their fathers' businesses), and 25 per cent are due to removals from Maidstone, this last figure including the only two boys who have left us to attend other schools within a ten-mile radius.
Congratulations to the following boys upon their examination successes:-B. W. Finn, H. Philpott and J. Elbourn, Pitman's Shorthand, Elementary Certificates; S. Reynolds, London Chamber of Commerce, Junior Commercial Certificate; J. H. E. Piper, London Trinity College of Music, Honours Certificate, First steps; E. C. Locke, London Trinity College of Music, Honours Certificate, Initial Examination.
The School was delighted to hear of the wonderful success of P. E. Hinten in his Civil Service Open Competition Examination for entry into the Royal Air Force. Out of 385 candidates from all over the country, Hinten was placed third on the list. This is indeed a great feather in his cap and that of the School. Our other candidate, R. W. H. Bodiam, was placed 80th and marked as having passed.
About 50 boys attended Capt. Knight's film "Monarchs of the Air" at the Central Cinema in aid of the R.S.P.C.A.
The outing to London proved a tremendous success. Two special Maidstone and District coaches took the party of 46, including several parents, direct to the Houses of Parliament. After a brief external inspection, the party explored Westminster Abbey. Mr. Williams proved an admirable cicerone, and the famous tombs, the Coronation Chair, and the wax effigies were objects of much interest. After lunch we proceeded via Buckingham Palace, the Cenotaph, Trafalgar Square, the Law Courts, and Ludgate Circus to St. Paul's Cathedral, where Wren's Masterpiece was visited. The numerous varieties of marble around the High Altar were especially admired. The next call was at the Tower, and after visiting the White Tower, the Bloody Tower, and the Wakefield Tower, the axe and block, the Crown Jewels, and the beefeaters were all objects of special interest. A peep at the shipping on the Pool of London and then tea paved the way for a visit to Madame Tussaud's. The day's pleasure was enlivened by one or two minor tragedies owing to the injudicious mixture of cream-buns and chocolate wafers, but everyone arrived at Terrace Road soon after 10.30 thoroughly cheerful and in excellent spirits.
A visit has been paid to Messrs. Kremlin's Brewery, in addition to the visits described in the Industrial Geography article.
Every boy in the Upper School has learnt to play chess this term, and the chess club includes some very good players, notably P. Hinton and F. Tolputt. A House Tournament is being arranged.
This term we have to welcome Mr. E. G. A. Bettle on the staff as an additional master, in charge of Form III. Mr. Bettle has shown very keen interest in the School, and has already become very popular with the School. A gift of a silver-mounted walking stick was made to him on the occasion of his birthday last week.
The last portion of the physical exercise class for the senior section is still devoted to boxing for those boys who are interested. The class has several enthusiastic boxers.
Several good speeches were delivered on the motion that the League of Nations has proved a failure. The motion was carried by a small majority, but in the debate Tariffs v Free Trade the Free-traders lost the motion by 1 7 to 4. Future debates include the questions of Gas v Electricity and Road v Rail. We are expecting the county organizer of the League of Nations Union to lecture on the last Monday of term, and if the debate on this subject is repeated next term possibly the motion may be decided the other way.
Good progress is being made in the German class, and a number of boys prefer this language to French. R. Harle has a remarkably good accent.
The House Competition continues to arouse great interest. The final position will be announced at the concert.
A paper-chase was held one recent Wednesday, but the weather proved unkindly. A few boys lost the track and arrived back considerably behind time and very wet, but perfectly happy. Potts and Hinton were the hares, and a course of about six miles wound itself among the hills.
The usual collections for the West Kent Hospital, R.S.P.C.A., and tin foil for the Ophthalmic Hospital have been continued. About 15s. has been subscribed for the Dunk