MXARNS MCINTOSH, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. W. McIntosh, 83 Westburn Road, Aberdeen, to Maureen Margaret, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Craighead, 25 Rowan Road, Aberdeen.

Mearns (1958-50).--A2 Rubislaw Church, Aberdeen, on 21 July 1959, JAMES ANDREW GRAEME MEARNS, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Meatus, 79 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen, to Isobel Patricia, only daughter of the late Dr. Herbert Fowlie and of Mrs. I. F. Fowlie, z Carlton Place, Aberdeen.

Noble (1939-52).—At the Collegiate Church of St. Andrews on 7 August 1959, ANDREW STEPHEN NOBLE,* elder son of Principal and Mrs. P. S. Noble, zob Holland Villas Road, London, W.14, to Margaret Birrell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Rayne, 34 Omar Crescent, Buckhaven, Fife.

Pattullo (1939-41).—At De Gerefortneerde Kerk, Enschede, Netherlands, on 5 September 1959, WILLIAM OGILVIE PATrun.o,* LL.B.. Advocate, 8 North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. Patullo, to Etty, eldest daughter of De Hccr and Mevrouw Tijs Hoekstra, 76 Delistraat, Enschcdc.

Reaper (t 946-5o).—At the West Church of St. Andrew, Aberdeen, on 24 October 1959, ERIC REAPER, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Reaper, 25 Church Street, Woodside, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. McKay, Davo House, Fordoun, Kincardine.

Ritchie (1943-49)At Woodside North Church, Aberdeen, on 27 June 1959, DONALD ALLAN RrrcHrs, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Ritchie, Dorwal Lea, Hillhead Road, Bieldside, to Sheila, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. J. C. Abel, to Anderson Avenue, Aberdeen.

Ross (1923-32).—At Narborough Congregational Church, on 19 June 1959, ANDREW CORMACK Ross, M.B., CH.B., twin son of the late Capt. R. Ross and of Mrs. Ross, 71 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen, to Molly Kathleen, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, Littlethrope, Leics.

Simpson (r947-57).—At St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen, on 19 August 1959, NEIL VICTOR RIDGLEY SIMPSON,* elder son of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Simpson, Fairview, Cults, to Sheila Mary, only daughter of Mrs. and the late Dr. W. J. Jack, 67 Forest Road, Aberdeen.

Simpson (1945-47).—At Holburn West Church, Aberdeen, on 27 June 1959, WILLIAM ALEXANDER SIMPSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Simpson, 34 Malcolm Road, Peterculter, to Elizabeth Anne, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. R. Thom, 6o Balmoral Place, Aberdeen.

Smith (I937-46).--At Ferryhill South Church, Aberdeen, on 17 July 1959, MURRAY Ross SMITH,* younger son of Mrs. Smith, The Neuk, Newtonhill, to Margaret Rowan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Mitchell, 18 Deemount Road, Aberdeen.

Strachan (1942-47).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 15 July 1959, RONALD WEST STRACHAN, M.B., CH.B., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Strachan, 31, Fonthill Terrace, Aberdeen, to Helen Ross, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Campbell, Osborne Hotel, 8 Queen's Gardens, Aberdeen.

Stuart (1931-45).--At North Church, Buckie, on 18 July 1959, ALEXANDER STUART,* B.SC., son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Stuart, 399 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, to Jessie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Barrie, to James Street, Buckie.

Taylor (1937-48).—At Kilmacolm Old Kirk, on II September 1959, JAMES DAVID TAYLOR, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Taylor, 171 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, to Anne McGill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Findlay, Fairfield, Kilmacolm.

Taylor (1937-#9).-At St. Paul's Church, Seacombe, Cheshire, on 19 September 1959, PATRICK HAMILTON TAYLOR, B.SC., younger son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Taylor, 12 Woodburn Avenue, Aberdeen, to Brenda Garnet, rnu:., only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Garnet, Wallasey, Cheshire.

Obituary

65

Thomson (I938-47).—At St. Andrew's Church, Nairobi, on TO October 1 959, MICIIAEL BOYD TirousoN,* third son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomson, Murdan, Bieldside,

to Audrey, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shingler, 31 Newmarket Road, Norwich.

Wares (i94i-32).—At St. Mary's R.C. Church, Inverness, on Ii July 1959, IAIN WARES,* elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Wares, Wick, to Pierina Sabiu, daughter Antonia Sabiu, Cagliari, Italy. of Signori _ Watt (1931-43).—At St. Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, on 22 August 1959, DONALD ELMSLIE ROBERTSON WATT,* youngest SOIT of the late Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Watt, Aberdeen, to Helen, eldest daughter of the late Mr. John Younie, I.C.S., and of Mrs. Younie, 3 Carden Place, Aberdeen.

Watt (i949-5a).—At High Church, Hilton, Aberdeen, on io September 1959, JOHN GODSMAN WATT,* B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Watt, Meikle Clinterty, Kinellar to Loveina Gordon Cameron, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Stables, 69 Morningfield Road, Aberdeen.

Wilkie (I946-52).—At Cults West Church, on 15 July 1959, JAMES LINDSAY WILKIE,* M.A., B.D., son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Wilkie, 5 Deemount Road, Aberdeen. to Irene Abercromby, M.B., CH.B., daughter of the Rev. W. H. and Mrs. Watson, of Livingstonia, Nyasaland and Embangweni, West Cults.

Wilson (1940-50).—At Rubislaw Church, Aberdeen, on 12 September 1959, ALEXANDER WILSON,* younger son of the late Mr. G. G. Wilson and Mrs. L. Wilson, 37 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, to Margaret Lois, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Greig, azz Morrison Drive, Aberdeen.

Obituary Arthur Robert Hall Angus* (1913-16) died suddenly, aged fifty-nine, at Peermade, South India on 17 October 1959. From School he joined the Aberdeen Lime Co. Ltd. as a clerk but a year later he joined the army and served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and the R.G.A. both in this country and abroad until 1920 when he was demobilised. Most of his life from then on was spent in India where he was engaged in tea planting.

David Sinclair Allan* (1906-7), who spent most of his lift in India, died at Aberdeen on z5 July 1959. On leaving the School he served his apprenticeship as an engineer with the Aberdeen Corporation Electricity Department and then went to India as an engineer on a tea plantation. For many years he was engaged in tea planting in Assam. During World War I he served with the Indian Army on the North-West Frontier and attained the rank of Captain and in World War 11 he served as an officer with the 14th Army. Ile was aged sixty-seven.

Gordon Hamilton Bell (1940, 1942-47), M.P.S., who was in business at Walthamstow, died at Chingford Hospital on 8 August 1959, aged thirty years. I-Ie was drafted to the R.A.F. for his National Service but was invalided out and had been in poor health for a number of years.

George Copland (1889-92), M.A., whose home was at Kintore, died at Inverurie Hospital on 8 August 1959. After graduating at Aberdeen University in 1896 he commenced his teaching career and in 1904 was appointed headmaster of liadenscoth Public School. In 1911 he became headmaster of Kirktown School, Auchterless, a position which he held until he retired.

M.D., one of the last survivors of those William Flett Croll* (1882-91), who attended the inaugural meeting of the Club, died at his home in Aberdeen on zi June 1959. After graduating at Aberdeen University he was in medical practice in the city until 19oz when he was appointed assistant to the professor of matcria medics at the University and physician to the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary which positions he held until 1922. During World War I he served with the R.A.M.C. and was officer-in-charge of the Aberdeen Military Hospital from 1915 till 1918.

Until recently he had been a well-known cardiac specialist in the city and had been chairman of Aberdeen District Nursing Association and Aberdeen Dispensary & Vaccine Association, his connection with the Latter association being for over thirty-five years. Ile had been in poor health for some time and was eighty-four years old at the time of his death.

James John Donald* (1921-26), B.L. advocate in Aberdeen died suddenly at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 57 November 5959. He was fifty years old. He served his apprenticeship with Milne & Reid, Advocates, Aberdeen and after graduating at Aberdeen in 1930 he joined his uncle, the late D. M. C. Donald (1882-86) with the firm of D. M. C. Donald & Co. of which he was senior partner at the time of his death. A territorial army officer before the last war, he served

66

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

during hostilities with the Royal Corps of Signals. He was well-known in the fish trade having been secretary of the British Herring Trade Association for a number of years.

Charles Gordon Graham* (1911-18) died suddenly at his home in Aberdeen on 27 June 1939, aged fifty-five. I-Ic was a director of the well-known wine merchants, Gordon Graham & Co. Ltd., Aberdeen until the company was acquired recently by another firm. Before the last war he was a keen Territorial and was a Captain in the 75th Highland Field Brigade R.A., T.A., but during hostilities he served as an officer in the R.A.F. Alexander Smyth Kemp (1903-5) died at his home in Aberdeen on 13 October 1959 aged sixty-nine. He had been in poor health for the last two years. He started his career with John T. Rennie & Son, Shipowners, Aberdeen and after four years in their service he joined the staff of the University Office, Aberdeen, where he remained for the rest of his working life. When he was compelled to retire in 1957 on account of ill-health he was cashier to the University. He was a keen golfer and in his younger days had been a fine cricketer.

Robert Norman Lees (1920-33), M.C., M.B., cm.s., died suddenly at Shaftesbury, Dorset on 12 September 1959 aged forty-four years. He graduated in medicine at Aberdeen in 1938 and was specialising in tuberculosis when war broke out. He received a commission in the R.A.M.C., and after serving for a time in France was sent to the Middle East with the rank of Captain. During an attack in Libya in 1941 he won the Military Cross for bringing in a wounded officer under fire. This officer was an F.P., Robert Coulson Meikle (1935-33) who unfortunately did not survive and whose twin brother John Cunningham Meikle (1931-33) was also killed in the same battle. After the war Lees went into general practice at Shaftesbury.

David Ronald Macdonald* (1895-1903) died in a Nursing Home in Glasgow on 25 September 1959. He had not been in very good health for some years but his death after an operation was a little unexpected. On leaving the School he entered the family business of David Macdonald & Sons, Merchants, Aberdeen and remained there until he joined the army in 1915 where he served with the Royal Corps of Signals until he was demobilized in 1919. He again joined the family business until it was wound up some years ago when he became managing director of the Aberdeen Steam Laundry Co. Ltd., a company of which he had been chairman of directors since the death of his father. A keen and competent golfer he had been captain of Royal Aberdeen and had played for that club in many tournaments in the north-east. He was a Burgess of Guild of the City. At the time of his death he was seventy-one years old.

John Ross McMillan* (1876-79 and 1881-84), F.R.1.B.A., one of Aberdeen's best known architects, died at his home in Aberdeen on z6 October 1959 at the age of ninety-one. In partnership with his father and later with his brother he designed many important buildings in Scotland, the most outstanding of these being the Mackie Academy at Stonchaven which won for him the top place in a national competition. He was a founder of the Aberdeen Society of Architects and the last survivor of the founders. A leading member of the Northern Arts Club, his water colours were shown at many of their exhibitions. He was a keen churchman and was an office bearer of Ferryhill South Church. One of five brothers who attended the School he is survived by only one, his partner Douglas Stuart McMillan* (1986-1904), F.R.1.B.A. Robert Malcolm* (1911-15) died, aged fifty-nine, in Momingfield Hospital, Aberdeen, on 25 August 19f9 after a long and painful illness cheerfully borne.

During the latter part of the First World War he served with the Gordon Highlanders in France and in Germany but it was during this service that he contracted the illness which remained with him for, more or less, the rest of his life. He was discharged from the army in 1919 and for a time worked with his father in their plumbing and electrical business but in 1932 he again became an invalid and in 5947 entered Momingfield Hospital. He was a keen Freemason and had been an office-bearer in both his Lodge and his Chapter and had been initiated into many of the higher degrees of the Craft.

Bryson Middleton (1905-7) died in Aberdeen on 23 November 1959, after a long illness at the age of sixty. After attending the School and Robert Gordon's College and Aberdeen University he joined his father as a cattle salesman at the Belmont Mart, Aberdeen and on his father's death became managing director in 1936. When his firm amalgamated with another in 1946 he retired and took up farming at Ellon but his health was not too good and in 1955 he became divisional fat stock officer for Cheshire and Lancashire, a position which he held until ill-health caused hin to return to Aberdeen in February this year.

Obituary

67

Thomas Milne, (1892-?), b.s.o., Colonel, Indian Army, dicd aged seventyseven at Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire on 4 November 1959. He joined the Indian Army as a and Lieutenant in 1903 and spent many years on service in the NorthWest Frontier Province. During the First World War he was awarded the n.s.o. for his services in Egypt and Palestine as well as the Order of the Nile and was mentioned in dispatches.

Alexander George Nicol Smith* (188o-88), n.s.o., a former President and an Honorary Vice-President of our Club, died on 7 July 1959 at the age of eighty-five.

On leaving the School he became an apprentice with the firm of A. & J. Smith, Jewellers, Aberdeen and on the death of his father in 1904 was made a partner, becoming senior partner six years later. In World War I he had a most distinguished career in this country and in France rising to the rank of Colonel, being awarded the D.S.O., and the Croix de Guerre and being mentioned in dispatches five times.

On his return to civil life he became a well-known public figure in the city and at various times was chairman of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, honorary treasurer of the Aberdeen Liberal Association, president of the Friends of Morningfield Hospital, president of the Aberdeen branch of the R.A.S.C., Regimental Association, chairman of the National Association of Goldsmiths and, of course, president of the Club. He was recognised among his colleagues in the jewellery trade as a highly expert craftsman and designer.

Alexander James Smith (1880-85) died at his home in Birmingham on 8 October 1959, at the age of eighty-seven. On leaving School he entered the business of Pratt & Keith of which firm his father, the late James Smith, J.P., was a partner.

He received training in the cabinet-making and upholstery department and subsequently became manager. He was also a partner in an Acetylene Plant Makers and Electrical Engineering Works business.

In 1892 he went to Egypt for health reasons where he had a medical friend.

He proceeded to London for a few years and went over to Dublin in 1906. After six years in Dublin he returned to London in 1912. Thereafter he went to Birmingham where he established a cabinet-making, upholstery and furnishing brassfounders business.

He had a great liking for orchestral music and Cathedral music. In the 'nineties he used to play the services in St. Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen, for the organist, George C. Dawson, F.R.C.O., late of Durham Cathedral (whose pupil he was) when Mr. Dawson was on holiday.

George Thow Smith* (1881-91) L.R.I.B.A., died suddenly in Birmingham on 8 March 1959 at the age of eighty-four. He served his apprenticeship as an architect with the firm of W. & J. Smith & Kelly, Architects, Aberdeen. He entered the services of the Architects Department of London County Council in 1904 and was promoted to be a senior technical assistant in 1934. He retired under the standing orders on his sixty-fifth birthday, 25 July 1939. He was a member of the Honourable Artillery Company and went to France in August 1914 on the outbreak of war.

In 1916 he was wounded. From 1916 to the termination of the war he trained recruits for the Honourable Artillery Company. When he retired in July 1939 he had hoped to go on a world tour but another war was imminent so he had to give this up. He resided in London and Epsom until 1944 when he went to reside in Birmingham with his elder brother, Alexander James Smith (1880-85).

Ian, Charles Ogilvie Will (1893-97) died at Perth on 22 September 1959.

After serving his apprenticeship with Home & Mackinnon, Stockbrokers, Aberdeen he was in a London stockbroker's office but returned to Aberdeen in 1905 and became a member of the Aberdeen Stock Exchange. He carried on business on his own account until 191o when he left Aberdeen to take up a professional career on the stage. During the 1914-18 war he worked in Woolwich Arsenal and was in charge of a shop there until 1918.

*

*

*

Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell* (1879-80), C.B.E., D.Sc., M.A., LL.D., P.R.S., F.Z.S., the distinguished biologist, who died in 1945 and who was for many years Secretary to the Zoological Society of London, has had a plaque erected to his memory at Whipsnade Zoo. The inscription reads: " through whose vision and by whose work Whipsnade became a zoological park."

68

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine New Members of the Club 15 May 1959—r4 November 1959

LIFE MEMBERS Chalmers, Ian Fyfe, N.D.A., C.D.S. (S.H.C.) (1942-50), Groveland Farm, Spencers Wood, Reading.

Kcnnaway, Charles Gray (1948-59), 9 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen.

McLaren, John Harvey (1945-59), 68 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

ORDINARY MEMBERS Anderson, Royan Stuart (,945-59), 89 Walker Road, Torry, Aberdeen.

Bain, Edmund Donald Bruce (1 946-59), " Viewheld ", Milltimber, Aberdeen.

Begg, Norman Roderick Darroch (x951-59), 76 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

Buchan, George Fraser (1953-59), 178 Skcne Street West, Aberdeen.

Cameron, Donald Alexander Gray (1957-59), 39 Salisbury Terrace, Aberdeen.

Campbell, Kenneth M. (1955-59), 42 Huron Road, Tooting, London, S.W.17.

Clark, Colin James Borthwick (1956-59), 88 Oxgangs Road, Fairmilehead, Edinburgh, to.

Cogle, James (1952-59), 86 Menzies Road, Torry, Aberdeen.

Cowie, Frank Garden (1953-59), 3z Springfield Gardens, Aberdeen.

Donald, John Henry (1953-59), 58 Mastrick Drive, Aberdeen.

Drummond, lain Roderick (1952-59), 77 Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

Ducat, Thomas (1959-22), Teelah Bungalow, Doom Dooma, Assam.

Ducat, Thomas Nicholas (1 946-59), 38 Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

Duncan, Alistair Wallace (1952-59), 27 atson Street, Aberdeen.

Fettes, Douglas James (1953-59), 6o Dec Street, Aberdeen.

Forbes, William (1945-59), 7 Woodburn Avenue, Aberdeen.

Graham, George Paterson (1945-59), 27 Springhill Crescent, Northfield, Aberdeen.

Guest, Michael Gordon Thomas (1947-59), 3 Cults Avenue, Cults, Aberdeen.

Hampton, Alexander William Matthews (1 945-59), 9 Caimcry Crescent, Aberdeen.

I fardie, Michael J. (1948-59), 245 Westbum Road, Aberdeen.

Hay, Dennis (x952-59), 183 Great Northern Road, Aberdeen.

Henderson, David Andrew (1945-59), " Kerrera" Baillieswells Road, Bieldsidc, Aberdeen.

I Ienderson, Michael John (1946-59), 75 Stanley Street, Aberdeen.

Hepburn, Kenneth (1954-59) 123 Provost Rust Drive, Aberdeen.

Hill, Harry Joseph Charles (1948-59), 46 Gray Street, Aberdeen.

Hird, Ian (x947-59), 9 Cleverden Crescent, Glasgow, W. Bird, William (1952-59) 9 Clcverden Crescent, Glasgow, W. Horbury, Kenneth John (1952-59), 3z Bonnymuir Place, Aberdeen.

Howie, Ian W. (1950-54), The Manse, Peterculter.

Jamieson, Colin W. (1953-59), z Albert Place, Aberdeen.

Jeffrey, John Peter (1944-59), 79 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen.

Keith, Alastair Mackie (1953-S9), c/o Denmore, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.

Kemp, William Charles (1953-59) " Deloraine " 12 Primrosehill Road, Cults, Aberdeen.

King, George James Hutcheon (1946-54), 76 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen.

Leiner, Joseph (1953-59), 76 Grampian Road, Torry, Aberdeen.

Leslie, Stanley M. (1953-59), 34 Smithfield Road, Milton, Aberdeen.

Lyon, James Cay (1953-59), 6 Gaimshiel Place, Aberdeen.

Massie, Gordon George (19f3-S9), 3 Claremont Place, Aberdeen.

Mathieson, Gordon (1932-44), Montreal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street, Montreal, 2, P.Q., Canada.

Mcnnie, George Hardie (1958-59), 57 Ellon Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.

Menzies, John Buchan (1951-59), 53 Skcne Street, Aberdeen.

Milne, William Hendry (195 6-59), 14 Fraser Street, Aberdeen.

Mulvey, Charles (1945-59), 52 Woodend Place, Aberdeen.

Murray, John (1953-59), 43 Polwarth Road, Aberdeen.

Murray-Smith, David James (1946-59), 81 High Street, Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen.

McDonald, George (1952-56), 45 Caledonian Place, Aberdeen.

Paterson, David E. (1958-59), 8o Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

i

Some Specimens of the work of the School Photography Dept.

•

{See article on page 23.)

WILLIAM YULE PETER BIREUE ANDREW SWANSON ALASTAIR SNEWAN

KENNETH CAMPBELL

MICHAEL KAENI/RN

The Staff of the School—June 1935

Fourth Row—R. Linton (Gardener), William Cunningham, James F. Walker, Cohn J. Maciver, Niven S. Mackenzie, William W. Dick ic, Christopher Maclennan, Alexander P. J. Gonnella, William Christie, Duncan Macgregor, David Macara, T. Clark (Janitor).

Third Row—Miss C. M. Ratan, Archibald G. Baxter, George R. Strachan, Gavin E. Falconer, William M. Henry, William P. Stewart, John I. \X'. Milne, John Lynch, James W. Collie, William H. Lawrie, James C. Soutter, Ian M. Park, Miss B. Adams.

Second Row—Miss M. Henderson (Librarian), Miss D. E. McLean, Miss M. A. E. Tough, Miss K. Gracie, Miss J. F. Davidson, Miss A. H. Duff, Miss M. Reid, Miss M. J. Ledingham, Miss W. Robertson (Preparatory Mistress), Miss C. S. Pirie, Miss E. M. Stewart, Miss M. Sutherland, Miss 0. E. D. Smith, Miss B. R. Brown (Rector's Secretary).

Front Raw—Alfred J. M. Edwards (Lower School Master), Ronald M. Macandrew, George W. J. Farquharson, Alexander H. Gray, Henry Paterson (Senior Master), David M. Andrew (Rector), Peter Edward, Andrew Milne, George E. Hay, C. R. Leslie Milla.r, James S. M. Eddison.

[Absent—Miss M. G. Stephen.]

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1

Send for illustrated catalogue. All our watches are issued with a written guarantee and one year's free insurance.

We are Specialists in Engagement Rings

Jamieson & Carry UNION BRIDGE

ABERDEEN XX V

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61

FOR FRESH IDEAS-IT'S

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PRESTCO LD .-

Perishable foods need safe storage and PRESTCOLD provide it, with handsome service cabinets. Well-known for their reliability they are extremely economical, saving on space, saving on running costs.

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The SC. 141 Service Cabinet (see illustration)

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Capacity 14.02 cu. ft. gross—takes less

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than I sq. yard of floor space. The frozen food locker holds 35 lb. of packaged food and makes 9 lb. of ice in one day.

The door shelves can hold 20 milk bottles.

The sealed refrigerating system is guaranteed for five years, the whole SC. 141

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for one year.

The SC. 141 Service Cabinet

Full details from:

SPARK'S

OF ABERDEEN LTD.

16-18 ROSE STREET Tel. 27366 ABERDEEN

in furniture Whilst contemporary designs in furniture, fabrics and carpets arc becoming increasingly popular—indeed fashionable—there are still many who prefer traditional designs. In our Showrooms you will find the selection reflects the best trends in both contemporary and traditional designs. And the values are quite exceptional.

MASSIES of BROAD STREET Home and Hotel Furnishers

61-73 BROAD STREET ABERDEEN X\1

" I need good food f f —and this is where you can get it !

We always have a fresh stock of all well-known dog foods including Spratt's, Spillers, etc.

Main Stockists for POT AND PEARL BARLEY OATMEAL BARLEY MEAL COAL AND FIREWOOD HAY AND STRAW POULTRY AND BIRD FOOD MOSS LITTER GARDEN FERTILISERS AND SEEDS

VISIT OUR NEW PET STORE I

WILLIAM SCORGIE GRAIN AND POTATO MERCHANT

13 & 17 ROSE STREET Phone 23731

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ABERDEEN

THE

NORTHERN ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED

`Northern' by name and `Northern' in origin, the Northern Assurance Company Limited was established in Aberdeen in 1836 and takes lasting pride in its Scottish ancestry For all classes of Insurance ACCIDENT • ENGINEERING • FIRE HOUSEHOLD • LIFE • LIVESTOCK MARINE • MOTOR • PENSIONS You will be on good terms with the' Northern' Head Offices 1 UNION TERRACE, ABERDEEN 1

MOORGATE,

LONDON,

E.C.2

Group Assets exceed £94,000,000