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OPEN DOOR For those who enter and those who leave

THE MAGAZINE OF THE SWINBURNE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

NUMBER ELEVEN JUNE, 1932

THE OPEN DOOR The Magazine of

The Swinburne Technical College Hawthorn, Victoria

"Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, but wise men use them."

Office-Bearers of the College:

Patroness: Mrs. Swinburne.

President: Sir W. M. McPherson.

Vice-President: Cr. G. W . Simpson.

Hon. Treasurer: H. R. Hamer, Esq.

Registrar : D . N. Craig.

Director - - - - F. W. Green, B.Sc, Whit. Ex., Assoc. M. Inst. C.E.

PRINCIPAL D E P A R T M E N T S :

Engineering: The Director. Graphic and Applied Art: S. W . Tompkins.

Carpentry and Joinery: A. McK. Cousland. Domestic Arts: Miss M. C. Kirkhope.

Plumbing and Sanitary Engineering: C. H. Wright. Architecture: \V. G. Brodie, A.R.V.I.A.

Girls' Junior Technical School: Miss H. F. Gilpin. Boys' Junior Technical School: T. White.

STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS:

Hon. Sec, Old Engineering Swinbumians: E. Marston, Swinburne Technical College.

Hon. Sec, Old Swinburne Collegians, J. Mainsbridge, 6 Kingsley Street, Camberwell

Hon. Sees. Old Girls' Club: Jessie Anderson, Swinburne Tech., A m y Brearley, High St., South Camberwell

Hon. Sees. Art Clubs: Joyce Henly, Nancy Elvins, Art School.

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT, "THE OPEN DOOR."

Editor and Manager: H. Brunskill.

Mrs. Clark, E. Edwards, S. W . Tompkins, A . Green.

Hon. Treasurer and Sales Manager: D. N. Craig.

Organisers : H. Brunskill, N. Lewes, E. Marston.

Published in June and October 1/- per copy

... -Contributory matter should be in the hands of the Editor one month prior to date of publication.

"Contributions may bear a "nom-de-plume," but the actual name of the contributor must be disclosed.

Page 2 THE OPEN DOOR

AUSTRALIA'S IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY.

Per Secretary, Broken Hill Proprietary. It would appear that the first attempt on

any serious scale to establish ari iron and steel industry in Australia was made by John Neale, Samuel Holmes and William Burton, who, in the year 1848, formed the Fitzroy Iron Mining Company, with offices in lower George Street, Sydney. They acquired mineral land at Nattai, N.S.W., now known as Mittagong, where were erected a small blast furnace and two beam engines. The larger engine drove the fan for the blast furnace; the smaller operated in connection with the cupola for the foundry. The choice of locality was a good one. It comprised a small but splendid deposit of iron ore and seams of coal, while good limestone was situated close by. The plant was officially opened by the Governor of the day, Sir" Charles Fitz-Roy. For a few years it ran but was eventually abandoned as unprofitable. From then on various companies attempted to breathe life into the Fitzroy Venture and during the term of one such company cylinders were turned out for the bridge over the Murrumbidgee at Gundagai, N.S.W., and girders, still in use, for Vickery's Buildings, 78 Pitt Street, Sydney. Not long ago Mr. John Vickery wrote to the Sydney press stating that these girders were branded "Fitzroy 1864." In January, 1870, the property passed into the hands, per medium of a sale by public auction, of one John Fraser. Apparently he allowed the plant to lie idle until 1874, when it was taken over by the Fitzroy Bessemer Steel & Hematite Iron & Coal Companv. The new owners made some progress, but in January, 1877, Messrs. Larkin, Hunter & Henshaw leased the rolling mills with the idea of converting pig into merchant iron. They completed various contracts, but in March, 1878, closed down. A few years later the property was sold to the Mittagong Land Company. In March, 1886, Mr. William Sandford appeared upon the scene. He leased and remodelled the rolling mills. During his regime, which, however, lasted but six months, though the principal activity consisted in re-rolling old rails, there was produced the first sheet iron made in Australia. Sandford then turned his attention toward Lithgow, and this meant the abandonment, at

Mittagong, of the attempt to establish an Australian iron and steel industry.

Ten years previous to the abandonment of Mittagong, James Rutherford, of Bathurst, N.S.W., set out to establish a blast furnace at Lithgow, then a mere village, situated some 53 miles from Bathurst on the Sydney line. The foundation of the blast furnace, capable

of producing weekly 100 tons of grey iron or 115 tons of white iron, was laid on January 1st, 1875, and twelve months later the first pig iron was produced. Owing to the cheap price of imported pig iron, however, the company could find no market for its product in the Colony. The company thereupon decided to "puddle" a quantity of iron and forwarded it to Sydney to be rolled into bars. A market being found for the product, the company proceeded to erect a foundry and rolling mills. These were completed within twelve months, the plant comprising, in addition to blast furnace and foundry, an 18" mill, six puddling furnaces, one ball furnace, two mill furnaces, a Nasmyth steam hammer and everything necessary for converting pig iron into bar iron on the premises. Five years later the works were employing 200 men, "working by the piece," and cottages for all employees had been built. Financially the company did not have a smooth run and eventually became so involved that work was temporarily stopped. In November, 1886, William Sandford leased the plant from Rutherford, took charge and carried on. During the subsequent 14 years Sandford made several extensions to the plant which was mainly engaged re-rolling old rails. The industry, however, was not making satisfactory headway, and in 1907 the firm appealed to the public for capital with which to carry on. The appeal failed. The sum of £18,500 was subscribed which, being insufficient, was returned to the subscribers. Government aid not being forthcoming, the b~nk took possession, and on December 10th, 1907, the works closed down. Messrs. G. & C. Hoskins Ltd., of Sydney, then came into the picture, taking possession of the plant in January, 1908, The history

T H E O P E N D O O R Page 3

of their connection with the industry is so recent and so well-known as to necessitate but little reference. Suffice it to state that it has marked a pronounced advance in its progress.

The first essay on any scale of magnitude to put the Australian industry on its legs lies to the credit of The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited. Its mining' history, which furnishes one of the outstanding romances in the story of industrial activity all the world over, is a household word throughout the Commonwealth. In connection with the operation of smelting the silver lead ore

mined at Broken Hill a flux of iron ore was needed. This was found in great quantities in South Australia, wheer mining operations for its recovery were commenced at two mountains known as Iron Knob and Iron Monarch. Experts estimated the amount of ore available at 21,000,000 tons. All of this ore was of extraordinary richness.

With twenty years of work behind it the Proprietary Mine at Broken Hill com­menced showing indications of the approach­ing end of its career as a wealth producer. It was not in the minds of the directors that the company should go out of existence when the closing of the mine became necessary. For some time their thoughts had been trending towards steel. Secure in the pos­session of vast fields of ore, to be augmented

later when the Middleback leases were acquired, these thoughts became converted into deeds. The ore available to the B.H.P. was not

only existent in great quantities, but as tests, made at the Port Pirie Smelters in 1907, had proved, was of excellent quality. Armed with this knowledge the Board of

Directors decided, in 1911, to send the then General Manager, Mr. G. D. Delprat, abroad to obtain expert advice on the proposition of embarking in the iron and steel industry. That gentleman, having visited works in England, Germany, Sweden and America,

engaged Mr. David Baker, M.E., of Phila­delphia, to visit Australia and enquire exhaustively into the proposal.

Mr. Baker was eminently fitted for the task, having had many years of practical experience in the largest American and Canadian plants.

Mr. Baker's inquiries and examinations were exhaustive and his report, submitted in June, 1912, was strongly in favour of the suggestion. As the company had already acquired land at Newcastle, though with another object in view, in close proximity to the coal fields, it was decided to, establish the new industry at Newcastle as, in addition to the advantages derived from already owning the land, it was cheaper to bring the ore to the coal than the coal to the ore.

Open Hearth Furnace Charging (Newcastle, N.S. V.)

Page 4 THE OPEN D O O R

In September, 1912, the sanction of the shareholders was given to the enterprise and permission also was given to the directors to increase the capital of the company. By Act of Parliament, the Government of

New South Wales, granted to the B.H.P. the freehold of certain lands comprising 96 acres, also giving them a 50 years' lease of a water frontage of 34J acres. The total area then available for the new works was 264 acres, which has since been increased to about 1250 acres. Mr. Baker returned to America to prepare

plans and purchase machinery for the initial plant which, in accordance with his recom­mendations, was to comprise:— 1 350 ton Blast Furnace. 3 65 ton Basic Open Hearth Steel Furnaces 1 35" Blooming Mill 1 28" Rail and Structural Mill 66 By Product Coke Ovens to meet the full

steel rails. The site chosen at Newcastle consisted

almost entirely of mangrove swamp under tidal influence. Extensive reclamation con­sequently was necessary, also solid piling was essential for every heavy structure of the new plant. Actually some 600 30-feet piles carrying the first blast furnace and heating stoves, were driven by a pile driver rigged upon a punt. On January 3, 1913, a small staff put

preliminary work in hand. In April of that year Mr. Baker returned from America and under his guidance preparations proceeded apace. In January, 1914, the first shipment of

construction material arrived from abroad, and numerous others followed as the months went by. By the end of 1914 it became evident that the whole plant was taking shape, and early in 1915 contracts were entered into with the New South Wales and South Australian Governments for the supply of 4500 tons of steel rails. The first shipment of iron ore from South Australia arrived at the Newcastle works on January 8, 1915. The works were started on March 9, 1915, just over two years from the commencement of construction, when the blast furnace was "blown in" and the production of pig iron became an accomplished fact. In one month's time, sufficient pig iron having become avail­able, the open hearth steel furnace commenced operations. The first steel ingots were rolled into blooms and billets on April 9th, and the first rails were turned out fifteen days later.

The Works were officially opened by the Governor General, Sir Ronald Munro Fer­guson, in the presence of a distinguished gathering.

Since, progress has been great and con­tinued. In a little over four months from the date

of commencement of smelting operations the plant produced 36,214 tons of pig iron, 17,134 tons of steel blooms and billets, and 11,574 tons of rails. At this time the company had entered into contracts to supply over 100,000 tons of rails to the Federal and State Govern­ments, apart from having to meet the press­ing requirements of Australian consumers, whom the Great War had cut off from their customary sources of supply. Never was the value of their being local

industries able to supply local necessities made so strikingly manifest. In addition to providing for the home consumption the B.H.P. was able to assist in the prosecution of the war. Actually during the progress of the war the Company supplied 16,000 tons of steel rails for war purposes abroad and 16,000 tons of munitions steel, the quality of which brought forth laudatory remarks from the munition authorities and eminent English ex­perts. Such progress marked the youthful in­

dustry as destined for success. It was mani­fest that the capacity of the small plant was not equal to the demands foreshadowed. Ex­tensions were decided upon. Four more open hearth furnaces were installed, additions were made to the by-product plant and a large quantity of additional minor plant procured. Still the demand for steel was overwhelm­

ing. It was decided to erect an 18in. struc­tural mill, 12in. and 8in. merchant mills and a modern Morgan continuous rod mill. This necessitated building a second biast furnace and additional by-product ovens. Early in the same year, 1916, the Company

opened up extensive limestone deposits at Melrose, Tasmania. Towards the end of 1917, the shortage of

steel plates in the Commonwealth became pressing. They were urgently required for the war time ship building scheme then in progress at a number of Australian shipyards. Also the B.H.P. needed them in connection with building up its second blast furnace. A plate rolling mill was speedily improvised with the result that 13,000 tons of steel plates were turned out. These plates measured up to 20 feet in length by five feet in width and down to one quarter of an inch in thickness. The Company also supplied steel joists and bulb angles for the steamers built in Aus­tralian yards during the war period. Still extensions went on. In 1920 the in­

stallation of a third blast furnace was under­taken, followed by a third battery of 63 Semet-Solway Coke Ovens and the necessary by-products apparatus. Also the wharfage accommodation was increased to 1800 feet. In 1924 two more 65-ton Open Hearth Fur-

THE OPEN DOOR Page 5

nacea, making the total nine, were installed, and jt was decided to develop coal-bearing lands which the Company had acquired in the Maitland and Newcastle fields. By 1929 two collieries, the John Darling

and Elrington, had been equipped and mining operations had reached such development as to supply a fair proportion of the coal re­quired for steel works operations.

In August 1928, the Company entered into a contract for the installation of two batteries of modern Wilputte coke ovens, together with a coal and coke handling plant and modern apparatus for the recovery of tar, ammonia

and benzol products. This plant was to replace the existing Semet-Solway ovens which had become obsolete. The entire plant was completed by Nov. 17, 1930, and one battery was immediately placed in commission.

This plant cost just on £1,000,000 and is capable of producing daily 1430 tons of coke, 135 tons of coke breeze, 26,000,000 cubic feet of gas, of which 15.6 million cubic feet will be available for general interworks distribu­tion, 15,600 gallons of high grade tar, 25 tons of sulphate of ammonia, 4800 gallons of benzol products, viz.: benzol, toluol and solvent naphtha.

During the latter part of 1931 the 18 inch Continuous Mill was assembled and this unit is now in production.

This, then, is a brief resume of the B.H.P. venture in establishing an Australian iron and steel industry. It, however, by no means exhausts the subject. In addition to the units mentioned there are numerous others, necessary to the effective working of those mentioned. Thus there are iron and steel foundries, engineering shops, carpenter's shop, pattern shop, electric generating plants, shining appliances, including two Mason and Hoover ore bridges for the discharge of iron ore and limestone, a coal handling bridge, laboratories, testing departments, etc., etc. The amount expended on plant, machinery,

etc., in the industry at Newcastle, Iron Knob, Whyalla, Melrose, and the various quarries, totals approximately £10,000,000.

From tne commencement of the various plants, up to the end of November, 1931, the following material was produced:—

Steel Ingots Blooms and Billets . . Rails (all sizes) Structural Steel Steel Plates Fishplates and Tieplates .

3,604,686 3,674,396 102,874 966,260 342,961 13,700 66,744 6,757 14,209 17,900

Blooming Mills (Newcastle, N.S.W.)

Page 6 T H E O P E N D O O R

Merchant Bar 797.116 „ Wire Rods 693,471 „ Sulphate of Ammonia . . 50,095 „ Tar 36,296,000 gals Benzol 6,631,339 „ Toluol 193,444 „ Solvent Naphtha 445,955 „ Xylol 3,480 „ In summing up, the following facts and

figures m a y be set out:—• The B.H.P. holds at Port Waratah, N.S.W.,

approximately 1225 acres of land of which the Steel Works and allied industries occupy 325 acres, leaving 900 acres available for future extensions.

There are 26 miles of standard gauge lailway and 31 miles of narrow gauge track at the steel works.

The weekly wages bill under normal con­ditions totals:—

Newcastle Steel Works . . . . £27,000 Iron Knob, Whyalla (S.A.),

Devonport (Tas.) and at the various Quarries 3,000 Total . . .. .. £30,000

More than 95 per cent, of all the materials used at the steel works are produced in Australia.

The consumption of coal for all purposes approximates 1,000,000 tons annually.

The quantity of water consumed amounts tor-

Fresh water 11,500,000 galls, per week Salt water . 362,500000 galls, per week

A fleet of four ships is owned by the Company. They are exclusively engaged in the carriage of ironstone, limestone and finished products.

Under normal conditions the number of men employed by The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited directly in the industry are:—

Newcastle 4,700 Iron Knob Wlhyalla and various

Quarries 650 5,350 In addition to which it is estimated the

following men are afforded indirect employ­ment:—

On Company's and other steamers carrying raw materials and pro­ducts .. 500

In allied industries: Messrs. Ry-lands and Lysaght's (at New­castle and Sydney) 1,200

On the supply of coal and other materials apart from the Com­pany's employees 3,500

10,550 This, then, is the brief story of a Company

of which Australians may well be proud.

^EDITORIAL

J CURRENT JlSW ^

m TOPICS al^-«^ In the June issue of last year w e introduced

a new feature in the magazine, to wit, a record of examination successes. Such was its reception that it was decided to make the innovation a permanency. But alas! M a n proposes and Finance disposes. Having discovered from the printer the larger portion of the expense of that issue attributive to that one feature, and, bearing in mind the need for economy, w e are compelled to delete this useful section of news. Perhaps next year when the country has been suitably "saved" w e m a y revert. Outstanding successes of note, however, are duly recorded in the various Sectional Notes. Readers will notice the slightly different nature of the leading article this issue. The wide interest and importance of the subject should ensure for it an immediate appeal. The subject matter was specially compiled and written for this magazine through the instrumentality of Mr. Mitchell, secretary of The Broken Hill Pty. W e record here our thanks and appreciation for the work involved in compiling this historical resume of The Steel Industry in Australia. We hope, in the October issue, to present an article on Cricket as an Art and a Discipline, by two well-known players and coaches of international fame. We are also indebted to an ex student, W . Pickford, for a bright, helpful article on Football. Mr. Pickford played for 8 years with Hawthorn, and has represented Victoria in interstate games—so he should know a little about the game. We are indebted to Mr. L. Menzies for a very kindly critique of the Open Door and the College, which w e hope to publish in the next issue. Sfi

NOTES BY THE DIRECTOR.

Changes in the College Council.

In the last issue of the "Open Door" reference was made to the serious nature of the illness of Mr. W. G. Burton, and readers will be very sorry to learn of his subsequent death in November. As a representative of the Municipality of Hawthorn from the inception of the College in 1908 until 1927

THE OPEN DOOR Page 7

EDITOR! 4 L—continued.

and thereafter as a representative of the Governor in Council, he had been actively associated with the Institution for many years, and his familiar figure about the College premises has been very much missed. The sympathy of the Council, staff and students is extended to Mrs. Burton and family. The vacancy on the Council brought about thereby has been filled by the appoint­ment of Cr. J. A. Gray, M.L.A., and his presence on the Council of the Institution will, it is felt, be a source of help and strength. Mr. James Mackay has been compelled from business reasons to resign his member­ship of the College Council, and his resig­nation was accepted with much regret at the meeting in April. He joined the Council as a representative of the Municipality of Haw­thorn in 1915, and from August, 1921, represented Life Governors. He was a personal friend and great admirer of the works and aims of our founder, and did much to promote the interests of the Institution in its early days. Readers will be glad to learn of the improvement in the health of our President, Sir W m . McPherson, and that he hopes to be well enough to resume his attendance at the Council meetings in the near future. Changes in the Staff. An important change in the office is the appointment of Mr. D. N. Craig, who comes to us after six years at the Footscray Technical School, as Registrar. Many favour­able reports have reached the College of Mr. Craig's ability and tact, and it is hoped he may have a very happy period of useful service before him at the College. Students, past and present, will have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Craig themselves. Miss Clare Hellwig severed her long con­nection with the Girls' Junior School in December last and members of the staff and students were extremely sorry to part with her. She was presented with a crystal salad bowl arid a) silver cake dish as a mark of the esteem and affection in which she was held. She has since been married and has the best wishes of everyone for her future happiness and welfare. Her place has been taken by Miss L. White, who comes to our Girls' School from Bendigo. Miss Jean Moreton, who was granted leave of absence by the Council last year to make special studies in art work, returned to the College at the beginning of the session in February, and Miss M. Blay, who had been acting in her stead, was transferred to Footscray,

In the Boys' Junior School, Mr. Timpe was transferred at the end of the year to the Castlemaine Technical School on account of his health, and Mr. Lewis, who had recently come to us from Stawell, was transferred to the Richmond Technical School. The vacancies were filled by Messrs. McCay and Foster.

Farewell to Mr. D. McKay.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, 9th December, a gathering representative of the College Council, the Education Department, the staff, past and present, and past students of the Boys' Junior School was held in the College hall to wish Mr. McKay a long and happy period of retirement. On behalf of the Council, the Vice President,

Cr. Simpson, in the absence of the President, Sir W m . McPherson, paid a tribute to the work of Mr. McKay and to the manner in which the Junior School had been conducted and developed during his nineteen years of service. The Director prefaced his remarks By

reading a letter from Sir W m . McPherson and one from the Education Department conveying appreciation of the long and faith­ful service of Mr. McKay in the cause of education. Mr. McKay had had much teaching experience in many parts of the State and brought this to bear upon his work, with great advantage to the students. He was a teacher who realized that true education comprised not only a mere acquisition of knowledge, but involved also the formation of character. Mr. D. Gray, representing the staff of the

Boys' Junior School, spoke of the personal loss which would be felt by every member of the staff at Mr. McKay's retirement. They had all found pleasure in working with Mr. McKay and he had been an inspiration and a friend to all, students and staff alike. Speaking for the Education Department,

Mr. E. P. Eltham, Chief Inspector of Technical Schools, dwelt upon the many years of service Mr. McKay had given to the State as a teacher in the Department since 1884. Mr. Eltham read some of the Inspectors' reports of long ago upon Mr. McKay, and he pointed out how these early predictions as to his ability as a teacher and organizer had been borne out by subsequent events. He spoke of his influence for good upon the 3200 students who had gone through the Junior School. Mrs. Swinburne then presented to Mr.

McKay, on behalf of the Council, staff and old students, a cabinet of cutlery, and to Mrs. McKay, a crystal jug and goblets. In doing so she spoke of the regard in which Mr. McKay had been held by the late Mr. Swinburne, and handed to him, as a personal

P a g e 8 T H E O P E N D O O R

EDITORIAL (continued)

gift, a copy of the biography of Mr. Swinburne, just published.

Other speakers were Mr. David, of Geelong, Mr. Fraser, now Principal of Brighton Technical School (both old members of the staff), Mr. Wright, Mr. Cousland and Mr. Marston (the latter representing old students). In replying Mr. McKay spoke of the happy time he had had at Swinburne, and he thanked all for their kindness, good wishes and beautiful gifts. On the following day, at a fitting ceremony, the present students presented to Mr. McKay a handsome armchair. Mr. McKay thanked the boys and their parents for the gift, which he said would remind him always of the school and of the students associated with it. On the afternoon of 19th March a small function was held in the dining room to say goodbye and wish bon voyage to our patroness, Mrs. Swinburne, on her trip to England and Europe. The Vice-President of the College (Cr. Simpson), Mrs. Simpson, the Director (Mr. Green) and Heads of Departments were present. Mrs. Swinburne expects to be away from Australia until the end of the year, the primary object of her visit being to see her daughter, who is married and lives near London. The total enrolment of students at the College during 1931 was 2002 individuals, compared with 2046 in 1930, the slight decrease having been brought about by the prevailing industrial depression, and was most marked in the trade classes affected thereby.

THE FORUM Where Angels Fear to Tread.

Mr. Editor, Sir,

I am writing to ask if anyone can tell me why a recent experiment of Drs. Cockcroft and Walton, at Cambridge, seems to be universally called "splitting the atom." Surely Rutherford succeeded in doing this years ago, when by bombardment with "alpha" particles, nitrogen atoms were broken up and hydrogen resulted. The novelty in this new experiment seems to be that heavier atoms of helium of atomic weight 4 are built up from lighter hydrogen atoms of atomic weight 1.008. Would the experiment not be better described at "building the atom"? Another point, also, puzzles me,

How is a helium atom of "weight" 4 to be built from four hydrogen atoms of aggregate weight 4.032?

Yours in perplexity, The Fool.

Ed., "Open Door" With regard to the apparent loss of mass,

according to Einstein's Relativity Theory, energy possesses "mass." According to this hypothesis, it is the sum of the mass and energy that is conserved. The experiment referred to records the liberation of a large amount of energy in the building of the helium atoms; and modern physics relates this increase in energy to the loss of "mass" in the new atoms. On this basis, if the experiment had been sufficiently successful to build up 4 grams of helium from 4.032 grams of hydrogen, the "disappearance" of .032 gram of matter would have produced about 3 million million million gram-metres of equivalent energy.

ART SCHOOL NOTES

FOURTH YEAR NOTES.

Countless innovations have supplanted our interests of last year—our cafeteria, our trestles, our (ahem) caricaturing, our pros­pective physical culture class, and even perhaps our abilities in oil painting. This process of painting may be crudely termed dirty. Terre Verte, Venetian Red, Flake White, etc., make their debut on the palettes, and then appear prodigiously in quaint designs on smock, dress, trousers (i.e. John's trousers) and cardigans, and thence to hands, neck, chin and not infrequently hair. We, confronted with the phenomena of ubiquitous paint, slave away with body colour and wash, on our numerous poster competition entries. Having moulded our ways and decked our room according to our Bohemian tendencies, we were blandly "sat upon" by having the words "clean up" and "home at 4.15" hurled at us. W e live now a tidy, dutiful but most "unnatural" life. __Betty R a t t e n

In the recent competition for Saunder's Malt Extract, we have pleasure in stating that Joan Biddlecombe was successful in winning a prize of four guineas. W e hope to see her poster reproduced. In the recent "Mars" Pencil Competition, Money won the prize of one guinea. __An ^

T H E O P E N D O O R

ART SCHOOL NOTES (continued) NATIONAL GALLERY PURCHASE PRINT. Mr. Allan Jordan, our enthusiastic art

instructor, held a successful exhibition of his block prints at the Fine Arts Society, in November last. This work, highly praised by the press critics, was too much of a tempta­tion for the hard-headed Trustees of the National Gallery, who purchased one of his prints "Treasure Ship." W e have much pleasure in printing a small reproduction of it. Although the work that Mr. Jordan teaches here is mainly design and commercial illustration, he has always found time to practise the Fine Arts, thereby linking up the practical with the aesthetic side. W e believe that he is preparing for another exhibition.

H A S IT EVER OCCURRED TO Y O U —

Mr. Jordan would have rivalled Buchanans with his' Black and White, had he been in the whisky business.

Mr. Calcutt has mastered the art of letters —as a master of English is he.

Mr. Rofe should have been Prime Minister; he could see the country in its right perspective. Miss Harders should have been an account­

ant; her knowledge of figures is wonderful. Mrs. Winter would have made pots of

money had she worked at the mint.

Page 9

Judging by the angle at which Miss Lewes wears her hat, we opine that she has a decided leaning towards her new job.

—J.S. Hi

PILGRIMAGE.

My thoughts are seeking light In darkness. At my feet, A star gleams soft upon a water pool. I swiftly kneel, but find therein A smooth pale stone.

My thoughts now dwell more calm; And though no star I gain, I needs must treasure this my find in life In fear of lesser substitutes— I keep this stone.

—J. Henty.

THIRD YEAR NOTES.

At last, we're Third Years! How the time has flown since first we entered Swinburne's honoured portals. It isn't any time since we were First Years who used to think that when we were Third Years we would be veritable slaves of wisdom. But (alas!), we have found the more you learn the less you know. One of our many diversions is the weekly

sketch—a form of work thrown in to use up some of our valuable time. Conscientious are we about these sketches. For example, one student drew a cow which looked as if the animal had moved but the student had gone on drawing it, with the result that it looked three times too long and not as Mother Nature had intended it to be. Everyone will have noticed that we are

doing a competition for Saunder's Malt Extract. Two students were observed, the other day, having the time of their lives delving out Saunder's Malt Extract with rulers and gobbling it up. W e noticed that Mr. Tompkins became attached to a malt tin which rendered one of his hands useless for the time being. Anyone ever used malt for flies? It is great stuff, guaranteed to stick to anything. Have heard that the Fourth Year students

are entering for this competition, but that's not worrying us, so confident are we of our masterpieces. The further you get away from these the better they look. If the adjudicator understands this we're all sure of a prize. Our first Art Club was a source of joy to

us. W e believe it to be the best seen in the School. Now, Second Years, don't you come up next year and cramp our style, as we feel we've earned the distinction of being the Art Students who ran the only decent Art Club Mr. Tompkins has ever seen!!!

— A . Wannenmacher.

Page 10 T H E O P E N D O O R

ART SCHOOL NOTES (continued)

"A PSALM OF ART"

(with apologies to Longfellow)

Tell me not in mournful numbers Art is but an empty farce, For a teacher never slumbers, And seldom ever leaves the class. Art is real! Art is earnest! And a job's the only aim Of each student who here learned How to draw his way to fame. "Think of Reynolds, think of Corot" Are the words we have in mind; So we draw and to our sorrow Find our teachers not too kind. Trust no teacher howe'er artless, Though his voice be soft and low; You will find him very heartless When your work you have to show. Let us then be up and doing, With an art for any fate— W e shall have our fill of stewing Ere we pass fame's golden gate.

— E . Gill, Art School.

ROBOT.

A clash of metal on time's floor, The Man of Steel draws near. Ah! Mortals are ye tired of flesh? Why does he settle here? Quick, close the gate, Or else too late, Earth's sons deteriorate.

— A . Wannenmacher. K

SECOND YEAR NOTES.

We are all very interested in our first essays in new branches of the work—pen drawing, oil painting, etc., the latter causing much exasperation, determination, consterna­tion, concentration and various other "ations" not quite so polite.

Quite a number of us have taken up Metalwork and Pottery, the former causing much satisfaction to the instructor because there is much too much noise to talk. Nevertheless the results often make him shake his head sadly in that "It's a shame to take the money" manner. However, w e all have the light of battle in our eyes and mean to turn out masterpieces before long.

— F . O'Connor. tfi

WHAT COMMERCIAL ART IMPLIES. In thinking of the things that bring the

most joy to the individual, one eventually comes to the conclusion that the supremest

joy lies in the creation of something beautiful, a fact the basis of which is an instinct at the very root of humanity.

Man, through obeying his creative impulses, has raised himself from a lowly origin to a comparatively high state of civilization, and though his efforts were primarily those of practical necessity, he has, in advancing, brought aesthetic powers to bear upon these, with the result that art has evolved as part of his natural heritage.

The utilitarian objective, however, has always been of primary importance, since that implanted itself in man's brain long before any artistic ideas grew to supplement it—the two purposes must be served harmon­iously if anything of value is to result.

In a recent discussion, Professor Laurie wrote: "Art has only been healthy and spontaneous when it was quite unconscious of art for its own sake, when it did a commercial job for a commercial purpose." W e w h o work at this subject m a y look upon' such a purpose with growing enthusiasm, as the aim of the present day commercial artist.

These last two strangely wedded works seem to epitomise the whole situation, since they stress first the practical end and then the beautiful.

The commercial artist has an unlimited public before him—his work is part of the life of the everyday traveller and the reader of all sorts of current newspapers and magazines, and it is therefore his great privilege to be able to endow subjects of universal interest with all the beauty his imagination has to offer.

His brush is held ready to paint industry in empire colours, to uplift her and bring her the rewards of deserving labour.

A n d he would do this not only commercially but artistically also.

Edith Buchanan, Art School. tfi THIS IS A JOKE.

The bishop, dining on an ocean liner, spilt the salt and threw some over his shoulder, which unfortunately went down the very low back of the woman at the next table. "Ah-ha bishop," exclaimed she looking round, "You can't catch me that way, you know!" tfi If all could love me

for m y deeds, If all could love m e

for m y smile, A n d all could love m e

for m y thoughts, Would not life be then

worth while? — N . Elvins, Art School.

THE OPEN DOOR P a g e II

ART SCHOOL NOTES (continued)

FIRST YEAR FORM NOTES.

On the first day of term, before 9.30 a.m., we—a sheepish group of newcomers— had assembled in an atmosphere of shyness and expectancy, broken only by the very excusable feminine titter. A deadly silence had settled upon us, which was not relieved by the fact that we had quickly opined that the decora­tions had their limits of exploration, unless one turned one's head to timidly survey the coldly imposing array of casts which hang upon the back wall near the window. Even the green curtain was explored to its limits.

Suddenly keen curiosity was aroused by the murmur of voices professionally uttering such foreign sounding expressions as "half­tone" and "reflected light." Little did we think then that no later than the next Thursday w e ourselves were to become acquainted with the mysteries of Light and Shade under the direction of Miss Harders.

The first lunch time (as far as the boys were concerned) was mainly to admire the view from the window and become acquainted with the friendly visage of the Town Hall clock.

The neighbouring gardens, w e found, pro­vided a change of surroundings after a morning spent laboriously in attempting to delineate the subtle characteristics of sweet pea design. In the afternoon we were impressed with the necessity of extending our botanical researches in the shape of plant drawing.

So much so for our first impressions. —Roger James.

tfi RATHER WOOLLY. Perhaps you have also seen them—those industrious people who persist to ply the needle whether the journey be long) or short.

A young man, seated, one dav, on the outside of a tram, seemed fascinated by the rapid movement of a girl's knitting needles. Not for one moment did he remove his gaze from the flashing steel. Not for one moment did the industrious one cease her knitting, and when at last the city was reached, the needles had done wonderful work.

But suddenly she uttered a startled gasp and the young m a n sprang from his seat. So, the ball of wool had rolled on to the street. The tram came to a stop and all eyes were fixed on to the then blushing hero. H e seemed oblivious of the traffic or the people.

Failing to clutch the ball, it rolled under a car, twirled around its wheels, and again rolled on. H e became desperate, and so he pulled and pulled. But the more effort he

put into the rescue, the more entangled it became. It got between his feet, around his legs, then travelled into the gutter; but still the young m a n fought to retrieve the ball for the unfortunate one.

A crowd had gathered, and this gave him fresh courage, so he pulled this way and that, crawled here, wound up. pulled gently, and became more distraught. Everyone was deeply interested, but no one came to his assistance. B-' »ne look on his face he wanted to win alone.

Ah! What did he see? W h y , an end of wool. H e pounced upon it, but it escaped his now nervous fingers. The crowd, all at once, gave a si.out of delight. But just as suddenly it stopped, for the young m a n seemed to be stunned. His jaw had dropped, the sudden realization that there should be no end having just come to him. Should not tne wool be still connected with the knitting on the tram? W h y , then, it must be broken. Slowlv, with growing fear, the young m a n turned to the tram.

The industrious one, the knitting and the needles, had vanished.

— A n o n . tfi

"MYTHS OF MANKIND'S PRE-SIGHT." A god that was not—

A chimera— And all the painted devils— Chimeras also— Fled at the dawn's approaching The torch of Science— But stood at last revealed As Good and Evil.

—Nancy M. Lewes. tfi TO CONTRIBUTORS. We will not say our time is valuable, but there are only 24 hours in the day; so the only way we can "redraft or reduce" mss. is to cut.

"Dreams"—very thrilling. "Nightmare"—try again, shows promise. "Party Games"—not suitable. Suggested improvements—'been done before, but try p. gain. "Psalm of Art"—more please. "What Price Modern Art"—am keeping in reserve; hope to see more from you.

"Distortion"—very good, but too long; style quite good.

Dear Art Students—You have in the past set a high standard of literary style in your contributions. Perhaps I a m getting sated, but I do not think you have quite maintained that high level this time.

Page 12 T H E O P E N D O O R

"Illusion and Art in Industry"—both quite good; should like more next term. "N.H. and R.S."—too long. "M.S." lacks

fire. "J.S." done before. "Woollen Cosy," too difficult to follow. "The Hunt," does not look original. "Perfect Picnic," idea good but style not quite so. "Day break in our Garden," trv again, style good. "Worse-words," try again.

SOCIAL COLUMN SOCIAL COLUMN.

We wish we could tell you more, but people are so shy. Besides, we must stick to facts.

Engagements—

G. E. C. Nicholls to his cousin Miss Templeton. W e understand she was "first mate" heretofore, but hopes to be part owner in the near future. R. Maddocks to Miss Muriel Cox.

Miss Violet Hoskings to Mr. R. M. Wilson. They tell me the ring has such a sparkle that only half the lighting of the office will be needed now. Marriages—

Brian Calcutt lost his liberty on 13th January to Miss Ena Larkan. W a s it a Friday? Births—

To E. J. Marston, on November 9, 1931, a boy. His name is John and he is a wonder.

To "Ben" Howells, on March 31st, a boy, also called John. General—

They tell m e that at least one member of "our staff" carries his troubles in front of him.

tfi

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"First Year Engineering"—No. The accent in Assembly varies. It is on the first syllable only when you are non-est. See reply to "Fined."

"C.l."—The A grade boy was only joking. There is no black hole. The room you should nave gone to was R o o m 8. Very popular rendezvous they tell me.

"Fined"—Yes, quite so. Undoubtedly illegal to pay the sum mentioned, but as this is not N.S.W. you will have to grin and pay. Sorry.

"Curious"—The word Detention is known etymologically as a symptomatic omnivorous word. Symptomatic because it indicates the

malady. Thus: De—without or away from. Hence, without attention you get detention. Omnivorous because it covers a multitude of sins. A bit mixed, but you know what dictionaries are like.

"Heated"—Griffin ? O h yes, a griffin is a creature of volcanic origin. Feeds on briar roots.

"Art Novice"—You should not contradict those in authority. Try to get the right perspective.

THE BOYS JUNIOR SCHOOL

SCHOLASTIC RECORDS, BOYS J.T.S.

Government scholarships, giving free tuition for full courses and certain allowances. W. T. Mitchell (Engineering), T. P. Miller

(Elec. Eng.), H. E. R. Steele (Mech. Eng.), J. Asker (Com. Art), W. B. Beaumont (Mach. Sh. Pr.), W. G. McKinstry (Elec. Eng.), J. Proudfoot (Plumbing and Gasfitting). College Council scholarships, allowing free tuition for full courses. D. Abbott (Mech. Eng.), A. Cunningham

(Elec. Eng.), W. H. Gale (Mech. Eng.), F. E. Harris (Elec. Eng.), E. W. Murray (Elec. Eng.), N. Neville (Eng.), F. I. Parratt (Carpentry), L. Roberts (Eng.), J. Ryan (Elec. Eng.), H. Westcott (Elec. Eng.). Intermediate Technical Certificate. Passed with Credit—A. Cunningham, F. E.

Han-is, T. P. Miller, W. G. McKinstry, A. Pepperell, J. B. Ryan, H. Steele, H. Westcott, H. F. Joyce, W. Mitchell, E. Murray, N. Neville, L. R. Roberts, V. C. Gillan, D. Abbott, A. T. Dingle. Junior Technical Certificate. Passed with Credit—D. Buckingham, F.

Buntin, R. Cummins, R. Clark, A. Muir E Martin, R. Stone, C. Steele, E. Tickell, M J Swaby, T. Bonnice, J. E. Paine, J. Connor, R. S Carter, H. J. Helms, H. F. Joyce, R. Marcroft W. T. Mitchell, N. Neville, F I Parratt, J. Proudfoot. L. Baldwin, C 'Lister W. Petschell E. W Murray, L. Roberts?%'. L. Roeger, B. C. Gillan. tfi

SILVER PLATING.

The electroplating of goods, that is the coating of these goods with silver, or some other precious metal, is considered by many

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BOYS' JUNIOR SCHOOL (continued)

to be a very important industry, and it is really surprising how ma n y different pro­cesses there are through which the article has to go before it is properly coated and cleaned. There are, in all, about six different processes, which I will describe in the following article.

First, the goods are cleaned thoroughly by boiling them in caustic potash to remove any grease which m a " have collected on them; by immersing them in dilute acid to dissolve any oxide, and then finally scouring them with sand. The smaller articles are not cleaned in this way, however, but are placed in a mechanical cleaner, an earthenware container with perforations. This container is then revolved in a cleaning solution and as the articles rub against one another in the liquid, they are cleaned and brightened. At other times the small articles are placed in a small wooden barrel, mounted on a cast iron frame, and are thence cleaned by rubbing against one another. W h e n clean, they are dried in boxwood sawdust, heated by a steam coil, or by gas, which heats water under the sawdust. The articles are then ready for the actual process of plating, but first they are dipped in nitrate of mercury, the film formed by this acting as a cement between them and the silver.

A medal or some other article to be coated with silver is hung from a glass rod in a vessel containing a solution of cyanide of potassium, and silver salts. This is connected with the zinc or negative element of a wet cell battery, and a plate of silver in the vessel with the medal is connected with the copper or positive element of the battery.

A n electric current flows from the medal to the negative element, and from the positive element to the silver plate. This causes the silver in the solution to be deposited on the medal, while silver from the plate is dissolved to take its place. In some cases, the tank containing the plate of silver has a pneumatic agitator to keep the liquid moving. This reduces the time of plating by half. Small articles are placed in a barrel which revolves in a solution of the metal to be deposited. This barrel has a wooden bottom and perforated celluloid sides.

After plating, the goods have next to be polished. They are first held against a revolving scratch brush, of which there are various forms. Some metals require polishing on disc polishers, while others need various other treatments. Rough castings and such like articles are polished in a shaking barrel with a suitable polishing medium. The dust and fumes caused in the polishing shop are brushed off and drawn away through large ducts, and then the article is completely finished. —R.S., A.l.

"ODDMENTS."

Many suppose that Pythagoras died at Metapontum about 497 B.C. This is not so. W e know the gentleman intimately.

"Please sir, did you mention Rowena's shriek or Rowena's shiek?"

Dodge-ball is now as popular as dodge drill.

A branch of the calf lovers' club should be formed in the A grades.

So Swinburne only made 39 runs. Must have been a windy day!

I know where the flies goes in winter time, but where is the home-work done now the locker room is banned?

Grubbv student: "Please sir, will I put m y name on m y exam, paper?"

Teacher: "No! I'll know whose it is."

tfi

DEFINITIONS ACCORDING TO WEBSTER

Detention:—A with-holding from another his right.

Sport:—That which produces mirth, and the mirth and merriment produced.

Science is based on self-evident truths. Well, what makes Mr. M. so peeved?

tfi

ANSWERS TO CONTRIBUTORS.

N.H.—Too long for us. R.S. ditto. M.S. lacks fire J.S., done by others. "Silver Streak," good but not toDical. R.F., hardly topical enough. G.G., had to choose between you and R.M.—sorry.

tfi

A MIGHTY BATTLE ON THE KIEWA.

The long narrow valley lay bathed in the glory of January sunshine and the river, swelling from pool to pool, sparkled as a thread of silver.

Peace reigned in the. hills. A hawk search­ing the valley, circled on tireless wings, uttering forlorn cries.

A m a n worked slowly from pool to pool, and the bending rod and the music of the reel ringing through the trees showed his labours were not in vain. H e came at last to a quiet, still pool, lying black and mysterious in the shadow cast by the sinking sun. There was no rush of water here, for the river, passing slowly between two great rocks, entered the pool and after quietly flowing forty yards, fell at last bubbling into another pool. The m a n thought that the king of fishes must lurk there.

Suddenly a quiet splash attracted his

Page 14 T H E O P E N D O O R

BOYS' JUNIOR SCHOOL (continued)

attention. For a second he paused, then with a quick movement, the line shot out in a true straight cast and a dainty fly struck, the water as gently as a piece of thistledown. The line tightens; a flash of turning silver, and the rod bends to a bow; the reel roars out a savage song, and a great fish is tearing downwards through the water. Down, aown to the depths of the pool, down

till the backing is reached and the reel drum is nearly bare of line. A sickening fear strikes the fisherman's heart, but hope returns when the speed slackens and the monster charges downstream. Now the man is reeling in like a madman. The fish swings around and tears across the pool, then leaps up with a flash of silver above the water, and yet as he falls, he leaps again, and yet again; but at each leap the rod is lowered. So the terrific battle wages and the reddened sun sinks beneath the distant rim of hills. Rush after rush the great fish makes, yet as each charge is over the man gains a little line, here and there, only to lose it all in one mad rush. Yet, as rush follows rush, each grows weaker, until at last he has drawn in the fish, looming huge in the twilight. Slowly he beaches, it on a shelving rock. The great fish, a rainbow trout turning the scale to nine and a half pounds, gasps at his feet. The mighty fish has been fought to a finish.

—R.M. B.l. tfi

OUTBACK. A few years ago, when the newer Mallee was first thrown open, a traveller represent­ing a prosperous machinery firm in Melbourne visited those outback parts. He was one of the type who hated flies, dust and other curses of the bush, and did not appreciate Australia's wide, open spaces. One hot afternoon, when the flies were busy

and a scorching wind from the north raised the dust, he arrived in the district and to his disgust he could book no orders nor find a comfortable r̂ ace to spend the night. After travelling for some considerable time in his nicely polished sedan, he decided to stop at the next shack he could find. It was about 10 o'clock when he sighted a

structure made of kerosene tins. He found the owner returning from the horse yard with a lighted lantern in his hand. On telling his story, our city-bred agent was offered the best hospitality that the farm could provide. After supper, a bunk was made up for him. On retiring, the traveller asked if there

were any snakes and scorpions to be afraid of, for he did not like the appearance of things. The settler's reply subdued his feelings somewhat, so he turned into bed, wishing he was in his nicely furnished room

in the city. He dropped off to sleep dreaming of hungry wild dogs and huge strange birds. Shortly before daylight he was awakened

by something slimy crawling over his face. He lay perfectly still, paralysed with fear. Not being able to see anything definitely, he imagined the worst and there he remained in a state of terror expecting every moment to receive the fatal fangs of a huge snake. At last, unable to stand it any longer, he jumped out of bed and crashed against the side of the shack, quivering from head to foot. Outside, there was a rattle of a milk

bucket and a hungry poddy-calf bolted out through the doorway of the traveller's chamber of horror.

—Farmer A.l. tfi

A TENSE MOMENT. The frenzied call of a Morse key sent the night operator to his instrument. As he read the message, his face paled and he immediately began to send frantic messages to the stations on the run of the Sydney express.

A lazy switchman had left the points in the position in which they were when the last goods train had passed, and now the express, the fastest train, was eating up the miles between the slow goods train and itself until, if nothing unforseen happened, it would crash into the van of the goods, leaving disaster in its wake, until, its impetus checked, it stood a torn and twisted wreck amid smoking goods trucks. As the goods passed through the shunting

yard at Wangaratta, a shadow leapt from the impenetrable darkness of the signal box to the track and swung itself aboard a truck, settling itself comfortably for thirty miles of jolting until Benalla was reached.

Jim Harding dropped off the goods a few miles out of Benalla and walked back along the track until, glancing up, he saw a gleam­ing eye that sent forth a finger of light cleaving the darkness and the ruddy glow from the firebox of a speeding mammoth, the Sydney express. Tearing down the track, it was speedily

decreasing the distance between itself and the slow-travelling goods train. The imminence of a collision dawning on

him, he glanced' around for some means of averting it. His gaze falling on a switch and a shunting signal in a siding, he ran to the switch and flung it over, while the roar of an angry monster hurtling to destruction sounded louder and louder in his ears. Running up the siding he swung the signal to danger and its red eye shone out its message to the oncoming train. With a hissing of steam and a grinding of

brakes, the throbbing mammoth stopped.

THE OPEN DOOR Page 15

BOYS' JUNIOR SCHOOL (continued)

The train crew jumped to the ground and surrounded Jim, demanding an explanation, which was soon given, and surrounded by a crowd of grateful passengers he was escorted to the train.

The call of a Morse key sent the night operator to his instrument. A s he read the message the anxiety in his face gave w a y to thankfulness and relief. H e was soon tapping to the world the story of Jim Harding's presence of mind.

-^J.K. B.7.

A WEEK-END CYCLE TRIP.

I woke up that morning feeling very healthy and gay.' I was going for a week-end cycle trip to Gisborne with m y pal Ken. W e had packed everything the night before, ready for an early start. W e snatched a hasty breakfast and set out at about seven.

It was a glorious morning for riding, the sun was up, the birds were singing gaily, uninterrupted by traffic noises. W e pedalled oh merrily for about an hour, and suddenly found ourselves away from the houses, and among the open paddocks beyond the Essendon aerodrome. : After resting between Essendon and Keilor

for dinner, w e resumed. W h e n w e had only gone a few miles m y front typre went flat, but as it was only the valve rubber, all was well. It was after two o'clock, so w e rode hard, and arrived just outside Digger's Rest by four-thirty, where w e had planned to camp for the night. W e selected a spot, put up the tent, and had tea, and made ourselves comfortable for the night.

At dawn the magpies woke us, and after a hearty breakfast w e continued our journey towards Mount Macedon, with its well ordered plantations and magnificent homes. Our route then lay through Gisborne, which was

reached at nightfall, and again the tent was unrolled. O n the next day w e continued back to Melbourne, thoroughly satisfied with a trip that should appeal to every cyclist.

— H . T . B.6.

tfi

BITTEN.

About eighteen miles from Port Fairy there lived a mean-natured m a n who, besides farming, also had a small orchard, which was a source of attraction to the boys of the surrounding district. This farmer, on catch­ing a boy trespassing, would exaggerate his fault to the parent. In those days, for the

BOYS' JUNIOR SCHOOL, 1932

Page 16 T H E O P E N D O O R

BOYS' JUNIOR SCHOOL {continued)

slightest wrong a boy would be stockwhipped. There was a family of boys in this district who had been caused by the miser to have that unpleasant experience, and their only thoughts were for revenge. Between the two farms there ran a

channel canrying about six feet of water, the means of crossing being a rough bush plank. The brothers replaced this with a similar board having the underside cut half way through. Three of them stayed in the thick herbage on one side of the channel and the other three sneaked up into the orchard. It was not long before the owner saw them and then the chase began. The boys, after running hard found when they reached the bank of the drain that their pursuer was not in sight, so they dived into the scrub and, when the farmer came into view, they gave the pre-arranged signal and the brothers the other side exposed themselves and started off up the dusty path. The miser doubled his energies which were slacking and lumberingly ran up the side of the creek. All went well until he reached the centre of the canal, but, alas, the strain became too great and the plank broke, letting the pursuer into the muddy water. The victim, almost overcome with rage, although his wet clothing kept him below boiling point, descended upon the aged parent. Although guilty, the culprits gained the sympathy of their father, who went with the orchardist to inspect the scene of the latter's downfall. You can imagine the miser's surprise when there in front of his eyes lay the identical bridge quite intact and still across the stream.

—A.M.D. A.l. tfi

LAUGH HERE. When a train stopped at a certain station the guard came around the carriages, calling in at the window: "Is there anyone here with a box in the guard's van?" A clergyman answered that he had. "And in it," he said, "are some valuable books containing very useful information." "Well," said the guard, "you had better come along; your information is leaking."

One afternoon, a foreman doing his rounds in the Newport Workshops, observed a boy in the blacksmithing department holding a hammer close to the head and tapping lightly on the metal. H e approached and said to the boy: "When a m a n holds a h a m m e r by the middle of the handle, he is paid £2 a week; if he holds it by the end of the handle he is paid £4 a week." The boy nodded and said cheerily: "Yes, sir, but where do I hold it for 15/- per week?"

One afternoon an elderly lady alighted from a train, approached a porter and inquired how long the train stopped there.

The porter replied: "From two to two to two two, Madam." The lady started, then replied: "Young man, I knew you were part of the railway, but I never guessed you were the whistle."

tfi

BOYS' JUNIOR SPORT.

Since the last issue of the magazine, the annual athletic meeting was held at Castle-maine. The results-proved more inspiring to Swinburne than the weather, as the afternoon was punctuated by several heavy showers. The results were:—

3rd place for "Sporting Globe" Cup 2nd place for Herald Shield 2nd place for Aggregate Cup Beaten by h point.

A swimming team representing the school competed at the Metropolitan Technical Schools' Swimming carnival held at the Brunswick Baths on 11th of March. The team gained third place on the points scored. One of the features of the carnival was the fact that both diving championships were won by Swinburne, the under 14 being won by Harry Fallu, and the under 16 by Colin Vickers. tfi

FOOTBALL.

Two teams are in the field this year. The second team should prove useful as a feeder for the first team, as well as providing interesting football of sufficiently high stan­dard to meet the needs of those boys who, having played for the school team, are now over age and ineligible for inter-school games. The following are the fixtures for the school team, commencing the first week of the second term. Matches will be played on the ground of the first-named school. June 1—Footscray v. Swinburne June 8—Caulfield v. Swinburne June 15—Swinburne v. Prahran June 22—Swinburne v. South Melbourne June 29—Collingwood v. Swinburne July 6—Swinburne v. Footscray July 13—Swinburne v. Caulfield July 20—Prahran v. Swinburne July 27—South Melbourne v. Swinburne Aug. 3—Swinburne v. Collingwood tfi CRICKET. The first round of inter-school matches proved interesting to the College, as the first four of the five games of the series were successful. Swinburne is leading from Prahran by four points, and a keen struggle is anticipated in the second round to be

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BOYS' JUNIOR SCHOOL (continued)

played in the third term. The following notes show the talent that is available. Clarke—captain and wily slow bowler; took

28, wickets for 139 runs. Forceful bat. Hodgson—excellent length bowler and slip

field. Bowled 57 overs for 99 runs and 14 wickets.

Vickers—bowls an off-break with a nip off the pitch. Took 14 wickets for 82.

Morris—C grade—promising bat. Bowls slow.

Laing—keeps down the sundries and plays a defensive bat.

Anscombe—reliable opening bat. Throws in splendidly.

Stocks—fine field. Should get lots of runs in second round.

Daly—takes catches anywhere. Did not get among the runs this year.

Gibson—scored 34 in opening hand. Swings a forceful bat. Palst—a keen little all-rounder. Given

little opportunity to shine. S y m o n s — C grade—promoted recently from

2nd X L Promises well as an all-rounder. For the first time the Junior School fielded

a second X L this year, and with Frank Woodley as captain played some keen games with local schools. tfi

HOUSE RESULTS.

At the end of the first round of matches, the cricket points were:—Batman 12 points; Collins, Flinders, Hume and Latrobe 8; Henty 4. Aggregate totals for the Zoanas Cup—

Batman 346 points, Latrobe 316, Hume 312, Collins 298, Flinders 291, Henty 279.

ENGINEERING SCHOOL

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.

NOTA BENE.

Senior Technical Scholarships for Engin­eering Courses at the University—

Tilson, C. F. Henshelwood, J. E.

University Results, Honour Schools— A. R. Putnam, Strength of Materials,

3rd Class.

R. Burkitt, Hydraulic Engineering I., W m . Macpherson Exhibition.

1931, Third Year:— Carter, R. E.—"resting" in country. Harrison, F.—doing 4th year S.T.C. Herbert, L. H.—employed by M.E.S. Jenkins, P. H.—employed by M.E.S. Forbes, H.—employed by Hornsby. Henshelwood, J. E.—attending University. Lewis, S. D.—attending University. Murray, A. G.—student teacher. Mansell, J. L.—employed by Wilson-Reid,

engineers. Tilson, C. F.—attending University. Sharp, L. W.—"resting." Thomas, W.—employed by Taylor & Spacey,

electrical engineers. Walker, L. W . M.—employed by Electricity

Commission. Prefects for 1932—Rollard, R. (Senior Pre­

fect), Dupont, E., Clarke, E., Nicholson, F., McCracken, F.

Captain of Football—Wishart, M. Secretary for Hiking—Harper, A.

Everyone is as God made him— and often a deal worse.

—Cervantes. tfi

SURVEYING SUCCESSES.

J. Denton and W. Sneddon, evening students in Surveying, have qualified for Land Surveyor's Certificate (Australasia). J. Den­ton, at first sitting, obtained highest marks in Astronomy and Geodosy (Sept., 1931), and W. Sneddon obtained highest marks in Astronomy in March, 1932, and passed in all subjects.

tfi MATHEMATICS HI. H. File obtained top marks for the State

in Analytical Geometry. tfi OLD ENGINEERING SWINBURNIANS. On Friday, 15th April, at the Annual

General Meeting, the following were elected to office:— President—A. Hide. Hon. Secretary—E. J. Marston. Hon. Treasurer—L. Philp. Council—Messrs. Johnston, J. Wood, K.

Wood, H. Small, R. G. Minchinton, C. Scarborough, L. Plumbe, A. E. Stohn.

Engineering School Staff Representative— Mr. A. E. Page.

Page 18 T H E O P E N D O O R

ENGINEERING SCHOOL (continued)

O.E.S. RUMOURS.

Mr. H. G. Small has returned from his trip abroad (Ted Marston will know more of the details than I do) and has been elected as Evening Students' Representative on the O.E.S. Council. Orbost has been favoured with the presence

of W. T. Taylor, who has vacated Melbourne and started business there. For those who do not read social notes in

papers: G. Wilson has been engaged for some months. It seems to run in the family. Bill Pickford is now the father of two

children. Excavations near a football field recently

disclosed several bones of human origin. No whistle, however, was found. The management will provide any reader

with a full explanation of the humour of this, on written application, accompanied by a postal note for one shilling and a medical certificate.

tfi

PROPOSED ENGINEERING VISITS, 1932.

Newport Railway Workshops (visit made) Yallourn Elect. Comm. Undertaking (visit

made). H. V. MacKay's, Sunshine. Foy & Gibson, Collingwood. Government Cool Store, North Melbourne. Rope Works, Geelong. Telephone Exchange, Melbourne. Bryant & May's, Richmond. Mount Lyell Works, Yarraville.

tfi

SOMETHING ABOUT ENGINEERING.

Those people who do not know much about engineering should pay a visit to a machine shop. In these days of mechanical contri­vances, there are very few of us who do not bump up against inquiry in some form or another; for instance, there's motor cars and lawn-mowers and gramophones and potters' wheels and things like that. Of course, I don't mean to say that by

getting somebody to show you through a workshop you are going to find out very much about engineering, because a friend of mine who does not wear a hat has told me that some people can be immersed in a workshop a couple of times a week for three years, to say nothing of being steeped for the other parts of their weeks in a flood of all sorts of engineering stuff, and still have absorbed nothing about the business.

Still, there are things you can get wakened up to. Candidly, I thought Whitworth thread was what they sewed up belts or something with till I found out that it is what makes nuts go round on the ends of bolts, or rather some bolts. There was one thing that struck me when I went through a workshop and that was the peculiar ideas of naming things; for instance, take a lathe. Now a lathe is a machine into which a piece of steel can be fixed so that it is revolved, and then a tool which is rigidly held but can be moved all ways by means of handles is used to make acorns and things on the ends of the piece of steel. Well, a part of the lathe at one end is called the head piece and another part at the opposite end is the tail piece, which is all right, because there are lots of things which have a head at one end and a tail at the other. Then another part between these two is the saddle, which immediately suggests an animal like a horse, and since a lot of lathes have four legs, the idea seems to fit. But when you consider that the part which has the head at one end and the tail at the other, and over which is put the saddle, is called the bed, things begin to get mixed. I wanted to know why the bed was not called the back; it was explained that the back of a lathe was the side opposite the front, and that the foot was at the side end, and not at the head end. I just said "I see" and passed on to where a machinist was working on another lathe. I was told he was cutting a three start thread. I watched him for some time and then came to the conclusion that if it took him three starts to make that thread I'd never get the thread finished, no matter how many starts I could have. There are a lot of other machines in a

workshop—shapers, planers, slotters, millers, hobbers, grinders, and others, all of which seemed considerably more complicated than a lathe. I don't think my trying to tell you about them would be of much use to you. tfi NOT QUITE, BUT ALL BUT. You will see why, when you read on. In fact this can be understood by almost anyone. Just try it and see. As no one really seems to understand

modern humour, the thought has occurred to the writer that perhaps something ancient might break through. It goes something like this— To start with you need two people, one who

knows and the other who doesn't. The one who knows says to the other, who

is a bit slow: Which would you rather, or go fishing?1 Of course, you have to repeat it several times, but that doesn't matter—he'll get caught in the end.

THE OPEN DOOR Page 19

ENGINEERING SCHOOL (continued)

At last he bites, and says: "How do you mean? The thing's silly."

"Of course it is; but which would you rather?"

"Oh talk sense," he says. So you leave him and come again next day. Each time you see him, you greet him the same way. In desperation he begins to make guesses and finally for peace of mind says: "Well, tell me, which would you rather, or go fishing?"

Quick as lightning you reply: "Well rather, of course."

Off his guard now, he ejaculates " W h y ? " "Because the higher you fly the fewer." Of course, there's no sense in it, but that's

where the joke comes in. —Pu c k , Eng. Dept.

tfi

GYPSUM AND PLASTER OF PARIS.

The mineral known as gypsum is the raw material from which many products having considerable industrial and economic impor­tance are manufactured. Gypsum is found in many parts of the world, and important deposits occur in England, France, United States and Australia. The mineral, when absolutely pure, is a white hydrous sulphate of lime made up of one molecule of lime sulphate combined with two molecules of water. There are several varieties known, but the more frequent forms are rock gypsum and seed gypsum. Rock gypsum, a massive gypsum, is the most frequent form in which the mineral is found in nature. It is usually white and opaque. Seed gypsum consists of small crystals of gypsum which have been blown by the wind into sandhills or gypsum beds. The best deposits found in Australia are situated near Cape Spencer, Yorke Peninsula, in South Australia. One of the theories dealing with the formation of gypsum may be of interest. Rutley's Mineralogy, 1915, states that one of the chief ways by which gypsum has been formed is by the formation of calcium sulphate due to the action of sulphuric acid (generated by the decomposition of pyrites) on shells, etc., in clay. Gypsum in either the rock or seed form

after being crushed and ground, is used in many industries. Small quantities of finely ground gypsum are used to retard the set of Portland Cement. One of the first uses to which gypsum was

put was as a fertilizer. It neutralizes the injurious action produced by the presence of magnesia and alkaline carbonates in the soil. In the latter case the harmful carbonates are converted into sulphates, in which form they have considerable fertilizing value.

Crude gypsum is used as a flux in the smelting of nickel ores, but by far the most important use of gypsum is in the manufac­ture of plaster of Paris. The term "plaster of Paris" was mainly

applied to calcined gypsum, because gypsum is mined in large quantities at Montmarte, near Paris, France. Calcining is the process of driving off the water of crystallization by heat, the product is a white powder called Plaster of Paris. Plaster is revolutionising the industrial

arts. It is one of the best known fire resisting materials for building purposes, and its. manifold uses are being constantly added to.

The uses of plaster of Paris are m a n y and varied, among them being the following:—

Dentistry: For taking impressions and making casts. The plaster used for this work is finely ground, uniform, and quick setting.

Surgery: For casts around broken limbs. Modelling: For taking casts of original

work where it is desired to make reproduc­tion in either metal or other material.

Moulds: In foundry work it is extensively used for moulds for casting babbit and other metals. It is also being used for making patterns.

Safe construction: Plaster is used to fill between the hollow walls of fireproof iron safes. The reason is that in the event of fire the heat on the exterior of the safe would liberate the plaster, water which would be transformed into steam and thus protect the contents of the safe.

Interior decorations: The largest use for plaster is in the interior decoration of buildings, for the manufacture of fibrous plaster ceilings, wall plates or sheets, cornices, mouldings, centrepieces, etc.

Fine examples of this work are to be seen in the State, Regent and Capital Theatres, and m a n y other buildings in Melbourne.

The process of manufacturing plaster of Paris is an extremely simple one, and consists of three main operations:—

1. Crushing the rock gypsum. 2. Calcining. 3. Grinding or sieving the calcined pro­

duct. There are several methods of manufacture

in use. The kettle process as used here in Australia is described below:—

In .this process the rock gypsum is first crushed to about 2 inch gauge in jaw rock-breakers. It is then reduced to i inch cube by passing through rotary rock crushers. The crushed gypsum then passes to various types of grinders, and is reduced to flour before it is calcined. After grinding, the gypsum passes by means of elevators and end screw

Page 20 T H E O P E N D O O R

ENGINEERING SCHOOL (tontinted)

conveyors to the kettle bins, from which it is fed to the kettles. The calcining kettle consists of a cylindrical shell made of boiler plate. It has a flat or converse bottom, and an opening at one side near the bottom for the rapid discharge of the calcined product. It is set in brickwork, and has the fire grate situated beneath. Inside the kettle there is a vertical shaft carrying horizontal blades close to the bottom of the kettle. The vertical shaft is connected through bevel gearing with the belt drive. These kettles are constructed with capacities varying from 5 to 15 tons of gypsum. In operating, the kettle is first heated un to about 90 deg. C. The stirring gear is set in motion and ground gypsum is run directly into the kettle from bins above. W h e n the kettle is full the temperature is increased. On reaching 110 deg. C , the charge commences to "boil" owing to the water of crystallization being driven off. The boiling continues until a temperature of 132 deg. C. is reached. The boiling then ceases, and the mass settles down. The calcination is completed at a temperature ranging between 177 deg. C. and 199 deg. C. according to the quantity of plaster being made. The charge is then con­sidered cooked, the discharge door opened, and the hot plaster, being very free running, is rapidly discharged into the specially con­structed cooling chamber. W h e n cool, the calcined plaster is elevated to bins, where the plaster is passed to the screens for sieving purposes. The screens are of the shaking type, of a very fine mesh. The plaster passing the screens is bagged, and is ready for market as plaster of Paris.

For a number of years now, the C o m m o n ­wealth's demand for plaster has been met by the product milled and mined in Australia. This goes to show that gypsum is a very strong link in the chain of minerals that are helping to advance Australia.

— J . G. Endersbee. tfi SYMPOSIUM. In One Act - Produced by F. N. Heathen. THE QUADRANGLE, School bell ringing. Teacher (clapping hands): All in lads. No

talking. Dopy, my boy, are you eating? Dopy: No teacher! Just helping a grub

out of an apple. Teacher: Dear. dear. Eee-ah! To my way

of thinking you're rude. Bring it here. Boy brings up the grub. Teacher, sarcastically: And which is the

grub? Oh, well, we'll skim over your Offence this time. Mind your work is in good nick though.

Dopy mutters to himself. "All in now, the tallest first." Skweeky

rushes to the front and Beefy falls back.

INSIDE, all seated. Teacher:. Now for a little mathematics just

to freshen you up. Beefy, what is a straight line? Beefy: A straight line sir? Didn't you tell

us there was no such thing as a straight line sir? Teacher: Yes, yes. Never mind what I told

you. What is it? Beefy: Well, sir, it is such that, if when

produced ever so far both ways it won't meet. Teacher: Won't meet what? Beefy: Both ways, I think sir. Teacher: I don't think. See me at 4 p.m.

Dopy! What is two and a half times two and a half. Dopy: Please sir, we haven't got up to that

yet in the night class. Teacher: Then see me at 4 p.m. (To the

class): Get out your guessing sticks and see what it comes to. In ten minutes thirteen different results are

produced and all wrong. Skweeky: But sir. Can't we do it in our

heads ? Teacher: Yes, stupid! but this is mathe­

matics! —Scotty.

tfi

WARRIGUL GIFT RUNNING, 1932.

(Yallourn Visit)

One Friday in April several of our leading lights journeyed forth to see the running of a most interesting sporting event, to wit, a closely contested foot race between two of our best known and most respected colleagues. Some comment was made on the fact that

the winner's breath smelt of peppermint, this giving rise to a suspicion that stimulants had been administered; but all rumours were swept aside when it was realised that this wrs surely a moment when a "Mintie" was called for. During the day a visit was paid to the

thriving cit̂ of Yallourn, centre of a rich pastoral district. Within a few hours walk of this city is located a miniature coal mine and gasworks. Mention should be made of the Railways

Refreshment Service's remarkable foresight in providing ample stocks of meat pies to fill nearly 30% of requirements. In response to an alarm of fire, prompt use

was made of the fire fighting appliances at Droum Station. This served to cool matters down considerably.

THE OPEN DOOR Page 21

ENGINEERING SCHOOL (continued)

A daring theft was attempted when a certain person was seen to be acting sus­piciously in the vicinity of the spare boilers.

The Commissioners of the Victorian Rail­ways wish to confirm the rumour to the effect that locomotive riding is prohibited.

Showing tne remarkable clemency of the weather is the fact that one party stripped and indulged in a cooling shower bath on the journey up.

For the benefit of those who cannot read, the name of the Tourist Officer is officially given as Mr. Streckfuss.

The whole of the railway services were dis­located by some misguided person who carried out an interesting experiment with the aid of the emergency communication cord.

To demonstrate the remarkable enthusiasm of the party, we quote the incident of some members of the party "doing their very best to clean up one of the compartments."

This, however, had no connection with the mysterious bloodstains seen in an adjoining carriage.

The owner of a certain confiscated period­ical desires the present holder to kindly advise him as to whether the seven poisonings in the first chapter were finally traced to the same criminal as the two shootings. The day closed with the singing of hymns

and other melodies, also the sound of rousing cheers for various people, including our own Willie.

— A n o n . tfi

"SWAT" An Essay by a late "stew"-dent. Students are mostly men with hearts of coke and brains of dope and whiskers in or out, as the face m a y be. But all great scholars are lubricated by swot, even if it is ingroan.

Swot is a me,ans to an end even if the end is near to the beginning.

It is the inspiration without concentration, the cram before the storm.

Sleepless nights and doleful days, filled with expectation of the next equation being nevf-r seen before.

As a knowledge tonic it should be taken slowly or the result is cerebral cramp in the cranium, delirium of the dome and general paralysis of the analysis. W h e n harried, it is the pre-cursor of that deadlock called head block, which produces blank sheets and today's victims of tomorrow's sorrows.

The future looms likei liquid gloom. Awful averages, irate instructors, caustic comments for parents to read, curse, swear and inwardly

foment at. In the family circle the suffering student will be talked to, talked about, cussed and discussed till he knows not whether he is on his head or his heels, and wishes he were flat on his back beneath the clay.

— " T h e Stew-hafd." tfi

LIFE AND DEATH.

Much could be written on a subject like this, but in the following article a brief account is given of the manner in which death-dealing organisms, fatal to man, are cultivated and treated, then made to serve him in the emergency of his illness.

Most people have suffered with a boil at some period in their lives: this painful excrescence is caused by an infection of staphylococcus organisms or microbes, one thirty-thousandth of an inch in diameter. The oiganisms invade the system and produce a boil or carbuncle depending on the virulence of the strain. Some people have died as the result of a protracted infection of this sort, for should the infection became internal, the patient usually contracts septaca?mia and dies.

If one select suitable media for growing these organisms, they can be artificially cultivated away from the human body. The media or food found most suitable for the staphylococcus is plain agar—a seaweed extract from the East. This is so prepared by melting the agar to an amber coloured liquid, filtering and sterilizing, with super­heated steam for about 30 minutes. Just before solidifying at about 50 deg. O, the agor is poured into a flat glass dish with a close-fitting cover and there it cools to a clear jelly-like mass.

To prepare a culture a swab is made of the pus discharge from the infection, and gently streaked across the surface of the agar plate, which is subsequently incubated at 37 deg. (blood heat) for 24 hours, producing indi­vidual colonies from each group of organisms lodged on the media. In 24 hours these prolific growers divide and multiply about 2000 times from each individual cell. Care must be exercised in dealing with the living organisms, particularly cultures of anthrax, tubercle bacilli, and tetanus, as a serious lesion may result from an injection on the hands of the operator.

If these organisms, cultured from the pus, be emulsified in saline to a certain strength, determined by the opacity, and killed by the addition of a small amount of disinfectant, they become practically harmless, unless injected into the blood stream in large quan­tities. However, if small doses be administered to the patient subcutaneously, there results an almost spontaneous clearing up of the original infection, and with repeated doses in larger quantities, a complete cure is effected

Page 22 T H E O P E N D O O R

ENGINEERING SCHOOL (continued)

without the slightest danger, provided always that the organisms have been effectively killed by the disinfectant. The organisms causing boils, like other

organisms, secrete a toxin which is highly poisonous to the body and' to which the human system immediately responds by forming anti-bodies in the blood stream to neutralize the toxin. At the same time the foreign organisms are acted upon by the white blood cells with the result that the site of infection becomes inflamed and swollen. With the injection of killed organisms w e find that anti-bodies are produced by the system and are continually released into the blood stream so that after several injections w e can obtain a highly developed immunity to that particular infection and these anti-bodies remain in the blood stream to combat the next attack of the staphylococcal hordes. Another aspect of the careful manipulation

of dangerous organisms to further the needs of man is the production of anti-sera for administration after diagnosis of a particular disease. A classical example is the case of diphtheria anti-toxic serum, where selected strains of the diphtheria bacillus are grown in a broth medium for a period of two to three weeks, until a toxin is produced in the broth. Then after filtration the filtrate is standardised and administered to horses in predetermined quantities, such that the animals suffer no ill effects, yet at the same time they react to the toxin to produce anti bodies in their blood serum. In this case the anti bodies are produced in some other body and administered to the patient as a medicine. When the horses have received the complete

series of doses, they are bled into sterile flasks where .the serum is separated from the red cells and the latter returned to the animals. This serum is purified and bottled under sterile conditions, a small amount of disin­fectant added to act as preservative, then tested for sterility and stored in a cool dark place pending its use. In this manner very many diseases are now

treated; among those more commonly known a serum can be produced for anthrax, dysentry, pneumonia, tetanus, meningitis, boils, carbuncles, pyrrhoea, etc.

—"Swab."

Have your heard about the orator who lost his voice?

Sore throat? No. Got married!

+

is? Master: Anyone know what a paraphrase

5PQKTING. 2S3Z3SI Z3HJ

Small Boy: A paraphrase, sir, is a circum­locutory cycle of oratorical sonorosity.

SENIOR SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

Suffering a loss of several old hands, but compensated by promising new blood, w e commenced our season by two practice games.

Old players to show up early were Derrick, Ledgerd, Nott, Andell, Daly and Smith, whilst new members of promise were Cunningham, Abercombie, Ford and Mitchell.

A training list has been drawn up and the numbers enrolled suggest keen interest.

Mr. Finch is acting as coach and under his guiding hand we feel sure of success.

List of fixtures, 2nd Term—Melbourne High School; Melbourne Grammar School; Marist Bros., Kilmore, Xavier College, Gordon Institute, Wesley College, University High, Footscray Technical School. tfi

FOOTBALL.

By W. Pickford.

Now that we are having typical football weather, perhaps a yarn about the game would not be out of place.. To me it is the best game of all, and being

an Australian, I naturally think our "Aus­tralian Rules" is the best code of football, notwithstanding the strong claims of Rugger and Soccer to be considered as such.

Probably the outstanding weakness of our game, is that the rules are inclined to over­work the umpire. That very much abused personage requires to be a superman to manage his unenviable position with any degree of success. Whevp our game to m y mind is better than the other codes, is that it gives opportunities to men of all weights, the speed and dash at which the game is played, and the spectacular high marking and long kicking.

There is nothing so exhilariting as a chain of snappy passes round a wing, concluding with a brilliant mark by a full forward, followed by the inevitable goal.

It. makes one realize the attraction our game has for the public when Saturday after Saturday, we see that approximately 10 per cent, of Melbourne's population go to see the six league games. It is no wonder considering this, and with

all the publicity the game receives, that the

THE OPEN DOOR Page 23

SPORTING {continued)

average schoolboy footballer becomes very strongly imbued with the idea of playing League football. However, with football, as in all other sports it is not always the school champion who makes the best player in later years. Repeatedly we see the "dud" of the school team blossom out into a class player. Tne young player should perfect the

essentials of the game first, that is to say— learn to kick both feet practise the stab kick until you get that low skimming 20 to 30 yards pass; when flying for a mark keep your eye on the ball. Try turning both ways with the ball out of

a pack, this of course should become natural when you are able to kick both feet. Watch a League team training, study their

methods and pick out the points which you think should suit your type of game. Play in various positions on the field, until you can be sure which suits you best; and above all, be game. However, all the theory and book lore on

the subject is worthless; the main thing, as with any other game of skill, is practise, and if possible practise with men better than yourself. Well there you are now; go to it and make

a name, not for yourself, but for your College, your club or your State. Just a few words on that very ticklish

subject, professionalism. The whole thing to remember is that the game's the thing. If one is going to play the game for monetary gain alone, then it becomes a business and not a sport, and so loses its attraction. W e get the same thing with so-called amateurs, and there is nothing so odious as a pot hunter. Let the game be played as a manly man's game, and whether you are an amateur or a professional does not worry the real sport. Glancing through some old photographs of

football teams the other day, I found three S.T.C. teams of players under 16 years of age in 1918-19-20. They were three good teams and won the premiership in 1918 and 1920, and were runners up in 1919. The final of 1918 I remember was rather unique. It was played against Footscray T.C. on the old Essendon ground at East Melbourne. Some­how or other we managed to play 19 men until quarter time; the mistake was then discovered and so we had to lose our score up till that time and start again. Fortunately it did not affect the ultimate result, as we ran out rather easy winners. There were some fine players among those three teams, a few of the best being—Bert Hohr, ruck and half back; Theo. Tucker, ruck and forward; Harry Smith, rover; Harold Connon, rover; Neil Young, ruck and forward; D. Whitfield, half back, and finallv Herb. Wallis, the best schoolboy full forward I ever saw. I wonder if you have their equals now,

you'll say, of course, we have; well, if you have, I can guarantee some trouble for the opposing sides, and you should just about win the cup again. So, here's hoping.

HIKING CLUB "Where are the girls of our Art School, Where have the first year gone to?" Thus sang the boys to themselves on the

first hike of the year, which was attended by 5 girls and 12 boys. Nevertheless, the party enjoyed itself immensely. W e set out from Upper Fern Tree Gully at

a smart pace, which soon dwindled to a crawl before we were a quarter of the way to the lookout. With much puffing and blowing we reached

the top of the hill after tarrying a while at a rest house to await the coming of the rear­guard, formed by Miss Watts and Mr. Howells, who finally appeared amid cheers from the onlookers. On the top of said hill is a mighty

structure of steel, which towers many feet into the air, from the top of which one can see a great way in every direction. Entering on lap 2 we again proceeded at

racing speed (the road being downhill). At last we reached Sherbrooke Forest, in the midst of which we stopped for a "spot," but were disappointed, as the barman was on holiday. So we had to be content with sandwiches and billy tea. And so by devious route via Tecoma to Upwey Lookout, which we found to be an insignificant structure of wood. Here, the small boys of the party amused

themselves by hurling boulders at one another amidst cheers and jeers of the girls and men. And so on again to the Gully, which we

reached just as the train arrived. W e all piled into one compartment, and after the girls were more or less seated, there began a general scrum among the boys for the remaining seats. The scrum was still in progress when we were very nearly home. Then someone got out and quietness reigned once more, till we reached our respective destinations after having spent an enjoyable day. —"Slim." OFFICIAL NOTE. Seventeen is a very poor number for a hike

inaugurated by this densely populated college. So hurry you laggards; make it at least as popular as last year. Any suggestions you have for the improve­

ment of the Club or hikes should be made to the members of the committee of the respective years, both Art and Engineering Schools. — A . Harper.

Page 24 THE OPEN D O O R

PLUMBING EXHIBITION, 1932

PLUMBING DEPARTMENT

Exhibition of Students' Work.

A thoroughly representative and instructive exhibition of work executed by students only, of all grades, was held in the workshop of the Plumbing Dept., in the week Feb. 15-19. The exhibition was officially opened by

E. Eltham, Esq., Chief Inspector of Technical Schools. Mr. Eltham, who was introduced to the meeting by the Director, expressed his pleasure at carrying out the function, and declared that such an exhibition was of great value in furthering the aims of technical education. Among those who spoke in sup­port were Mr. Anketell, Secretary, Sanitary Plumbers' Board; Mr. J. F. Carstairs, Presi­dent, Master Plumbers' Association; Mr. F. Foster, Secretary, Plumbers' and Gasfitters' Union, and Mr. C. H. Wright. After the opening, full inspection was made

of the exhibition, the museum, laboratory and lecture room equipment. During the week representatives of bodies

interested in plumbing paid numerous visits and voiced their pleasure in the nature, scope and excellence of the work shown. Altogether the display bore high testimony to the work done in this branch of technology.

ITEMS OF INTEREST TO GIRLS.

Though we knew there was a year of strenuous work ahead of us, we all looked forward with pleasure to February 2nd. If one has never been to a girls' school it would be difficult to picture the thrilling scenes that took place at Swinburne Technical College that morning. How we scanned the faces as the girls entered at the old familiar gate, and the shrieks of welcome which greeted those

THE OPEN DOOR Page 25

GIRLS' JUNIOR SCHOOL (continued)

who were coming back to do the Third Year Course, gave evidence of delight on the part of the juniors who always look to A Section for moral support and guidance. But it was not many minutes before these

girls were plied with Questions by the new students, and realising what their own feelings were on their first day at S.T.C, they rose to the occasion and did their best to make them feel happy. Never before have we had such a large

3rd Year Section, and it is very pleasing to see amongst the girls Lorna Cane and Gwen McBain. both looking well again. Lillian

Tobias, as head prefect, is very popular, meting out justice to all with gentle grace. Our new B3 girls entered with the apparent

intention of doing the school credit, and their efforts have been well maintained. Some­times it is a pity for their sakes that Room I gives opportunity for noisy distraction in the way of exhaust pipes, etc., next door. Two Margarets have almost realised that concen­tration on what they are doing makes them oblivious of the disturbing elements. The increase in the stature of some girls

in Bl and B2 sections this term makes us hope their knowledge has increased at the same rate. There seems to be rivalry between the five Dorothies and four Betties to overpeer each other.

In our C section we are glad to welcome sisters of some former and present students. Amongst them are Gladys Dick, Betty Head, Pearl Hibbs, Lois Hickman, Nancy Johns and Nita Plaisted. The keenness with which C section is

working is particularly interesting. In an extra Craft class, Miss Moreton has

aroused tremendous enthusiasm amongst the girls of various sections, and we may expect something good from them. Those of us who have the misfortune to

be defaulters find a measure of comfort in having a well-kept garden to look upon from the Detention Room. Thanks for this are due to Teresa Nicholls, Betty Lawrence, Merle

Lucas, Dorothy Dean, Minnie Crook, Jessie Hayden, A m y Ashley, and many others who have been good enough to bring suitable plants, and who wage war on weeds and anything that tends to untidiness. W e all miss our former art teacher, Mrs.

Currie, nee Hellwig. When she visited us recently our excitement ran high, and with one accord, forgetting she was married, we exclaimed: "Oh, Miss Hellwig, won't you come back to us ?" W e sincerely congratulate the lucky man who took her from us, and wish them both great happiness. On April 28th we parted with another old

friend; Rev. D. M. Deasey, who has gone to live at Geelong. May he be successful in his new sphere.

GIRLS' JUNIOR SCHOOL, 1932

Page 26 T H E O P E N D O O R

GIRLS' JUNIOR SCHOOL (continued)

REFLECTIONS BY AN "OLD GIRL."

My reminiscences of the early days take me back to March, 1916, when the girls' school was first opened. A number of girls, somewhere about 60, came along on the first day, and we, the pioneers as Miss Blackmore later called us, were greeted by the late Mr. Tranthim Fryer and Miss Blackmore, but as there was no seating accommodation, we were told to go home and return the following Monday, Miss Blackmore advising us to spend the week in patching and mending. Many girls travelled1 to school on the double-decker buses which then ran along Burwood Road, and quite a few came on bicycles. Our first mistresses were Misses Grainger, Anderson, Swinburne, Bennett and Keilor. During the first year a bazaar was held in the needlecraft room, and at the end of each year an exhibition of students' work— oh those tight slips, flannel samplers, tucks and buttonholes. When I look at mine now it seems impossible that I could ever have been responsible for their neatness and small stitches. Drill at the Hawthorn Town Hall was a

great thrill. How we marched along Burwood Road in a "crocodile," green tunics and straw deckers well to the fore. Besides drill, Miss Blackmore taught us club swinging and castinettes. Later we gave several concerts at the Caulfield and Base Hospitals, where drill, clubs and choral items were given; the "Fairy Pipers" was always a favourite. In our 3rd year, Mrs. Swinburne arranged for Dr. Constance Ellis to lecture on "Infant Care"—who remembers the day when she brought a tiny baby to school and bathed it in front of the Senior Form Room fire ? Much of the teaching has come to my aid in the last two years, as I have tended my own baby. One strict rule was "No talking in the

cloak room." I am afraid we all indulged in a word now and then as we changed our shoes for slippers and put on our green overalls. Ending with social hour, Friday was a happy day except for those suffering detention reports and order grades (Olive Graingers, as we called them) were meted out during the week and on Friday the guilty suffered penance. How we loved Miss Swinburne, whose kind heart always forgave our erring ways. The Social Hall recalls many memories—

assembly, heart to heart talks by Miss Blackmore, choral practise, dramatic work with Miss Grainger; but most clearly of all I remember the awe with which we listened to our positions for the coming terminal examination. As I write this the names of many of "the pioneers" come to my mind—

Elsie Morris, Mollie Givens, Stella Wise, Grace Hillman, Emily Simpson, Verona Hannerman, Emily Driscoll, Mabel Horsfall, Janet Lorimer, Doris Garnham, Janet and May Kerry, Dorothy and Phyllis Hall, Phyllis Cannon, Catherine Smith, Ada Wallace, Sylvia Harris, Iris Honybun, Aggie Cant, and many others. Those were happy days and it is to our mistresses that we owe our thanks for the splendid training and guidance we received, which I am sure has proved so valuable to all. tfi

A JUNIOR'S COMPLAINT.

i am asked to write for "The Open Door," A composition—it seems a bore To rack my brains fcr a subject fit, And I fear I cannot accomplish it. If I was B'-ron, Burns or Scott, It would be easy, but of course I'm not. An apt thought born in their teeming minds Would scon be clothed in immortal lines; No need to stav their progress fleet, For faulty grammar rhyme or feet. Like a bubbling spring their verse of gold, Which gushes forth till the tale is told— But it's not like this, as I said before, Wiien a junior writes for "The Open Door."

—Margaret Mills. tfi

JOKE. A man entered a London fruit shop and asked for a peach. It was wrapped up by the attendant and handed to him. "How much is it," he said. "Ninepence," she said. The man handed her a shilling and walked out of the shop. The girl ran after him and handed him his change. "You can keep that," he said, "I trod on a grape."

—N.B. tfi

A VOICE FROM THE DEAD.

A motor car travelling at a high speed came careering down a country lane, and nearing a sharp corner, the driver blew his horn. Rounding the corner they came upon a large cart rolling along in the centre of the road, the driver asleep on its load of hay. It was too late to avoid an accident, so the sleepy farm hand was sent flying on to his head and was knocked out for the time being. The occupants of the car gently lifted the uncon­scious man to the side of the road, and were trying to render first aid when a villager came along. They asked him where help could be got. He told them that if they went on for a couple of miles they would find a doctor's place, but a little over a mile was an undertaker's place. "Well, what shall we do with him?" said one motorist, "Take him

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GIRLS' JUNIOR SCHOOL (continued)

to the undertaker's or go on to the doctor's?" The victim thought it was high time he came to life: "Take me to the doctor's first, you idiots!"

—M.C. tfi

THE SCHOOLROOM BY MOONLIGHT.

Twelve o'clock loomed suddenly; as the last notes died away, the moon peeped into the schoolroom, but started back in consternation as a great yawning noise rent the air. Recovering, it found that the cupboard had opened its doors, while all the papers, bottles and science apparatus jumped put and commenced to play tiggy touchwood. Just as two wooden cubes were about to

have a see-saw on the beam balance, one of the desks cried: "Br-rr-r, I am cold. I wish we had a fire." "How about the bunsen burner"? suggested the beaker, "he's still asleep in there, but—" "Let's wake him up," interrupted the retort stand. "Good idea," answered the florence flask. Together, several articles went into the

cupboard and shook the sleeping burner. "Wake up," they shouted. Sleepily it opened its eyes. "Wad d'ya want"? he growled. "Give us a bit of warmth," said the florence flask. Fully awake now, the bunsen hopped onto the table, while the rubber tubing connected itself with the gas jet and soon a warm flame was being given out. "Why not have a concert"? said a pneumatic trough. The others all agreed to this. The first item was a dance by the crucible

tongs, followed by a song and recitation by a gas jar and test tube respectively. The next turn, acrobatic stunts by two cork cubes, was rudely interrupted by a prolonged cry from a funnel, "O-oo-oh!" then a thud as it fainted and dropped. Here was a real tragedy indeed. A ruler hurried to render first aid, and the funnel quickly recovered. "What happened"? was the unanimous cry.

"Thai;—that horrible old box of weights fell on my toe!" it answered, glaring at the aforementioned article. "Well, never mind; don't quarrel, and let's go on with the concert," said a test tube. Just as they pro­ceeded to take their seats one chime rang out. "Oh dear! there's one o'clock," said the balance. Everything hurried to the cupboard and settled in their places. "Goodnight everyone; that is, good morning," said the retort stand, correcting itself. When the moon looked in again it found the cupboard closed and everything as it was before.

—Fay Overend.

A VISIT TO RUSSIA.

Below are some of the experiences which my mother and a friend had on a trip to Russia. They left Hull, England, on the 5th March, and landed in Hango, Finland, on the 10th March. Visited the late Queen Alex­andra's home at Copenhagen. When they arrived in Finland, a quaint train came alongside the boat. The first step of the train was about 6 ft. from the ground. Then they changed trains and went the rest of the journey in a (beatu) beautiful electric train. Landed in St. Petersburg about 1 a.m. on the 11th March. They were met by relatives and Russian peasants, who drove them home in sledges to Samsonoffka. When they had been there about 6 weeks,

the ice began to thaw and it was 7 ft. deep by the house where they were staying, and in another month the Russian peasants were swimming in the same river and flowers started to bioom along the river side. One night my mother happened to be awakened by beautiful music. As she looked outside it was daylight, and she could see an old man playing a small harp, and a herd of cows following him. She was told that when he left his home about 3 a.m. he played his harp and as he passed the peasant's homes their cows would come out and follow him, and at night he took them home again. Visited Natural Park, where all trees, grow in avenues. They are silver beech trees. In summer wild raspberries and lily of the valley grow on the edge of forests. In winter the trees are bare, but they hang in icicles which look like beautiful silver lace. In the depth of winter there is only 2 hours daylight, but in the Russian homes one would not know it was winter, because there is always a fire burning. Visited St. Isaac's Cathedral and Pe'ter the Great's home, and the boat which he made with a knife and which he travelled to England in. Went to Starriamza, which was then inhabited by Tartars who ate horseflesh. They also went to the Czar's Palace in Pavlovsk. One Sunday morning they went for a walk into a forest which was noted for eagles and wolves. Before they had gone very far a snowstorm arose, and the snow drops came down as big and as round as a tennis ball. Fortunately, a Russian girl passed them and she came back and led them to safety. They came back to England just as war was declared, after spending 2 years in Russia.

—Edna Cross.

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GIRLS' JUNIOR SCHOOL (continued)

NIGHT IN AUSTRALIA'S BUSH.

The pale moon is slowly rising over the tall blue gums and casting flickering shadows over the slumbering bush. A gentle breeze stirs the tree ferns. The silence in the bush is broken by the curlews as they rise like a dark cloud from a nearby swamp. A mopoke's call is answered by his mate. A large fox sits with his head to the stars, and the bush rings with his short sharp bark and is taken up with an answer across the winding creek. A rustle is heard in a nearby gum, and slowly mother bear descends with her baby on her back, and two pairs of bright black eyes look over his mother's soft brown head.

—Bernice Despard.

SOMETHING TO MAKE LINEN SERVIETTE RINGS.

These can be made out of odd "scraps of linen. These need not be white, but can be coloured. Each ring requires a strip of linen ten

inches long and three inches wide. Trace or draw some simple design each end, and after embroidering it, button hole around the edg.es. Before cutting out, make a button hole slot at one end. When complete, starch fairly stiffly and

press on wrong side. Fold the ring around, inserting one end, shaped to suit, through the slot at the other end.

— M . Johnson. tfi

RAFFIA WORK.

Raffia work is a very popular craft, and many attractive and useful articles can be made with it. They can be made without much expense, and all the tools required are a pair of scissors and a raffia needle. Raffia is the skin of the young leaves of the raffia palm, which grows in Madagascar. These young leaves are cut from the tree before they turn green, being pale yellow in colour. The strands can be very easily dyed in a variety of pleasing colours, from a pale grey to the brightest of colours. W h e n the strands are very dry or hard, they should be dipped in water and allowed to soften before using. Dry dyed raffia is best for embroidery, but glycerined raffia m a y be used for flowers or hat decoration.

Some simple articles made with raffia are table mats, serviette rings, teapot stands, etc.

They are made by winding the raffia round the cardboard shape, and then weaving a simple pattern in a contrasting colour. Other interesting forms are raffia embroidery on canvas, weaving bags and slippers on card­board looms and raffia hats and flowers to trim them. Table mats and baskets can be simply made by plaiting the raffia and sewing the plaits together in a spiral coil, either flat or edgeways. This is a good w a y of using up waste raffia in mixed colours.

— M i m i e Crook. tfi

SNOW BALL.

Ingredients:—1 heaped tablespoon of gela­tine, 1 cupful of water, 2 cupsful of sugar, 2 cupsful of cocoanut, 1 cupful of chocolate coating.

Method.—Soak gelatine. Boil sugar and water on slow burner. A d d gelatine. W h e n thick and foaming take off burner and pour into basin. Whip until white and stiff.

Taking one eggcupful at a time, roll first in chocolate and then in cocoanut. Let stand until cold.

— M . Bracken. tfi

SPORT.

W e all look forward to our sport's after­noon and keep a keen eye on the weather. This year great interest is being taken, as we hope to enter the Combined Sports, which will probably be held at Maryborough. W e are to compete in ball games, races, etc. This will be the first time the Girls' School have entered for these sports, and we hope to put the name of "Swinburne" on the map. W e have several promising tennis players

—>K. Kennedy, M. Harris and O. McKenzie. Now that we have the use of five courts we are able to have more practice, and hope to have a keenly contested tournament in the Spring. Basket ball is favoured by most, and the games are enthusiastic if not always skilful. It's a great game for using up one's surplus energy. Each section is choosing its own team so that inter-class matches can be held early next term. Among our best players are—J. Evans, D. Smith and M. White. The A and B sections must look to their goaling if they are to beat C. Under the influence of Miss Dick and new

equipment, Badminton has returned to favour. This game, undoubtedly interesting, requires much skill in the management of the shuttle­cock. Deck tennis, table tennis and quoits still have their energetic followers. —D. Smith, 3rd Year.