ORGANISING THE CADET FORCE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11277, 19 May 1902, Page 2

ORGANISING THE CADET FORCE.

NEW REGULATIONS,

The. project of making a complete organisation of the school cadet force in the eclonv, -which was mooted at the time of the jfeoval visit, is at last- being brought into effect. The mobilisation of "over 2000 lads from all parts of the country in Chrietchurch at that time, -was recognised then as an experiment in mobilisation, as ireil as an attempt to giro tb* boys some further inklinz than they could obtain at home, of military methods and discipline. The cadet -brigade formed on* of xh*> most notithle features c£ "the great review.." and tbe lads -were then remarked upon as constituting a most Taluaible nucleus for the New Zealand defence force of the future. The Act erf 1877 nJreadv- provides for military drill being carried on in the public nchoole of the colony, and the amendment Act, of 1900, allows the"Governor to maJce regipations from time to time for the formation, equipment, and training of cadet corps, to be placed under the control of tbe Education Boards or ihe Education Department In accordance with the latter Act, the latest "Gazette" gives notice of some importast regulations. These provide that the Governor may, from, time to time, appoint an officer to command the cadet corps of the colony, who "will 'be required to report periodically on their efficiency to the Minister. "Education Boards shall set apart certain hours for military drill, not exceeding one hour in each week. In every school in which there are twenty or mere boys of twelve years of age or upwards, the in<?tructioTi in the mililtary dsrill required by the Education Act, 1877, shall include physical drill, the manual and firing exercises, and such parts of company drill as it is possible to carry out. The Minister may recognise a cadet company in any ■ school with a minimum establishment as follows:— Two lieutenants (or one captain and one lieutenant), one colour-sergeant, two sergeante, two corporate, on* bugler, forty p-iyates (of -whom three may be lancecorporaJs); total, 48 of ail ranks." The regulations further provide that in schools which are large enough, two companies may be formed". If there are Jess than 48 of all ranks, but not less than 24, a detachment may 'be formed, under charge of a lieutenant. "Two or three detachments from neighbouring schools may be formed into a.company,, a limit being *et to tha | total number of officers. The appointment of officers will be br the Minister, on the headmaster's jecommendation, and subject to the Board's approval. Nan-Commis-sioned officers will be appointed by examination, and at least one officer in each company, or detachment, must be a master of the school. Where the formation can be carried out; satisfactorily, battalions of not less than four companies, nor more than six, may ba formed. Battalion officers shall be appointed by the Minister, on the recommendation of the inspecting officer, endorsed by the Board. Brass and military bands maij be established. With regard to membership, the majority of a company at any time must be actually on the roll of rhe school. The cadet who leaves school, however, may continue to feslong to his corps until he is cixtaen. Where there are not sufficient lade at a school to form a corps, the required strength may be obtained by the addition of former pupils of the school, even when these have not been previously cadet*. Their'age, however, must on no account exceed nixteen. Boys under twelve years sof age are not eligible in aay case, unless they stand 4ft 7in in their stocking*, and are physically fit. All members must bare parental consent to enrol. Cbpitition to the,amount of 2s 6d will be paid by the Government in respect of ererr cadfi who "puts in" a certain number of paradse. The Education Department will supply Boards with cne model rifle and iraietbelt for each cadet, one miniature rifle for each ten cadets, but not more than ten for any public school, one officer's eword for «rery 24 cadets, but not more than five to any school, rank-badges for non-commicsioned officers, one bugle for each company, or detachment, and 25 ball cartridges per cadet per annum. Extra ammunition trill be supplied at cost price. The following clauses wiH probably be TOueuring to parents: —"Neither miniature nor model rides may be taken from the precincts of the schools, except for an authorised parade or manoeuvre. . . The number of ball cartridges issued at any one time to 1 cadet shall on no account bfe more than the number to be actually expended at a particular range, and the officer in charge shall see that every cartridge is accounted for. Major Loveday, of WelHngtoa, who was in charge of the Cadet Brigade at the time of the Royal visit, is at'present in Christchtireb. "On the conclusion of -the Coronation celebrations, in concection with which be is at present engaged, he ie under instructions to visit the different centre* of the colony, to assist in commencing the organisation scheme ret forth in these regulations. In conversation with a representative of "The Press" on Friday, he stated that it whs expected to get together a body cf 5000 cadets from 4fee whole colony. From the material which was brought to this city in June last, we should certainly a body of men in the future who "shall not be ashamed when they speak iwith their enemies in the gate."