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Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 49, 12 August 1916, Page 9

The more one hears Professor MaxAvell Walker, the more one is impressed that he has a brain like a sponge. He must have memorised miles of stuff in his short but brilliant scholastic career. He was in good form at the Grammar School Old Boys' reunion., when he reproduced part of a speech on Imperialism, delivered some years ago by the late Joseph Chamberlain. The professor's rendering of the subject matter Avas not so cleverly done as to cause one to visualise the strong, clean-shaven face, monocle and orchid, but it Avas nevertheless very interesting, and shoAved that times such as avo are now experiencing had been foreseen by the famous statesman. Mr J. AY. Tibbs mentioned a curious fact. He said that visitors had been impressed Avith the new school, and had stated it Avas about the best of its kind south of the line. Mr Tibbs then Avent on to say that the magnificence of the new structure had almost overpowered the boys. They lost their spirit, and it was not until the football season started that they became themselves again. One old-fashioned custom— the ducking of neAV boys—had to be discontinued because the handbasins were too shalloAV. Although Mr Tibbs did not say so, it is possible that the boys will overcome in some way the previously mentioned deplorable d-jfect in architecture, and invent a means by which new boys will be appropriately initiated into the. school's first degree.