INDUSTRIAL GEOGRAPHY.
There have been three visits this term, to the Trades Exhibition, the Ashford Railway Works and the Trip to London.
The first, the Trades Exhibition, which was held at the Corn Exchange, proved very interesting, for we saw in a comparatively short period the chief manufacturing commodities of everyday life. The stalls were so arranged to show the processes through which the commodities have to pass. At this visit one could obtain a good idea of the large and numerous manufacturing centres in Kent. The "Robot" or mechanical man proved a source of much amusement by its uncanny movements and by obeying the commands of its inventor.
The visit to the Southern Railway Works at Ashford proved a source of great interest; we were shown that when the steel is drilled a light coloured solution known as "mystic" is spread over it to prevent rust. The average output of 25 wagons per day shows the enormous amount of time saved by the aid of hydraulic drills, planing machines and numerous other machines. The Ashford Works carry out repair work as well as the construction of new coaches and engines. At the time of the visit there was one engine in the course of construction and the repair of Xo. 1621 which was concerned in the recent Raynes Park smash. These extensive works cover over 25 acres.
F. VlDILER.
VISIT TO LONDON.
The plan adopted last year of transforming the annual visit to the seaside into a London visit was followed this year with conspicuous success.
Two coaches left Maidstone at 9 o'clock, the first containing the School, the second mainly Old Boys and Parents, fit persons in all. The journey to Town was swift, but owing to traffic delay at Peckham the visit to Southwark Cathedral bad to be cancelled. This was unfortunate, because the Church, with its Shakespeare and Dickens associations, is well worth a visit.
At Westminster the party containing Parents and Old Boys made their way to St. Stephen's, where Mr. A. C. Bossom, M.P., was waiting to conduct them over the Houses of Parliament. Mr. Bossom took much trouble to explain clearly the working of the " House," and the party saw the Lords, Commons, Committee Rooms, etc. All present appreciated Mr. Bossom's kindness, and his charming personality made the visit very enjoyable. Meanwhile the School party were at South Kensington thoroughly happy in