THE CAMPBELL CHALLENGE VASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 289, 13 December 1897, Page 2

THE CAMPBELL CHALLENGE VASE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l should not have troubled you with another letter at this busy season but for the insinuation in Mr Smallfield's last letter that we cannot take a beating without grumbling. Mr Smallfield certainly did compete last year, and I was astounded when I heard after the match that the Head Master of St. John's College had thought it worth while to come down to shoot against Grammar School boys. We made enquiries before the last match as to whether he had entered his name again ; and we found that he had and that he was " quite within his rights " under conditions that were loosely framed, as evidently not contemplating the liberal interpretation of the word "cadet" which Mr Smallfield assigns to it, and I should have again remained silent and amazed had I not found after the match that Mr Smallfield had associated] with himself four other grown men,, who, ) as he naively puts it, " took an interest in the firing." It then seemed to me that they were " coming it rather too strong" and that it was time to speak out. It would have been a friendly act on the part of Rev. Smallfield, when he found that other masters refrained from taking part in the first match to have inquired of us whether we took a different view of the competition from his; it was not a friendly act to spring upon us the surprise of the second match.

I shall be happy to meet the other! headmasters if Mr Smallfield desires it; j but I cannot see that any good can Come from such a meeting, as we are not Competent to alter the regulations, which are not in the hands of the military authorities. Whatever is done in the future, I can promise one thing that, as long as I am headmaster, no master or student will ever be found in the Grammar School team in a school match of any kind, for this among other reasons, I should deem it a wrong to rob any boy in our school of what they all prize so highly—the honour of representing his school against other schools. If Mr Smallfield must have glory, let us have a masters' match, and leave the boys to fight their own battles.—l am., etc., J. W. Tibbs. Auckland College and Grammar School, December 13th, 1897.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I have read with some interest the correspondence going on in your columns re the Campbell challenge vase, and have been greatly amused at the attempts to explain away tbe win of St. John's College. The competition I believe is between the various cadet corps, and I think the winners were quite justified in putting in the strongest team they could muster. Prince Albeit College team included one adul& {the only .one who was eligible), and I have no doubt tho Grammar School team was the strongest they could raise although it consisted entirely of "boys." If it was not, Mr Tibbs knew that the other teams would include " gentlemen," and as he admits there is nothing in ihe rules to prevent this 1 think he is going a little too far when he accuses the other teams of " unfairness and sharp practice." They did not prevent him trom entering as many gentlemen as he pleased. Of course, as Mr Tibbs says, the question hinges on the definition of the word "cadet." Although the department may not define it still m military circles the word means a " member of a cadet corps." This would not limit the term to boys, as any,one may become a member of a cadet corp provided he is over 13 years of age. Mr Tibbs' contention that the word must be held to mean "boys'" because the original meaning is " youngster " is a mere quibble.

The contention that "boys" cannot be expected to compete with men is not born out by facts. I would draw your attention to the following :— 1. Two of the "gentlemen who assisted the hoys to win" came sth and 9th respectively, being beaten by almost every boy in the competition. 2. The highest score in each of the competing teams Mas made by a boy, as was the highest score in the match.

S. At the same time and place another boy—Murray, of King's College—made the almcst phenomenal score of 02 out. of 75, a score which would hot disgrace any " gentleman," even a champion shot, provided he used the same class of guns. 4. One of the "gentlemen" in the winning team is younger than many of the " boys " of the Grammar School, but because he pursues his studies in a different manner, he cannot be a "cadet."

o. The Grammar School fired in the same match last year when the winning team included one gentleman, but they did not make any protest. 6. Capt. Sloman knew that the other teams would include "gentlemen," and there was no reason why his team should

not do the same, provided the "gentlemen" ■were available. ca 7. No doubt Mr Tibbs would like to the competition confined to " boys " r college contains something like four tii™ as many boys as St. John's College, wE the majority of big boys is perhaps Ireato Still. There is however only one "IpntiT man who would be eligible to fICS the boys;" the captain being, I belW the only master connected with the corn? Hinc lllae lacrimae. ** 8. It is generally considered tobem™ in accordance with ordinary etiquette to take a beating in a manly sphifc t% n £ whine about it in the papers and aeetiM your vanquishers of unfairness and share practice.—-I am etc., ' -Pair Tuy. [This must close the correspondent We think it will be evident to every dS passionate person that only boys shpulj be eligible to compete fot a prize %t w given to pneourage cadets. The regak. tions should make this clear to prevent further misunderstanding. ---Ed, E* S. ]