Squash

in the mile races, coupled with the misfortune of several injuries, prevented us from doing ourselves full justice, though we did have a sprinkling of winners in Smith, Nesham and Leonard.

However, although the sporting achievements of the term are undoubtedly more than adequate, there is much left to be desired in the work of the House, as proved by the results of the trial exams. Let us hope that they will act as an incentive for the House to work harder and do itself justice in the forthcoming examinations.

Another season of House "proms", organised by J. N. T. Howat, has drawn to a close, remarkable for a piano recital by Mr. R. Eliot, whom we heartily thank for a splendid evening's entertainment.

This term it is our task to say farewell to French and wish him every success in his future career. Finally, Mr. Payne terminates a brief stay in our midst, to be remembered for his, interest and enthusiasm for the House.

A feature of our term's activities was a House play, inspired by Middlebrook, P. W., of which an account is given below.

HOUSE PLAY

"SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT" BY LESTER PHILLPOT

Characters (in order of appearance): The Wolf (a burglar) ... ... R. LE PLA The Hon. Guy Sydney

P. W. MIDDLEBROOK

Preston ...

M. R. LEONARD

The Hon. Lettice Sydney Lord Redchester Lady Redchester The Hon. and Rt. Rev. Charles Sydney, Bishop of

Redchester

P. B. CLAYTON T. E. THOMAS G. R. H. CLEMONS

D. J. NESHAM

The Play produced by P. W. MIDDLEBROOK. Set and Stage Effects : M. R. LEONARD and J. HOWAT. Prompter : P. J. TAYLOR

To command the attention of its audience is perhaps the first difficulty that confronts a cast unskilled in the finer points of amateur dramatics, and this, it must be agreed, Middlebrook managed to achieve with remarkable ingenuity. From his first appearance in a darkened room accompanied by the appropriate music, Le Pla, presumably inexperienced in such a role, succeeded in drawing his audience into the aristocratic affability of the Sydney household. Shouldering the leading part, he proved himself competent to prevent the play from revolving around the more experienced and confident Thomas. The monocled lord gave his usual jovial performance, though by now, of course, we know exactly what to expect. Middlebrook as Guy, the ex-public schoolboy son, added an atmosphere of general "what-haveyou" to the farcical drama. However, apart from the ex-actors the

laurels must go to Nesham and Clemons, as the bishop and mother respectively. Perhaps Clemons more than anyone else succeeded in drawing contrast from his part, effectively presenting the ire and pathos of Lady Redchester. Nesham was every inch a bishop from his little black cap to his forcible monotones, a notable augury for his closer associates. It was the task of P. B. Clayton to stray from the abnormal to the normal, so to speak, in his portrayal of the highspirited 21 year old girl, and the fact that he surmounted this difficulty must be regarded as a splendid achievement for a boy whose voice is on the point of breaking. Leonard as Preston portrayed a butler off as well as on duty with remarkable effect.

For the choice of the play Middlebrook must be highly commended, realising as he did that a younger cast finds it easier to act "character parts" provided by the play in abundance.

Finally, if the production was a success, as undoubtedly it was, the success was due to the assistance and advice of Mr. Payne, who has had considerable experience of dramatics.

May we, then, with increased confidence and hopes look forward to the next production of our dramatic group.

C.K.S.

TEMPLE

"To be or not to be ?"—that was the question which Templars were asking each other for the greater part of this term. Templars may be the salt of the earth, but, unfortunately, you can have too much of a good thing and eighty boys in accommodation meant to hold between forty and fifty is precisely that. The situation was fast becoming one of expansion or explosion, and this expansion was the cause of much debate in the House. So it was duly decided that, at the end of the Summer Term, Temple was to become two houses. News of this impending cleavage was received with mixed feelings by the House. The Captain of Rugger was reported to have sobbed hysterically at the thought of members of his carefully-nurtured House team probably opposing each other next Christmas Term, but the general opinion was that this method was the only way.

Various suggestions—some of them sensible—were put forward as to what the forthcoming infant should be christened, but the powers-that-be wisely ignored them, and decided that the "Second Temple" would rejoice in the name of "Queen's".

But all this is for the future. This term Templars and budding "Queeners" alike pulled their weight, as usual, for the House. In the realm of intellect Temple swept the board in the General Knowledge Prize competition, the first three places in the entire School being 15

occupied by Timms, Clark, and Taylor respectively. Herring and his "mates" annihilated all opposition to win the Chess Trophy. An interesting and, we hope, successful experiment was attempted this term when a Temple discussion group was formed, under the generalship of King.

The Easter Term is usually a blank one as far as sport is concerned, since the weather apparently considers that there should be a close season for athletic activity between the months of January and April. This year, however, hardly any fixtures or events had to be cancelled, and there can, of course, be no doubt that members of the House were overjoyed as standards approached, heralded by gloriously sunny weather—or were they? The first main event of the term, however, was the cross-country, in which Temple scored a great victory. The whole team ran well, and special congratulations must go to Atkinson, R. B., who won the Goodburn Cup. House colours were awarded to Butland, Welch, Beckitt, Heap, and Crossley. The boating crew also covered themselves with glory in the Inter-House races, beating School House and Grove, and only losing narrowly to Manor in the final. Heap, Herring, Atkinson, R. B., and Ward, C. M., were awarded their House colours and Holdsworth his Junior House colours as a result. The junior crew, however, did not fare so well, losing to School House in the first round. In spite of plucky performances on Sports Day, in which the Temple contingent more than held its own, we lost the Athletics Shield to Rise, on account of a thirty points deficit on standards. The squash was also lost, after a grim struggle.

The only senior inter-school sport of the Easter Term, hockey, did not prove to be Temple's strong point. Admittedly we had the Captain of Hockey, but, unfortunately, the Captain of Hockey had a knee with deviationist tendencies. Nevertheless, we feel certain that the team benefited immeasurably from Fawcett's touchline advice —and abuse. Bough and Crowe, however, kept the Temple flag flying in the 2nd XI and were awarded their colours.

Several Temple juniors played for the "A" XV, and Hewson and Beckitt obtained places in the shooting VIII. Ward, C. M., we are told, was in the School fencing team, but since all fixtures were cancelled, we have to take his word for it !

Finally, we bid farewell to Holdsworth, whom we wish the best of luck in his future career.