Success Continued.
1912 -1916.


The year 1912 was marked by the splendid results the College obtained in public examinations. In the Cambridge Locals twenty-five were presented in the junior, and twenty-one passed. R. R. Crossette-Thambiah obtaining second class honours with distinctions in History and English. Twenty were presented in the Senior and fifteen passed, L. R. Danforth obtaining second class honours. And A.M. K. Cumaraswamy first class honours with distinction in Mathematics. Mr. A. G. Fraser, the Principal of Trinity College, Kandy, commenting on these results, wrote to Mr. Thompson thus : ,Allow me to congratulate you on your splendid results. You have, 1 believe, secured by far the best percentage and one of the largest aggregates in the Island."

The Staff of the College at this period had amongst its members two outstanding mathematicians-Mr. J. W. N. Hensman, B.
A., who had joined the School in 1910 from St. Thomas College, and Mr. F. H. V. Gulasekaram, B. A., who came in 1914. Distinctions in Mathematics in the Cambridge Senior were gained by A. M. K. Cumaraswamy in 191 1, by M. M. Kulasegaram and T. S. Thurairajah in 1913, by J. C. Handy and A. K. Kandiah in 1914, and by N. Sadasivam in 1915.

Another branch English School was opened, at Kaithady, about five miles from Chundiculi ; it is now a Primary English School. The Handy Library, which Dr. J. M. Handy had undertaken to erect at his Own cost, was completed in 1913 and furnished with pictures, furniture, and five hundred volumes of books presented to the College by Dr. Handy. A large number of books from the Library of the Head. master were also presented to the College Library. St. John's was now equipped with a fully furnished library, a long-felt want in the College and a great boon to the senior boys and masters. The Reading-room was also now transferred to the Library, where there were daily papers and weekly and monthly illustrated periodicals.

The greatest achievement in 1914 was the Robert Williams Hall, which was completed in July. The idea of a memorial to the late Mr. Robert Williams, Headmaster of the College from 1853-1866, was initiated by a devoted student of his, then resident in Kuala Lumpur, who wielded great influence in the F. M. S. and held a position of great responsibility. He proposed the erection of a class-room to his memory, but the Vice Principal, who was then working in 'connection with the Extension Scheme of the College in the Straits and F. M. S., suggested that the memorial for a person of Mr. Williams, influence and character should take the form of a large hall, and so proposed to raise a sum of at least Rs. 10,000 and solicited the support and sympathy of all friends and Old Boys of the late, Mr. Robert Williams. Thanks to the liberality of our friends in the Malay Peninsula, the Memorial Hall was completed and formally opened on 13th July, 1914, by the Lord ]Bishop of Colombo. The Robert Williams Memorial Hall is the largest College Hall in Jaffna. With a large platform and four spacious classrooms at each corner it affords seating accommodation for about 800.

In 1914 an addition was made to the Staff in the person of Mr. J. N. Vethavanam,
M. A,, B. L., a great enthusiast for Literature. The Literary Association was greatly benefited by the arrival of Mr. J. N. Vethavanam. He was one deeply interested in the work and gave a new impetus to the Association. In September 1914 for the first time the Association celebrated its anniversary, and the Secretary for the year submitted the following report of the work done by the Association: "The main object with which this Union was started was to increase in the students the desire for literary pursuits. to make them capable of speaking. from a public platform, and thus to enable them in their after-life to take a prominent part in their country's welfare. The Union is divided into three departments the Seniors, the Intermediates and the Juniors. The meetings, are conducted every Friday at 3-30 p. m. The Principal is the ex-officio ]Patron, and the Vice-Principal the Vice Patron of the Union. Mr. A. M. Nathaniel, B. A., was the President for the year, and Messrs. W. A. Walton,,B. A., and J. N. Vethavanam, M. A., B. L. were the Vice-'Presidents. C. Yogaratnam was elected Hon. Secretary for the year, but unfortunately he had to resign, being attracted by better prospects held out to him in the Metropolis; he was succeeded by J. C. Handy. The other officers, -namely, the Treasurer and the Editors of the English and Tamil papers, are elected every term A. F. Williams was the .Treasurer for the first two terms, and was then succeeded by J. T. Thambapillai. "The Eagle", the organ of our Literary Union, is a unique feature in the work of the Union and is edited alternately in English and Tamil. J. C. Handy and , M . Nagalingam were the Editors of the English and Tami1 papers respectively for the first term, G. R. Hensman and M. Nagalingam for the second term, and A. R. Ariacutty and K. Somasundaram for the third term. Each form sends in a Sub-Editor both for the English as well as for the Tamil papers, and they are of immense help to the Editors. The usual items carried out in a meeting in the Senior department, which consists of Forms VI., V., IV. and Standard VIII., are the reading of 'The Eagle', and either a debate on any subject of great interest, or essays and recitations, or extempore speeches. The debates were carried on with a great deal of lively interest, and some of the important subjects discussed during the year were 'The platform is more influential than the Press in shaping public opinion', 'Shakespeare did not write the Plays which now bear his name,' 'The liberty of the Press should be abolished', 'The Imperial Government is justified In interfering with the African Government regarding the treatment of the Indians in South Africa', Classical education is better than Scientific education', 'The Franchise should be extended to women,' and 'England is justified in taking part in the present European war.' The Intermediate department, which consists of Form Ill., and Il., and Standards 7and 6,was also conducted on very nearly the same lines as the Senior department. The Mother Eagle' presented an Eaglet' to the Intermediate department, and this paper was conducted only in the English language. Some very interesting subjects which were discussed in this department were :-'The life of a boarder is preferable to that of an outsider', 'The pen is mightier than the sword', 'The work of a farmer is preferable to that of a government Servant,' 'Higher Education should be imparted to women , 'The study of the Tamil language is more useful than that Of Latin,' and A pure vegetarian diet is preferable to a mixed diet.' In the junior department, which consists of Form 1, and Standards 5 and downwards, the chief items were recitations and songs. They even held debates on such subjects as :- 'The cow is more useful than the bull", The coconut palm is more useful than the palmyra palm,' Travelling by train is better than by steamer,' and 'Eastern dress is preferable to Western dress.' Elocution, Reading, and Recitation Prizes were offered for the Senior department, and Recitation Prizes for the Intermediate and Junior departments.

The year 1914 was another year in which the College distinguished itself in its various activities. The results of the public examinations were again the best in Jaffna. In the sphere of sports too the College kept up a good record, with A. S. Abraham as cricket captain, and J.T. Roberts as Football captain. The Prefects had formed a guild called the ,St. John's College Prefects' Guild'. The purpose of this Guild was to develop the feeling of fellowship among the Prefects and to discuss general principles of discipline.

The biggest thing the College did in 1915 was the formation of the College Social Service Union. Early in 1914 a handful of Young men proposed an organisation to help their less fortunate brethren. During the initial stages the members could not appreciate the exact nature of the work they had to do. Each one endeavoured to accomplish as much as he could, but soon they found the necessity of an organisation to extend their sphere of influence and usefulness. A committee of the most ardent social workers met and decided to call upon Messrs. Nevins Selvadurai and J. N. Vethavanam to explain to them the kind of work they were expected to perform before they enlisted themselves as members of the Union. in accordance with this decision Messrs. Selvadurai and Vethavanam made the boys understand clearly what social work meant and the lines on which the members should proceed to carry out' the plain they had in view. At the close of the meeting about fifty boys enlisted themselves as members of the Union, paying monthly subscriptions of 25 and 10 cents each. The work of the Union was divided among the members, and two bands of workers were formed, the Relief Band and the Educational Band. The work of the Relief Band was to relieve those in distress physically, mentally and spiritually, and that of the Educational Band was to educate and elevate the uneducated masses. This band also undertook to teach boys drill and games, and thus engaged them in something conducive to bodily health.

The Badcn-Powell Scout Movement. which had gained great popularity in many parts of the Island, was yet new to the North, when in 1916 St. John's College first introduced the Movement into Jaffna. At the invitation of the Principal, Mr. J. V. Mendis, Scout-master, Richmond College, came . over to the College with a few of his scouts to enlighten the students of the North on the educational value of scouting in schools. During his short stay the College organised the first troop in Jaffna. with the following Court of Honour:-

Scout-master:-Mr. A. S. Williams.
Asst. S. M's :-Mr. S. L. Jansen.
Mr. R. R. Crossette-Tambiah
Eagle Patrol-Leader :-Samuel Sabapathy.
Cat Patrol-Leader :-R. A. Alagaratnam. Cock Patrol-Leader :-C. Devadurai.

The training given to the boys of the Troop had different sides, for example, character training in manliness and service, training in the laws of health or training and care of the body and training in handicrafts.

On September 14th a Scout Display was held at St. John's. The Government Agent was present, and there were also representatives from the other Schools. At the end of the Display the three patrol leaders of the College were enrolled as scouts and the Tenderfoot Badge was pinned on them by the G. A. On November lst the Chief Scout Commissioner for Ceylon inspected the Troop and was highly pleased with the progress the Troop had made. On November 10th the College scouts went into camp at Point Pedro, walking a good portion of the distance to the place. This was their first experience of camping out and they had an enjoyable and useful time.

In the Great European War, which broke out in August 1914, St. John's was not without its representatives. Five Old Boys of the College, Horace and Denton Thompson (sons of the Principal), Richard Aiyadurai, J. C. Eliathamby and Rex Leembruggen, enlisted in the service of the empire. Horace Thompson enlisted when the War broke out and was given his Commission in 1916. That year, "on the night of December 23rd in a raid on the enemies' trenches, Lieut Thompson was in command of the second wave of the attack. He led his men with great coolness and gallantry in the face of heavy fire, and carried out his orders successfully, by his fine example keeping his men well in band. His platoon suffered fifteen casualties and he himself was slightly wounded. At one o'clock in the morning of Dec. 24th he took out a party of stretcher-bearers and a small patrol into the enemy's lines and brought in one dead man and a man who had stayed with him. At the same time he examined the enemy's works thoroughly and obtained valuable information. His patrol was fired on by the enemy when returning. He showed great coolness. gallantry and devotion to duty. He has been, therefore, awarded the Military Cross." In 1918 Lieut. Horace Thompson was reported missing believed to be killed.' Richard Aiyadurai of the Royal Fusiliers killed in action in November, 1917. J. C. Eliathamby offered his service for Y. M. C. A. work in France in 1910' and was accepted. He did great service there for a year as Warden and General Secretary of one of the Y. M. C. A. Hostels, and returned to his station in Nagpur, where he died in January, 1920, of tuberculosis contracted while in France.