THE OLD BOYS'ASSOCIATION.
The usual activities of the Old Boys have taken place with, we believe, their usual success. The monthly meetings have been held, and the latter part of the evening devoted to lighter matters. The Association is particularly grateful to Mr. W. C. Beale for his able chairmanship and direction, Mr. K. Fowles for keeping the funds, Mr. T. George as Cricket Secretary, and Messrs. Solman and Williams for their duties as secretaries, to say nothing of the Social Committee presided over by Mr. Birchall. A very enjoyable social was held at the Central Cafe on 23rd November with about 72 people present. Meanwhile arrangements are going ahead for the Annual Dinner at the New Inn Hotel on 24th January. Tickets 4s., from the Secretary. It is expected to surpass last year's excellent figures. A splendid evening has been arranged so don't miss it! Early application desirable.
The Social Committee arc also fixing a Carnival Dance some time in February. The Annual Meeting of the Association will take place on Tuesday, 30th January. We shall have a successful year's activities to report.
An interesting letter has been received by Mr. W. C. Beale from J. Halls, an Old Boy who has now returned from the Far East.
LANGUAGES.
An individual with one language is like a violin with one string, both function but their range is limited. Occasionally we get letters from parents asking if it is necessary for their son to learn French, or possibly German. We have no hesitation in stating emphatically that for the boy or girl of average ability it is not only desirable but absolutely essential that one language at least should be studied other than the mother tongue. This opinion is based on a close scrutiny of modern conditions. In an over-burdened labour market, and with keen competition for the best positions, the scholar with the premier qualifications will be selected for the post. That qualification will be an examination of the Universities of London, Oxford and Cambridge, or of the College of Preceptors. One of the great advantages of the Independent School is its freedom to arrange a curriculum to suit the times; to introduce subjects which will equip the mind of the future citizen in matters of first-class importance. But where examinations are concerned we are governed by the Universities, and they rightly include languages prominently. In the fields of commerce, or the realms of professionalism, qualifications and languages are synonymous; and as modern conditions intensify, as the world is brought into closer relation by air-transport, by radio and by international co-operation, the value of