r -. ,. ~ ~ ,· ==--~ - ...-.,c=--=.a- ,._-'-""-• . .,._,-=--..,=="""-'"'-"--~---~~-=..\. SEPT. 19-11 YOL. 1.-No, 'f (New Series)
BRITISH FOOTWEAR for Gentlemen & their Sons JOHN "\"' HITE SHOES Rl0/ 5T Brown Calf Oxford studded pattern rubber soles. Sizes: 4½ to 10½. -Price: $14.50 also in Black Style No. R10/5S -Price: $14.50 r: E.: TS149L Brown Willow Calf 8 Oxford, punched toe cap, p,;. medium toe, leat her sole r and heel. -Price: $17.50 I"' also in Black Style No. 149BL I =---_s_u_p_e_r_b ___ p_;_·:_:~_z_:_:~_- 5 _ 0 _ ~ - ., TS149R same Style in Brown but fitted brown rubber sports solc.-Price: $19.50 TS150 Brown Grain Derby, no toe cap, stout double leather sole & heel, medium round toe, broad fitting. Sizes: 5 to 11.- Pricc: $19.50 TSluOTI. same style but fitted rubber sole. Sizes : 5 t o 11 -Price: $21.50 WHITEAWAYS Telepho ne: 821 - PENANG - Post Box 215 .j tiauY'.ilfilr:!L . ·1fd~~}"(]FiJ;~Jli"J:'rJrtu"Biit-frlt\"cifw'LJ
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•1••-0•-n-~n-n-~r,-n _ _,_,,__n_ti_n_n_~n- n--••- u-••- 1•- i.- 11_,,_ a_ u_ n_ o,.•i• i i i Always At Your Service! i i i I CHENG TEii( & Co. I C I I C i 110, KINTA LANE PENANG I i : = for ! I I i ♦ British, American and Australian Magaz-ines. i i 4- Straits Times, Sunday Times and Singapo.re Free P,ress. i ! ♦ Re-stringing· of Badminton and Tennis Rackets with i I First Quality Tracy or other English Guts at ! = Moderate Chm~ges. ! I I i STOCKISTS OF:. I i Tennis and Badminton Rackets iand Presses. ! i Tennis Balls and Shuttle Cocks. ! ! Table 'Tennis B.alls, Etc., Etc. I I = i ! , - .. - •-•--•-o-o_o_o_o_o_n_ o_o_n_o_o_o_n_,,_ ., ___ .,_,._,,_ .,_ .,_,,_ n_ ! - ! ! , 1 VISIT ! i ! i ! 1 GANP A TRAMS I ! I I , i FOR HIGH CLASS SPORTS GOODS ! • I ! CRICKET: Bats by all well-known makers, Autograph, \Visdens, i f Don Bradman's Pads, Batsmen and \Vicket-Keepcrs' · i I Gloves, Practice Nets, Etc. , I = RUGBY: Syke's "Springbok " and Frank Bry an's. . 1 ! HOCJ(EY: Sticks made by Gradidge and Syke's. i BADMINTON: Syke's, Grey's, Murray & Baldwin's Speedaire, Atlas with j i English Tracey Gut.s. Also Shuttles of various makes. i I TENNIS: Rackets made by Slazcngers, F. H. Ayres Prossers, f ! = D11nlo1¥3, Etc. Also balls and tennis screens made of , blue drill. 1 ! FOOTB.f\LLS: Syk.e's " Zig-Zag", "T" Shape and F1·ank Bryan. ·, f GOLF: Forgan's Clubs and Bags, Golf Balls, Tees, Etc., Etc. j f AT ! ! 64-66, BEACH STREET and 33, BISHOP STRRET ! I Phone: 164 PE N AN G . P. 0. BOX: 107 I ! " i •=••o_ .,_ u_ o_,,_,,_ o_n_u_ o_ o_ n_ ,,_u_ o_ u __ n_ o_ n_ o_ 1,_u_n_ o_ ,,_,,,_o_ n_ t•:•
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•••-o ______ ,._0_ 1 ,_ n_ ,,_.,._n_,_o_,-11_ n._.n_ n_ ,,_ n._ n_,,_,,_ ,._ o_,,_ ,l• ••• i i i i i i I HOCK LYE & Co., Ltd. I i RUBBER EXPORTERS ! • I I , . :MERCHANTS & AGENTS ! I I i ------ i i = Q SGA, Ileach Street T elegraphic A ddress : ! • PEN ANG " HOCKL YECOY " , Penang ! ! I i P. O. No. 383 i i = ' ! I - I Codes : T elephones N os.: I i Bentley's Complete Phrase • ! U niversal Trade. 158, Manag ing Director I I , , Comme rcial Cable & Telegraph I ! New Standard. 3-1 0, Managing Director's House I I , -, General Telegram ! , 652, General I ! Empire Cipher. I ! A.Il.C. Code 6th Edition. H3, Godown, P.R.Il. No. 2 i ! i ! i ! i ! I I ~e...--:i , i i i i I Chief Agents: i ' i /or THE EASTERN UNITED ASSURANCE i ~ i CORPORATION, LIMITED. t i i j SINGAPORE. a i ! i i i Sole Agents: i ' I ' i j /or "RED ARROW" Brand and i f "LEAVES " Brand Rubber Coagulants. i f I i l •=••n_ u_ u_ u_ u_ n_ o_,,_ n_ ,,_ ,,_ ,._ 1,_ u_ u_ ,,_u_,, __ ,,_ ,,_ ,,_ u_ u_ i,_ .,_,,_n_ ,,_ ,,_ ,•=•
------ -- r~---- -·---.... I . j ·~ ~ , . .. ;J . . ~¼ > '""- ' 1 \Q ~ if THE SCHOOL '1.:0 ( 1 . ' f \_ Back Row (L. to R.)-Messrs. Lee Eng Leong, Yeo Siew Kiat, Yea Tan Teik Teong, Tan Ah Fee, Lim Huck Jin, S. SelvaMiddle Row (L. to R.) - Messrs. Basha Merican, Ibrahim bin KeTagar Singh, Lim Boon Hock, Lim Teng Sun. SiUing (L. to R.)-Messrs. Cheah Keng Tian, C. Ponniah, Hooi Ooi Khay Bian, G. Pitkeathly, Teoh Cheng Hai, Goh G
STAFF - 1948 . 1 : ' 1 J -1 ·- ,, __ 1' (J '( ··t ""'- f. (_ . ' ~ Q •• ~- ? ., 'i .,,,-- --- - ... , I ~ Q ·-~-•-~ \ ~-\1 1 -~ ,. ! ._y -4-1 1 J ,' :t. .. ·, ~ - - ~-~ ap Choong Kong, Chang Min Kee, Ooi Beng Hooi, M. S. R. Ambrose, durai. echik, Yeoh Aik Hooi, Khoo Tiang Khuan, G. Iyer, Tay Hooi Keat, Yip 1:-Ioong-, C. Dev:!neson, N. R. Miller, D. Roper (Headmaster), Gin Hock, G. V. Robless.
trt Cll lltt fl Editor: Clum Kong Thoe Sub-Editors: Lee Chin Knnf/ Lim Chong Keat Khoo Boon Klumg General Advisor : JV!r. Basha M er-iccm Vol. 1 (New Series) Editorial School N otes Acknowledgments Mr. E. Md. Hashim bin Ishak Sports Day "The \1/indow" "A Village Ente rtainment" "On Tea-Drinking" ... " In The Realm of Art" "A River's Autobiography" "Adventurous Occupations" "Evening in a Churchyard" "A Trip to Taipeng" "The Days of Childhood" "Music and Musicians" Rover Report Scout Report CONTENTS Physical Recreation Department Report Gardening Club Report Cricket Report Soccer Report Badminton Report Rugger Report Swimming Report Literary and Debating Society Report Dramatic Society Report Arts and Crafts Society Report Musical Society Report Safety Fh'st Cyclists' Society Report The School Library Hargreaves House Pinhorn House Hamilton House Cheeseman House \Vu Lien Teh House The Old Frees' Association Report Old Frees Our Hong_kong Letter Cambridge School Certificate Results, 1947 School Officers The School Staff Hon. Secretaries: L eong Knr Choon Lim. Ewe Hin President: The Headmaster Lieh Kuang Chung Yeng Choon Wonf! Lin Ken Lim Chong Keat Chew Kok Chye Chung Yeng Choon Khoo Boon Kheng A P.F.S. Rover M. Subramanium Ng Kam Kew No. 6 Page 1 2 5 6 7 9 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 18 18 20 23 28 28 29 33 35 37 40 43 46 48 50 50 51 52 53 54 55 5G 57 59 59 Gl 63 GG
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~be ~aga?ine of mbe jf ree ~cbool V.ol. 1. PENANG, SEPTEMBER 1948. No. 6 EDITORIAL. This is the sixth and last issue of our first post--ivar volume, so it is fittirig to bring it to a climax by a bumper issue. The first feature that will strike the reader will be the inclusion of advertisements, and the question that many will ask must be, "Why have advertisements?" To some boys of the School, advertisements in a School Magazine tend to "cheapen" it; so the y think. They query, "Why commercialize a School Magazine? Is the Penang Free School so poor at .present that it cannot afford to produce a magazine without having to resort to external financial aid. Why has this innovation come to pass?" Let us. answe1· these questions. Beginning with the last, this step is no innovation but a revival: The Penang Free School Magazine has taken advertisements before-!when the School was still at the present Hutchings' School building. Our School Magazine has always been run wholly by the editorial board for the boys and it has been a lways the policy of the School not to give any financial aid. Every single cent we spend on the production of the magazin:) must be regained through the sales. Whatever profits we get go to the magazine fund and any loss 11·ill have to be covered by drawing on th2 fund. The magazine must be sold at a reasonable price to enable the poorest in the School to buy it without too much sacrifice. Thus it is easy to see why in all our previous issues of a meagre two score pages we had yellow newsprint paper and 'rare' photographs. In this issue the boys pay only for the p aper on which the magazine is printed on and the lnrndrecl odd complimentary copies to be sent to schools all over Malaya and abroad; all other expenses are practicall y covered by the advertisemen::s. The advantages are so great that we ask, "Why should we not have advertisements?" No School traditions have been broken for as we have said before this step is but a revival. The School has again done exceedingly well in the Cambridge School Certificate Examination breaking all records set up in previous years. The number of students going for further studies is also unprecedented-no less than forty one trying for admission to the Singapore colleges and almost a score to the Hongkong University. Besides, many have already gone to Australia or England. This is a good augury for our School, the oldest in Malaya; it pushes our School to the fore of the present educational awakening of Malayans. It is a very e11couraging sign and promises the School a prominent role in the makings of the University of Malaya.
2 The Penang Free School Magazine You, the boys of Penang Free School, have an important part to play; you are the material out of which a new Malaya will be moulded from these days of transitional unrest. You have only to bea:r the words of our Headmaster in mind to spur you on: "It is my special responsibility to maintain and strengthen, so far as in me lies, this zeal in both wo1·k and play, that we may all help to carry on and broaden the old traditions that have given the Penang Free School its just renown. " May you, each and all, so conduct yourselves that you grow to be worthy of your parents and of the sacrifice they are making to send you here, to be worthy members of the School and upholders of its hig h reput e, and so eventually to be worthy citizens of Malaya." The Editor. SCHOOL NOTES. We sincerely congratulate our former Senior Science Master, Mr. T. A. E. Barker on his appointment as Senior Inspector of Indian Schools. Though we are very sorry to lose such a capable master and thorough gentleman as Mr. Barker, we are happy to leam of his promotion. Our best wishes go with him. ·We welcome Mr. George Pitkeathl y, our most energeti:: English master who has shown himself to be a very cultured and amiable person. · He joined the staff at the end of last year. He has since then taken over, most of the School Certificate English Classes. H e has also put in a lot of re-organising work in the School Library to very good effect. Early this year, a School Rover Crew was formed from all the Patrol Leaders and Senior Scouts of the five School Troops. S. M. Tagar Singh of Wu Lien Teh was appointed Rover Scout. Leader and Troop Secretary Chan Kong Thoe was elected Senior Rover Mate. Our congratulations to them on their new offices. We hear that the Rover Crew is very, very active-"rovering" seems to be a household word in the school. Besides going on week-end hikes and monthly camps, they also rendered public service on several occasions, the most notable being the holding of a public social in the School Hall in aid of the Anti-T. B. Fund on 20th March this year. A detailed report of this social appears elsewhere in this issue. Mr. C. Devaneson is back after his long vacation in India, and his cheerful, ringing voice can often be heard i n the classrooms again. As is the case every year, there are many goodbyes to be said: Many School Prefects have left us, among whom are:- Lee Chay Hean, Abdul Hamid, Khoo Soo Cheng, Iskandar Ismail bin Md. Hashim, Tye Cho Chun, Yeoh Cheang Wah, a nd Rahman Khan. To all, we wish every success in their future career. Lim Chiang Choo, who has filled the post of School Captain for two school terms has left us and hopes to further his studies in Raffles College. The Hon. Secretary of the Prefects' Board Teh Peng Heng has also departed for A°ustralia to take up medicine. Good-luck to them!
The Penang Free School Magazine 3 'We heartily congratulate Chew Kim Seng on his appointment as School Captain, Poh Beng Kong for being elected Hon. Secretary of the Prefects' Board, and Choong Ewe Jin for being Treasurer. Our Scouts played a very prominent part in the rendering of the Scout and Guides pantomime "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp," in aid of the Anti-T. B. and their own funds. Good work, P. F. S. Scouts! We are sorry to lose our capable Senior English master, Mr. Ng Cheong Weng, who has left us to take up 'his new appointment as headmaster of the Francis Light School. Mr. Cheong Weng has earned the affections of all of us and we found it difficult to say good-bye. However, our warmest congratulations to him on his new appointment and best of luck, Mr. Ng Cheong Weng! We must also congratulate Captain Md. Noor, our energetic Malay teacher on his being appointed Assistant Inspector of Malay Schools. A tinge of sadness must now be added. \Ve regret very much the unfortunate decease of our beloved master, Mr. Md. Hashim. Though he had been ailing for some time, nevertheless his passing-away came as a great shock to the whole school. May he rest in peace . .. .. . ... ... . .. . The A. S. P., Mr. Coombes, addressed the boys of Standard VII and Standard VIII on the prospects of service in the Police Force. Come on P. F. S. boys, show up in your smart, handsome Police uniforms! Reminiscences of World War II flashed back when Lt.-Col. G. Taylor, D.S. C. of the West Yorks Regiment gave a most interesting talk on the allied landing in Normandy in 1944. This talk was aided by many maps and diagrams showing how the great battles of Normandy were fought. We thank him. Congratulations to Mr. Lim Huck Jin and Mr. Lim Peng Chan on their appointments as Scout Masters of Pinhorn and Wu Lien Teh Troops respectively, and also to T. L. Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong on being elected President of the Patrol Leaders' Padiament and to T. L. Lim Ewe Hin on being elected Vice-President. To wind up the first school term, the Headmaster and S. C. A. boys staged a few scenes of Shakespeare's " Julius Cresar" with the School Orchestra in attendance. So successful was it that the play was re5taged for the benefit of the boys' parents. , .. We congratulate ·-G~h Hock Lye, Eng Joo, Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong, Lee Khoon on their appointment as School Prefects. Choong Ewe Leong, Hcah Hock Thye and to the rank of Senior Prefects. Heah Hock Lye, Chin Let Kong, Tan Lok, Lye Tong Weng and Lee Chin Kung We also congratulate Choong Ewe Jin, Teh Shek Meng on their being promoted Many of our boys experienced the thrill of their lives when they watched Britain's latest jet-fighter, the " Vampire" zoom over their heads at a tremendous speed and perform spectacular aerobatics over the Mata Kuching Aerodrome, Province Wellesley. The School was jubilant and was given a half-holiday when it was learnt that P. F . S. boys did "exceptionally well" in the 1947 Cambridge School Certificate Examination. Well done, and keep it up, P. F. S.! 1
4 The Peaang Free School Magazine In observance of Empire Day, the school held a simple flag-breaking ceremony in front of the School buildings. The Headmaster talked on the significance of Empire Day and Mr. Miller read the Empire Day message from Lord Gowrie. Any visitor to the school will experience a pleasant surprise when he sees the school buildings reposing complacently in a dazzling coat of white-wash. It is no crude window dressing, however, for wherever he goes, he is confronted with this same white-wash and varnish. Nor is this all. Hanging on the walls everywhere are the classical paintings of great masters. These paintings are the pride of the whole school. and all boys are grateful to our Headmaster for beautifying our school so tastefully, and for encouraging the boys' interest in and appreciation 'Jf art. We wish to exp1·ess our gratitude here to an old boy, Abdul Aziz bin Ha.ii Puteh, for having supplied us with a very excellent set of photographs of the Sports Day. AU the photographs printed on the Sports Day page came from Abdul Aziz. . Sister Appleby gave a very interesting demonstration of makin g biological models with plaster of Paris. We were shown that very intricate and delicat e p arts can be modelled successfully by the experienced hand. School Certificate " A ", under the guidance of Mr. Miller, has drawn several maps in poster colours showing the geographical and ~conomical f eatures of various countries in the world. These arc n:>w the pride of the Geography Room and of Mr. Miller. Penang Free School teachers arc coming into t he limelight lately. Our most capable art instructor, Mr. Tay Hooi Keat, h a s the g ood fortune of receiving a scholarship for a three-years' course to study in the United Kingdom to qualify for the Ministry of Education's Art Teachers' Diploma. Mr. Tay is a very energetic and enthusiatie artist, and has attended many art exhibitions as well as supervised holida y outings for art studies of the Pcnang Teachers' Art Class and the Penang Free School Arts and Crafts Society during the last April holidays. Our heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him! We hear that Mr. Ooi Khay Bian will be going on a well-deserved long leave for the whole of next term, and will not be back till 1949. He will be back at the beginning of next year to guide those senior boys now in the Eighth Standard through their last and most difficult year. We hope that he will enjoy his holidays. The installing of a public address system contributed by Mr. Heah Joo Seang has helped tremendously on social occasions in the school hall. Now faint murmurs are amplified to such clarity that no further complaints have been lodged even by those hard-of-hearing. We thank Mr. Joo Seang for his generous gift. The school had a substantial dose of classical music when Mr. Robin Simpson of Radio Malaya, Penang, conducted a r ecord recital of the "Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saens. This was followed by a school radio broadca st of Tchaikowsky's " 1812 " Overture. Talking of record recitals, our new English master, Mr. George Pitkeathl y, has started a series of gramophone recitals held just before afternoon school. We appreciate his enthusiasm in promoting an interest in classical music in the school.
The Penang Free School Magazine 5 Miss Trevelyn of UN ESCO paid a visit. to our school during her survey of the existing educational conditions in Malaya. During an impromptu talk to the S. C. A. boys, she gave a first-hand account of the terrible conditions prevailing in Greece which she had j ust left. Appendicitis seems to be t he vogue these days, for two of our energetic , masters were afflicted with it within the same· month, and had to take long leave. However, t h ey have returned and seem none the worse for their experience. We refer to Mr. Hooi Yip Hoong and Mr. Tan Chong Bee. The school was considerably enlightened when Mr. Lim Boon Hock, the Senior History maste,·, g-ave a talk on the Malayan Federation during a morning assembly. W e feel sure that many of the boys have now a clearer picture of the constitution. We must welcome Mr. Lim Huck Jin, an old boy of the school, and Mr. Lim Peng Chan who has come from far-away Kelantan. They both joined the school staff early this year and are now the Scouters of Pinhorn a nd Wu Lien Teh Troop respectively. Our !'.Choo! was invited to a Radio Quiz sponsored by Radio Malaya, Penang. The g ood name of the school was upheld whe n our able representatives, Chan Kong Thoe, T a n Kok Peng, Tan Boon Teik :rnd Chew Kim Seng defeated the Radio Team. Congratulations to them! We welcome .Mr. Lim Teng Sun of Kelantan. He joined our &shoo! Staff in July. We h ear that he is a very experiencecl Scouter; he has taken charge of the Rovers from Mr. Tagar Singh. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. We acknowledge with thanks receipt of the following, and apologise for any inadvertent omissions: Anglo-Chinese School Magazine 1947, A . C. S., Penang. "Up and On", November 1947, St. Andrew's School, Singapore. The "Victorian", September 1947, Vici:oria Ins titution, Kuala Lumpur. The "Outram Annual" l!J47, Outram School, Singapore. The "Cliffordian" 1947, Clifford School, Kuala Lipis. The ''Cliffordian" 1948, Clifford School, Kuala Lip is. The "Optimist" 1!)45-1947, The High School, Malacca. The "Gajah", December 1947, Govt. English School, Batu Gajah. Kajang High School Magazine, Kajang High School, Kajang. · "Darulaman", Sultan Abdul Hamid College , Alor Star. The "Andersonian" 1947, Anderson School, lpoh. T h e Mag-azin~ of t he High School, Dukit Mcrla_jan1, Odubcr l!J,17.
6 The i?enang Free School Magazine "The Annual" 1947, Tuanku Muhammad School, Kuala Pilah. "Onward" 1947, Government English School, Kluang. The "Rafflesia_n", November 1947, Raffles Institution. R. C. U . Bulletin, Souvenir Number 1947, Raffles College Union. The "Voyager" 1947, Golden Jubilee Number, A. C. S. Ipoh. The "Northamptonian", Dec. 1947, The Northampton School Magazine. "Malayan Educator" 1948, Teachers' Union. The A. C. S. Magazine, 1947, Anglo-Chinese School, Singapore. Chronicles (1825-1947) of the Malacca High School, Malacca Anglo-Chinese Girls' Review 1948, A. C. G. S., Penang. Klang High School Magazine, 1947, Klang. The "Kacsian", December 1947, Anglo-Chinese School, Kampar. The "Xaverian", Jan. to June 1948, St. Xavier's Institutio11, Penang. The "Edwardian", December 1947, King Edward VII School, Taiping. The English CollegE' Annual, 1947, Johore Bahru. Raffles College Union Magazine, Volume 2, 194-7-48, Raffles ColJege. Magazines and Pamphlets, Department of Public Relations. Mr. E. Md. Hashim. On 19th March, 1948, there passed away (after 32 years of service) one of the most popular members of the school staff. Mr. E . Md. Hashim was born on 20th August, 1896, received his education in the Penang Free School and became a teacher at the age of twenty. He was a keen sportsman and took part in all games at school; later he played . hockey for Penang in the inter-state matches; he was a tower of strength in the football team of the now defunct School Masters Athletic Association; in fact he continued playing games until age and weakened health forced him to give up. Mr. Hashim was very popular with the boys and was one of the most lively members of the Masters Common Room. He was a born mimic and his anecdotes and impersonations would keep the Common Room in an uproar. At home he was a loving husband and an indulgent father. His children were his friends and his house often resounded to music, laughter and song. His wife, to whom he n3ver spoke a rough word, bore him twelve children. It was a sad day for him when his beloved wife died; indeed Mr. Hashim never got over the shock. And now he himself has passed away. The sadness that we feel at losing a friend and a colleague is tempered by the thought that he has gone to meet the mother of his children.
The Penang Free School Magazin~ 7 SPORTS DAY. Our School Annual Athletic Sports this year were very successful. We were fortunate that the weather was fine although for the five days preceeding it had been raining heavily. A large gathering was present. The Resident Commissioner, Mr. A. V. Aston, M. C. S.,who presided, complimented the School in his short address a fter the Sports, saying, "this is the best organized Sports I have seen in Malaya in thirty years." Mrs. Aston was also present and gave away the magnificent Trophy and certificates at thP end of the meet. Other g uests included Mr. H. R. Cheeseman, Director of Education, Federation of Malaya, Mr. G. L. Bayliss, Senior Inspector of Schools, Penang, Sir Hussein H. Abdoolcader, Kt., C. B. E ., Mr. Khoo Sian Ewe, 0. B. E ., Dr. Ong Huck Chye, and the Hon'ble Drs. Ong Chong Keng and Lee Tiang Keng. The twenty-nine events on the programme were run off without a hitch. Cheeseman House and \Vu Lien Teh House tied for the first place, each scoring 414 points, ther eby gaining the Hongkong University Old Boys' Cup. This is the first time t h at Cheeseman House has won the coveted Trophy since it was first competed for in 1928. Tang Eng Joo of Cheeseman House is the Champion Athlete for the second year, scoring 40 points and Seow Li Ming of Wu Lien Teh was Runner-up with 20 points. Pinhorn House set up a new record for the Quarter-Mile Relay (Class III), covering the distance in 52 3/5 seconds an improvement of 1 1/ 5 seconds on the old r ecord. Koay Kl10on Leong won the 100 yards Old Boys Handicap in the good time of 11 4/ 5 seconds. Teh Shek Meng was presented a cricket bat for being the "keenest cricketer" of the year. The bat was given b:r Mr. Lim Khye Seng, an Old Free and President of the Penang Cricket Association. Mr. Roper, our .H eadmaste r, addressed the gath ering at the termination o.f the sports after which the prizes were g iven away by Mrz. Aston. HE SU LTS One Mile 01>en: 1. Radhakrishnan (Wu.); 2. Srenivas (Ch.); 3. Denjamin Nathan (Wu.). Time: 5 mins. 26 2/5 secs. Throwing the Cricket Ball: 1. Wu Peng Kuan (Wu.) ; 2. Choong Ewe J in (Wu.); 3. Oon Chong Kie (Har.). Distance: 261 feet 9 inches. •Putling the Weight : 1. Hamzah bin Salleh (Har.); 2. Teh Shek Meng (Ch.); 3. Chew Kim Seng (Pin.). Distance: 33 feet 10 inches. High Juim-p: 1. Seow Li Ming (Wu.); 2. Tengku Ahmad Ritzaudin (Pin.); ~nd Choong Ewe Leong (Ch.) (tie). Height 5 feet 1 inch. 220 Yards Low Hurdles (Class 11): 1. Choong Ewe Beng (Pin.); 2. Othman bin Merican (Wu.); 3. Tang Beng Cheow (Pin.). Time: 28 2/5 secs. 220 Yards Low Hurdles (Class I): 1. Ibrahim bin Md. Za in (Wu.); 2. Soo Hoo Kok Liang (Ham.); 3. Savaesaram (Har.). Time 30 3/5 secs. 50 Yards (Class HI): l. Khoo Sian Kheng (Har.); 2. Lee Thean Aun (Ham.); 3. Lee Mun Kee (Ch.). Time: 6 2/5 secs. Long Jump (Class I): 1. Tang Eng Joo (Ch.); 2. Seow Li l\Iing (Wu.); 3. Savaesaram (Har.). Distance 20 feet 1 inch. t Mile (Class II): l. Rahim bin Kader (Ch.); 2. Long bin Ngah (Pin.); 3. Lee Kok Chin (Ham.) . Time 58 3/5 secs,
8 The Penang Free School Magazine t Mile (Class I): 1. Benjamin Nathan (Wu.); 2. Koh Hon Keong (Ch.); 3. Ganapathy (Ch.). Time: 56 1/5 secs. t Mile Relay (Class III): 1. Pinhorn; 2. Cheeseman; 3. HamHton. Time: 52 3/5 secs. (record) . t Mile Relay (Class II): 1. Pinhorn; 2. Hargreaves; 3. Hamilton. Time: 5~ 2/5 secs._ t Mile Relay (Class I): 1. Wu Lien Teh; 2. Hargreaves; 3. Pinhom. Time: 50 3/5 secs. t Mile Inter-School Relay (Feeder Schools): 1. F . L. S.; 2. Westlancls; 3. H utchings. Time: 51 2/5 secs. 220 Yards ( Class.HI): 1. Ariffin bin Omar (Har.); 2. Radhakrishnan (Wu.); 3. A. Manaff bfn Kadar (Ch.). Time: 26 3/5 secs. 220 Yards (Class 11): 1. A. Rahim bin Che Teh (Ch.); 2. Goon Kong Weng (Ham.); 3. Choong Ewe Beng (Pin.). Time 26 2/ 5 secs. 220 Yards (Class I: 1. Tang Eng Joo (Ch.); 2. Choong Ewe Leong (Ch.) ; S. Seow Li Ming (-Wu.). Time: 25 1/5 secs. 100 Yards H' cap (Old Boys): 1. Koay Khoon Leong; 2. Ahmad Merican; 3. Saw Choo Soon. Time: 11 4/ 5 secs. Hurdles (Class III): 1. Zainul Abidin' bin Ali (Pin.); 2. Khoo Eng Teik (Ch.); 3. Ahd. Wahab bin Hashim (Ham.) . Time: 14 7/ 10 secs. Hur,dlcs ( Class II): 1. Tang Ileng Cheow (Pin.); 2. Saw Eng Kim (Ham.); 3. Md. Hussein bin Md. Zain (Ham.); Time : 19 secs. Hurdles (Clas:; I): 1. Tang E ng Joo (Ch.); 2. Ibrahim bin Zain (Wu.); 3. Lye Tong Weng (Ch.); Time: 19 4/5 secs. Tug-of-War Champions: Wu Lien Teh ; Runners-up Hargreaves. Ho•p, Step a nd Jump: 1. Tang E ng Joo (Ch.) ; 2. •Tan Cheng Hock (Ha•r.); 3. Chan Kong Thoe (Ham.); Distance: 37 feet lB inches. 100 Yards (Class I II) : I. Zainul Abidin bin Ali (Pin.); 2. Khoo Sian Kheng (Har.); 3. Lee Thean Aun (Ham.) . Time 11 3/5 secs. 100 Yards (Class 'JI): I. A. Rahim bin Che Teh (Ch.); 2. Goon Kong Weng (Ham.); 3. Choong Ewe Beng (Pin.). Time: 11 1/5 secs. 100 Yar.::b (Class 1): 1. Chew Kim Seng (Pin.); 2. Goh Hock Lye (Har.); 3. Choong Ewe Leong (Ch.). Time : 11 3/10 secs. {- Mile (Class. I): Yahaya bin Md. Dali (Har.); 2. Lim Ewe Hin (Ch.) ; 3. Dcnjamin Nathan (Wu.). Time: 2 mins. 21 1/5 secs. } Mile Relay (Class 11): 1. Cheeseman; 2. Hamilton; 3. Hargreaves. Time: 1 min. 48 secs. t Mile Relay (Class I): 1. Cheeseman; 2. Hargreaves; 3. Pinhom. Time: 1 min. 43 secs. The detailed results arc as follows:- Additional Spor ts Athletic Sports Total Hargreaves 226 93 319 Pin horn 239 88 327 Hamilton 229 53 282 Cheeseman 264 150 414 Wu Lien Teh 291 123 414
-,;r.' • .-. .;iii, ~ .. ==-=-= -, . :--~ ·.·;,. M• • •" I . ..~ SCHOOL PREF, ,;i ; l,,. . . I . , '\ ,.w , e&Xb .,, 4'1'.__ _: .. ;__: .... ~----· .. -·i--- -----·--~~---- S trimling (L. to R.)--'Lec Chin Kung, Lye Tong .WengLee Khoon Lok, Heah Hock Lye, Tang E nSit.ting (L. lo R.)-Choong Ewe Jin, Heah Hock ThyThe Headmaster, Poh Beng Kong (Hon. Se Kong Thoe.
FECTS - 1948 l ! · Q , ,. 9 . ~ L ~ , , I ._ t --· ' .. 1 ....... . '!· ..~ . ,t! ~ ~ --· &e-:'cdtN'le»4:-.~ 1«rihir:+:,,15.:.;:,0M::t~~,~ r·;, s, . ;str1M\M , Chin Let Kong, Goh Hock Lye, Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong, ng Joo, Lim Ewe Hin. ye, S. Kulasingham, Chew Kim Seng (School Captain), ec:retary), Choong Ewe Leong, Teh Shek Meng1 Chan
OUR SCHOOL THE EDITORIAL BOARD 1948 (Left to Ri.<;hl}-Mr. Basha Merican (General Advisor), Leong Kar Choon (Hon. Secretary), Lim Chong Keat (Sub-Editor), Chan Kong Thoe (Editor), Lee Chin Kung (Sub-Editor), Khoo Boon Kheng (Sub-Editor) , Lim Ewe Hili (Hon. Secretary) .
The Penang Free School Magazine 9 THE WINDOW. "I commanded an extensive landscape, from where I sat, for fifty feet above sea-level is not a height to be sneered at. It was absolute amusement merely to sit, in a lazy fashion, 01, that weather-beaten, well-worn and much-used windowledge and gaze dreamily into that vast, far-reaching perspective; and at the same time entertain my mind with day dreams, wondering if the world at large was feeling as I was doing. It was like an earthly paradise, but only without any of those muchportrayed immaculate celedial beings-bewinged angels. "The window with its offer of scenic panorama was my sole, true friend. I realised that had I not my window with its comfortable ledge I would surely become insane, mad with boredom. Sometimes when I felt a bit despondent, I would cross over to my little hole in that high, begrimed wall and seek refuge from my hapless thoughts by swallowing up nature's gift that was spread before me. I saw a silky sea of blue reaching over a wide expanse of territory; and often there were grey or silvery or bronze little forms of sails just visible at the distant horizon, all straining at the soft wind, and the yachts that bore them would be coursing through the undisturbed sea, those on board enjoying a most splendid holiday. T)}.en there were the clouds with whiffs of trails spreadeagled on the mighty sky, hovel'ing above the friendly boats, while the screaming sea-gulls would propel themselves through space, soaring and gliding, plunging and banking, winging triumph:mtly with the thrill of freedom. To the left of my view were woodlands, one vast layer of green which had tiny paths trailing here and · there, mingling anr! disappearing. It was blissful solace to be beside my window and sit listening to the birds singing in the ea!"ly misty morning. It gave me a sense of beauty, and I love beauty. And even as I listened to the joyful tunes of the little birds, my ears would catch a deep, rumbling sound from down below; and although at first I tried to see where it came from, I never saw the place. I knew what it was, however; and that rolling sound of beating waves became my companion in the night for ten long years. Frequently would I lie awake in bed at night and tune 1ny ears to the rythmic rolling and rumbling that was music to me-music that nightly voiced a tranquil lullaby: I was like living in paradise. "But was I? Did I enjoy the freedom those gulls so tirelessly proclaimed? Was I able to be on board one of those innumerable vessels that were sailing for nowhere in particular? Could I allow myself to be among the rich green that I so hu.ngrily loved? No! No! A thousand times, No! except that I 'still posses::;ed my lullaby and my little window-that little window which was barred and which was the only other communication with the outer world; the other being a staunch, thick and solid oaken door which had on its outside a heavy steel bolt and lock." LIER-KUANG A VILLAGE ENTERTAINMENT. Even as the sun began its never-ending journey from east to west, the village was already astir. It was a typica l Chinese village, situated on a small hillock, beside a flowing stream. A short distance away, row upon row of vegetable plants presented a fresh and vivid splash of green, as they lay, gleaming with dew, in the radiant morning sun. There was something in the air that morning, and the villagers were unusually active. A few ·women could be seen carrying buckets of water from the
10 The Penang Free School Magazine ------- ---- ------------------- ----------- wells, and all of them seemed to be talking of, and pointing to, one place. Amid the flutter and squawk of poultry, the bark of the dog, and the grunt of pigs, men, women, and children worked feverishly. But lo! when after an hour, they emerged again dressed in theil· finest, they gave the impression that all work was done, and all was set for a holiday. Indeed it was a holiday, and a general festive mood l)revailed throughout the village. Bronzed and stalwart farmers, with their wives and children, made up the majority of the small crowd that was already making its way to a wide open space by the stream. A rickety stage supported by poles dominated the ground and all around it stood stalls offering refreshments and other light forms of food. The "stage-hall" consisted of an extremely large piece of canvas, stretched at its ends and supported by poles, in the fashion of a tent. The din made by the audience was suddenly drowned by the r esounding "boom" of a brass gong on the stage, heralding the beginning of t he show. Music which could hardly be called music in the sense of the word, was provided by a grou p of old men, who,- after the first efforts at trying to be, or rather to look vigorous and youthful, began to wheeze and cough. And so the first of the actors made his appearance, dressed in such a thick wad of costumes and what-nots, that he fairly staggered along under the weight. After croaking out a song, which did not in the least impress the audience, he staggered out, in much the same way as he hacl st.agge1·ed in, with the perspiration washing away half his facial make-up. The sun was already high in the sky and many among the audience wer e beginning to nod, while the more weary ones were dozing peacefully. Suddenly a scream r:mg out. (at least it sounded like a scream) which jerkEi,d the sleeping and t he dreaming back to reality. All eyes turned to the stage and beheld in a thin, scraggy actress the source of that sound which still quivered in their ears. Immensely pleased by the sensation she had caused, this actress began to emphaslse her vocal capabilities, which caused all the old musicians untold misery by their having to keep up with her. Then followed actor after actor in a motley anay of costumes, one singing lustily, a nother softly, and yet a third singing with such effort that the veins showed clearly in his neck. A suspicion that the same actor was used in the different scenes was not without foundation, but what are actors for if they cam,ot act? The afternoon wore away in this manner, and when the show ended, a happy but rather bedraggled group of people made their way home. The womenfolk were discussing the show with fervour, while the men with professional glances at the rows of vegetables spoke of the coming market day. Thus ended a gala day for the hardworking villagers. Chung Yeng Choon. ON TEA-DRINKING. The ha bit of t ea -d rinking is deeply rooted in a g reat bulk of the popul a tion of the world: The Chinese, English, Americans, Australians, Russians, Germans, and even the Maoris d~·ink tea. Of course, there are different varieties of t ea, and one uses the kind snited to onC;'s taste. One seldom realises the imme nse amonnt of tea consumed in :i day. It has been estimated that in the United Kingdom the total number of cups of tea taken daily "will probably be not less on the average than 100,000,000." The Chinese were the first tea -drinkers in the world. But it is not known when tea-drinking began; probably at t he beginning tea leaves we1·e chewed. As early as the ninth century tea became the national beverage of China, whence it
The Penr.ng· Free School Magazine 11 ---------- - -- ---- subsequently spread to J:.ipan. Later, a vague knowledge of tea was brought to Europe by Arab traders, and at the close of the 16th century or at the dawn of the 17th century, Jesuit missionaries brought tea to Europe. The advent of tea exercised a great influence on the social habits of Medieval Europe. Before the introduction of tea, light wines were the drinks commonly used. Intemperance was th\! rule rather than the exception; fo1· dl"inkers under restriction, such as 1:uns, monks, ::md childre,,, were each allowed a minimum of a gallon a clay. But with the introduction of tea drinking insobriety gave way to sobriety. The tea-shop~ and coffee-houses (cc ffee was introduced into Europe at about this time, and, like tea, became popular) soon superseded the ale-houses. For tea-drinking, Dr. Johnson is famous in the history of English literature. If Omar Khayyam took to the vine for his spouse, Johnson was in no less relationship to tea. H e drank tea in such large quantities that he once addressed the following extemporaneous verses to Mrs. Thrale: "A.nd now, I pray thee, Helly dear, Tluit thon wilt give to me, With cream and sugar softened well J1 nother dish of t ea. "But hea?·, cilas! th-is mournful tr1tlh, Nor hear it with a frown, Thou cnnst not make t ea so fast A s I_ cnn gnlv it down." In Japan tea-d1·inl_dng has always been treated with ceremony. It was once a luxurious socia l cu<;tom of the Daim~•os, or feudal lords of Japan . . The teahouse was adorned exti·::,vagant!y with tiger and leopard skins, rare pictures, magnificent damask and brncade, gold and silve 1· vessels, and swords in splendid sheaths. Delicacies and a variety _of rare and f1·agrant teas were served, and the guests were entertained by troupes of singing and dDncing beauties in an incensed room. To-day, the modern ceremonial tea-p:irty in a Japanese house is carried out in accordance witl~ the rules of tea ceremony codified by Sen-no-Rikyu. The ceremony consists of bowing-, walking to and fro in the garden of the tea-house, and desc!·ibing the embellishments in the tea-house with phrases in vogue for centuriei;. Such e laborateness as displayed in a tea-p?.rty is intolerable to a ·European. Perhaps this is because he laeks the proverbial patience of the Orientals. In China tea-drinking is an art: to some it i~ almost a cult. Tea is drunk everywhere in China. The tea-pot is an indispensable piec0 of cl'ockery in a Chinese home, and :it committee meetings it is always present. " With a tea-pot a Chinese is liappy everywhere ." says Lin Yutang. In Chinese literature there are books solely devoted to the art of tea-drinking. The art of selecting tea and spring wate1: for brewing the infusion survives only among tl1e old art-lovers and connoisseurs. When a visitor calls, he is served with a cup of tea; and he drains the cup only when he is departing. A Chinese connoisseur sips his tea elegantly, rolls his tongue, and smacks his lips in order to get the proper flavour from the beverage. The art of tea-drinking is lost to the Straits-born Chinese but its survival is still to be seen among the conservative Chinese immigrants. I remember very well an old man who drank tea from a treasured earthen tea-pot and some
12 The Penang Free School Magazine liliputian tea-cups all of which perhaps had not been washed since they were bought. The tea-leaves, he told m~, for each brewing were not discarded but were mixed with the new leaves for the.: next infusion. This was repeated until the whole pot was choked to the brim when the tea-leaves would be cast away. I once reluctantly drank a cup of his tea which was highly flavoured, as my venerable host said proudly, by the dregs of several brewings. My stomach must have revolted! Temperance is a salient character of the Chinese, and this virtue may be ascribed to the universal use of tea by them. William Hazlitt, we are told, gave up brandy-and-water for tea. "to loosen his tongue at t he pleasant hour of supper," and to have " his mind free to exercise its powers." Drink "the cup that cheers but not inebriates" and you will perhaps realize that it keeps: "THE PALACE OF THE SOUL SERENE." Wong Lin Ken. IN 1'HE 'REALM 'OF ART. After a recent visit to the exhibition of British Art at the St. George's Girls' School I felt strangely <:lated. Do ;10t think this was caused by any attraction of certain people who made up for the more artistic part of the gathering; it bcga11 with a complacent realisation of my personal attributes. I went home in great haste and was soon rummaging feverishly in the junk room for my old books and papers. To my glee I found what I had been searching for-my Standard II drawing book. Turning over pages and pages of my drawings, all of very striking artistry, I came upon a painting a la mode R. 0. Dunlop, A. R. A. So amazing was ·the similarity of the style that I could hardly recognise my earlier works. However, I stood rapt in self-admiration. I felt sure that a genius such as mine usually imprnvcs with age and · will eventually produce masterpieces that will create sensations ~n the Nodd of art. Hastily, I brushed off the cobwebs and dust enveloping my priceless book and stalked away triumphantly, with a bee in my bonnet. That evening found me busily engaged, pallette in one hand and brush in the other, confronting a highly coloured painting. I had originally intended it to be a study of a spray of bougainvilleas, but nature or genius had its way, and nothing short of divine inspiration made me change the title to : "A Bunch of Squashed Grapes"-a most original and juicy subject. After this painting, I completed two other exquisite impressionistic attempts. I might mention that I am rather wellacquainted with the works of the Great Masters. The cubism of my last subject would have cast Matisse in the shade. The grotesque surrealism of my other works would have turned Pablo Picasso green with envy. The next day I took these lesser works to school to display them before the art master. I had a premonition that ~e would be greatly impressed. Going up to him, I opened my precious file-revealing dramatically my bougainvillea ... ... I mean grape study. As soon as he saw it, he fainted-with delight. It was manifest that he was overcome by the magnificence he beheld. When he recovered, he took my hand and wrung it eagerly, congratulating me in the most artistic terms. He would have hugged me had I not said haughtily, "Desist, if you please," even leaving out t he customary " Sir" in my hauteur. Still, he continued to weep tears of appreciation and at last managed to babble out rapturously, "Wnat a masterpiece !
The Penang Free School Magazine 13 An original theme too-tanks advancin·g in a hail of artille1·y fire ! Remarkable! How fresh are the colours! How transparent is the " technique"! A contemporary of Salvador Dali in our school! Don't run away with the idea that I am flatteringyou. My, My! Must show it to the Headmaster at once." With that, he snatche1l the painting from me and rushed off to the office, leaving me nursing my badly mangled fingers. I felt sure I could not paint anymore. A wave of r esignation overcame me. However, I was prepared to 1·est on my laurels in the glorious realm of art. C. K. L. A RIVER'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Life for me, dear reader, first began as a streamlet, flowing down a steep valley-part of a gigantic mountain. With heavy rainfall and storms, I gradually · developed, like a nurtured infant. In the course of m;· wanderings I eroded much land and my course w idened. After many, many years of lazy meandering I a 'rrived at the mighty ocean-the wide blue expanse of water. I can recall many interesting incidents in my early life. Once a party of school children playing at boats sailed r.umerous paper boats on me. As there was a breeze they sailed quite merrily, carried along by me. I can still remember a small boy who, with a very knowing air, exclaimed, "Look! mine has seven knots." The little boy evident ly meant a speed of seven knots, though this was grossly exaggerated. He must have picked up that phrase from some sailor friends. On another occasion, a little boy wit h his parents out for a day's rest, halted beneath a clump of trees where I flowed leisu rely by. H e too was playing with boats made by his indulgent father. However, as luck would have-· it, there was a piece of rock sticking out above me; his sail got jammed and the boat was in danger of capsizing. In his extreme eagerness to save it, the poor boy fell into my depths, and the lovely day ended for him with a spanking from his mother. A few years later a great calamity nearly befell me. There was a long period of draught and water, "the spring, the head, the fountain of my blood," was stopped. However, at the elevenU-. hour, there came a cont"inous downpour and life, nearly arrested, flowed again. As a river I was made use of by fisherfolk, who caught fish-beautiful fish of multifarious colours, which clwelt in me. Over us a ll shone the bright, majestic sun, and ever}•thing was bright. and gay. Many a time and oft, poets came "in vacant or 111 pensive mood." After gazing at me dreamily for hours and hours, they set to work on their poems. Evidently, I was a source of inspiration; I was very glad to have been of such help. Amidst all these, I cannot help compa ring my life with that of human beings. Min!' is so free from care or worry, whilst t hat of man is quite the contrary, as some lines of W. H. Davies go, "A poor life this, if full of care, Vve have no time to stand and stare." Chew Kok Chye.
14 The Penang Free School Magazine ADVENTUROUS OCCUPATIONS. To those who value adventurous occupations, we suggest some, which will prove interesting as well as profitable. It is a common fallacy that the word "occupation" should be associated with the arduous task of earning one's living. This, indeed is not the case with everybody. Fortunately there are many occupations which afford plenty of thrills and interest to those, who are adventurous, otherwise the world would be a ve1·y dull one indeed. Let us take a few as examples. Deep sea fishing or whaling is, perhaps; a dangerous occupation at first sight, but it is not denied its share of thrills. The treacherous seas have to· be reckoned with and only skilled seamanship can overcome this difficulty. Again, when that great mammal, the whale, has been sighted, the work to be done is only j ust begi1111ing. As the barbed head of the harpoon sinks into the soft flesh of the whale, the rope to which it is attached is let out. The whalers, then tense with excitement, watch with anxious eyes the terrible death struggle that always ensues. Sometimes, when the boat is a small one, the whale pulls it a considerable distance before it dies. Then, when it has been landed, the men begi11 to cut it up with vigour, while a glow of satisfaction a11d pride warms their hearts. In the pine forests of Canada and Europe, trar,ping is the chief occupat ion. The sable, silver-fox, skunk and bear are the victims. Wolves also abound in the forest, and the huntet· has always to be prepared against an attack, for packs of wolves urged on by hunger are very formidable enemies. These savage animals will even devour one of their own membei·s, if it should happen to fall dead, the body being immediately torn to shreds by the whole pack. A wounded bear is another terrible opponent. One swipe of its sharp claws is enough to kill a man insta11taneously. Moreover, a mother bear will defend its cubs with a ferocity that will undermine the courage of even brave men. Nature adds another obstacle to the hunter in the fom1 of blizzards. These hunters are all courageous and hardy me11, for their mode of existence requires qualities amongst which cowardice has no place. Another occupation that must be considered as an adventure, is that of a war-correspondent. Mankind is opposed to war, but still the possibility of its occurence can never be wiped out. E very minute of the correspondent's days can be compared to a lifetime of thrills of a sedentary worker. He risks his life in order that the world may know of the actual results of a certain battle. Now, let us consider the attractions of being an official of the law. The Mounted Police of Canada have so many thrilling chases, that their adventures have attracted the attention of picture producers. Let this alone speak of the beneficial work they have done. The Criminal Investigation Departments of Europe, Scotland Yard of England, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations of America are examples of efficiency, behind which lies m any a t ense drama enacted by their employees. Hunting, or rather watching for smugglers is another interesting occupation of the officials of the Customs Department. There is no dearth of thrills in all these occupations. A man is made for a particular kind of work, not the work made for him. It must s uit his abilities, and provide ample scope for him to use his skill. In this serious world, there are very few persons, who would take on a n occupation j ust for the sake of the thrills it could provide, and not for the money they hope to make out of it. Chung Yeng Choon.
The Penang Free School Magazine EVENING IN A CHURCHYARD. In silence sat I by a grave 'Within a churchyard, calm, serene. Alone I thought, dauntless and brave, Shut in a world of blissful dream. Around me rippling waters sound Glad tidings far across the vale Yon mountains with gold colours crowned Lay waiting to impart a tale. ·with lazy grace, a cool breeze blew, I thought and sought, until I saw Birds sweetly singing homeward flew Where I would meet with them no more. The sun its journey at an end A world anew appeared to me. Alone, refreshed, I waited there, No distant vision could I see. A wise old Mister Owl was singing there. "Begone! young man, this is no place For minds as yours so full of care. Begone! there's left an hour's grace For you to leave before the ghosts " ' hose dawn hath just set in appear And scare you off, (these formless hosts!) And lc:ivc you trembling here with fear." Then up I stood, with deep chagrin Thinking when shall I come again Here where I love to dream and sing. Sweet thoughts of home awake in vain, Calling me swiftly to return. Then effigies around I saw, And thoughts of flight within me burned, I ran as swift as a hind, And left behind that charmed place, For me bereft sweet solace. Khoo Boon Kheng. 15
16 The Penang Free School Magazine A VISIT TO TAIPENG. On March 25th--;:}948, a group of boys consisting of Rovers and some Scouts met at the Local As~ociation Headquarters with their cycles. They came with knapsacks and water bottles, prepared for a long journey. Their destination was "The Cottage," neady 5,000 feet above sea level up in the Maxwell Hills of Taipeng. The cyclists arrived at Butterworth at 4.30 p.m., and left it for Taipeng in two groups. Rover Scout Leader Tagar Singh was in charge of tl1e first group and Senior Rover Mate Chan Kong Thoe led the other half of the party. I was in the first group. We started off at a good speed which we kept up throughout the sixty odd miles to Taipeng, and soon passed the rice fields and crossed the Prai River by the pontoon bridge at Permatang Pauh. Arriving at Bukit Mertajam, thirteen miles from our starting place, we saw a train on its way to Taipeng . As the sun went below the horizon, the dense rubber plantations through which we passed presented a darker and gloomier interior. On this straight stretch of the road we were travelling, cars and motor lorries "whizzed" past us at well over sixty miles per hour; thanks to previous planning we could cycle single file or two abreast at the word of command without any difficulty. At Nebong Tebal we stopped to refresh ourselves. As we were in our unifonns we aroused much curiosity among the inhabitants. Continuing ·our journey we crossed the steel bridge over Sungei Krian and so over the border to Perak. The next stop was at Bagan Scrai, the biggest town on our route. We saw many huge rice godowns as this is the rice growing district of Northern Perak, one of the biggest rice producing districts in Malaya. By -then it was already dusk. We soon arrived at the junction of two main roads after leaving Bagan Serai, both leading to Taipeng; but one was shorter. We took the shorter one over the hills. There was a full moon to guide us and our R. S. L. entertained us by his most powerful singing of the old favourites especially "Carolina Moon." vVe did some hill climbing in this part of the journey. Speeding down the hill we saw Taipeng all lighted up in the tlistance and we shouted in jubilation. We raced into Taipeng and anived there half 'an hour before midnight, very dusty, very happy and still very fresh after a seven-hour journey. Acting A. D. C. for North Perak, Mr. Le\1 Millar and some Taipeng Scouts greeted us at the railway station. The second group arrived at midnight. We put up for t he night at t he Hwa Lien School. The classrcoms were utilised as dormitories and the desks and tables served as beds. Because of exertions during the last seven hours the bare wooden tables and desks ·wer e not exactly the kind of beds ·we would like to have; how we yearned for spring matt1·esses ! Anyway you can be sure we had a good sleep. We were awakened very early the next morning by the noisiness o f the P.arly risers. We had breakfast at King Edward VII School. Our programme for the day. was to hike up Maxwell Hill to ." The Cottage," and we started at half-past ten in the morning from the foot of the hill. We were divided into two groups the hard)' ones taking the direct route by the short cut, walking up the thousands and thousands of steps; the rest went up by the regular path. The short cut consisted of flights of steps running straight up the hill sometimes at a gradient of forty-five degrees. I took the easier but slower way. Many jeeps passed us; it was wonderful to see how they went up effortlessly compared to our constant and feeble struggle against gravity. At the Tea Gardens, a third of the way up, we stopped for some refreshment. The jeeps could not go up higher .than this point and mules take over the next stretch to Maxwell.
MEMBERS OF THE HONGKONG UNIVEBack Row (L. to R.)--.Dr. K S. Khoo, Messrs. C. W. HDr. T. C. Phang. Middle Row (L. to R.)---:Dr. C. 0. Lee, Messrs. S. G. LoT. Poopa lasingham, K. J. Lim. Fr ont Row (L. to R.)- Mr. L. S. Ong, Dr. E. H. OnMr. K. L. Tan, Dr. K. A. Goh, Mr. K. T. L
ERSITY OLD FREES' UNION - HJ.18 ~ -~ 1 l f~ lij-1 . \~"' ,_I \ . ~ · Rl:I •f11 ~ '-- t" 1 Hooi, Y. C. Choong, C. T. Cheong, B. S. Lim, 'K. W. Oh, ow, E. IC Lim, C. C. Gun, K. T. Lim, J. Brown, J. T. Ng, ng, Mr. S. F. Foo, Lieut. T. E. Yeoh, Mr. Y. B. Hooi, Lm1, Mr. C. Y. Yeap. .
THE INTER-HOUSE ATHLETIC SPORTS CUP Presented by the Hongkong University Old Boys ,a
The Penang Free School Magazine 17 After a short rest we started on the second lap of our journey. After a good deal of steady and pretty stiff climbing we arrived at our second stop, Maxwell Hill, which is two thirds of the way to the summit. We found many neat-looking cottages and the slopes were cleverly terraced for the cultivation of green vegetables and fruit and for poultry farming. We stopped to get some tiffin here as it was past tiffin-time and we had not eaten since we started. We were told we could buy anything at Maxwell. But we managed to buy only some raw potatoes-! Therefore we were forced to start off again feeling hungry and rather cold as we were quite high up by then. A mile further on we came to the Rest House where we had some coffee. Each cup cost us forty cents! We arrived at the top where "The Cottage" was, at half-past four. All of us made this arduous journey-without a tiffin, insufficient sleep, and carrying a good load on ow· backs-with the exception of one boy who could not make the journey when he was only a hundred feet from the summit. We made an improvised stretcher and carried him up in quick time; our Rovers did quite a good job in practical first aid. By the time we had our "dinner" it was already dark. E:veryone was wrapped up from head to foot with a raincoat or blanket, for the temperature was 60° F. I went out to have a good look of the sun-oundings. Standing 4,751 feet above sea level, with a strong, '.'icy" breeze blowing straight in my face, I took in the magnificent sight presented to my gaze. I had a bird's eye view of the surrounding country. To the north were mountains with a challenge to anyone to conquer their peaks; to the east the Kledang Range stretched as far as the eye could see and disappeared into the blue, hazy distance. Between the Kledang and the range of mountains on which I was standing, flowed the Perak River, a gleaming, silver ribbon winding sluggishly in its flat alluvial plain of rich green. Distant lights on the river showed what was most probably Kuala Kangsar. While on the west was the uneven West Coast. The railway line connecting Taipeng to Port Dickson could clearly be seen. But gazing down, my eyes met the "centre of interest"-Taipeng, glorious in its florescent lighting in the familiar criss-cross pattern of modern cities. I caught a shimmer of the beautiful Taipeng Lakes, more beautiful when it could only be half seen; other isolated patches of light denoted dredges at work. Mist soon covered my . view and I could see no more. I sat, waiting for the mist to drift by, but alas! nature is very chary of her favours for I waited in vain. But, for the magnificent panaroma I had seen, the climb was well worth the while! That night, we slept by a fireplace where we had a hearty fire burning. We slept like logs of wood. I awoke early next morning feeling cold and stifT: the fire had died out and the temperature was then 50° F. Soon the sun rose and after breakfast we said good-bye to " The Cottage." By three in the afternoon we were in Taipeng town again. Later in the afternoon, we visited the museum and saw the state prison of Perak. We passed another night in Taipeng and early next morning at half-past four the first group undet· the R. S. L. was ·cycling home to P enang, arriving home at one o'clock. We met with a slight drizzle. The second group under the S. R. M. left Taipeng in the evening and were not so fortunate. They we re drenched to the bone and met with swollen streams, flooded roads and the darkness of a moonless night gave them cold comfort. Yet they made the journey in the record time of six hours including the taking of their dinner at Nebong Tebal ! They nearly missed the last launch to Penang. A P.F.S. Rover.
18 The Penang Free School Magazine THE DAYS OF CHILDHOOD. . . It is a universal fnct that the ·best part of a man's life is that of childhood. The days of childhood are days of joy, of peace and of innocence. What an old man sees before him as something commonplace, a child sees a s new and beautiful. What to the adult is tiring and dull is full of interest and delight to the child. The stream at its source, sparkling and in joyous youth, rushing down precipices and dashing against obstacles, seems careless of the fates. So is childhood, careless and free fromwoe and ignorant of the distant future. As we cast our minds back on those delightful childhood days we realise what we have lost, we realise that we shall never again possess that innocent joy and childish laughter. We see again those beautiful eyes in which there is no guile, no venom and no deceit. 1\Ve see in those cherubic faces the highest virtues of humanity. Of course it is true that a child has his own worries which may seem real but fortunately, they are short-lived, sweet laughter coming after the bitter tears. No child under normal circumstances is really ever sad. The desires of the avaricious world have not yet laid their grip on his heart. Every little thing is sufficient to please him, filling his days with happiness. Such is the child himself, a veritable piece of cheerful humanity. Childhood days, however, mean more than this. There is no age in all the varied history of a man's life in which he is loved and imparts love more than when he is a child. Those are the days when one has the love of a mother, a father, or brothers and sisters. Childhood days are days when one has faith in everything, a trust in God and an eternal hope. The turmoil and trouble of th e outside world does not affect the peace of childhood while hatred, murder, treason stalk the cold night, childhood sleeps in all innocence and simplicity. Even a heart of stone is turned at the sight of a sleeping child. "Heaven lies about us in our infancy" says ·wordswor th and there is nothing truer than this. A holy influence seems to gua:rd over all little ones. However, childho·od days are too short, they are what a drop of water would appear to a thirsty man. Soon the short, swift span is over and we are thrown into a lustful world. As we look back at those days we feel sad that never again shall they come back, never again shall they delight the tired and weary soul. M. Subramanium. MUSIC AND MUSICIANS. "The writer sits alone at his desk; the painter with his canvas is one; but two or more musicians may work together, answering theme with theme, resolving h armonies, united in rhythm. Indeed, music is a social art." Music began centuries ago, probably when _the world was created. The Bible tells us that King David enjoyed himself by playing on his harp, and that the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel, announced war by sounding their silver trumpets. Even savage tribes made music with their 'tom-toms', when they otfe~·ed sacrifices
The Penang Free School Magazine 19 to their gods. In the Middle Ages, minstrels were very popular, and they made their fame and fortune by singing ballads and poetry as they wandered here and there. Later on, musicians and composers appeared. Bach, Handel and Beethoven, the 'Old Masters', started a new school of music, and composed some beautiful ecclesiastical music, which has since brought happiness to millions all through the ages. Present musicians are quite different from those of bygone days, for they are, in most cases, well pu.id and their works are widely appreciated. In ·America, musicians earn a vc-:ry high place in society. Listz, Beethoven, Chopin, Wagner and many others, who !i~d slaved in their life-time to produce the Hungarian Rhapsodies, Symphonies, Sonatas, Nocturnes, Waltzes, Operas and many other such works yearned for world recognition, but unfortunately, they were honoured and remembered only after their death. The favourite violinist of the present day, Jascha Heifetz, has gained fame throuv,h his unique poise and exquisite style. The most outstanding quality in him is the accurate intonation of his playing. Other world-famous violinists and pianists include Menuhin, Szigctti, Rubenstein, and Rachmaninoff. The Metropolitan Opera House has certainly found favour in America, and its 'artistes' such ~s Martinelli, Lehmann and Bori, have been offered princely sums for every concert. Let us now turn to the different music of various countries. The music of the Japanese is ~omewhat like that of Chinese music, but there is a very slight difference which can only be distinguished by more critical ears. Modern Chinese and Japanese music have adopted the western style,- that is, harmonization, rhythm, modulation and some cadences. This fact leads us to the conclusion that western music is more witiely appreciated; but, at the same time, there are many in the world who are lovers of ancient Chinese music. Tamil music has found its way into Malaya and perhaps has charmed many, especially Indians. A frie!ld once described to me that 'Tamil music makes you think of snakes and serpents' and that the repetition of semi-tone passages in a Tamil song is dull and monotonous. On . this point, I am sure there • arc many strong objections, so we leave this to the Indians to discuss. Living in Malaya, one is sure to have met many Malays and have heard the light, melodiou~ Malay songs. In 'ronggengs', or Malay dances, Malay women usually sing to the accompanimept of a violin and a few drums and these songs are entirely different from songs of other nations. "Music hath charms" and thus, there should be no prejudices against any kind of music. Whether it is jazz, classical, Chinese or any other kind, it is music. · Not everyone posse-sses the talent or gift for music and still we find many people, who are mere listeners discouraging their friends by harshly criticising their playing. Music is one of the finest of arts-in the study of which, there should be harmony, enjoyment and peace. One should bear in mind that one should never criticize others unless one is skilleJ in this great and refined art. It is no e~aggeration to say that one cannot live without music and this is proved in the words of P lato when he said 'Music is to the mind what air is to the body.' Ng Kam Kew,
20 Rover Scout Leader Senior Rover Mate Rover Mates ROVER Motto: Hon. Crew Sec. & Log-keeper Hon. Crew Treasurer & Q. M. The Pem,ng Free School Magazine REPORT. Self-Reliance Tagar Singh Chan Kong Thoe Khoo Sian IUleng Lim Chong Beng Lee Chin Kung Tan Chaing Hock Moey Seak Pann S/ R/M Chan Kong Thoe R/M Khoo Sian Kheng "The aim of the (Boy Scout) Association is to develop good citizenship among boys by forming their characte1~training them in habits of observation, obedience and self-reliance-inculcating loyalty and thoughfulness for others--teaching t hem services to the public, and handicrafts useful to themselves-promoting their physical, mental and spiritual development." With this aim in view, the Penang Free School Rover Crew was formed by D. S. M. Yeo Siew Kiat early this year. This aim of Scouting , important and essential to the community as it was pre-war, is now even more important and essential in these troublous days of terrorism. In fact if Scouting can be sprea d to embrace every individual youth in Malaya, the future peace of the country will be assured. The Crew was formed from S_couts, mostly Patrol Leaders and Seconds, of all the five Troops in the School. The first meeting was held on 22nd, January, 1948 by our D. S. M. Scoutmaster Tagar Singh was introduced to us as our Rover Scout Leader and he was greeted by three hearty "esakas!" The newly formed Crew then elected its leaders by popular vote and the various posts were filled as above. At the first Crew Council, we decided to compete for the Challenge Shield presented by H. E . the Governor, Sir Edward Gent. In this competition points a re awarded for Scoutcraft, camping, hiking, public service, training of Scouts and Cubs, attendance, logbooks and badges. In order to gain as many points as possible we decided to have a very vigorous monthly pr ogramme of one hike weekly, one camp monthly, one instruction meeting weekly (our Rovers instruct the recruits of the five School Troops, the Scouts of Westlands School and Francis Light School, the Guides of St. George's Girls' School and the St. Nicholas Home Scouts), and one meeting a week is devoted to Scoutcraft; in all we have about twelve meetings a month. We also hope to render public service on every possible occasion. We have quite a list of activities to report despite the fact that the Crew is only six and a half months old. In January and February we had several swimming practices to enable all of us to pass the First Class swimming test. We have had 11 camps: 5 Crew camps, 2 Patrol camps, 2 Rover Mates' camps and 2 Weekend Hike camps; our Rovers also attended 4 camps organised by other Troops. As for hikes we have the formidable number of 25, consisting of 10 Crew hikes, 2 Patrol hikes, 6 Rover Ma tes' hikes, 2 Weekend Hike-camps and 4 hikes with outside Troops. We have also cycled round the island (46 miles), to Bukit Mertajam (to and fro 25 miles) and to Taipeng (120 miles odd).
The Penang Free School Magazine 21 We have organised two socials. The first was to celebrate the wonderful success the School achieved in the Annual Founder's Day Campfire: the Crew secured the first place by its most hilarious sketch "International Hockey." Wu Lien Teh and Hargreaves Troops won the second and consolation prizes respectively. Our prize was one case of six 5-lb. tins of Klim, which we made very good use of by serving it during the social. The social was held in the School Hall and it was very successful. The Headmaster, the D. C. Mr. Basha Merican and our p. S. M. were present beside all the Patrol Leaders and Seconds of the School. The Rangers were also invited. The second social was a very big affair. During the March Crew Council it was decided to introduce ourselves to the public with a big splash and at the same time doing some charity work. I think the newspaper report (Straits Echo, March 22nd, 1948) will be the best description : "Formed only on January 22nd this year, the Penang Free School Rovers lived up to their motto "Service" by sponsoring· at the School hall last night (P. F. S. Scouts' Founder's Day) a public social in aid of t he Penang Anti-T. B. Fund. "The ha ll was packed to capacity. Those present included Federal Legislative Councillors, Municipal Commissioners, doctors and other notables and their wives, a nd those connected with the Scout Movement. "Charming feminine helpers aided the Rovers in the sale of programmes and also admission tickets. All voluntary tickets were sold out while the $1/- tickets were practically sold out. '-'The re were altogether 16 items on the programme, which included community songs and games for all, the last named fetching prizes for successful competitors. "A guest artiste of the evening was charming Miss Lily Ng, who gave a vocal solo of Drigo's "Serenade" to the accompaniment of a violin and piano. "The Chan Brothers, with their cousin at the piano, gave a Jong piece on their violins and proved themselves creditable musicians. "David Ng, a Scout himself, gave two songs on his piano-accordian one of which was the Jealousy Tango. Tommy Khoo also gave a vocal solo. "A game which was played on the lines of Musical Chairs was "Passing t he Box," in which more than 200 guests took part. By stages they were eliminated as the music stopped each time, leaving eight successful competitors of whom five were girls. They received valuable prizes. "The game entitled " Have You Got It?" was a scream, t he announcer asking for ladies' stockings to their hair pins .. There was a scramble to present these items asked for, and the stockings strewn on the floor is best left to the reader's imagination. Sweets and toffees were g iven to the successful competitors. "Lights in the hall were dimmed for the Hula Hula dance given by one of the Rovers. He took to the floor complete with gi-ass skirt a nd other accessories. Rounds of applause greeted this exhibition.
22 The Penang Free Schooi Magazine "Towards the end of the evening's programme, Mr. Basha Merican, the District Commissioner, said that the P. F. S. Rover Crew was formed some three months ago. Their present strength is 29 and the crew's leaders are R. S. L. Tagar Singh and S. R. M. Chan Kong Thoe. "Mr. D. Roper, Headmaster of the School and one of the patrons of the social, on behalf of· the P . F. S. Rovers thanked the patrons, the District Commissioner Mr. Basha Merican and all those present who made the social a success; those who contributed towards the expenses; the following girls for helping in the selling of . tickets and programmes. Misses Junnie Choong, Molly Ong, Arny Choong, Julia Yeap, Gracie Khoo, Heah Phee Hong and Helen Lee; Miss Lily Ng for contributing a vocal solo in the evening's programme; the various firms for donating prizes; the Georgetown Printers, Ltd. for printing the tickets free, Mr. Hatcher, the Harbour Master, for the loan of flags and buntings; and all Rovers and Scouts for doing their bit to help the Anti-T. B. campaign. "He finally thanked Senior Rover Mate Chan Kong Thoe for being the "prime mover" of the whole social. " He also thanked the patrons, Mr. G. E. C. Wisdom, the Acting Resident Commissioner Dr. Ong Chong Keng, Dr. Lee Tiang Keng, Dr. Ong Huck Chye, Dr. Lim Chwee Leong, Dr. C. H. Yeang. "After the Headmaster's address Mrs. Ong Chong Keng was called upon to draw the lucky ticket numbers and to give away the prizes to the successful ticket holders and bouquets to the lady·· helpers. "The Senior Rover Mate acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening." The nett receipts amounting to $665.65 were paid over to the Anti-T. B. Fund. At the time of writing there are more than 12 Rovers who have hiked for more than 100 miles, thus gaining the Rambler's Badge. There are also several Rovers who have hiked for more than 200 miles! All these activities climaxed, for 14 Rover Squires, in their investiture. The following arc the fourteen invested Rover Scouts in the School: S/R/ M Chan Kong Thoe, R/Ms Khoo Sian Kheng, Lim Chong Beng, Lee Chin Kung, Tan Chaing Hock and Moey Seak Pann, Rover Seconds Khoo Teng Chye, Mustapha Merican and Abdul Karim, Rover Scouts Yeap Kim Leng, Kam Yew Tee, Ahmad Kassim, Lye Tong Khee and our R. S. L. · Below is a skeleton Jog of our activities. 22.1.48 23-26.1.48 28.1.48 30.1.48 31.1.48 4.2.48 7.2.48 Election Meeting. Sunny Side Rover Mates' Camp (Batu Ferringhi) Tanjong Bu,ngah Estate Rover Mates' Hike. Mt. Erskine Rover Mates' Hike. Balik Pulau Rover Mates' Hike. Two-men Hike to Batu Ferringhi Reservoir. Bukit l\fertajam Cycle Trip.
The Penang Free School Magazine 7.2.48 18.2.48 21.2.48 Cherok Tokun Crew Hike. Batu Lubang Patrol Hike. Ayer !tam Crew Hike. 21.2.48 Annual C::impfire. Won 1st Prize 22.2.48 27.2.48 27-29.2.48 28.2.48 1.3.48 6.3.48 20.3.48 25-28.3.48 26.3.48 3.4.48 3.4.48 10-11.4.48 17-31.4.48 Sungei Pinang Crew Hike. Pulau Tikus to Jubilee C_amp Patrol Hike. 1st Crew Camp :1t Jubilee. Batu Ferringhi Reservoir and Dam Crew Hike. P. F. S. Rovers, P. Ls and Seconds Social. Relau Crew Hike. Public Social in Aid of Anti-T. B. Fund. Nett Receipts $665.65. Taipeng Cycle Trip and Camp. Maxwell Hill (The Cottage, 4,751 feet a. s. I.) Crew Hike. Two-men Hike to Miami Beach (8½ mile stone). Penang Hill Rover Mates' Hike. Weekend Hike and Camp (Tanjong Bungah to Batu Ferringhi Dam). 1st and 2nd Penang Hill Crew Camp. 1st Westem Hill Patrol Hike (through the virgin jungle). 2nd -do6.5.48 Investiture Day. 15-17.5.48 3rd Penang Hill Crew Camp. 16.5.48 Western Hill Ramble. 28-30.5.48 5.6.48 12.6.48 18-20.6.48 Weekend Hike and Camp at Batu Ferringhi Dam. Glugor Ramble. Round Island Cycle Trip. Botanical Gardens Crew Camp. SCOUT REPORT. Hon. Crew Secretary. MOTTO= "To seek, to hold, and not to yield." 23 The old, keen scouts of prewar days have left us, and we wish all of them ''good hunting" in their future careers. We welcome Messrs. Lim Peng Chan and Lim Huck Jin as Scoutmasters into the 16th Penang (Wu Lien Teh) Troop and 18th Penang (Pinhorn) Troop respectively. Scoutmaster Tagar Singh, fonnerly of the 16th Penang Troop, is now the Rover Scout Leader of the Penang Free $chool Rover Crew. Scoutmaster Tay Hooi Keat left Pinhorn Troop because of his art duties. We congratulate him on being awarded an art scholarship to the United Kingdom. The only Scouter who is unaffected by any changes after the re-occupation is Scoutmaster C. Ponniah of 1st Penang (Hamilton) Troop. His scouts are proud to have a Scoutet· who was a P. F. S. Scout in his school days and a Scoutmaster with seventeen years' service. P. F. S. Scouts on the whole can claim to have been very active, even during the half year that has elapsed. Of the first twenty-eight Penang Scouts who have passed their First Class, twenty-two are from our five Troops. The present strength
24 The Penang Free School Magazine of 308 Scouts is made up of 24 First Class Scouts, 111 Second Class Scouts and 173 Tenderfoots. We have also in our midst those who have been awarded ·their Ambulance, Public Health, Camper, Pioneer, Swimmer, Rescuer, Interpreter, Gardener, Cook and Entertainer badges. Camps and outings are very popular- with the Scouts, and all troops have been under canvas. Apart from camping at Jubilee Camp, Telok Bahang, our Scouts have found new camp sites. " Cheeseman" Scouts have camped at the Batu Ferringhi dam and "Hamilton" ~couts at the new campsite near the Botanical Gardens. Our energetic D.S. M. Yeo Siew Kiat has tested many groups of Scouts for the Camper's Badge. Hikes have been made to Ayer ltam and Moon Gate, Tanjong Bungah, and the neighbourhood of the School. A noteworthy hike this year is the Round-Penang Island Hike attempted by six Senior P . L's of the 1st Penang (Hamilton) Senior Troop. / Our ·Scouts participated in the Founder's Day Campfire and did ext r emely well. The 1st prize was won by the P. F. S. Rovers (" l!!ternational Hockey") and the 2nd prize by. Wu Lien Teh Troop ("Captain John Smith"), while Hargreaves Troop received a consolation prize for their "Indian Stick Dance." In the well _ known Scout and' Guide Pantomime "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp" three P. F. S. Scouts were selected to take the parts of "Mr. Sing Sing" (T. L. Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong), the Magician (P. L. Ahmad Ismail) and the Emperor (T. L. Hooi Seng Tuck). Representatives from all the five Troops formed part of the Empire Day Guard-of-Honour, which the Resident Commissioner, Mr. A. V. Aston, complimented for its smartness. Very many good turns have been performed by our Scouts. They we re on duty during the Mulberry Harbour Exhibition sponsored by the Public Relations Department. They helped the P. F . S. Rovers in their " Anti-T. B. Social." To the Penang Patrol Leaders' Parliament the services of our Scouts are invaluable. During the Empire Day Sports organised by the P . L. P : our Scouts did much to make the Sports a success. They were on duty at the Boy Scouts Headquarters, assisting in the sale of "Aladdin" tickets. Many of our Scouts were in the Scout and Guide Orchestra at the "Aladdin" Pantomime, assisted in the sound effects and decorations and were on duty at all the eight performances held on both occasions in the New World Park. Some Scouts were called upon during the April holidays, by the P. L. P ., to show Scouts from Chee Yan English School of Ipoh round the interesting places of Penang. Our Scouts also rendered good services during the Welfare Week. Re:ently they assisted Traffic Inspector S. Natha Singh at the Esplanade during the presentation of medals to representatives of the Passive Defence Services, by the High Commissioner. Three of our Scouts hold important offices in the Penang Patrol Leaders' Parliament, namely, T. L. Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong as President, T. L. Lim Ewe Hin as · Vice-President and T. L. Chew Kim Seng as Hon. Secretary. Meetings of the Parliament are held twice monthly at which all Troop Leaders, Patrol Leaders and seconds of Penang Troops get to kno\-;, more of one another and the activities of each other's troops, exchange ideas freely and acquire training in leadership. So, apart from our usual meetings on Mondays and Thursdays, many of our Scouts devote much of their time in helping to raise the standard of Scc•.1ting not only in the Penang Free School but also in Penang. T. L. Khoo Yeoh Gan "Hong.
SCHOOL CRICKET XI - 1948 Sillin{r ( L. fn R.)- ·Savaesarum, Teh Shek Meng (Hon. Secretary), Heah Hock Ly~ (Captain), The Headmaster, Mr. N. R. Miller (Game,; Club Chairman), Lee Khoon Lok (Vice-Captain), Choong Ewe Leong, Poh Beng Kong. Stm,cling (L. lo R.)-•Mr. M. S. R. Ambrose (Coach), Kassim Hashim, Ung Tat Hean, Yap Kin Yin, Heah Hock Thye, S. Kulasingham, Mt·. S. Selvadurai (Asst. Coach). r-· - -. -- r------ - - !-=:-- • SCHOOL BADMINTON TEAM - 1948 Slanclillg (I,. to R.J- Chan Kong Thoe (Hon. Secretary), Oon Chong Kie, Heah Hock Aun, Law Joo Lane, Lye Tong Khce, Mr. Lee Eng Leong (Coach). Silt-ing (L. to R.)-JHeah Hock Thye, Choong Ewe Jin (Vice-Captain), Choong Ewe Leong (Captain), Choong Ewe Beng, Heah Hock Lye. ·
SCHOOL SOCCER XI 1948 F1w1t Row (L. tu R .)-IGoh Hock Lye (Captain), Abdul Rahim bin Abdul Kadir, Choong Ewe Leong, Tang Beng Cheow, Ahmad bin • Abdul Rahman. Middle Row (L. to R.)-Mr. Hooi Yip Hoong (Coa ch), Tungku Ahmed Ritzaudin, Tang Eng Joo, Choong Ewe Beng, Mr. Lim Boon Hock (Asst. Coach) . Back Row (L. to R.) - Shaik Harris, Charan Singh, Kamarrudin bin Abu Bakar, Toh Boon Teng (Vice-Captain), Lim Chiang Choo (1Ex-Captain), Hamsa bin Sall ch, Chew Kim Seng (Secretary). S_CHOOL RUGGER XV 19,ti Back Row (L. to R .)-Arulpragasam, Tan Soo Huck, Hamzah b. Salleh, Arulananthan, Mr. Tan Ah Fee (Coach) . . Middle R ow (L. to R.)-Choong Ewe Leong, Leong Lin Tuck, Tang -Eng Joo (Vice- Captain) , Hooi Seng Tuck (Captain), Victor de Bruyne (Secretary), Ali b. Abdullah. Front Row ( I,. to R.)- ,Long b. N gah, Choong Ewe Seong, Goh Hock Lye, Tan Chon Wah, Sinthamoney.
The Penang Free School Magazine 1st PENANG ("HAMILTON ) TROOP. Scoutmaster Senior Troop Leader Deputy Senior Troop Leader Hon. Troop Sec. & Treasurer Junior Troop Leader Hon. T roop Secretary C. Ponniah Khoo Y eoh Ga n Hong Chan Beng Keat P . L. Heah Hock Lye Tan Kok P eng P. L. Claude O'Keeffe 25 Under our popular Scoutmaster and our enthusiastic Troop Leader, our Troop has seen much progress this year. T . L. Gan Hong is now the President of the Penang Patrol Leaders' Parliament. Esaka ! Esaka ! ! Esaka ! ! We have now a Senior Troop of 26 Scouts and a Junior Troop of 29 Scouts. All Scouts have passed their Tenderfoot Tests. The Junior Scouts do · second class work and t he Senior Scouts concentrate on First Class work and proficiency cadges. During the last April holidays Senior T. L. "Gan," Deputy Senior T . L. Chan Beng Keat with P. L's Claude O'Keeffe, Tan Ban Huat, Wee Chong Lim and Kok Chi Yan hiked round Penang Island. As they were not out to break any records of speed or distance they did the journey in four days. A miniature campfire was held at Telok Kumbar with the Malay Scouts ther e. They passed the second night at St. George's School, Balik Pulau. The Director, Rev. Father Wee, was very hospitable towards the hikers. The third night was spent at Jubilee Ca mp. Our Scouts also joined the P. F . S. Rovers on their cycling trip to Taiping and the hike up Maxwell Hill. There is a lso much keenness shown in the Junior troop which consists mostly of new boys from the feeder schools. It is gratifying to note t ha t many· have passed their Tenderfoot T ests in the feeder Schools. Outings and hikes were also made to the seaside and to the country. So far two camps have been held, one at Jubilee Camp for the training of · P. L's and Seconds, and the other near the Botanical Gardens where a party of P. L's passed their Camper Badge ·Test. We congratulate T . L. Chan Beng Ke.at for leading his " Storks" to victory in the Empire Day Sports organised by the P. L. P. Troop Secretary. 15th PENANG (CHEESEMAN) TROOP. Scoutmaster Asst. Scoutmaster Senior Troop Leader Junior Troop Leader Hon. Troop Secretary Tan Teik T eong Y eoh Cheang Wah Lim Ewe Hin Lye Tong Weng Khoo Sia n Wah This year has been a progressive one for the ener getic Scouts have shown their enthusiasm in qualifying for proficiency ba dges. Seven of our Scouts have become First Class Scouts. Our Tr oop is split into two divisions in accordance with the regula tions. The Senior Troop comprises Scouts who a r e over 17 yea rs of age, while those under this age a·r e classed as Junior Scouts. All boys of the former Troop have passed the Second Class and a re prepa ring for the First Class. Credit should be given to the successful Scouts who took the pioneer's badge. It was inde ed