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Tags: blogspot heritage constitut rememb rhodesian rhodesia draftsmen

Our Rhodesian Heritage

by Rhodesia Remembered, published: Tue 18 Jun 2013 05:26:00 PM CEST.

Favicon Air Rhodesia's Boeing 720s.... continued
15 May 2013, 11:31 am
By Mitch Stirling (Air Rhodesia)
Headlines - Rhodesia Herald
Headlines - Rhodesia Herald
I have been advised that Flight Engineer Taffy Powell, the kindest of men, sadly passed away some years ago. He and Jock Elphinstone (RIP — old friends) were involved in the delivery of the first CAA Viscount from Weybridge, England in 1956. Seventeen years later here they are again ... in the clandestine procurement of Boeing 720s for Air Rhodesia. Remarkable! Today the last surviving member of the Boeing team is Captain James Mackenzie "Horse" Sweeney. But the good news is ... "Horse" celebrated his 90th birthday with a parachute jump in Cape Town recently, so we can expect to have him around for some years to come. He takes up the story from an aircrew perspective: 

"In early January 1973, three aircrews consisting of two pilots and a flight engineer were selected for a special job and training on pure jet aircraft. The crews were required to have passports other than Rhodesian and valid non-Rhodesian aircrew licences. I was one of those chosen and I think the only one with jet experience. Tony Beck, Shorty Rosser and Chum Keyter were the three captains, with Bernie van Huyssteen, Bob Hill and I acting as first officers. Harry Smith, Jock Elphinstone and Taffy Powell were the engineers. We were not told what we were going to do or where we were going and we were not to discuss our departure with anybody. Should we be forced to tell any foreign authorities what we were up to and why we were travelling, we were to say that a new holiday and travel low cost airline was being formed in South Africa and it had to remain secret.

At the end of January 1973 we left Salisbury for Frankfurt where we spent the night and only next day were we told to connect to Denver, Colorado to commence training on Boeing Aircraft at United Airlines USA. On arrival Denver we were housed at the Ramada Inn near the Airport and immediately started a conversion on the Boeing 720-025 aircraft — a slightly smaller, high speed, medium range version of the Boeing 707. The course was the standard United Airlines conversion course and was made up of about three weeks of lectures and tests, followed by five days of flying during which time we did 19 hours 30 minutes day and 20 minutes night flying. The night sortie coincided with my 50th birthday so we dropped in to the 'Peanut Bar' at the airport on the way home for celebratory drinks. A second round was called, at my insistence, but as we were flying again early the next day, we had to behave. The bar was named after the bowls of free peanuts which were served at the counter. Traditionally you ate the nuts and threw the shells on the floor, so the whole place crackled underfoot when you moved around! To walk between the airport and our hotel was not recommended by our instructors as it was an old WW11 low-cost housing scheme occupied by black folks whose dogs bit white folks ... a far cry from the good relations experienced by all racial groups in the American Air Force during the Korean War."   
Postcard
16 hours 12 minutes airborne training with United Air Lines, Denver, March 1973

Taffy Powell, Bob Hill, Shorty Rosser and Jock Elphinstone
"We departed Denver in early March 1973 for Liestal in the Basel region of Switzerland and were housed for the night in a dump called the Radakahof. I think this originally had been a large open shed, with thin partitions to make up individual rooms. In the early hours of next morning Bernie van Huyssteen, who was a number of rooms away from me,  heard me moving around and suggested we go for a walk. It was still winter and we were not adequately clothed for European cold weather. But after walking for some time we found a place that was open at 6 am and was prepared to serve us hot coffee. This turned out to be the Engel Hotel — a very nice, warm friendly spot where we eventually had breakfast, met the owner/manager and enquired about accommodation and costs for the nine members of our party. The Engel was owned by Hans-Rudy and Elizabeth Hartmann and had been in the Hartmann family for some generations. We reported back to Mervyn Eyett, our deputy GM, who was in charge of the whole operation and suggested that we all move to the very much better accommodation with bathrooms and toilets en-suite at very little extra cost.  Dear old 'Mr Moneybags' would not hear of it, so Bernie and I moved into the comfort and good food of the Engel and paid the difference in cost from our allowances. 
But it appeared that some people were taking more than a casual interest in our activities, so we were told rather hurriedly to split up into small groups and leave Liestal for a couple of weeks, and to rendezvous in Lucerne at a later date. Bernie and I went to Grundelwart, then to a quiet ski resort nearby. We felt uneasy about skiing in case of injury, which might have jeopardized the whole operation, so decided against it, very reluctantly. The hotel itself was a pleasant kosher Jewish establishment whose proprietors treated two heathens like us very hospitably.
We all met up at Lucern as arranged and returned to Liestal. Our three aircraft were housed at Basel-Mulhouse Airport which lies 6 km north west of Basel on the borders of France, Germany and Switzerland. They had German registrations and were still painted in the colours of a firm [Calair] that had gone insolvent. We had to sit around while the aircraft were being made ready for public auction; by that I mean they were being made to look in poor shape with engines removed and cowlings open and generally looking in a state of disrepair. The auction was held and the aircraft were bought for $1 000 000. I suspect it was all pre-arranged. An application had been made to validate our licences in Germany so that we could fly the aircraft home, but the applications were turned down at the last minute and three German crews were hired to fly them to Lisbon."
At Basel airport 
"Our three crews flew deadhead from Basel to Lisbon, where we took control of the aircraft. Not having flown for six weeks and in aircraft with a cockpit layout slightly different from the ones on which we had trained required max concentration, not helped by some anxious moments due to delays in departure. And while we were completing customs and immigration formalities and pre-flighting, a couple of strangers were noticed walking around and examining the aircraft in detail. This resulted in a sudden panic to get airborne as it was thought it might be an attempt to stop the departure. We were instructed to get airborne ASAP! A start up problem on one of the aircraft raised the pulse rate further and then there was even more drama to come. The departure pattern consisted of climbing straight ahead to the NDB and then a starboard turn. Once the turn was complete, the next in line was cleared to go in tandem. Shorty Rosser was in the lead with Chum Keyter to follow. Tony and I were bringing up the rear with all the spares on board. After some nail-biting moments Shorty was cleared to go, followed by Chum, but on reaching the beacon he continued straight ahead. We had to hold position for what seemed like a very long time, waiting for take-off clearance. Chum eventually cleared starboard and we were able to get airborne. Apparently his cockpit had suddenly filled with smoke, causing much unhappiness in the front office with no time to concentrate on the departure procedure. It was found that an oily rag that been left in the heating system! 

Once airborne we maintained radio silence until about half-way to Sal [Cape Verde Islands] when I broke silence to talk to Bob Hill and ask if he had been able to get any idea of the wind strength and direction. The forecast winds had been light at cruising altitude but I had worked out, with our limited VOR/NDB equipment, that we had a cross-wind component of +/- 100 kts. With my previous jet experience I knew this was probably an un-forecast jet stream. Bob confirmed this and we made the necessary heading adjustments to get us to Sal without any further problems ... arriving there in the evening. Surrounded by a sea of hostile black African countries, Sal and Luanda in Portuguese West Africa were two of the very few airports in Africa that offered landing rights to white Southern African airlines, so fuel to destination (plus alternate) was a critical factor in route planning." [Jock Elphinstone's log book entries with Rosser and Hill supports Horse Sweeney's entries, within a few minutes of each other] 

Jock Elphinstone's log book
"We flew Sal/Luanda/Salisbury the next day arriving in darkness on 14 Feb. After post-flight shut down checks, I got out of the aircraft and noticed that all the temporary German registrations had been obliterated. However, the colour scheme on the aircraft was almost identical to the Air Rhodesia paint work so, apart from the later addition of a twiggy bird and a Rhodesian flag on the tail, the aircraft livery remained the same. 
The whole operation was very secret and even our own families had no idea where we were or when we were coming home. Apart from an exchange of a few personal letters  between Mervyn Eyett and the Air Rhodesia office, we had been completely out of contact. An interesting and successful operation."
L to R ...  Harry Smith, Jock Elphinstone, Tony Beck, Mervyn Eyett,
Chum Keyter, Taffy Powell and Shorty Rosser
Memo from Mervyn Eyett
The history of the Air Rhodesia Triplets goes back to September/October 1961 when they were rolled out of the famous Boeing production plant at Renton, Washington State. Five of the original machines were owned by Prudential Insurance and leased to Eastern Airlines, who eventually purchased them in 1966. They changed hands in a trade-in with Boeing Commercial Airplane in 1969, and were refurbished at Jet Aviation in Switzerland for the European charter market. German registrations were adopted and they were then purchased by Fluganlage AG who transferred ownership to Calair — a "bucket and spade" operator awaiting an air service permit. After a month parked at Frankfurt, the aircraft were moved to Basel in Switzerland for maintenance and a new paint job by Jet Aviation. By February D-ACIP was ready for service in two-tone blue and a big "C" for Calair on the tail. However, there was conflict with another German operator, Air Commerz, so the "C" had to be removed. This was the first of many problems that resulted in the whole Calair operation going "wheels up" and their aircraft being impounded. In 1972 they were purchased by Jet Aviation who sold three of the original five to Air Rhodesia ... complete with cabin signs, seat numbers and toilet logos, all in German.


The others were: Serial number 18242, originally N8713E, then D-ACIS. Serial number 18244 was originally N8715E, then D-ACIT.
Should anyone want a full copy then please email Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com
On their arrival at Air Rhodesia, the new jets were introduced to the travelling public with a series of demo flights and "round Rhodesia" trips. At $18 a ride, it was the best value in town. A door was not properly closed on one of these excursions, resulting in a bonus take-off and landing for the happy passengers! And on another trip, a Hawker Hunter of the Rhodesian Air Force appeared alongside, with wheels extended as if to say, "You can't catch me!" Over the next few months more aircrews came on-line and the technical support teams went into action. Ted Methven's old engine shop was upgraded with machines that could tip a Boeing engine vertically on its nose and lower it into a pit where the guys could work on it. The reason for Ted's leave of absence in the previous few months suddenly became clear — he had been to school "overseas" and on the hunt for Boeings! 
Cargo, Traffic, Cabin Staff, Catercraft, Ground Handling, Customer Relations ... all were involved in the enormous task of introducing the "jet age" to Rhodesians. The first scheduled jet flight to South Africa occurred on 1 November 1973. But the stranglehold of UN sanctions should never be underestimated throughout the whole operation. Even United Airlines were heavily fined when it was discovered that they had trained Air Rhodesia crews.
First Day Cover
Memo from Mike O'Donovan 
Miss Elphinstone's ticket
Air Rhodesia ticket
Sunday Times, 4 November 1973
"Can't catch me!"
The dream of a young flight instructor who had peered through the security fence at Salisbury airport back in 1973, became a reality on 11 November 1982 when Captain Bernie van Huyssteen carried out my airborne Group 1 conversion on the B720, VP-YNL. An immediate and lasting impression was a very alarming Dutch roll if you touched the rudder with the yaw damper engaged. "Yaw damper disconnect" on approach was a check list item. But I think most pilots will agree ... it was easier to land than our later Boeing 707s.
Thereafter it was always a pleasure to fly with some of the "greats" at Air Zimbabwe on the Boeing fleet. My old log book shows men like ... in order of seniority, Shorty Rosser, John Heap, Ted Kruger, Bob Hill, Ray Sherwood, Bill Mann, Dave Harvey, Rodney van Rooyen, Robin Hood, Roy Downes, Chris Faber, Tony Thomas, Tom Tarr, Chris Spalding and Lionel Smith. Unfortunately my Boeing roster never coincided with those of John Day, Don Newton, Hew Travers and Bill Wragg who were type-rated captains at the time. Some of the "good old engineering hands" were still at work in the "engine room"...  like flight engineers Jock Elphinstone, Reg Mullen (chief FE after Jock), Jack Davidson, Cliff Hawthorne, and new boys Bob Fletcher, Alec Radnitz, Rob Cocking, Malcolm "Stud" Lane, Billy Eckert and Mike Hulley. Captain Chum Keyter ran the B720 simulator in Harare in those days along with the inimitable Dennis "Poopy" Clur. "It was a very basic 'A' model from SAA that handled like a 1946 Bedford truck", said Roy Downes, "and bore no resemblance whatever to the real thing!"


Above: VP-YNM removed from service in 1983 as Z-YNM. Parked outside the old Air Trans Africa hangar where the first class section was used by senior staff as a lunch-time canteen, giving rise to the rumour that it was a cabin staff training facility! Finally scrapped in 1986 HRE, thus ending its role as a spare parts donor.





Above: VP-YNN removed from service in 1985 as Z-YNN, broken up in 1988 and purchased for spares by Air Charter Services, Zaire.


VP-YNL
VP-YNM Air Zimbabwe Rhodesia
Z-YNL  Zimbabwe registrations were issued in 1983


 A serviceable Z-YNL was sold to Air Charter Services, Zaire, by public auction and departed Harare in November 1988 as 9Q-CTD. Loaded with spare parts from Z-YNN and accompanied by a B707 of Katale Aero Transport, it flew to its new home at Kinshasa's N'Dijili International (FIH). New ACS was the new corporate identity allocated in 1992 and its last flight was in late 1993 or early 1994 ... which was probably the last passenger scheduled flight of a B 720 anywhere in the world. It was withdrawn from service later that year and moved to a hangar, in very dusty conditions at Kinshasa. Thereafter it was cannibalized for spares for the B 707 of New ACS.

In1997 it found its last resting place when it was moved to "Corrosion corner" at Kinshasa airport. Last heard of in February 1998 with a total airframe time of a relatively low TT 32 713 hours.
Nov 1994, 9Q-CTD with New ACS colours in maintenance hangar (FIH).
First release of pic by Michel Huart. 
Corrosion corner.
Control wheel relic from the scrap heap

 It was a rather ignominious end to the flagship of the "Rebel Rhodesian" airline. VP-YNL and her two companions had been loved by many, criticized by some — particularly Jack Malloch's DC8 boys, who were occasionally scornful of Air Rhodesia and their fleet of Boeings — but it has to be said that they provided a much needed boost to the Rhodesian morale at exactly the right time. It was a magnificent accomplishment and great credit is owed to all the airline personnel involved (from the pilots, to the men and women behind  the advertising campaigns). Underpowered and noisy they may have been — with loud bangs reported from compressor stalls during take-offs from Salisbury's 4750 m (16 000 ft) runway — but they slotted into an operational niche and filled a need more than adequately. 40 years have slipped by since their arrival ... but the legacy of Air Rhodesia's B720s will not be forgotten for many more years to come.

To end a wonderful slice of history on a lighter, humorous note ... Captain John Heap, Chief Pilot Air Rhodesia, was heard to say on one occasion ...  "On take-off you just sat there until the thing decided to fly!"  Hahaha.....

John Heap, "Horse" Sweeney and Jock Elphinstone
With thanks to: Captain "Horse" Sweeney, Nicky (Elphinstone) Pearce, John Reid-Rowland, Michel Huart, Roy Downes, Rob Rickards, Tony Ward, Steve Carter, Vic MacKenzie, Mike Daly, Derek Hill, Walter Downes, Robin Norton, Sandy O'Donnell, Victor Sherwood, Clive Law-Brown, Mike Hamence, Dave Vermaak and Gordon Hall. The photographs come from the book, "They Served Africa with Wings" and the Facebook page of that name. Some previously unseen shots of the B720 in the colours of New Air Charter Services are attached, courtesy of Michel Huart, Henri Marchal and Michel Anciaux.

Addendum: The engine types on the Air Rhodesia B720 were probably (unconfirmed) type JT3C - 12s, as opposed to - 7s. Eastern Airlines was the only one of 17 original operators to install the heavier JT3C - 12 engines to gain additional thrust at 13 000 lbs.


End


Thank you to Mitch for sharing this article with ORAFs.

Special thanks to all those that contributed to make this story a reality


Comments are always welcome, please mail them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com 

Suggested reading.
Sanction Slipping (Air Rhodesia's Boeings are worth a lot.)
Visit. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/sanction-slipping-air-rhodesias-boeings.html

Air Rhodesia's B720s — "a riddle wrapped in a mystery"
Visit. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/air-rhodesias-b720s-riddle-wrapped-in.html

Those Embargo-busting Jets
Visit, http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/those-embargo-busting-jets.html 

To view the Blog Home Page - Please Click Here
(Please visit our previous posts and archives)
  
Ref. Rhodesia
     

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Favicon Security Force Members Killed (1977)
11 May 2013, 9:14 pm

Text Reads:-

Security Force Members Killed
THE members of the security forces killed in action were named by Combined Operations Headquarters last night as:

Corporal District Assistant Teddy Tshuma (29), married with four children; District Security Assistants Amos Dube (25), married with one child; Benzenie Nyati (36), married with three children, Buyisa Tshuma (31), married with two children and Herod Mpofu (37), married with one child.

Combined Operations Headquarters also reported the murder by terrorists of Guard Ephraim Ngoshi (21), single, of Goromonzi district.
End

Source: Rhodesia Herald November 23, 1977 newspaper, made available to ORAFs from Rob Picton (Intaf)

Comments are always welcome, please mail them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

(Please visit our previous posts and archives)

Ref. Rhodesia

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Favicon The Man from Hong Kong
11 May 2013, 5:04 pm

Text Reads:-

The Man from Hong Kong

Herald Correspondent
HONG KONG.

THE number two man in the police force here has been tipped to head the police force in a "transitional" Rhodesia,

He is Deputy Commissioner Roy Henry (50) who is regarded as an expert in fighting terrorism.

A Government spokesman here confirmed that proposals for a senior Hong Kong policeman to be transferred to head the force in Rhodesia were being discussed.

Mr Henry joined the Malaysian police force aa a cadet officer in 1948 and served there throughout the emergency.

He later headed the special branch in the Malaysian State of Sarawak and was Jiji's police chief before its independence,

Mr Henry has refused to comment.



End

Source: Rhodesia Herald November 23, 1977 newspaper, made available to ORAFs from Rob Picton (Intaf)

Comments are always welcome, please mail them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

To view the Blog Home Page - Please Click Here
http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/)
(Please visit our previous posts and archives)

Ref. Rhodesia

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Favicon Seat Belts 'Optional' (1977)
11 May 2013, 11:37 am

Text Reads:-

Seat Belts 'Optonal'
RHODESIAN motorists visiting South Africa will not have to wear seat belts after it becomes compulsory for people there to wear them. The regulations will not apply to visitors.


The Automobile Association said yesterday it had received confirmation that visitors would be exempt, but it said seat belts were desirable and motorists should have seat belts fitted and wear them.

Source: Rhodesia Herald November 23, 1977 newspaper, made available to ORAFs from Rob Picton (Intaf)

Comments are always welcome, please mail them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

To view the Blog Home Page - Please Click Here
http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/)
(Please visit our previous posts and archives)

Ref. Rhodesia

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Favicon Air Rhodesia's B720s — "a riddle wrapped in a mystery"
5 May 2013, 2:05 pm
By Mitch Stirling (Air Rhodesia)

Rhodesians, dispersed throughout the world, have watched in utter dismay as their once-proud national carrier has stalled and nosedived into obscurity, its demise unprecedented in the annals of aviation history. International aviation watchers and plane spotters have been greatly saddened by this unhappy turn of events — inspired by politics and fuelled by ignorance and incompetence.

Built from the remains of Central African Airways, Air Rhodesia Corporation was formalized on 1 September 1967. Once described as "a small airline with a big heart" it faced many challenges during its short years of existence but emerged with a reputation second to none as one of the better smaller airlines in the world. But a report in Time Magazine signalled the beginning of the end for the airline. 

          "For the first time in 21 years the United Nations Security Council resorted to mandatory sanctions to bring down a government. The council declared an international embargo on 90% of Rhodesia's exports and forbade the UN's 122 member-nations to sell oil, arms, motor vehicles and aeroplanes to the Smith regime following a Unilateral Declaration of  Independence on 11 November 1965." 

During those troubled times Air Rhodesia's operation depended on its ageing fleet of Vickers Viscounts and Douglas Dakotas but, faced with the growing burden of international sanctions and worrisome passenger loads, management realized that more competitive aircraft types were needed on their Africa routes if they were to survive. The solution to the problem appeared on the evening of the 14th April 1973 as Captain Roy Downes was taxiing out in a Viscount at Salisbury (FRSB) for the scheduled departure to Bulawayo (FRBU). He clearly recalls seeing three large, blacked-out "shadows" landing in quick succession. This was followed by a cryptic message in the Rhodesia Herald on that Easter weekend: 

      "To Pat and Ray, congratulations on the arrival of the triplets." Pat Travers, then general manager of Air Rhodesia, was delighted.

Boeing 720-4.
Boeing 720 -1.
Prime Minister Ian Smith said,

      "For a long time we have been trying to get something like this to give a boost to Air Rhodesia and we never knew whether it was going to succeed or not; I am thrilled."

Pilots' Association of Rhodesia chairman Captain Robin Hood announced,

  "It's a wonderful feeling knowing at last the day has arrived."  
The Triplets

But the questions in the minds of all Rhodesians was:  who was flying them, how did they get here, from where had they come?

Over the years these unanswered questions have remained shrouded in mystery. The "facts" about their purchase and delivery have been muddled and contradictory and the identities of the air crews involved and their friends around the world have remained secret — as under international law they were all liable for prosecution. So the jet trails were deliberately erased and smoke screens were released in the news media to deceive British government and CIA investigators. 

Speculation grew. The BBC suggested that they had come from Bern in Switzerland via Lisbon and Lourenco Marques. A strange South American millionaire was involved. A front organization in Paraguay bought them third hand. Secret flight plans had been filed from Lisbon to Paraguay. Jet Aviation in Switzerland was involved and Eastern Airlines in Miami. As political negotiations with the British government were in progress at the time, some thought it might have been a settlement deal in anticipation of a political break-through. Perhaps there was South African involvement? The aircraft had changed hands through a shady middle man and an unregistered company in Liechtenstein with PK van der Byl connections. Henry Kissinger was behind it all. Others thought it was an expensive propaganda ploy. A load of second-hand rubbish, said some critics. It was reported that some Air Rhodesia crews had been in training at SAA and TAP. Vague phrases began to appear in the tabloids:  

   "Sources close to government said..." 

   "It was reported that..." 

   "The alleged aircraft were cast-offs from an aviation world, changing to wide-body jets." 

The "facts" were... nobody was really sure and those who knew were not saying a word. It remained one of the best-kept secrets in aviation, although Mr Elie Zelouf of Jet Aviation, Basel said the operation had taken 10 years off his life with M15 or M16 pitching up in Basel demanding explanations. Air Rhodesia management refused to comment, except to say it was a package deal. Minister of Transport Roger Hawkins broke official silence on 17 April '73 with the brief announcement that VP-YNL Matabeleland, VP-YNM Mashonaland and VP-YNN Manicaland had been added to the Air Rhodesia fleet in defiance of United Nations sanctions. Shortly after a member of the British parliament was heard to say, "The aircraft will sit on the ground as Rhodesia will not be able to get spare parts."  Wrong;  the aircraft were maintained in beautiful condition by the engineers at Air Rhodesia's workshops at Salisbury, whose ingenuity had been long-since tested by futile United Nations sanctions.

Vic MacKenzie cartoon.

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing and engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney announced that they would cut off spares to any airline indirectly supplying spares to Air Rhodesia. "We have had extreme difficulties", said chief engineer, Henry Radnitz, "but we have overcome the lot." Those difficulties involved refurbishing and re-equipping some fairly weather-beaten machines. Some spares were actually designed and built in the Air Rhodesia workshops... often better than the original parts. Engine overhauls were carried out and a new engine test bed was constructed. Air crews, ground crews and all aircraft handlers had to be brought up to speed in a new "jet age" in Rhodesia. Marking their new identity were dark and light blue cheat lines on the fuselage with a stylized red Zimbabwe bird and Rhodesian flag on the upper tail fins.

720 on Apron

Jameson Hotel, Salisbury Menu With Signatures - 25th April 1973.

IDS (Rhodesian Prime Minister) on the jump-seat.

During the early days the threesome could be seen behind a tall security fence around the maintenance area at Air Rhodesia's headquarters at Salisbury main, away from the public gaze. But the circuit at Salisbury airport was alive with the crackling sound of JT3C turbojet engines as they laid down dark exhaust trails. More air crews, their careers stunted by sanctions, were eventually converting to jets.


I remember gazing at the Triplets through the diamond mesh of the security fence when I was a young flight instructor. Perhaps even dreaming a little as I admired those BIG birds... so near, yet so far away. They looked like 707s but were shorter by about 4 metres. They were structurally lighter, said the technical manuals, with ventral fins and wing "gloves" between the fuselage and inner engine pylons to increase the Mach number in the cruise and improve the takeoff and landing performance. Said Flight Engineer Bob Fletcher in years to come,

   "Their stove pipe engines, with 12 000 lbs of thrust at ISA sea level turned fuel into noise and only provided thrust as a bi-product, but we loved 'em."

Take off (only 65 of original B720s were built)
On Camera

Air scoops above the inner engines were notable features too. Fresh air from these intakes was routed to turbo compressors which, combined with 12th/ 9th stage bleed air from the engines, was the primary source of cabin pressurization. This created a problem at top of descent when thrust was reduced to idle, as the engine bleed was now insufficient to supply enough air. The flight engineer and pilots had to work closely to control the pressurization with throttle and coordinate the descent profile. Freon was used as a coolant for air conditioning. Big leading edge Krueger flaps were a notable feature too, used to enhance take-off performance. In short, the B720 was an aircraft well-suited for Air Rhodesia's Africa route requirements. They were high-speed, designed for short haul and intermediate stage lengths and with a passenger configuration of 126, a cruise speed of 930km/h and a range of 3 700 km they compared favourably with South African Airways B727 trijets.
Boeing 720 Flight Patterns                                        
Limitations
Relevant text reads;-
LIMITATIONS 

MAX. TAXY WEIGHT - 230 000 lbs
MAX. T/O GROSS WEIGHT - 229 000 lbs
MAX. ZERO FUEL WEIGHT -149 000 lbs
MAX. LANDING WEIGHT - 175 000 lbs
VMO:- SEA LEVEL - 378
5 000' - 380
10 000' - 383
23 500' - 398
MM0:- 23 500' AND ABOVE - MO.906
AUTO-PILOT ENGAGED - VMO AND MMO
LANDING LIGHTS - VMO
GEAR LOWERING: TO 30 000 - VLO 270
30 000 & ABOVE - VLO 280 OR MO. 83
GEAR EXTENDED - VLE 285 OR MO.83
GEAR EMERGENCY DESCENT - VLO 320 OR MO.90
VLE 340 OR MO. 90
FLAPS 20° - VFE 220
30° - VFE 210
50° - VFE 185
LEADING EDGE FLAPS DO NOT RETRACT - VNE 230 KTS
PURL DUMP CHUTE - VDCO 240 OR MO.83
VDCE 275 OR MO.83
CARGO FAIRING DOOR - VNE 250
MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED (T/O THRUST)VMCG 100
VMCA 100
MIN. CONTROL SPEED 2 ENG - IN0P
SAME SIDE VMCA 135
MIN.CONTROL SPEED OUTBOARD ENG-.
INOP AND RUDDER BOOST INOP - VMCA135
MIN.CONTROL SPEED 2 ENG.IN0P SAME
SIDE AND RUDDER BOOST IN0P. - VMCA 165
RUDDER BOOST 1 000 PSI. - VMCA 110
M TRIM INOP: NORMAL - VNE 0,81
EMERGENCY DESCENT 0,86
TURBULENCE SPEED - 280 OR MO.80
(WHICH EVER IS LOWER)
MAX .IN-FLIGHT WEIGHT AT WHICH RESERVES MAY BE EMPTY - 180 000
RESERVE TANKS MUST BE FULL WHEN IN-FLIGHT GROSS WEIGHT EXCEED - 185 000
T/O AND LANDING LIMITS: TEMP - -54°c TO ISA +34°C
ALTITUDE (AIRFIELD) -1000 TO 8300'
(PRESS ALT)
RUNWAY SLOPE - ± 2%
MAX. TAILWIND - 10 KTS
ALTITUDE - 0 TO 42000' (PRESS ALT)
CABIN PRESSURIZATION:
MAX. DIFFERENTIAL - 8,6psi ± 0,15psi
RELIEF VALVE SETTING - 9,42psi ± 0,15psi
CROSSWIND LIMITATION: T/O - 29 KTS
LANDING 25 KTS
STARTING - 29
NORMAL STARTER LIMITS - 30 secs ON/60 secs OFF
SLOW STARTING ENGINE - 1 ON/1 OFF/1 0N/5 MNS OFF
MOTORING WITH FUEL AND IGNITION OFF: 2 MNS ON/5 MNS OFF
START LEVER TO START LIGHT UP WITHIN: 20 SECS
START EGT MAX. - MOM 610°C 450°
OIL PRESSURE. 5 PSI WITHIN 10 SECS
ACCEL. TO 50% N2 SHOULD OCCUR WITHIN: 2 MNS
T/O 620
                                                                                                         
Normal Take Off 20 ° or 30 °
Relevant text reads:-
Index
L4 - V2+10

L5 - 500' (min) Flaps 20/30° V2+10 Min Max 15° Bank Turn into Heading OR V2+30 Max 30° Bank Turn Into Heading

L6 - On Heading Accelrate to V2+30 Flaps° Climb Thrust After T/O CHecks

L7 - 250KTS After T/O Checklist

L8 - Fl 100 290 KTS

L9 - M-77

R1 - 1000' AGL Accelrate V2+10 - Flaps 20°, V2+30 - Flaps )°

R2 - V2+50 Climb Thrust After T/O Checks

R3 - 250KTS After T/O Checklist

R4 FL 100 290 KTS

R5 FL300 M.TT

B1 - V1
B2 - VR Rotate Smoothly to 8° Nose Up
B3 Postive RoC Alt and VSI Gear up


Approach to Stall and Recovery

ILS 2 Engine Inoperative

First Scheduled Salisbury to Durban (South Africa)                                 

The new additions were placed on the Salisbury-Johannesburg route on 31 August 1973 and on the Salisbury-Durban route the following day. In November they supplemented the Viscounts on the tourist class service to Johannesburg as well as providing a service to Beira, Lourenco Marques and Durban. Blantyre remained a Viscount destination. Flying time on the Johannesburg run was now reduced from 155 minutes to 85 minutes in the jet. The first international jet commercial flight was a Dods Brooks rugby charter from Salisbury to Durban on 6 July 1973, the 27th anniversary of Captain Tony Beck's time with the airline. It began with a flight to Bulawayo where embarking passengers were inconvenienced by the late arrival of some Plumtree school boys who delayed the flight — its first departure from Bulawayo. This in turn resulted in a delayed Salisbury to Durban departure for the VIP passengers, the Rhodesian rubgy team, plus B team, Under 20s and all their supporters destined for the Currie Cup game against Natal. They were not amused! No comment came from the Headmaster of Plumtree school, as his boys were on a Rhodes and Founders break. It was a slippery "side step" by old JB Clarke, as good as any rugby international's.

Captain Tony Beck with Ron Maskell, Henry Radnitz (Head of Engineering) and Jack Cocking.
But to return to the mystery of who/how/where... what better person to ask than Captain James "Horse" Sweeney who was a member of the original delivery crews? Only he and Flight Engineer Taffy Powell are alive today to tell the tale. "Horse" tells the story in his own words in Part 2 of this article, along with some very interesting photographs and documents from Flight Engineer Jock Elphinstone's old photo albums........ 

End


Thanks to Mitch for sharing this information and photographs with ORAFs.
Thanks also to my daughter Denise Taylor for her assistance.


Suggested reading.
Sanction Slipping (Air Rhodesia's Boeings are worth a lot.)
Visit. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/sanction-slipping-air-rhodesias-boeings.html

Air Rhodesia's Boeing 720s.... continued
Visit. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/05/air-rhodesias-boeing-720s-continued.html

Those Embargo-busting Jets
Visit. http://rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com/2013/06/those-embargo-busting-jets.html 

Comments are always welcome, please mail them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

(Please visit our previous posts and archives)

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Favicon Flt Lt. Des Plunkett - Great Escape Mapmaker
2 May 2013, 10:38 am
   By Rob Birkbeck (RhAF)
   
Flt Lt. Des Plunkett 

   I was cleaning out some stuff the other day and I came across a battered postcard that I had never really  studied before written by Flt Lt Desmond Plunkett ex RAF who used to live with us during our time in  Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. He had written this 'Prisoner of War' postcard during the Second World War from  Stalag Luft III shortly after his capture by the Germans. It has been 20+ years since I last remember  looking through this folder which Des had given me amongst a whole load of other memorabilia from his  war days before he died.

 Des flew Sterling bombers and was shot down on the 21st June 1942 over Alkmaar, Holland upon  return from a raid over Emden. He was one of 76 men who took part in the Great Escape. He told me  that he agreed to go as number 13 down the tunnel 'as he was not superstitious'. This placement in the  escape turned to good fortune as he became one of only 26 men to survive Hitler's firing squad.

Postcard
   I remembered that Des had told me years back that he had sent it to his brother Gillian in the UK with  whom he had arranged a secret code if he was ever shot down. As an ex cyrptoanalyist with the CIO back  in my Rhodesian days, I sat down and worked my way through the card. Eventually, reading backwards,  from the bottom to the top, just the highlighted characters, his cryptic message emerged to read… 'shot  down by one o [nine] over hol[land] re attacks no [r]eaction and no cordite'. [I added the letters in square  brackets]. It must have taken him days to select words that would make sense in a sentence yet fit  perfectly into place to reveal the embedded coded message to its recipient.

 A truly amazing character and a credit to the force with whom he served.

Des is on the extreme left of the photograph

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Favicon Our Fortieth Milestone
30 Apr 2013, 7:49 pm
Pioneers' Re-Union — Roll of Honour Signed in Fadeless Ink

Pioneers answer the roll and receive their badge.
Photograph by R.F. Windram

THE Governor and Lady Rodwell, accompanied by Miss Cecilia Rodwell, Miss Dorothea Rodwell, Mr. 0. P.  Fowler, secrrtary to the Governor, and Capt. B. V. Cherry, M.C., A.D.C., arrived in Bulavvayo by train at 11.40 a.m. yesterday to attend the Matabeleland 40th anniversary celebrations, and were accorded a  hearty welcome by a representative assembly of Bulawayo people.

They were met by Mr. T. C. Fynn, the Civil Commissioner, the Mayor of Bulawayo, Councillor W. Maver,  and Mr. E. C. Alderson, hon. organiser of the Celebrations Committee.

PICTURESQUE ROUTE.

The journey to Government House by car was made via Main Street, and the Governor remarked on the gay appearance of the town with its mass of flags and bunting fluttering in the breeze.

Among those at the station were Mrs. T. C. Fynn, Mrs. W. Maver, the Mayoress; Mr. H. Chapman, C.B.E..and Mrs. Chapman and Miss Meredith Chapman, Sir Richard Goode, C.M.G., C.B.E., Mrs. D. Vincent, members of the '93 Column—Col. Dan. Judson, O.B.E., Major Walter Howard, D.S.O., Mr. A. G. Hay and Mr. J. C. Coghlan, Col. J. B. Brady, D.S.O., M.P., Major R, Gordon. D.S.O., 'Major J. C. Brundell,  Councillor C. M. Harris, Mrs. D. Vincent, Captain Harry Allan, Mr. H. G. Issels, Mr. F. W. J. Posset, Mr.  A. G. Cowling, Captain W. P. Wolters, Mr. S. H. Veats, Mr. and Mrs. R, E. Bayliss, Major J. S. Bridger,  Councillor and Mrs. A. J. Butler, Councillor John Macdonald, Lieut.-Colonel Tom Baker, Captain Eric Hay, Mr, A, C, Thornton, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Cook.

Yesterday afternoon the Governor received Mr. T. C. Fynn, the Mayor, and Mr. E. C. Alderson at Government House and discussed with them the arrangements for the week. A souvenir ash try was presented to the Governor, and three of the commemoration medals were left for the younger members of his family.

WELCOME GUESTS.

BULAWAYO'S welcome to her distinguished guests, the survivors of the occupation columns of 1893, and their wives and the widows of those men who unhappily did not live to see the celebration of the 40th anniversary—is no half-hearted one. The programme of celebrations is one that enables the community as a whole the opportunity of honouring the pioneers, and that opportunity is gladly welcomed.

"GREAT TO BE ALIVE."

All trains on Wednesday brought still more pioneers and visitors to the town. The lavish scale of the decorations and the arrangements for celebrating the historic occasion proved a tremendous surprise to all. The Celebrations Committee has done its- work well.

"It is nice to be made a fuss of like this," said one of the veterans. "I Should like to be feeling fitter. But why complain? It's great to be alive to-day and able to meet the old friends of forty years ago."

The pioneers at the reunion on Wednesday signed a roll in fadeless ink. This will be one of Bulawayo's most treasured historical documents. Its compilation was a happy idea. The Governor and Lady Rodwell are taking a very active part in the celebrations and have personally honoured the pioneers. The reunion of the pioneers in the morning proved a very happy affair.

PIONEERS of Rhodesia, some of whom had not seen each other for about 40 years, had a reunion gathering in -Bulaway on Wednesday morning when the Civil Commissioner (Mr. T. C. Fynn) who is chairman of the Celebrations Committee, and the Mayor of Bulawayo (Mr. W. Maver) extended to them an official welcome to join in the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the Occupation of Matabeleland.

The scene in the courtyard of the Palace Hotel was a picturesque one (writes a representative of The Bulawayo Chronicle who attended). Pioneers and their wives were present in force, and the roll call disclosed remarkably few absentees. It was a memorable day in their lives, for when a crowd of jolly good fellows get together again after such a long interval of time—well, it is not long before tongues are loosened and memories stirred.

GRAND OLD MEN.

These Grand Old Men of Rhodesia are all between 60 and 80 years of age. Some hobbled along with the aid of sticks; others walked so straight that one would think they were still in the old B.B.P. (Bechuanaland Border Police). There were greybeards and white beards, sun tanned and weather-beaten faces, shaded by sun-helmets) broad-brimmed felt hats, and even—in one case—a hat of the Baden Powell type. One or two of the oldest enjoyed the support of friendly arms, others found newsprint not so clear as it was a quarter of a century ago and voices less distinct, but it must be said that most of the Pioneers and their wives carried their years surprisingly well. And they were all smiling and cheerful.

End Of Pg1
This group includes Tex Long, Hon. H. U. Moffat and Mr. Pat Fletcher.
 Photograph by R.F. Windram

AT THE PIONEERS RE-UNION
VETERANS PRESENT.

The following members of the 1893 Column were present at the reunion:
W. Bisset, E. E. Bradfield, W. H. Butcher, Bevan.
Captain G. Cameron-Smith, E. Campbell, J. Carruthers, R. O. Carruthers, Capt. Chawner, G. A. Cooke, J. C. Coghlan, W. C. Collier, W. W. Cummins, H. R. Cumming.
R. G. Davies, J. A. Denn, D. Dollar, F. W. Dreyer.
J. V. Everard.
J. J. Felix, C. A. Fraser, J. Darg Fraser. P. Fletcher.
D. G. Gisborne, P. Gwynne, R. W. Gray.
A. G. Haddingham, Capt. H. T. Harrington, M.B.E., A. G. Hay, L. F. Herbert, G. Hickey, Capt. A. H. Hore, R. O. Hiscock, Major W. Howard. D.S.O., G. Horton, G. F. Hunt, Major Hurreil.
J. Jamieson, W. H. Jones.
F. Leverton, H. Lovemore, J. H. Lucas, J. Lyall, W. P. Lynch, Texas Long.
A. McLaren, A. Main, F. O. Mallett, Hon. H. U. Moffat, " Gertie " Mageean
L. N. Papenfus. J. D. Payne, W. H. Potbury, Capt. A. C. Pyke, H. Posselt.
T. W. Quested.
G. Rattray, H. J. Renders, R. C. Rogers, W. P. Rouse.
E. Scale, H. A. Shepherd, J. B. Scott, G. E. Storey, G. Southey, J. Squair.
C.W. Tyler.
M. E. Weale, T. O. Willows, H. J. Windell, H.H.. Williams, J. Wilson, G. C. Wise, W. C. Wilkinson, A.  Wilson, Matabele B. Wilson.

WIVES OF PIONEERS.

The following were also present, the majority being the wives of pioneers:

Mrs. H. R. Cumming, Mrs. H. S. Henderson, Mrs, Matalbele Wilson, Mrs. A. Pyke, Mrs G. Rattray, Mrs. R. W. Gray, Mrs. Nesbitt, Mrs. A. H. Hore,, Mrs. D.G. Gisborne, Mrs. L. N. Papenfus, Mrs.. A. G. Haddingham, Mrs. F. D. Payne, Mrs. J. Carruthers, Mrs. Hurrell, Mrs, H Posselt, Mrs. Barnard, Mrs.. Fisher, Mrs.. Carey, Mrs. Lloyd, Mrs. A. McLaren, Mrs. D, Dollar, Mrs. T. 0. Willows, Mrs. H. T. Williams, Mrs. H. T. Harrington, Mrs. Chawner, Mrs. W. C. Wilkinson, Mrs. E. E. Bradfield, Mrs. T. W. Quested, Mrs. R O. Hiscock, Mrs. J. V. Everard, Mrs. Bishoff, Mrs. Heilman, Mrs. H.U.. Moffat. Mrs. E. Campbell, Mrs. H. J. Renders, Mrs. C. W. Tyler, Mrs. H. Lovemore, Mrs. J. Coghlan, Mrs. W. Honey, Mrs. Napier, Mrs. Bain, Mrs. D. Vincent, Mrs. G. F. Hunt, Mrs. J. J. Felix, Mrs. Squair, Mrs. L. F. Herbert. Mrs. Matthysen, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Yeatman, Mrs. Prescott, and Mrs. Querl.

PRESENTATIONS.

The Pioneers and the wives and widows of Pioneers were each presented by the Celebrations Committee with souvenirs in the form of a Commemoration Medal, an engraved ash tray, and a copy of the Matabeleland Occupation Souvenir publication, after which the Mayoress (Mrs. W. Maver) and Mrs. T. C.  Fynn pinned on the special rosettes which had been prepared for the occasion.



An illuminated roll, specially prepared for the occasion by Mr. D. MacGillivray, was signed in fadeless ink by each members of the 1893 Column present. This roll will be framed and carefully preserved for the Centenary Celebrations—in 60 years' time!

 WELCOME BY MAYOR.

 " This is a wonderful occasion in the history, not only of Matabeleland. but of Bulawayo," said the Mayor in the course of his address of welcome

 " This is the most wonderful occasion that we are now about to celebrate in the history of this territory. I am very glad, indeed, to sec you all turning up in such large numbers. Today the Pioneers are the honoured guests of the Celebrations Committee of the 40th Anniversary and you are also the honoured guests of the town and citizens of Bulawayo, of which I have the honour to be the Mayor. I am quite certain that you will take part in and enjoy all the functions and entertainments that have been provided by the Celebrations Committee, of which Mr. Fynn is the worthy chairman.

 "I don't propose to say very much in connection with the actual occpation of Matabeleland and the foundation ol Bulawayo on this occasion, because 1 shall deal with the subject on two other occasions. Ladies an gentlemen all, on behalf of the Celbrations Committee and the Municpality of Bulawayo, I give you an official welcome and hope you will have a right royal time. Enjoy yourselves and carry away  happy memories of this great gathering." (Applause.)

 AS A PRECAUTION.

 Mr. T. 0. Fvnn also welcomed the members of the various Pioneer Columns and gave some details of the celebrations programme.

 We have been told that the programme of the celebrations is designed to put most of you underground," he remarked amid laughter. " That . the last place we want to see you and I have guarded against it in this way—if the programme is too much for you, you are the honoured guests of the British Medical Association while you are in Bulawayo." (Laughter and cheers).

 Mr. Fynn referred to the Pioneer play as " a really first-class show of which we are justly proud," and he mentioned that among the historical relics in the exhibition to be opened by the Governor next day was a particular exhibit which the Pioneers would regard with affectionate remembrance—the old  Nordenfeld gun which had been sent to the exhibition from London by the B.S.A. Company.

HAPPY WE'VE BEEN ALL TOGETHER.
Some of the survivors of the 1893 Columns ot Occupation had not met since they marches into the  ruins of Lobengula's Kraal on Saturday, November 4, 1893.
Their re-union in Bulawayo for the Fortieth  Anniversary Celebrations was therefore a very happy occasion. Well, you know what old soldiers are! The  photographs on this page were taken in the garden of the Palace Hotel.

WOMEN WHO WERE HONOURED GUESTS.
Many of the Pioneers were accompanied by their womenfolks.
This happy group was photographed at  the official re-union.
 [Photograph by E. A. Payne.]
End

Source - 'Occupation Souvenir' which was published round about the same time as this Fortieth Commemoration of the 1893 Pioneers of Matabeleland. which was made available to ORAFs by Colin Castle Thank you Colin.

Comments are always welcome, please mail them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com

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Favicon Umtali High School (UHS) Magazine 1937
28 Apr 2013, 10:53 am


Editorial

THE appeal made by our predecessors in the previous Number of this Magazine has not had the results we hoped for, and we can only repeat and emphasise that appeal to members of the School to avail themselves of this, perhaps their only opportunity of appearing in print. It is an easily won, though perhaps a somewhat short-lived fame. Most of them appear to imagine that they must be born a Shakespeare or a Macaulay to find their way into these pages.
We should like to have offered a more balanced Number this year, but the pages that follow do report a record of events that have not been altogether unsuccessful and, though we wish not so much for greater success as for greater effort and interest, we hope these activities have been one means of developing a tradition that has been well-founded.

The attention of members of the School is particularly directed to the account, under the title of the School Motto, of the growth of the High School specially written for the Magazine by a very old friend of the School. We hope it will serve as an inspiration towards helping to maintain and to hand on the tradition to which we have already referred.
With the change in Educational policy, next year should be full of interest for all. It is hoped that each member of the School will be doing congenial work, perhaps more congenial work than in the past, and this fact in itself should provide an opportunity for every individual boy and girl to contribute his or her share towards the common good. If this opportunity is taken advantage of, we feel sure that of all the School activities that will benefit, the Magazine will also show signs of a wider and keener outlook.

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following contemporaries:— "The Plumtree School Magazine," "The Prince Edward School Magazine," "The Bulawayo Technical School Magazine," "The Chaplin School Magazine," "The Natal Technical College Magazine."





Staff Notes

For the first Term of 1937 Mr. Ball and Mr. D. M. Miller were away on leave, and we welcomed to the staff Mr. G. H. van Rensburg, Miss G. A. Granelli and Miss E. M. Over. In May Mr. Edmonds went to England on long leave. Mr. Hutchinson was appointed Headmaster of the Junior School. Miss M. C. Heaume and Miss M. C. Matthews joined the Junior School Staff, the latter replacing Miss C. J. Kemp on leave.

At the end of the second Term we were sorry to have to say "Good-bye" to Miss Mackay. We are happy, however, to know that she will live not far away, and offer our sincere wishes to her and her husband, Mr. John Barry.

 This term we have welcomed Miss J. L. Edis (Gym.), and Miss D. Bell (Music) who has replaced Miss Elmhirst. Mr. J. Davenport is doing Mr. McCosh's work whilst the latter is on long leave, and Miss M. S. Haylor has rejoined the Junior School Staff after several years in Bulawayo vice Miss Matthews transferred to Sinoia.




School Notes

SCHOOL RECORDS.

Phyllis Coventry: 1930-36. J.C. 1934; Matriculation 1936. House Captain 1936; Hockey XI, 1936; Bridesmaid (Trial by Jury), 1935; Lady Agatha (The Admirable Crichton), 1936.
 

Le de Bruijn: 1932-36. Senior Beit Scholar, 1934; Matriculation, 1936. 1st XV., 1936.
 

Janet Garvin: 1931-36. Prefect, 1936. Art Bursary, 1935-36; Hockey XI. Colours, 1936; Bridesmaid (Trial by Jury), 1935.
 

Janet Garvin: 1931-36. Prefect, 1936. Art Bursary, 1935-36; Hockey XI. Colours, 1936; Bridesmaid (Trial by Jury), 1935.
 

Mona Harrold: 1929-36. J.C., 1934; Matriculation, 1936. Prefect, 1935. Hockey XI., 1935-36; Colours, 1936; Swimming Team, 1934-36; Captain and Colours, 1935; Tennis, 1936.
 

W. B. James: 1932-36. Senior Beit Scholar, 1934; Matriculation, 1936. 1st XI, 1934-36; Colours, 1935; Captain, 1936; 1st XV, 1936, Inter-School Boxing, 1934-36; Rev. Treherne (The Admirable Crichton), 1936.
 

M. Jansen: 1930-37, 1st XI. 1935-37; Colours, 1935; Captain, 1937; 1st XV., 1935; Captain 1936; Inter-School Athletics, 1936-37.
 

Ronella Koster: 1932-36. J.C., 1934; Caledonian Bursary, 1934; Matriculation, 1936; Rhodes Bursary, 1936. Prefect, 1936; House Captain, 1936; Swimming Team, 1934-35.
 

T. Y. Louw, 1925-36: Senior Beit Scholar, 1934; Matriculation, 1936. 2nd Lieutenant, 1936; Head Boy, 1936; 1st XV, 1936; Usher (Trial by Jury), 1935; Crichton (The Admirable Crichton), 1936.
 

A. Parker: 1928-37: J.C., 1934; Matriculation, 1936; 1st XI., 1935-37; Counsel (Trial by Jury), 1935; Brocklehurst (The Admirable Crichton), 1936.
 

W. Pretorius: 1932-37, J.C., 1934; Matriculation, 1936; Foreman (Trial by Jury), 1935; Loam (The Admirable Crichton), 1936).
 

Joan Proctor: 1930-36. J.C., 1934; Head Girl, 1936; Guide Lieutenant, 1936; Gym. Medal, 1931; Hockey, 1934-36; Colours, 1935; Captain, 1936; Tennis, 1934-36; Captain, 1936; Bridesmaid (Trial by Jury), 1935; Fisher (The Admirable Crichton), 1936.
 

W. Rose: 1929-37. J.C., 1933; Matriculation, 1936; 1st XI., 1935-37; Colours. 1937; 1st XV., 1935-36; Vice-Captain, 1936; Inter-School Athletics, 1933 and 1936.
 

C. Walker: 1933-37, 2nd Lieutenant, 1936; 1st XV, 1936; Inter-School Athletics, 1936-37.

SCHOOL OFFICERS, 1937.
Head of School: R. Lark and Barbara Taylor.
School Prefects: J. Higham, S. Jarvis, A. Myburgh, Mary Roberts, Marie Jordaan.
Day-School Prefects: N. Hill, S. Phillips, B. du Preez, Evelyn Farquhar, Helen Ritchie, Valerie Martin.
House Prefects: C. Lecanides, V. Pope, N. van der Merwe, D. Walton, Helena Kloppers, Marie du Preez, Peggy Nicolson, Betty Barrow, Margaret Rake.
Captain of Rugby: J. Higham. Acting Captain: N. van der Merwe.
Captain of Cricket: M. Jansen.
Captains of Tennis: R. Lark and Daphne Lowth.
Captain of Boxing: N. van der Merwe.
Captain of Hockey: J. Pascoe.
Editors of Magazine: J. Mackenzie and Joan Collins.






Speech Day, 1937.

The Annual Speech Day was held in the Beit Hall on Friday, the 16th of April, followed by the Athletic Sports Meeting on the next day. The prizes were presented by the Acting Director of Education, Mr. A. G. Cowling.
 

In his report the Headmaster referred particularly to the institution of a three-year Modem Course in the Senior School. In replying to the Headmaster, Mr. Cowling in a brief reference to the Fox Report said that they all believed that a Modern Course furnished a more satisfying and effective form of education for a large number of boys and girls, and hoped that parents would come to accept and share that view.
 

Mr. Eickhoff, Chairman of the Umtali School Advisory Committee, expressed the appreciation of the School at seeing Mr. Cowling present, and referred to those who had associated themselves in such an unselfish way with the School in the past.
 

After the ceremony the guests were entertained to tea and inspected an interesting display of the work of the Art classes.
 

The first part of the programme consisted of a number of songs sung by the Junior Choir, accompanied by Miss Lovett, and of pianoforte soli by L. Gomez, S. Winson, I. Donaldson, and P. Brent.

PRIZES.
Standard 1., W. Kirk; Standard II., Barbara Ball; Standard III., Patricia Hutchinson; Standard IV., B. Lecanides; Standard V.L.,Margaret Cowie; Standard V.R., Natalie Livingstone; Form 1.M., D. Ruxton; Form.1.L , J. Shakespeare; Form 1R., Amy de Kock; Form II.M., J. Crawford; Form IIL., J. Petim; Form II.R., C. Browne, L. Muggleston and J. Farquhar.
 

Junior Certificate Form: English and History, B. du Preez; Art, Maurine Bower and Margaret Browne; Afrikaans, F. Joubert; Arithmetic and Maths., Helen Ritchie; Latin, Helen Ritchie; French, Gitta Juster; Bookkeeping, Eileen Ridley; Physical Science, J. Mackenzie; Geography, Margaret Parks; Form IV., Barbara Taylor.
 

Matriculation: English and Latin, Ronella Koster; History, Ronella Koster; Art, Janet Garvin; Afrikaans, Elizabeth du Plessis; Physical Science, L. de Bruijn; Mathematics, W. Rose.
 
Music: Senior School: I. Donaldson. Junior School, B. Hall.
 

JUNIOR CERTIFICATE, 1936.
Class 1
: *Helen Ritchie, *Evelyn Farquhar, *B. du Preez, *J. Mackenzie, Gitta Juster, V. Rodrigues.
•Beit Scholarships.
 

Class II.: D. Baker, Maurine Bower, J. Clark, C. Finlayson, R. Harrington, F. Joubert, Feige Levitan, Valerie Martin, E. McLean.

Class III.: Margeurite Browne, E. Coaton, Joan Collins, R. Dishington, Thelma Falla, M. Fernandes, Gloria Goldie, H. Hack, L. Mansell, A. Marsh, Betty Neale, N. Paraskeva, Margaret Parks, Joan Pascoe, Martha Venter, L. Woodward. Annette Young, L. van der Linde, L. Watermeyer, Stella Winson.

MATRICULATION.
Class I: Ronella Koster (distinctions in Art, History, Latin), L. de Bruijn.
Class II: W. James, T. Louw, Emily Mackenzie, Elizabeth du Plessis.
Class III: Phyllis Coventry, A. Moore, W. Pretorius, W. Rose, A. Parker.

LEAVING CERTIFICATE.
Class II: Mona Harrold.
Beit Scholarships were awarded to R. Koster and L. de Bruijn.
Taalbond Lower Examination: B. du Preez, Marie Jordaan, F. Joubert, Christine Kruger, F. Venter, Martha Venter, C. Finlayson, E. McLean.
Taalbond Higher: W. Pretorius, T. Louw, W. James, Elizabeth du Plessis.
National Technical and Commercial Examination: Amy Eggleston, History (with distinction), M. Jansen, Geography (with distinction), W. Warburg, Geography.
The following were successful in the subjects indicated in the National Technical and Commercial Examination in June, 1937:—
H. M. Jansen.—Typewriting, Senior (Public Service Appointment Test) and Typewriting Diploma (Public Service Promotion Test).
C. A. L. Myburgh.—Bookkeeping (Form V.).
R. T. Lark.—Bookkeeping and Typewriting Form IV.).
J. A. Collins, H. K. Kloppers, N. P. van der Merwe.—Bookkeeping (Form IV.).


MUSIC CERTIFICATES.


PRACTICAL, 1936.

Intermediate: Gitta Justa (honours), Stella Winson
Higher: Isobel Donaldson, Feige Levitan, Joan Wilson.
Lower: Phyllis Brent (honours), F. Joubert.
Elementary: Jill Godfrey (honourable mention).
 Rissel Cohen, Mary Hall, Hazel Murray.

PRACTICAL, 1937.
Advanced: Stella Winson.
Intermediate: Isobel Donaldson, Daphne Whitehead, Joan Wilson.
Higher: Phyllis Brent: H. Joubert.
Elementary: Mary Hall (honourable mention), Heulwen Thomas (honourable mention).
Primary: Elizabeth Hall (honourable mention).

THEORETICAL, 1937.
Jill Godfrey, Monna Methuen.
His Excellency the Governor's Prize for Poetry was awarded to T. Y. Louw and Maurine Gates, whose verse was included in our last number, and to J. M. H. Farquhar, whose work will be found in this number of the Magazine.

Rhodes Trustees English Prizes, 1937—Matriculation: Barbara Taylor; Form III.: Daphne Whitehead; Form H.: Rita Cocker and Doreen Fisher.




"The Golden Amulet"
We are indebted to the kindness of the Editor of The TJmtali Advertiser for permission to quote the following report of the performance of "The Golden Amulet" on Speech Day:—


The Umtali High School production of "Princess Ju Ju," or "The Golden Amulet," in the Beit Hall last week was a delightful and praiseworthy effort, the more so seeing that for the first time it was performed entirely by pupils of the School without the assistance of members of the staff. Warm praise is due to the producer, Mr. G. E. Caswell, and members of the staff who assisted him in various ways, Miss F. M. Elmhirst, who provided the accompaniment, and those responsible for the painting of the scenery, making of costumes and work on the stage.
 

From the point of view of story it was a slight production but eminently suitable for children to attempt for the first time on their own. The musical side was within their grasp and offered a number of good choruses as well as several enjoyable solo efforts. In theme, setting and even, to some extent, it was perhaps too reminiscent of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado," but the production had obviously been made suitable for the unaided attempts of children and as such was very satisfactory and should encourage more ambitious productions in future.
 

The settings were very well carried out and the second scene played in dim light in the haunted wood made a really beautiful picture, set off by the dances of the Spirits of the Night and the statuesque posing through the scene of the Goddess of Night. The costumes of old Japan were very colourful and picturesque and gave the whole story much of its colour and vivacity. The acting on thewhole was good and several of the principals had very good voices while the choruses and several delightful dances helped to make the show both spectacular and tuneful. It was particularly noticeable that most of those with speaking parts enunciated very clearly and correctly, a very gratifying feature of a credible performance.
 

Llora Heard was very good in the part of the Princess Ju Ju. She sang well and acted with naturalness and feeling. D. Walton made a very sinister Emperor showing a tendency to go off into realistic tantrums, while J. Bowles as his adviser, made a very competent foil. In the part of the Prince V. Pope did fairly well and D. Becker (with less than a week's training), P. Zourides and Betty Barrow gave a good account of themselves in the lesser parts of the Magician, the Lord High Executioner and the goddess of Night.
 

The cast was as follows:—
Princess Ju Ju, Llora Heard; La La, Stella Winson; Fly Fly and Helena Kloppers (her attendants); Chrysanthemum, Margaret Rake; Emperor, D. Walton; Ching Ching (his adviser), J. Bowles; Prince Shee Ma Guin, Prince Fu Shu, Prince Sun Yat Sen, W. Pope, B. Elliott, N. van der Merwe (Minstrels); Lord High Executioner, S. Phillips; Ahud Hiram, Magician, P. Zourides; Lunar, Goddess of Night, Betty Barrow.
 
Chorus: Stool Bearer, A. Tapson; Umbrella Bearer, J. Farquhar; Men at Arms, T. Adair, D. Baker, C. Myburgh, S. Phillips, P. Uren, B. Deall, P. Zourides, R. Bower, G. Broderick.
 

Spirits of the Night: Solo Dancer, Valerie Martin. Daphne Lowth, Helen Kloppers, Stella Winson, Barbara Taylor, Margaret Rake, Joan Collins, Marie du Preez, Dorothy Clay, Doreen Fisher, Joan Pascoe, Audrey Frost, Joan Wilson, Maurine Bower, Evelyn Farquhar, Almiga Parker, Gitta Juster, Barbara Crompton, Peggy Lark, Thelma Brent, Rosebud Stuttaford, Betty Neale, Marie Jordaan, Fanny Levitan, Doris Rake.
 

Dragon Flies: Margaret Cowie, Audrey Brand, Olive Bailey, Mary Bain, Liberdade Gomes, Cynthia Sauerman, Phyllis Brent, Molly Wilson, Joy Durrant, Jill Godfrey.



 Lamentation of an Elderly Gentleman
When I consider how my youth was spent
By foolish pranks and laziness at school,
Each day, for not abiding by some rule,
Long after time, o'er blotted book I bent
Writing out lines as worthy punishment.
Then I'd run home, and in each muddy pool
I'd step, for I was such a little fool,
Arriving home with hair and clothes unkempt.
Then would I chase the next-door lady's cat,
And steal her peaches off a laden tree.
Thus did I all the village folk annoy,
For they did think me but a saucy brat,
And so they all did curse and chastise me;
And yet I wish I was again a boy.

B.N.





The Junior School Concert

The Annual Junior School concert was held in the Beit Hall on the 10th and 11th of August.
 
The concert was opened with pianoforte soli, songs and dances. Two outstanding items were an extract from "Alice in Wonderland," and an action song entitled "This Old Man."
 

After the interval came the musical play, "The Land of Never End," presented by Standards IV. and V.
 

The background of the stage was painted to represent the rock-garden of the King of Topsy-land. His son, Prince Topsy-Turvy, whose name was derived from the fact that his life was a topsy-turvy one, was having a party. He had made friends with a shepherd named Shepherd Balaam, and had told him to invite some girls from whom he could choose one, who had not learned anything, to be his bride. Princess Lovelight, his sweetheart, had not been invited, but, having heard about the party, she had come and was told by Fairy New-way to put on a veil and call herself "Love in the Mist." All the girls, except her had learned something, and therefore she was picked in the end, and the veil was instantly removed, revealing "Princess Lovelight."
  It was his 10th birthday and from this time forward he was to come under the influence of Fairy New-way: previously he had been brought up by Fairy Old-way.

We must thank Miss Honikman, Miss Matthews and particularly Miss Lovett for arranging the concert, which was indeed a great success.
 

J.R.

1, Pianoforte Soli: 1, Study in Eb, The Cuckoo, Mary Hall; 2, Wild Elephants, Gwendolyn Mellor. 2, Song: Where the Bee Sucks, Vivian Jordaan. 3, Pianoforte Soli: 1, Minute in G, The Toy Dream, Elizabeth Hall; 2, Boating on the Lake, Heiwyn Thomas. 4, Country Dances: 1, Gathering Peascock; 2, Napoleon; 3, Ace of Diamonds; 4, Shoemakers; 5, The Black Nag; 6, Finger Polka; 7, Cochin China; 8, Clap Dance; 9, The Butterfly. 5, Scene: "The Mock Turtles Story." Characters: Alice, Dolores Meydell; Gryphon, Edward Evans; Mock Turtle, Ian
Peacock; Chorus, Standard n. 6, Action Song: "This Old Man," Standard I. 7,


"The Land of Never-End": Scene: The Rock Garden of the Palace of the King of Topsyland. Characters: Prince Topsy Turvy, Frank Chevalier; Princess Love-light, Eileen Ferreira; Shepherd Balaam, John Kircos; Nurse Rock-a-bye, Dina Owen; Fairy New-way, Ninette Raynor; Fairy Old-way, Lily Hibbert; Cissily Sing, Sylvia Chambers; Dancing Daisy, Barbara Ball; Wood Wanderer, Jean McLean; Butterfly, Barbara Read; Dr. Pillera-Powderam, Jean Davidson; Drudge- in-the-Dark, Gillian Bowles; Rainbow Fairy, Elizabeth Hall; Prince Te-to-Tum, Brodie; Prince Baby Bunting, Donald Cromar. Dancing Daisies; B. Price, M. Smith, D. Hinde, Z. Bosman, O. Stuttaford, B. Miller, M. Steedes, M. van Zyl, F. Cripps, J. Bain, M. Steele. Rainbow Fairies: P. Hutchinson, M. Botha, J. Stuttaford, E. Gray, H. Thomas, Pretorius, and P. Deere. Nurses: R. Cohen, G. Mellor, M. Matiatos, M. Hall, A. Rae, T. Douglas. Dragon Flies: L. Arthur, J. Arthur, Lapham, Richie, D. Milne, Milne, Kristofer, V. Jordaan.




Ex Montibus Robor
Umtali School commenced its activities in January, 1909, and was given the status of a High School in April, 1922. Actually Umtali has enjoyed some schooling facilities almost from the start of the Township in 1894, and a history of the High School would be incomplete without some reference to those early efforts to which some of Rhodesia's sons and daughters are indebted for their education.
 

Miss Miles (now Mrs. Duncan Tulloch) was the Mistress in charge of the first School in the Old Town. It is interesting to record that Mrs. Tulloch is still living in Umtali, and until quite recently was still engaged in training children, work in which she has never lost interest.

The first official mention of an Umtali School was made in 1900 when the Government Inspector of Schools reported that there were 32 pupils and 2 teachers in a school conducted by the American Methodist Episcopal Church. This School was held in a double-storeyed building formerly known as Goldfields' Hotel; the site is now occupied by the Government Coloured School. By 1904 the number of pupils had increased to 52.

During the year 1904 a School was opened under the auspices of the Anglican Church, and in 1908 the Government took over both Schools, the first term of 1909 opening with a roll of 117 scholars and a teaching staff of 5 housed in the School buildings purchased from the A.M.E.C.

In 1911 the local authority granted a site for a School on the Market Square. This building, which is the present Junior School was occupied the following year, opening with a roll of 185. Additional class-rooms were erected during the course of the following two years. With the outbreak of the Great War all building operations ceased, and the expansion of the School roll was met by the hiring of buildings and rooms scattered throughout the township, these buildings, including the Kilwinning Lodge, the D.R.C. (Dutch Reformed Church) Hall, which became available when the School conducted by this Church was closed, and the building known successively as Philippi's, Strickland's, and the Umtali Cinema, the site of which is at present occupied by Messrs. Puzey and Payne. The Kindergarten Section was held in this building for several years.
 

This unsatisfactory position continued until 1926, when on August 10th, a new School building, the present Senior School, was opened by the High Commissioner, H.R.H. the Earl of Athlone. The School roll had now passed the 400 mark and the teaching staff numbered 20. During the succeeding years class- rooms have been added, the Science block extended, a gymnasium erected, whilst the eastern side of the quad has been filled by a Beit Hall, one of the many gifts to the Colony made possible by the Beit Bequest, and in this case a token of the personal interest in Umtali always shown by the late Chairman of the Beit Trustees, Sir Henry Birchenough. The plans of a School Library, another gift from the same source, are now being prepared, and it is hoped that this building will be completed by September, 1938.
 

The School has always been Co-educational. Force of circumstances and smallness of numbers were probably the determining factors at the start, and the system has worked so smoothly and successfully that the question of change has never been seriously considered.

Hostel accommodation of sorts was available from pre-Government days. The first Government Hostel was the building known as Miss Pickett's house at the north end of the town. Into this house with its verandahs and outbuildings were crammed at one time some twenty small boys and girls in addition to the Superintendent and his family. The accommodation in the outbuildings was particularly bad, and a visit by the Administrator, the late Sir Drummond Chaplin, was taken advantage of by the School Committee to press for some improvement. Sir Drummond's action was characteristic. He visited the Hostel with the writer and condemned the whole place, but said that there was no money to provide better accommodation. He suggested two alternatives; that of boarding the children out with private individuals, or of ceasing to provide boarding accommodation altogether. The Committee refused, however, to take either course, considering both to be retrogressive. Eventually, some money was forthcoming. A cottage was rented and an old wood and iron building was re-conditioned to serve as a dormitory, into which the boys were moved. Then followed the building of Chancellor House Boys' Hostel out of money lent to the Government by the Beit Trustees, whilst two adjoining houses in Darlington were rented to serve as a Hostel for the girls.

But the time came when, however successfully Mrs. Freeman, who was in charge of the girls, could plot and plan, and her effort only fell short of pushing out the walls, increased and better accommodation for the rapidly expanding roll of boarders had to be provided, and Athlone Girls' Hostel was built. The first sod was turned by H.R.H. Princess Alice on August 10th, 1926, this ceremony preceding the opening of the present Senior School building by His Excellency the High Commissioner. The following year saw Athlone House opened with Mrs. J. H. Freeman in charge, a position she occupied for nearly ten years, earning the love and esteem of staff and pupils alike.
 

The popularity of the School continued to increase, boarders coming from all parts of South Africa, and so more Hostel accommodation became necessary. In 1931 the Junior Hostel was opened by the Prime Minister, the Hon. H. U. Moffat, and more recently still further accommodation has been provided in the old Hospital building, vacated by the various Government Departments on the completion of their new offices.
 

The provision of facilities for sport and other recreations has kept pace with the extension of class-room and boarding accommodation. In 1909 there were no playing fields. To-day there are tennis and tenniquoit courts at the Junior Hostel, tennis courts and a junior soccer field at the Senior School, a hockey field and tennis courts at Athlone House, whilst on the extensive grounds at Chancellor House one can at times see four cricket matches progressing simultaneously.

The foregoing is an outline only of the rise and progress of the Umtali High School, and not a history of education in Umtali generally, otherwise mention would be made of the D.R.C. Schools, of the Government Public School opened for the convenience of children living at the railway end of the town, of the School and Hostel conducted for several years by the Dominican Sisters, and recently removed to more commodious buildings at the north end of the town.

One might suggest with reason that those responsible for choosing the School motto, chose wisely. Strength has come to the School and from the School strength has come to the Colony, and casting one's mind back over forty years one cannot but think that Umtali has been particularly well served in educational matters. How the memory envisages those who have served so well: Mrs. Tulloch and Miss Johnson, of the A.M.E.C.; Mrs. Mayo, scholar, teacher and member of the Committee; the Reverend Robins, at St. John's; George Duthie, the first Director of Education; and his successor, Mr. L. M. Foggin; Mr. Macintosh, Mr. Condy; Messrs. Harrison, Sutherland, Livingstone, and B. B. Hill; and Dr. Harpur, the first Chairman of the School Committee, and his successor, Andrew Laing. A goodly company to whom the School is indebted for forming a tradition which we believe has been an inspiration to their successors. 
 
C. E.



Athletic Sports, 1937
For the second year the Annual Athletic Sports were held on the Upper Field at Chancellor House on April 19th. The track was firmer than last year, but it was still rather soft. Although a strong wind was blowing in the afternoon, the weather was fine.
 
The competition in all events was keen. Livingstone House won the championship by the narrow margin of half a point. Ninette Raynor broke the Middle Girl's Long Jump record by over two feet, and Lark equalled the 100 yards record. Lark in the Senior and Dysart in the Lower Division were first in the 100, 220 and 440 yards, both running to very close finishes. Walker and Gomes (Senior) and Grzicic, a competitor in the Middle Division, came good seconds and thirds. Klette, a first year Senior, won the high jump by clearing 5ft. 4½ ons. In both the half-mile team race and in the relay, Livingstone was victorious. Crawford won the mile handicap with Jansen coming second.

In the girls' events there was keen rivalry between Mary Roberts and Kathleen Sheard who, by beating Mary Roberts to second place in the last girls' event, became Victrix Ludorum. The most exciting race of the day was the 220 yards. Stella Winson caught up with Mary Roberts in the last thirty yards to win by inches. Moffat House won both the Senior and Junior Relay.

Mr. A. G. Cowling, Acting Director of Education, presented the prizes at the close of the afternoon.

We gratefully acknowledge a donation of £50 to the Sports Fund from the Old Borderers' Association.

The following were the results of those events which carry points towards the House championship:—


Senior Victor Ludorum: R. Lark.
Senior Victrix Ludorum: K. Sheard.
Middle Victor Ludorum: D. Dysart.
Middle Victrix Ludorum: M. Gale.
Junior Victor Ludorum: J. Viljoen.
Junior Victrix Ludorum: P. Hutchinson.
 
House Championship: Stanley, 165½ ; Livingstone, 165; Moffat, 137½; Fairbridge, 70.

HIGH JUMP—
Senior Boys: 1, Klette; 2, Lark; 3, Evans. 5ft. 4¾ ins
Middle Boys: 1, Shakespeare; 2, Pfister; 3, Grzicic. 4ft. 4½ ins.
Senior Girls: 1, K. Sheard; 2, S. Cripps and M. Parks. 4ft. 5½ ins.
Middle Girls: 1, N. Raynor; 2, M. Gale; 3, O. Bailey. 4ft. 4½ ins.


LONG JUMP—
Senior Boys: 1, Botha; 2, Zourides; 3, Gomes. 19ft. lin.
Middle Boys: 1, Grzicic. 2, Dysart; 3, King. 16ft. 5ins.
Senior Girls: 1, K. Sheard; 2, M. Roberts; 3, P. Nicolson.
Middle Girls: 1, N. Raynor; 2, J. Gale; 3, M. Venter. 14ft. 4ins. (Record.)
440 YARDS—
Senior Boys: 1, Lark; 2, Walker; 3, Gomes. 54 secs.
Middle Boys: 1, Dysart; 2, Longhurst; 3, Grzicic. 64 3-5th secs.

220 YARDS—
Senior Boys: 1, Lark; 2, Walker; 3, Gomes. 24 l-5th secs.
Middle Boys: 1, Dysart; 2, Grzicic; 3, Crawford. 28 secs.
Senior Girls: 1, S. Winson; 2, M. Roberts; 3, M. du Preez. 30 secs.

100 YARDS—
Senior Boys: 1, Lark; 2, Walker; 3, Gomes. 10 2-5th secs.
Middle Boys: 1, Dysart; 2, Grzicic; 3, McDiarmid. 12 secs.
Senior Girls: 1, M. Roberts; 2, K. Sheard; 3, S. Winson. 13 secs.
Middle Girls: 1, D. Fisher; 2, M. Gale; 3, N. Raynor. 13 3-5th secs.

120 YARDS HURDLES (Senior): 1, Lark; 2, Mackenzie; 3, van der Merwe. l-5th secs.

ONE MILE HANDICAP: 1, Crawford; 2, Jansen; 3, Nieuwoudt.

HALF-MILE TEAM RACE: 1, Livingstone (Jansen); 2, Stanley (Gomes); 3, Moffat (Evans).

INTER-HOUSE RELAY—Boys: 1, Livingstone; 2, Moffat; 3, Stanley.
Senior Girls: 1, Moffat; 2, Livingstone; 3, Stanley.
Junior Girls: 1. Moffat: 2, Stanley; 3, Livingstone.

THROWING THE CRICKET BALL—
Senior Boys: 1, Lark; 2, Higham; 3, Hall. 96yds. 5ins.
Middle Boys: 1, Shakespeare; 2, Grzicic; 3, Pfister.
Senior Girls: 1. J. Gale; 2, A. Parker; 3, M. Parks.

PUTTING THE SHOT: 1, Clark; 2, Jansen; 3, McLean. 28ft. 11ins.

OBSTACLE RACE (Senior Girls): 1, H. Kloppers: 2. D. Lowth: 3. J. Hordgson

HOP, SKIP AND JUMP—
Senior Boys: 1, Botha; 2, Jansen; 3, Zourides. 38ft. 4ins.
Middle Boys: 1, Grzicic; 2, Dysart; 3, Shakespeare. 33ft. 11ins.

INTER-HOUSE HOCKEY DRIBBLE: 1, Fairbridge; 2, Livingstone; 3, Stanley

INTER-HOUSE NET-BALL RACE: 1, Livingstone; 2, Moffat; 3, Stanley.

SACK RACE (Middle Girls): 1, J. Gale; 2, M. Venter; 3, L. de Kock.

The following- races were also run:—
INTER-CLUB RELAY: 1, Terriers; 2, School; 3, Old Boys.
INTER-SCHOOL RELAY—
Boys: 1, School; 2, Public School.
Girls: 1, Convent; 2, School; 3, Public School.



Inter-School Sports
At the Inter-School Sports this year we did not do as well as was expected, but nevertheless we had quite a number of successes. The School was represented by a group of 14 boys: 9 Seniors and 5 Juniors.

RESULTS (SENIORS).
100 Yards—C. Walker (2nd place).
High Jump—E. Klette (2nd place).
Hurdles—R. Lark (tie for 1st place). Record.
Mile Team Race—Jansen 2nd, Gomes 3rd (1st place).
 

Rugby
The School comfortably won the local Second League Trophy, but in the match against Prince Edward School we gave a very poor display of Rugby, and the score which was 37—7 made the impression infinitely worse. The majority of the tries were scored by Le Seuer, the Prince Edward centre, who showed considerable ability both in speed and tactics. The Umtali team would give a much better account of themselves if they could get rid of an inferiority complex which has been too frequently evident.

The School regained its prestige a week later in the match against St. Andrew's College, the score being 10—5 in favour of the visitors. The whole team played a hard and fast game and, in contrast to the match against Prince Edward, played more as a team than individuals.

The Rugby played this year was on the whole of a fair standard, but the weak points of past School teams still exist. Combination and backing-up was lacking, mainly due to the inexperience of the majority of the players. Towards the end of the season, however, a considerable improvement was noticeable.

THE TEAM.

ZOURIDIS.—Full-back. Unfortunately came into the team only late during the season, and should do well next year. Shows promise.

LARK.—Wing three-quarter. Has a good turn of speed, which he sometimes uses to good effect. Should make a point of always going for the corner flag.

GOMES.—Centre. Has adopted this position only half-way through the season. Shows promise.

WALTON.—Centre. Rather on the slow side, but makes up for lack of speed by going hard. Handling is somewhat shaky at times.

HALL.—Wing three-quarter. Does not always use his speed. Should improve with more experience.

BOTHA.—Fly-half. Has played some sterling games and carried the team in many a tight corner.

HILL.—Scrum-half. Improved considerably towards the end of the season. Should learn to get rid of the ball rather more quickly.

VAN DER MERWE.—Captain. Forward. Plays a hard game and never spares himself. Must learn to lead his pack better.

LECANIDES.—Forward. Hooked for the team throughout the season. A hard worker.

POPE.—Forward. Does not always use his weight, and should learn to play harder in the loose.

CORBETT.—Forward. Also does not play hard enough in the loose, but usually keeps his end up in the scrums.

McLEAN.—Rather disappointing this season, mainly on account of lack of keenness.

CLARKE.—His first season at Rugby. Should do much better next year.

MARTIN.—Plays a good game in the loose, but rather inclined to take things easy in the tight scrums.

PEACOCK.—Has played some very good games as a loose forward but unfortunately does not last the whole game.

The following have also played for the 1st XV.: Jansen, Mackenzie, Woodward.


  
Boxing Notes

This year there has been an increased interest in boxing. As usual the Juniors were very keen and the Seniors are at last taking boxing more seriously. Under Mr. Hutchinson's coaching the standard of boxing has steadily improved.



The Annual Tournament took place in the Drill Hall during the middle term. Large entries were received in all weights and many hard fights were witnessed both in the preliminaries and finals. Livingstone House once again annexed the Cup, but only by the small margin of two points from Stanley House.

The best bout of the evening was that between Nieuwoudt and G. Symes, both going all out for the full three rounds. Nieuwoudt, who was slightly the fitter, gained a very close decision, Symes, incidentally, receiving the Cup for the best boxer. D. Symes, an aggressive boxer, beat King, the fight being stopped in the third round. McDiarmid, who was called upon at the last moment, put up a very sporting performance against Botha, a more experienced fighter. In the heavy-weight division, van der Merwe beat McLean. Both were groggy in the first round, and the decision might have gone to either boxer.


The Junior bouts were all keenly contested. All the boxers used the straight left with better effect than most of the Seniors. Saunders, who displayed a useful straight left, beat Olwage, who caused much amusement by the way he ducked, his head nearly touching his knees in the process. Gale, although called upon at short notice, put up a good fight against his bigger opponent, Crawford. Cocorosis won his contest by his aggressiveness, carrying the fight to Kruger throughout the fight.


Major Bowles presented the prizes at the end of the Tournament.

RESULTS.
Under 651bs: Saunders (M.) beat Olwage (S.) on points.
Under 751bs.: Cocorosis (M.) beat Kruger (S.) on points.
Under 851bs.: Crawford (L.) beat Gale (S.) on points.
Under 951bs.: Nieuwoudt (S.) beat Symes, G. (L.) on points.
Under 1051bs.: Symes, D. (M.) beat King (S.) on T.K.O.
Under 1151bs.: Mackenzie (M.) beat Olwage (S.) on T.K.O.
Under 1251bs.: Reid (L.) beat Buchanan (L.) on points.
Under 1351bs.: Webster (L.) beat Gomes (L.) on points.
Under 1451bs.: Botha (S.) beat McDiarmid (M.) on T.K.O.
Under 1651bs.: Van der Merwe (S.) beat MacLean (L.) on points.




Inter-School Boxing
A team of five went to Salisbury to take part in the Inter-School Boxing Tournament. Although we did not win a weight, we were successful in winning two fights in the Preliminaries. Van der Merwe beat Meltzer, of Milton, on a technical knock-out, the fight being stopped in the second round, and Mackenzie beat Cormack, of Plumtree, on points. The other competitors were all beaten in their first fights.



RESULTS

PRELIMINARIES—
Under 95: Bennett (Chaplin) beat Nieuwoudt.
Under 105: Griffin (St. George's) beat Symes.
Under 115: Mackenzie beat Cormack (Plumtree).
Under 145: Van der Merwe beat Meltzer (Milton).

SEMI-FINALS—
Under 75: Wade (Plumtree) beat Kruger.
Under 115: Griffin (St. George's) beat Mackenzie.
Under 145: Oldham (Plumtree) beat van der Merwe.




Cricket

So far this year the School has had quite a successful season. The general standard has improved, owing possibly to the existence of a Second XI., which has greatly increased the rivalry for places in the First Team. Of the five Inter-School matches played, we have won three.

A team from Ruzawi played a Junior team at Umtali on March 6th. The visitors were all out for 54, to which Umtali replied with a score of 97. For Umtali G. Symes made 20, and Evershed took 7 wickets for 26.

A "Colts" team went to Salisbury to play Prince Edward School. Umtali won this match, scoring 90 to Prince Edward's 40. For Umtali Goldsmith made 30 and G. Symes took 6 wickets.

The Second XI. visited Salisbury with the "Colts" and played Prince Edward's Second team. The latter batted first, scoring 112, but Umtali only managed to reply with 56. Walton took five wickets for 30 for Umtali.

Congratulations to the following: N. Hill, who was awarded the bat presented by Mr. Parry for the most improved cricketer; R. Lark, who won the bat presented by Mr. Carlton Gane for the best batting average; and J. Higham N. Hill, and R. Lark on being awarded their Colours.

UMTALI HIGH SCHOOL v. PRINCE EDWARD SCHOOL
Prince Edward School 1st XI. visited Umtali on February 27th, the match being played on the Upper Chancellor House field before a" large number of spectators.

Jansen won the toss for Umtali and decided to take the field. Rose opened the bowling, and the first wicket fell when Macdonald was dismissed for 2 runs. Thereafter, the wickets fell steadily, the score being 25 for 8 until Tulley and Giles made a stand to bring the total up to 56. The visitors were all out for 58.

The Umtali opening batsmen were soon dismissed. Jansen, however, made a stand with Hill, and these two batsmen scored 28 and 29 respectively. Rose at sixth wicket made 39, which included four good sixes.

Prince Edward's batted again and made 104, leaving Umtali 23 runs to obtain to win, which they scored with the loss of three wickets.

PRINCE EDWARD SCHOOL

(1st Innings).
Macdonald, b Rose - 2
Ruile, lbw, b Parker -1
Thomas, c Reid, b Rose - 1
Evans, lbw, b Rose - 0
Barkley, b Rose - 0
Tulley, lbw, b van der Merwe - 16
Giles, lbw, b Rose - 14
Cornish, c and b van der Merwe - 1
Popkiss, lbw b van der Merwe - 0
Passaportis, b Parker - 20
White, not out - 1
Extras 2
Total 58

Bowling: Rose 5 for 17, Parker 2 for 16, van der Merwe 3 for 7.

(2nd Innings).
Macdonald, b Rose - 2
Ruile, c Hill, b Rose - 40
Thomas, c Baker, b Jansen - 20
Evans, c Hill, b Higham -15
Barkley, b Lark - 0
Tulley, b Parker - 5
Giles, b Parker - 4
Cornish, b Parker - 0
Popkiss, b Rose - 5
Passaportis, b Rose - 0
White, not out - 3
Extras 17
Total - 105

Bowling: Rose 4 for 13, Parker 3 for 29; Jansen 1 for 15, Lark 1 for  17, Higham 1 for 8.

UMTALI HIGH SCHOOL
(1st Innings).
Godfrey, c Giles, b Tulley - 0
Hall, lbw, b Tulley - 2
Jansen, b White - 28
Higham, c Giles, b Cornish - 1
Hill, c Cornish, b White - 29
Baker, run out - 2
Lark, b Evans - 16
Rose, b Evans - 39
Reid, run out - 0
Van der Merwe, b Macdonald - 5
Parker, not out 1
Extras - 17
Total - 140

Bowling: Tulley 2 for 18, Cornish 1 for 12, Evans 1 for 34, White 3 for 21, Macdonald 1 for 10.

(2nd Innings).
Godfrey, st. Evans, b White - 12
Hall, b Cornish - 8
Jansen, st. Evans, b White - 9
Total for 3 wkts. - 29

UMTALI HIGH SCHOOL v. ST. GEORGE'S.
The 1st XI. travelled up to Salisbury to play St. George's in the semi-final of the Schools Cup on Saturday, November 6th.
 

St. George's, batting first, made an auspicious beginning, and by tea time had scored 61 for 4. However, after tea the side collapsed badly and were dismissed for 88. Lark and Higham bowled well, and Hill backed them up with excellent wicket keeping. Umtali started their innings badly, the first three wickets falling for only six runs. But Hill and Lark coming together played sound cricket and managed to pass the opponents' score. The innings closed soon afterwards for 101, giving Umtali a small lead. Hill played a magnificent innings of patience and skill, and saved the side from entire collapse.

In their second innings after lunch, St. George's attacked the bowling, with the result that the School was given an hour and a half to make 96. Umtali played cautiously to their undoing for a collapse set in. Wickets fell at irregular intervals and runs were scarce. Symes put up a spirited resistance, being the only man to reach double figures. With only a few minutes to go the last man was out l.b.w., thus giving St. George's an exciting victory by 58 runs.

The scores were as follows:—

ST. GEORGE'S
(1st Innings).
Bell, st. Hill, b Higham - 30
Searle, c Gould, b Lark - 3
Maclean, c Woodward, b Gould - 8
Macnamara, b Woodward - 6
Scrivener, st. Hill, b Higham -13
Morris, lbw, b Higham - 2
Savage, c Hill, b Lark - 3
Storey, run out - 5
Mannix, not out -14
Kerr, c and b Lark - 2
Clegg, b Lark - 1
Extras - 1
Total - 88

Bowling: Lark 4 for 24, Higham 3 for 14.

(2nd Innings)
Bell, c Hill, b Higham - 9
Searle, c Godfrey, b Lark - 0
Maclean, c Woodward b Higham - 36
Macnamara, not out - 37
Scrivener, b Lark - 0
Morris, lbw, b Evershed -1
Savage, c Reid, b Lark - 7
Storey, st Hill, b Evershed - 13
Mannix, b Godfrey  - 2
Kerr, b Gould - 0
Clegg did not bat.
Extras - 3
Total - 108

Bowling: Lark 3 for 54, Evershed 2 for 2.

UMTALI HIGH SCHOOL
(1st Innings).
Symes, c and b Maclean - 1
Muggleton, c Morris, b Savage - 3
Godfrey, b Maclean - 1
Hill, not out - 48
Reid, c and b Maclean - 8
Higham, lbw, b Savage - 3
Evershed, c and b Maclean - 7
Lark, c Storey, b Maclean - 23
Woodward, b Maclean - 2
Walton, lbw, b Maclean - 0
Gould, b Maclean - 0
Extras - 5
Total - 101

Bowling: Maclean 8 for 48, Savage 2 for 37.

(2nd Innings).
Symes, lbw, b Savage - 12
Muggleton, b Maclean - 1
Godfrey, lbw, b Maclean - 3
Hill, b Maclean - 0
Reid, b Maclean - 0
Higham, c Searle, b Savage - 6
Evershed, b Savage - 6
Lark, c Storey, b Maclean - 4
Woodward, lbw, b Savage - 2
Walton, b Savage - 0
Gould, not out - 3
Extras 2
Total - 40

Bowling: Maclean 5 for 16, Savage 5 for 22.


 
The Cross-Country Run
The Cross-Country was a very successful event this year, due chiefly to the keenness of Mr. Hodgson. Large fields turned out to both the League and training runs. Gomes, last year's winner, came first in all three League runs, though he was hard-pressed by Evans, who tied with him for first place in the second League run. In the final run Walton came third.
 

The improvement in the runs during the Term was very noticeable. The time for the first run was bettered by nearly two minutes in the final run.

A new course was tried this year, but the old one is still retained for all the League runs.




Cadet Notes, 1937

The high standard of previous years has been fully maintained this year. Two Platoons, a Band, and a Signalling Section, as well as a Recruit Squad have received instruction. On the resignation of Lieutenant Walker at the end of the first Term, Lieutenant Jarvis has commanded the No. 1 Platoon.

At the beginning of the second Term the Cadets were inspected by the Commandant on the Lower Field at Chancellor House. In his report he stated that No. 1 Platoon was very well turned out, the arms drill was good, and that it was a "Satisfactory Inspection."

Twelve Cadets took part in the Annual Local Weapon Meeting. Lark figured twice on the prize-list and won the Harrison Cup, presented to the Cadet with the highest individual aggregate. Three Cadets attended the Melsetter, and two the Rusape District Weapon Meetings. A team also competed at Chipinga, where they carried off one team event.

In the third Term a shooting team travelled to Salisbury to compete against the Prince Edward and the St. George's Cadets.

In the Bisley Competition fairly good scores were made, but the very high standard reached by Matabeleland proved too difficult to beat. Shooting took place under difficult conditions and the scores were quite creditable.

Spoons were presented by the Headmaster to the under mentioned cadets formaking highest scores in the Inter-School Correspondence Shoot:—

Major-General Edward's Cup (.22 Range):
Over 15: G. Neaves - 57 (possible 60)
Under 15: P. Uren - 58 (possible 60)
Directors' Shield Competition (.303):
Highest score: G. Cripps 51 (possible 60)

PROMOTIONS.
Sergeant J. Jarvis to be 2nd Lieutenant.
Corporals Walton, Phillips, Pope and Hill to be Sergeants.
Cadets Corbett, Baker, Botha, and Reid to be Corporals.
Cadet Birch to be Lance-Corporal.




Scouts, 1st Umtali Troop
When School re-opened in January it was found that several useful patrol leaders had left. Some comparatively young Scouts were promoted and a pleasing feature of the year has been the quiet and efficient manner in which patrol leaders and seconds have responded to the responsibilities placed upon them. Meetings have been held in the gymnasium on Fridays, 7.30-9.0 p.m. In addition, a recruits' class was held in the first term for training in Tenderfoot work. An enthusiastic camp-fire concluded the activities of the first term.
 

Three camps were held during the second term at the Jungle. D. Symes, Crawford, J. Seymour, D. Seymour, and Heron became Second-Class Scouts and together with Uren received Cook's Badges.

Each camp included in its programme a Scouts Own Service and a camp- fire. Time was found in order to climb the neighbouring kopjes.

A class in knotting and splicing was held during the second term under the direction of Mr. Trubi, who kindly volunteered to act as instructor to twelve of the Troop.

The strength of the Troop continues to be above forty. Rovers Mitchelmore and Fox are now actively assisting the Scoutmaster.

During the last term of the year the Scoutmaster is on leave and the Troop is at present under the guidance of the Hon. Local Secretary, Mr. Rodney Vowles.




Guide Notes, 1937

At the end of last year many of our Guides of long standing left School and our best wishes go with them for their future happiness and success. Throughout the year our numbers have kept high in the 1st and 2nd Companies, and we are pleased to say that a 3rd Company has been started. Miss Heaume, Miss Hibbert, and Miss Winson have been welcomed as Lieutenants.

The Guides have participated in several functions, including the Coronation Service, the Renewal of the Promise Ceremony with the Scouts, Cubs and Brownies on the occasion of the visit of Colonel Robins, the Commissioner for the Colony. A "Guides Own" was held on Guide Sunday. Perhaps the most memorable undertaking was the Coronation Rally and Camp held in Salisbury in June. Seventy Guides and Brownies attended this function, and we were 600 in Camp. We met and made friends with Guides from all over Rhodesia, and had such fun renewing friendships with Guides whom we had met at previous Rallies, and also with the "Old Umtali Guides" who are doing their bit as Guiders in so many parts of the Colony.

A Company of Cadet Rangers has come into existence, and we hope it will take shape and become really active next Term.

Guide Greetings and Happy Days!

"A GUIDE."





Swimming Gala
This year the School Swimming Gala was held through the kindness of the Municipality in the Municipal Baths.


This was the first school festivity held since the new House, Fairbridge, was formed, and great enthusiasm was shown throughout all the houses.

We were sorry that the girls' race against the Convent had to be cancelled, but hope that next year we shall be able to compete against them.

Mr. Hill, at the end of the afternoon, thanked the staff and the judges, Miss Mackay, Major Bowles, Mr. Winkel, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Slaven, Mr. Davis and Mr. Heron, for all they had done. Miss Palmer was also thanked for the trouble she had taken with the refreshments.

Mrs. Bain, the Mayoress, presented the prizes and said how much she had enjoyed the afternoon.

The results were as follows:—

Two lengths, senior boys: 1, Mackenzie; 2, Woodward; 3, Mare. Time: 44.2 secs.

50 yards, girls: 1, J. Collie; 2, M. Bower; 3, A. Frost. Time: 86 secs.

100 yards championship, boys (under 16): 1, Mackenzie; 2, Gould; 3, Allen. Time: 1 min. 24 2-5th secs.

100 yards championship, Senior boys: 1, Mare; 2, Mackenzie; 3, Woodward. Time: 1 min. 13 secs.

One length, senior boys: 1, Mackenzie; 2, Woodward; 3, Mare. Time: 19 secs.

50 yards championship, junior boys: 1, Coaton; 2, Stokes; 3, Adair. Time: 35 secs.

50 yards championship, senior boys: 1, Woodward; 2, Mackenzie; 3, Mare. Time: 31 1-5th secs.

One length, senior girls: 1, J. Hodgson; 2, J. Collie; 3, M. Cole. Time: 22. 2-5th secs.

House team race, Junior girls: 1, Moffat; 2, Stanley; 3, Fairbridge; 4, Livingstone.

Senior girls: 1, Livingstone; 2, Stanley; 3, Fairbridge; 4, Moffat.

Junior boys: 1, Fairbridge; 2, Stanley; 3, Livingstone; 4, Moffat.

Senior boys: 1, Moffat; 2, Stanley; 3, Livingstone; 4, Fairbridge.

Boys' water polo: Moffat,"8; Livingstone,  8

One length Junior boys: 1, Coaton; 2, Stokes; 3, Elliott. Time: 21 secs.

Diving, Senior boys: 1, Mackenzie; 2, Reid; 3, Allen.

Two lengths, Junior boys: 1, Coaton; 2, Rail; 3, Stokes. Time: 53 secs

Diving, Junior boys: 1, Saunders; 2, Stokes; 3, Gale."

One width, 11 years and under, boys: 1, Gale; 2, Saunders; 3, Chevallier. Time: 21 secs.

One width, 11 years and under, girls: 1, M. Cowie; 2, J. Bowles; 3, M. Perkins. Time: 10 l-10th secs.

One width, girls, 12-13 years: 1, M. Gale; 2, O. Bailey; 3, J. Shepherd-Cross. Time: 7 2-5th Secs.

Diving, Senior girls: 1, S. Winson; 2, P. Nicolson; 3, G. Hodgson.

25 yards back stroke, girls, open: 1, J. Hodgson; 2, O. Bailey; 3, M. Gale.

Diving, Junior girls: 1, J. Godfrey; 2, M. Gale; 3, P. Smith.

1 width, beginners, girls: 1, G. Peets; 2, C. Saurman; 3, J. Bowles.

1 length, 14 and under, girls: M. Gale; 2, P. Smith; 3, R. Cocker. Time: 24 secs.

25 yards, Junior girls: 1, R. Cocker; 2, P. Smith; 3, M. Gale.

House Champions: Stanley, 109; Moffat, 96; Livingstone, 69; Fairbridge, 47.

School Champions: Boys, Senior, J. Mackenzie. Junior, J. Coaton, 10, 100

yards, under 16, Mackenzie. Girls, Senior: Jean Collie. Junior: Margery Gale.

CERTIFICATES—
Senior boys' champion (runner-up): F. Mare.
Senior girls' champion (runner-up): June Hodgson.
Two lengths, Senior boys: Mackenzie.
50 yards, Senior girls: J. Collie.
50 yards, Senior boys: Woodward.
Two lengths, Junior boys: Coaton.
25 yards back stroke, girls: J. Hodgson.
100 yards, boys (under 16): Mackenzie.
Junior girls' champion: M. Gale.
Junior boys' champion: Coaton.
Junior girls' champion (runner-up): Peggy Smith.
Junior boys' champion (runner-up): D. Stokes.



The "Rime" of the Ancient Borderer
It is an ancient Borderer
And he stoppeth one of three.
"By thy long grey beard and glittering eye,
Now wherefore stopp'st thou me ?

Donaldson's doors are opened wide
And I am next to tea.
My friends are met, the time is set.
May'st hear them calling me."

He holds him with his glittering eye.
The High School boy stood still
And listened like a three years child.
The Old Boy hath his will.

The car was cheered the way was cleared,
Merrily off went they.
"Away from Chancellor House," quoth he.
On the road to U.A.A.

At length did cross an ancient fowl,
Along the road came she
And though I curved and braked and swerved,
I killed the bird: Ah me!

And I had done a hellish thing,
As it did work us woe.
For all averred I had killed the bird
That made the tries to flow.

The fair breeze blew, the fly half flew,
The forwards followed free.
We were the first that ever burst
And score a try did we.

Down dropt the breeze, the tries slowed down.
'Twas sad as sad could be.
And we did play through force of sport
And they did say 'twas me.

For I did cause the team to lose.
I'll remember till I die,
How each one turned with a ruffled look
And cursed me with his eye.

Since then at an uncertain hour
That agony returns.
Until my ghastly tale is told
My heart within me burns.

Farewell, consider you my last behest,
And tell to other High School men.
He playeth best who loveth best,
Both man and beast and hen.

E.M.




Girls' Games


TENNIS.

This year eleven courts have been in constant use, and there has been considerable improvement in play, every girl being interested and anxious to improve her strokes.


D. Lowth was elected Captain, and M. Jordaan Vice-Captain for 1937. The School Championships were played during the last Term of 1936, N. Spragge winning the Junior Singles, and B. Taylor and M. Jordaan the Senior Doubles.


The following girls played in the First Team: D. Lowth and M. Jordaan, J. Pascoe and H. Kloppers, M. Roberts and B. Taylor. The team was much more successful this year than they were last.


RESULTS OF MATCHES.
1936 November 2—Hillside Ladies v. School: 5—4 setts (lost)
November 4-—Penhalonga v. School: 5—4 setts (lost).
November 14—Past v. Present: 84—63 games to Past.

1937 February 17—Penhalonga v. School: 5—4, setts (lost).
February 24—Raylton v. School: 6—3 setts (won).
March 3—Penhalonga v. School: 5—4 setts (won).
March 17—Hillside v. School: 5—4 setts (won).
March 24—Penhalonga v. School: 6—3 setts (lost).
October 2—Salisbury Convent: 118—47 games (lost).
October 20—Park Ladies v. School: 6—3 setts (lost).
October 23—Hillside Ladies v. School: 5—4 setts (lost).
October 30—Past v. Present: 155—106 games (won).
November 3—Penhalonga v. School: 5—4 setts (won).


In the match against the Salisbury Convent, in spite of the rather large difference in the scores, the Umtali team played quite well and many of the games were a hard fight. The first couple did well to win two of their doubles matches. D. Lowth, the Captain, played particularly well both in the doubles and singles, and in addition to winning two matches in the doubles, she also won her singles.


Altogether the Umtali team put up a creditable fight against an exceptionally good School Tennis Team.


The team was made up as follows: D. Lowth (Captain) and J. Pascoe, B. Barrow and M. Roberts, B. Taylor and S. Winson.


In addition to the above team the following also played against the Past Girls: H. Kloppers, M. Parks, M. Bower, J. Collins, J. Hodgson, P. Lark, and B. Mellor.


Daphne Lowth won the Senior Tennis Championship Cup, and M. Hall and A. Venter were the winners of the Junior Girls' Doubles Competition.


HOUSE MATCHES.
1st Teams.  - 2nd Teams.
Livingstone v. Fairbridge: 2—7 to Fairbridge; 5—4 to Livingstone.
Moffat v. Fairbridge: 1—8 to Fairbridge; 2—7 to Fairbridge.
Stanley v. Fairbridge: 6—3 to Fairbridge; 4—5 to Fairbridge.
Livingstone v. Stanley: 4—5 to Stanley; 5—4 to Livingstone.
Moffat v. Livingstone: 1—8 to Livingstone; 4—5 to Livingstone.
Stanley v. Moffat: 7—2 to Stanley; 6—3 to Stanley.
Result: Fairbridge, 50; Livingstone, 40; Stanley, 30; Moffat, 0.

THE FIRST TEAM.

D. LOWTH (Captain).—Played well and steadily in all matches. Her back hand has improved, and she plays with much more confidence.


M. JORDAAN.—Is good and, although she missed matches because of a disabled knee, she plays a much better game than she did last year
.

J. PASCOE.—Shows steady improvement and is much quicker on the court.


M. E. ROBERTS.—Is a keen, hard worker and has improved considerably in consequence. She is still a little uncertain and excitable in matches.


B. TAYLOR.—Is a steady player and reliable in matches. A keen member of the team.


H. KLOPPERS.—Has not improved as was expected. She tries hard, but should vary her strokes more and try to get more pace on the ball.


B. BARROW.—Has been a very useful member of the School team this term. She has good style and some very good shots. She is inclined to be erratic, but if she can correct this fault and also speed up her footwork, she should make a really good player.


HOCKEY.

Hockey has improved considerably this season. We were able to enter two teams for the League Matches and both worked very hard. Unfortunately the new field was not completed, but we hope it will be in use next year. We were not as successful in the Women's League as we were last year; Raylton was first and the School "A" team second.


J. Pascoe was elected Captain and M. Roberts Vice-Captain for 1937. The following played in "A" team: A. Frost (goal), M. du Preez (left back), J. Collins (right back), P. Nicolson (left half), S. Winson (centre-half), D. Bull (right half), M. Roberts (right wing), M. Parks (right inner), J. Pascoe (centre), D. Clay (left inner), D. Lowth (left wing).


Results of Matches.
2nd June: School "A" v. Town (lost 4—3).
9th June: School "B" v. Raylton (lost (5—0).
16th June: School "B" v. Town (2—2).
21st June: School "A" v. School "B" ("A" 3—2).
23rd June: School "B" v. Town (2—2).
3rd July: School "A" v. Salisbury (lost (9—0).
15th July: School "A" v. School "B" ("A" 4—2).
21st July: School "A" v. Raylton (lost 3—2).
24th July: School "B" v. Raylton (lost (2—0).
24th July: School "A" v. Town (won 3—1).
28th July: School "A" v. Raylton (2—2).


HOUSE MATCHES.
Two rounds were played in the House hockey matches with the following results:—

1st Teams. 2nd Teams.
Moffat v. Stanley: 7—3 to Stanley; 3—2 to Stanley.
Fairbridge v. Livingstone: 3—2 to Fairbridge; 3—1 to Fairbridge.
Moffat v. Livingstone: 6—2 to Livingstone; 3—2 to Livingstone.
Fairbridge v. Stanley: 4—2 to Fairbridge; 2—2 draw.
Moffat v. Fairbridge: 10—3 to Fairbridge; 1—1 draw.
Stanley v. Livingstone: 4—2 to Livingstone; 3—1 to Livingstone.

Result: Fairbridge, 50; Livingstone, 40; Stanley, 25; Moffat, 5.



The First Team.

A. FROST.—Has played well. She is inexperienced at present but next season ought to be good. In defending she sends the ball over the line too frequently, but her judgment is good in coming out to tackle.


M. DU PREEZ.—Her game has improved in every match. She is sure and reliable.


J. COLLINS.—Has played well in the short time she has had as a back. Should be good next season.

P. NICOLSON.—Has played steadily all through the season and is a reliable half in matches.

S. WINSO.—Could be brilliant, but she is unreliable, and in matches her play was either very good or distressingly bad.

D. BULL.—Is young and inexperienced, but played well and ought to be good in time.

J. PASCOE (Captain).—Made a better centre-forward than wing. Her shooting was much better at the end of the season.

D. CLAY.—Has justified her selection by playing in every successive match.

M. PARKS.—Has improved, but is a little disappointing at times. She lacks confidence.

D. LOWTH.—Centres very well near the circle, but is slow in the field, and sometimes misses amazingly simple passes.

M. ROBERTS.—A very fast wing with good stick work. She uses her speed to advantage. She is a good player, but a certain excitability in matches causes her to miss opportunities, and if she could overcome this, her play would be excellent.

SWIMMING.The swimming of the girls seems to have improved this year and much more interest has been shown, so that there was more and keener competition. Since swimming was not made compulsory this season, there were fewer swimmers, but those who did attend on Thursdays were keen and anxious to improve. More interest was shown in diving this year. We were again disappointed in not being able to compete in the Inter-School Gala held in Bulawayo. Our own gala was very successful, while in the Umtali Swimming Club Gala many of the honours were carried off by competitors from the High School. The School team obtained first place in the team race against the Convent School and the Town teams.
 

The team: J. Hodgson, M. Cole, M. Bower, J. Collie.

J. Hodgson is a good swimmer with excellent style.

M. Cole ought to be better than she is and should try to improve her arm stroke, which is stiff and awkward.

M. Bower would be much faster if she improved the leg-stroke. It has too small a compass at present.

J. Collie is good and has steadily improved each season.



  
The Lamentations of the Afflicted
Psychologists tell us that the female sex is usually kind and compassionate. But the fair members of the Domestic Science Class would confound them. For they have no concern whatever for our digestions, if one is to judge from the sweets served out at a recent concert.
 
The stomach is a delicate organ, and should be respected as such. But the apparently heartless D.S. pupils seem to imagine that we are ideally suited to remove the debris of amateur confectioners.
 
Being a mere male I have no conception of what goes on in the mysterious recesses of the D.S. Room, hence I can only surmise. But, having partaken of the results, I should imagine that the sweets are made in much the same way as a witchdoctor concocts his most potent "medicines."
 
One wonders if the ingredients are mixed to the accompaniment of weird chantings by the assembly of white-aproned pupils. And whether the girls are thrown into fits of unholy glee at the thought of the unwary schoolboys they will presently ensnare with the cunningly disguised sweetmeats.

To lure the boy on to his doom coy damsels, like the Lorelei maiden of yore, entice him to disaster. Egged on by the appealing eyes of the vendor, the victim makes large purchases, perhaps not realising what Fate has in store for him.
 
He tastes, and makes a grimace, but the thought of those appealing eyes stops any criticism. Being hungry, and as to most schoolboy^ the term "having a good time" is synonymous with "a bust-up," he is compelled to consume more. Towards the end of the evening he experiences a vague uncomfortable feeling in that delicate organ, the stomach. . . .
 
The object of our attention spends a troubled night.
 
The next day or two is spent in bitterly criticising the authorities for allowing irresponsible young ladies to have access to the D.S. Room, and he also gives his candid opinion of said girls.
 
But Time, as everyone knows, is a great healer, and he soon forgets his woe. Later, ruminating on the subject of sweets, he says, "Well, they weren't too bad,
considering who made them!"
 
And I agree, don't you, that they weren't so bad, considering. . . .
B. du P.
 


A Reply to the Preceding
In view of the sudden impetus given to the Modern side of our scholastic studies, we have been wondering whether the authorities could not find it possible to include a course in cookery and its allied arts for the male element of the School. Perhaps some such scheme would help to alleviate the jealousy some of our contemporaries appear to feel for the more fortunate of us who have access to the Domestic Science Room.
 
The female of the species, being kind and compassionate, has too long been moved by the longing glances and envious peeps cast through the D.S.R. door, no longer can she heartlessly ignore the lingering steps of her male confederates as they pass by, no longer can she suffer to see them journeying back and forth, so obviously to catch some chance fleeting whiff from the savoury dishes being prepared within, or even a glimpse at the tempting morsels that are the cause of their dismay. Our soft hearts are being moved more every day by the piteous sight—something must be done.
 
Why is Fate so unfair in its distribution of the good things of this world as to permit the more capable sex alone to enjoy these culinary pleasures, while the poor boys must fill in their time by making abominable odours in the Science Lab., or hammering their thumb-nails in the Woodwork Room? We fail to understand and can only offer you from the depths of our sympathetic hearts—our regrets.
 
But perhaps the years of experience and the deeper knowledge that belong to the more enlightened have taught man his shortcomings. Knowing that such a delicate art could be placed only in the hands of the gentler sex, where clumsiness is a sacrilege and inaccuracy a crime, he must surely realise the folly of his dreams of conquering the domain of cooking. We must allow such remarks as "I dare you to" and "Go on!" which assail our ears as the sufferers pass by, to go unheeded and unacknowledged. We must sadly face years of gloating glances and learn to bear with fortitude the envious jealousy of those who allow "I dare
not" to wait upon "I would."
 
We have replied to your lament fully understanding the loss you are sustaining, and realising with sympathy the extent of your yearning towards thefulfilment of your gustatory faculties.

B.T.
 

House Notes
Livingstone House are to be congratulated on winning the House Championship this year. Stanley House were not far behind them, with Fairbridge and Moffat third and fourth respectively.
 

STANLEY HOUSE.
Captains: R. Lark and Peggy Nicolson. (Vice-Captain, Joan Pascoe).
 
Stanley House has had quite a successful year. During the course of the first Term we won the Swimming Championship, and also Athletics by the narrow margin of half a point. Congratulations are due to all who took part both in the swimming and athletics events.
 
During the second Term we did not do as well as we expected. We managed to come second in the Rugby Competition, but seeing that we lost some very useful members of the team during the course of the Term, we consider ourselves fortunate in obtaining second place. Congratulations to N. van der Merwe and B. Botha, both of whom gained their Rugby Colours this' season.
 
In the Tennis Competition, the mixed doubles were quite a success, but here again we did not do quite as well as we expected, obtaining only third place.

All through the year both boys and girls have been very keen, and we hope that this keenness will continue.
 
The following have been awarded their House Colours: R. Lark, J. Evershed.
 
The first important event of the year was the Swimming Gala, in which Stanley did very well, obtaining first place, closely followed by Livingstone. We repeated the success of the gala on Sports Day, again coming first, largely through the excellent support of the boys. Congratulations are due to all those who took part in these events.
 
We drew for first place with Livingstone in the Cricket Competition and came second in both Boxing and Rugby, and fourth in the Cross-Country Run.
 
Our Hockey and Tennis have not been of the best, but with such a keen House spirit and promising material we should do well in future. We came third in both the Inter-House Hockey and Tennis, while the results of the Inter-House Mixed Doubles, played off this Term showed us to be only five points below Fair- bridge and Livingstone.
 
Congratulations to J. Pascoe who has won her Hockey Colours, and to P. Nicolson, J. Pascoe, and S. Winson who have gained their House Colours.
 
P.N.
   LIVINGSTONE HOUSE.
Captains: E. M. McLean and Barbara Taylor. (Vice-Captain: Daphne Lowth).

Livingstone House has been successful in obtaining the first place for the past six years, and we hope to repeat our success at the end of the present year.

Our Rugby activities have proved successful this year, owing to the enthusiasm of all concerned. We tied for first place in Tennis with Moffat House, but we were not so fortunate in the Swimming Competition, finishing only third. Cricket and Athletics were satisfactory, and we just managed to win the Boxing. Congratulations to Stanley House for having put up such a good fight, and to T. Reid and G. Symes for winning their House Colours.

E.M.

Since a new House was introduced into the House system at the beginning of this year, all four Houses were re-picked, and altogether both our old and new members have done us credit. Although we have had few major successes our total points are well in advance of the other Houses.

Last year the girls lost both their House-Mistresses, and we welcome into their places Miss Palmer and Miss Heaume.

Swimming was again combined, but our efforts were not as successful as they might have been, for we came only third. We ran Stanley a very close second in the Sports, and in the Inter-House Tennis we tied for first place with Fairbridge.

We won our Hockey matches against Moffat and Stanley, but were beaten by Fairbridge in both games.

Congratulations to D. Lowth, who has gained her Tennis Colours, and to B. Taylor, D. Lowth, J. Hodgson, M. Bower on winning their House Colours.

B.T.

MOFFAT HOUSE.
Captains: J. Higham and Mary Roberts. (Vice-Captain: Marie du Preez.)

We have been unfortunate this year in losing our House Captain during the middle Term. We were very weak in the Senior Division, but our Juniors pulled us up considerably. We came third in the Sports, and congratulate Dysart on the Middle Boys Victor Ludorum. We came second in the Swimming Competition, for in this division we had a strong Senior team, and managed to obtain two places in each event.

In the Cross-Country we did well in the League Runs, but unfortunately dropped to third place in the final run. Although the House was beaten at Rugby, the results were very close, and in no match were we overwhelmed. This year Moffat boxers have been very enthusiastic, especially the Juniors. In the School Tournament we won four weights, only one of our finalists being beaten.

During the first Term we were not very successful in Cricket. Our Juniors did quite well, but the Seniors were not outstanding. This Term, however, we look forward confidently to winning both the Cricket and the Tennis.

Congratulations to the following on being awarded their House Colours:
J. Higham, J. Godfrey, D. Symes, D. Lourenco, J. Kok, T. Delaney, F. Chevallier.

J.H.

This year Moffat has achieved a fair amount of success, and at the end of the second Term, in conjunction with the boys, has a very fair total of points. We were not successful in Tennis during the first Term, but were placed second in the Swimming Gala and third in the Annual Athletics. We must congratulate P. Hutchinson, who won the Junior Victrix Ludorum.
The Hockey team improved and, towards the end of the season, played well, though we lost several matches.

Congratulations to M. du Preez and M. Roberts, who have been awarded their Hockey Colours and to M. Roberts on winning her House Colours.

M.R.

FAIRBRIDGE HOUSE.
Captains: N. Hill and Helena Kloppers. (Vice-Captain: Joan Collins.)
 

Fairbridge House has been established only this year, and taking this fact into consideration we have done quite well, being more successful in team events than those in which individual effort was required. This in itself is a good sign, and we hope that it will be the beginning of a tradition of real team work in the House.

The Swimming Gala was the first Inter-House event: in this we finished fourth, although we had the runner-up for the Junior Cup. In the Athletic Sports we were again fourth, lacking Junior representatives of any merit We were more successful in Cricket and Rugby, obtaining third place in both competitions. By winning the final of the Cross-Country Run we gained second place in the season's runs.

Congratulations to N. Hill, V. B. Pope, and L. Muggleton on being awarded their House Colours.

N.H.

Despite the fact that much keenness has been shown by all members of the House, we have not had a very successful first year. We hope to give a much better account of ourselves next year. As it was we won both Senior and Junior Tennis matches, and came first with Livingstone in the mixed doubles. We came first also in the Hockey Competition.

Congratulations to J. Collie on winning the Championship Swimming Cup, and to H. Kloppers, B. Barrow, and J. Collie on winning their House Colours.

H.K.



The Stag

How nice to look, how nice to feast
Upon this lovely, stately beast.
His noble head he held with pride,
The dew did glisten on his hide.

When yet he was a tiny fawn,
He went with dam to drink at dawn,
During the day he gambolled free,
Or grazed or lazed beneath a tree.

Upon the heaths or in the plain,
All damp with dew or drenched with i;
He often browsed with doe and mate
Until the day he met his fate.

He met with death one frosty morn,
When huntsmen to the sound of horn,
With fiery steeds and baying pack,
Soon found the scent of new made track.

The end came soon, 'tis sad to say.
To save his herd he had to stay.
One gleaming arrow was enough,
To bring him to the ground so rough.

No other deer fell by his side,
For stretching out with mighty stride,
The stag alone of all was left,
Their safety gained in distant cleft.

A noble beast, he nobly died,
Whose antlered head was held with pride,
His graceful form is seen no more,
His blood has stained the cold, bleak moor.

His antlered head, now on the wall,
Adorns the king's great banquet hall.
His eyes gaze out with glassy stare,
The pulsing life no longer there.

J.M.H.F.
  





The Debating Society.

The Debating Society held its first meeting this year during the Middle Term. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. B. B. Hill; Chairman, Mr. A. J. A. Russell; Pupil-Chairman, Mr. V. P. Pope; Secretary, Miss Barbara Taylor.
 

Meetings of the Society were held as follows:—
 

July 30th: The motion before the House was "that men should remain single," proposed by Miss H. Kloppers and opposed by Mr. J. Walton. Mr. V. B. Pope spoke third and Mr. C. Lecanides fourth. The motion was defeated by 28 votes to 12.
 

August 13th: Mr. J. Mackenzie proposed, "that games should be compulsory," and was opposed by Miss K. Jackson. Miss J. Collins spoke third, and Mr. J. Jarvis fourth. The motion was carried by 29 votes to 13.
 

The last debate of the Term was held on September 17th, when Mr. A. Myburgh proposed, "that Mankind is better for being civilised." Mr. B. du Preez opposed the motion. Miss M. Roberts spoke third and was followed by Miss H. Kloppers. The motion was lost by 31 votes to 16.
 



The Library
Committee, 1937: R. Lark and Barbara Taylor (ex officio, as Senior boy and girl); D. A. Baker, Maurine Bower, Joan Collins, B. du Preez, Evelyn Farquhar, H. F. Joubert, J. Mackenzie, Helen Ritchie.
 

For the greater part of the year the Library has been housed in a room in the Manica Lodge. This has been an improvement on the class-room that we had to share with the commercial students last year, but even these quarters are very congested. We are all the more pleased to hear that according to present arrangements the new Library will be ready for us by next September.
 

Comparatively few new books have been purchased in order that we may have a satisfactory balance to concentrate on the different sections of the Reference Library, and have as much new material as possible for the opening of the new building next year. We realise that with the change in examinations on the one hand and the specialised work of the Modern School on the other the Reference Section will play an even larger part in the work of the School, and for this reason this section will receive a considerably larger share of the funds at our disposal than it has received in the past.
 

The following are among the more important titles purchased during the past year:—Caton-Thompson, Zimbabwe Culture; C. H. Firth, Cromwell; H. A. L. Fisher, A History of Europe; R. Fairbridge, Pinjara; V. C. Buckley, With a Passport and Two Eyes; F. Windram, Night over Africa; F. Fleming, News from Tartary; G. Mossop, Running the Gauntlet; R. J. M. Gould-Adams, South Africa To-day and To-morrow; J. E. S. Green, Rhodes Goes North; H. W. van Loon, The Story of Mankind (replacement); P. Gibbs, Ordeal in England; R. E. Boyd, Antarctic Discovery; G. Baldwin, Service of Our Lives; R. Brooke, Complete Poems; V. Wilkins, And So—Victoria.
 

We thank the following for their kindness in presenting books to the Library: Mrs. C. E. Fripp, D. Dysart, F. Joubert, Dr. and Mrs. W. A. Rail, W.Willows and E. M. McLean.
 

We gratefully acknowledge a donation of £10 from the Umtali Municipality.
 



Junior School Notes.
During the past year Mr. J. P. Hutchinson was appointed Headmaster of the Junior School, thus nominally separating the Junior from the Senior School. There is, however, no danger of the two Schools drifting apart. They have too many interests in common; they have common ideals and have built up a common tradition. Our School motto, "Ex Montibus Robur," urges us all, Junior and Senior alike, to prove the truth of its proud boast. It is our earnest hope in the Junior School that our ties will be strengthened rather than weakened, and that we shall continue to regard ourselves always as members of the Umtali High School.
 

The School has taken part in Soccer matches against Ruzawi and Rusape. The School won the former at home by 4 goals to nil, and also the match at Ruzawi by 5 goals to nil. We also managed to beat Rusape by the only goal after a hard game.
 

The Inter-House League games played on Saturday mornings were popular. The final points in this series were: Moffat, 5; Livingstone, 4; Stanley, 3; Fairbridge, 0.
 

The Junior School House Captains were: Chevallier (Moffat); A. Markides (Livingstone); Gale (Stanley); and Rowell (Fairbridge).
 




 Old Borderers' Notes

Writing Old Borderers' Notes I once thought must be quite an easy matter, until this year the task fell to me. However, perhaps this short attempt will encourage past scholars to keep in closer touch with their Association, and that will be a service done in one direction at the expense of gossip.
 

Past scholars who remember her will deeply regret to learn of Dorothy Crockford's death which occurred in Salisbury Hospital last January. Dorothy left Umtali in 1927 and later joined the staff of the Statistical Department in Salisbury. She was always delicate and about four years ago her health became very much worse. Her office colleagues particularly will remember her for the patience and courage with which she faced her difficulties and her cheerful spirit. To her relatives we offer our deep sympathy.
 

To Dorothy Barlow (nee Home) and Marjorie Muir we also offer our deepest sympathy in their bereavements.
 

This year we hope has seen the Association more firmly established. The Old Boys' Section continue to acquit themselves well in the field of sport. The Old Girls are naturally more shy and retiring but nevertheless are making names for themselves in various activities of the town.
 

The Salisbury Branch we are glad to hear have a strong membership and thanks are extended to Edward Levy, Terence Klasen and Ruth Tapson for their hard work in establishing the Branch. Their third Re-union held this year was a great success. The Old Hararians have generously agreed to help with the occasional loan of sports fields and it is hoped that more sporting entertainments will thus be held than have been possible in the past.
 

Mr. W. Myburgh, one of the most untiring members of our Committee, has taken on further responsibility this year. We heartily congratulate' him on his wedding and wish him and his bride every happiness. These good wishes we also extend to Peggy Watson on her marriage to Mr. Prentice; Mary Palmer on her marriage to Sergeant Christie, and to other Old Borderers who have taken the step and failed to keep us in the news.
 
We heartily congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Teddy Blatch on their son and heir, and feel confident that if he continues to enjoy the same lusty spirit and good health he will be a credit to our Committee in the future, probably the Boxing Section.
 

Best wishes to Mary Young and Mr. Charles Bennett on their forthcoming marriage. Also to John Barry who has dared to choose his bride from the School Staff itself.
 

Congratulations and good wishes to Alice Brent on her engagement to Mr. Lindley.
 

Gladys Young sets us all an example with her farming venture outside Salisbury which, strange as it may seem, we understand pays its way.
 

Those Old Borderers who remember Eric Young will be interested to know that he is now married and a prosperous Civil Servant in Nigeria. So even Umtali School contributes to the outposts of the Empire.
 

As an Association we feel our dignity considerably enhanced by Mr. D. Catsicas' re-election for a further period of office as a City Father. We heartily congratulate him.
 

We welcome back to Umtali Margaret Buckley, Eva Thomas, Ella Beaton, and Ray Morris.
 

Amongst the air-minded we hear of Billy Stevens and Harry Went, and we congratulate the Old Borderers who are helping to establish the Gliding Club in this district.
 

To those Old Borderers who have taken up appointments this year we wish every success, and we do exhort those leaving in December to help swell our ranks and keep alive the motto given to us so many years ago by Mr. Sutherland—"Ex montibus Robus."
 

End of Magazine


Extracted and recompiled, from a hard copy of the magazine which was made available to ORAFs by Roger Higham, by Eddy Norris and for use on the Our Rhodesian Heritage Blog. Thank to Roger.

Comments are always welcome, please mail them to Eddy Norris at orafs11@gmail.com  and they will be loaded to this article.



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Favicon How "Wild West" coaches opened up Rhodesia
22 Apr 2013, 2:48 pm
by P.J. WHITE

Above: A stage-coach en route from Tuli—a contemporary engraving which captures the atmosphere of travel in the early days of Rhodesia



Above: C. H. Zeederberg, pioneer stage coach and mail contractor.

TODAY it is a commonplace experience to cover the 322 km from Beitbridge to Bulawayo, between lunch and sundown. Indeed, such is the reliability and speed of the modern motor-car that beyond the danger of falling to sleep, the competent driver has few problems.

But of course it was not always so. Some years before the first internal combustion engine spluttered into existence, the route to the North was carved across the veld by the rumbling wheels of C. H. Zeederberg's American stage-coaches, in the best tradition of the Wild West.

The first firm of "Zeederberg and Co., Coach Proprietors" was launched by four Zeederberg brothers in Pretoria, and was at first a purely South African concern. The first route was from Pretoria to the Northern Transvaal, in 1890. It was the occupation of Mashonaland, his subsequent friendship with Cecil Rhodes, and the tremendous demand for transport north of the Limpopo, which gave Christian Hendrik (Doel) Zeederberg reason to set up in Rhodesia.

The rainy season of 1890 was extremely heavy. The pioneers were scattered in search of gold and were unprepared for self-sufficiency. For some months any northward movement beyond Fort Tuli was practically impossible. Wagons were stuck hopelessly in the black vleis or on the banks of the flooded rivers, where, in the absence of adequate shelter, food and medicines, many hopeful young adventurers died of exposure and malaria.

For a few weeks after the occupation of Mashonaland, letters were carried by mounted despatch riders,but this became impossible due to swollen rivers, and Mashonaland was cut off from the outer world from the end of December, 1890, to the middle of February, 1891.

Among the improvements made when transport began moving again was a contract awarded to Zeederberg and Co. for the maintenance of communication between Tuli and Salisbury (547 km). This contract cost the British South Africa Co. £4 500 per annum. However, the Postmaster-General of the Cape Colony, who organised the scheme, was at pains to point out that the service dealt not only with postal traffic, "but was also the main line of communication for all purposes, the wagons being used for the conveyance of passengers and other articles besides mail matter".

In order to incorporate Mashonaland business into their existing schedule, Zeederberg extended the coach service Pretoria/Pietersburg as far as Tuli in April, 1891, via a pontoon built by C. H. Zeederberg over the Limpopo, and thence via Fort Victoria and Fort Charter to Salisbury. According to the yearbook "Guide to Southern Africa" for 1893, the fare Tuli to Salisbury was £15 and the journey took 14 days.




Above: Even with the advent of the railway to the main centres of Salisbury and Bulawayo, coaches still performed an essential service to local areas. Here the Mazoe mail coach waits at Salisbury Post Office in 1912.

When Bulawayo came into the picture in 1894, the scene changed rapidly. Travelling on trains from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London, the traveller arrived at Mafeking (the end of the railway line) in time to take his place on the 9 a.m. Monday coach to Bulawayo. The week-long journey was scheduled thus:

Boulderpits—Monday midnight
Gaberones—Tuesday 5 a.m.
Palapye—Friday noon (1 hr halt)
Tati hotel—Sunday 6 a.m. (½ hr halt)
Mangwe Pass— Sunday midnight
Bulawayo—Monday 9 p.m.

What a service! The following description appeared in 1894:

"In fine weather, when the roads are in good condition, a coach journey may be very enjoyable, but in bad weather capsizes are unpleasantly frequent and occasionally a coach with its freight and passengers will stick in the mud for many hours. Teams are changed every ten or fifteen miles, and some idea may be inferred of the number of horses and mules kept at the different stations from the fact that frequently four or five coaches will require fresh teams at one place during the day. The rate of travelling, including stoppages, is not much more than six m.p.h. Fares are high, ranging from 9d. to 1/- per mile. The allowance of luggage per passenger ranges from 25 to 40 lb., and every additional pound weight is charged 6d. to l/6d. extra according to the distance travelled, whilst, if the mail should happen to be heavy, luggage is frequently shut out". 





Above: Travel during the rainy season had more than the usual hazards, as sudden thunderstorms turned small streams into rushing torrents. Here an early artist depicts an anxious moment when crossing the Notswani River, a scene which could be repeated a dozen times in the course of a day's journey.

A direct route from the hotel at Fort Tuli to Bulawayo was made in 1894, reducing the distance Pretoria/Bulawayo by 852 km. The northern half of the old road beyond Gwanda, still exists, but fell into declinefollowing the development of mining communities at Essexvale and Filabusi.

Swaying, jolting and straining over the network of primitive tracks which linked Rhodesia's early settlements, Zeederberg's coaches laboured and plunged like ships at sea. A broken wheel, mute symbol of this era, was recently retrieved from the bush by the police at Tuli. Nearly all of those "super seasoned" spokes were still in place.

In 1896 most trek oxen had fallen victim to the severe rinderpest epidemic that swept across Southern Africa. During the Matabele Rebellion, which began in March of that year, Zeederberg coaches were the sole means of transportation between Bulawayo and the outlying settlements, and even went as far as Pietersburg, via Gwanda, for supplies.

One coach, with nine passengers, was attacked in a running fight between Shangani and Bulawayo. The mules were eventually run to a standstill and were killed. The driver and passengers ran to the top of a nearby kopje and prepared to defend themselves. With night coming on their situation was bad, but they were saved by the timely arrival of a patrol under Col. Napier on its way to Gwelo. The coach, however, had been burned to ashes.

Zeederbergs continued to expand in spite of the arrival of the railway at Bulawayo in 1897. In fact, the northward advance of the railway was made possible by the animal transport industry, which thus initiated its own decline.

During the Boer War, Zeederberg & Co's. mail transport contracts were suspended and its resources put at the disposal of the British Government. A specially formed regiment with all its equipment was transported from the railhead at Marandellas to Bulawayo in 20 days, en route to assist at the relief of Mafeking.

Following the death of Doel Zeederberg in 1907, the company was acquired by speculative interests towhom tradition meant little. This, and the rapid rise of cheaper rail traffic, caused its downfall in the 1920s. Nevertheless, the writer was delighted to discover that "Zeederberg's Garage", of Essexvale, is owned and rim by none other than Mr. A. Zeederberg, the son of Doel.

The strange adventures of Zeederberg's coaches continued after the dissolution of the firm. In 1924 acoach had been sent to England for display at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley. After the event was over, the coach was forgotten, but was rediscovered by a curious visitor from Cape Town, in a dock side warehouse in Hull, shortly before World War II.

This coach is now permanently exhibited in the museum on the second floor of the City of Johannesburg's Public Library. 




Above: A perfectly preserved coach used by the Zeederberg company is on display at the National Museum, Bulawayo. These coaches were built by the Abbot- Downing Company of Concord, U.S.A. The  heavy Concord Mail Coach cost approximately U.S. $1 100. An American authority described the coach as resembling "the English coach of the 18th century ... The ample body, almost egg-shaped, was a fine piece of joinery. It rested on lengthwise thorough braces, each of several leather strips. These helped to absorb shocks which would otherwise affect the horse team. Concord coaches weighed 2 500 lb. Each wheel spoke was hand hewn from clear, super-seasoned ash, Each was fitted into the hub with a nicety that would have done honour to the finest cabinet-maker's  art."



Above: This map shows the two principal routes from the south which carried pioneers to Rhodesia. The route from Pretoria, via Pietersburg, Tuli, Fort Victoria and Fort Charter to Salisbury was the first  opened.


End

Source: Rhodesia Calls, Magazine of May-June 1973 which was made available to ORAFs by Denise Taylor (my daughter.) Thanks Denise.

Comments are always welcome, please mail them to Eddy Norris at
 orafs11@gmail.com

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FURTHER INFORMATION RECEIVED.

Stretch Merrington (RhAF) Writes:-

 It was great to read the info about the coaches and their intro into the early days of Rhodesia. I did research on this subject for my book “African Night Witch” and would like to pass on a few snippets of further info.

 Lion, elephant, horse sickness, highway men and a total lack of formal roads were major obstacles to the coaches. The flow of the coach traffic through Messina to Fort Salisbury was made possible by more than 40 relay stations with replacement mules (or horses) and water.

 Good ‘salted’ horses cost up to 10 times the price of a good mule. The extreme shortage of horses was due to horse-sickness and this led to Zeederburg experimenting with Zebras. Sadly (but not for the Zebra’s) this only offered mediocre success. The Zebras seemed to go into a total decline in captivity and could barely manage the big Abbot Downing coaches.

 The animal teams in Rhodesia consisted of about 400 Oxen, almost 300 horses and more than 600 mules.




End of comment from Stretch.

Nick Baalbergen (Intaf) Writes:-

Good article and some particularly good photos on the Zeederberg Coach operation in our fledgling country.
As you know, the Zeederberg network extended into Manicaland, with a Zeederberg station building and stables located just behind the Umtali Club complex, at what would be No 81 Third Street, Umtali.
The Zeederberg Coach Company bought a number of old wood & iron buildings from the British Army in colonial India, which had become 'surplus to requirements'. They were shipped out to South Africa and from there to the newly occupied territory of Rhodesia. The buildings were identical and were moved to a number of Coach Station sites, where they were reassembled and used as Coach Offices.

Your article featured a well known photo of the departure of Mail Coach from Salisbury to Mazoe. Photo 3 attached is of the Mail Coach outside the Mazoe Hotel, with the Coach Office in the background. The Mazoe building was identical to the building in Umtali, which was used as a house well into the 1960's, after the Zeederberg Coach Service was discontinued.

Photo 4 of a coach crossing a drift also relates to your article in a way - a passage in the article mentions the difficulties of crossing streams.

Zeederberg Coach Office Bulawayo.
 (National Archives Salisbury No 15838)

Departure from Bulawayo of the Zeederberg Coach - circa 1896.
(National Archives Salisbury No 1957)
Zeederberg Coach outside the Mazoe Hotel. Zeederberg Coach Office in the background.  Circa 1905.
(National Archives Salisbury No 2008)
Zeederberg Coach crossing a drift.
 (National Archives Salisbury No 1927)
End of comment from Nick




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Favicon Carlton Hotel Menu - January 1963
20 Apr 2013, 1:16 pm

End

ORAFs has endeavoured, to establish the owner of this scanned menu, to no avail, this results in ORAFs not being able to record its thanks to the owner. Nevertheless, who ever it is/was, thank you.


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© 2013 Frêney, S.r.l. - V.A.T. ID IT03001860166