SOLDIERS IN EMBRYO.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17984, 30 January 1924, Page 10

SOLDIERS IN EMBRYO.

CAMP LIFE AT BURNHAM. WORK AND PLAY. (SPECIALLY WRITTEN FOB "THE PRESS.") There was a time when "Burnliam" had a sinister sound in the ears of youth, but to-day the scene is transformed. From the four corners of Pounamu and Muriliiku are assembled volunteers from the elite of young New Zealand to practise themselves individually and collectively in the arts of defence. It is a scene to delight the heart of educationist and civic father. A sign might well bo hung out, "New limbs for old! Men mndc here! This way for the synthetic manufacture of citizens!"

The setting is one of scenic charm. Noble lines of eucalypts stand far out on all sides, tempering the force of tho gale,' but blocking no friendly breeze. Thick pine groves traverse the scene, and give cool shade above their clean and fragrant brown carpet. And some of the choicest shrubberies in Now Zealand flank the northern avenue leading to tho central buildings. Neat cottage's are dotted round among orchards, tennis courts, and pastures, while nestling amid the greenery stands the picturesque little chapel, in all the quiet dignity of its sixty-four years and its message of peace. Different are tho two-storied central buildings, which wear their dingy age with a somewhat ill-grace, as if ashamed of a disreputable past, and ha!f-fur-tively conceal traces of an occasional barred window or spy-liole. The worn flagstones of the corridors echo sombrely to the tread, and long-ago ghosts of rebellion and unliappiness seem to sigh along tho fusty draughts of air. Happily the new regime is determined to attack the haunts of all ghosts and wrack of the past; and fragrant,- unsophisticated timbering and cheerful wholesome paint will soon bestow a new complexion and more genial spirit on the ancient framework. But the frame vanishes when wo look at the picture—the moving picture of wholesome life and springing manhood. Out past the cool, enclosed swimming baths, and the lofty gymnasium hall, beyond the broad grove of shady pines lie the white pyramids of Burnham—some sixty snowy bell-tents with tentwalls rolled up at an early hour in the morning, and guy-ropes symmetrically radiating to their circles of pegs. Symmetry, too, and military precision are revealed within the wide-open 'tent flaps, where wooden bedsteads, mattresses, blankets, white pillow-slips, towels, and valises are set out in the orderly array of a, spruce shop-window. Out again beyond the'streets and lanes of tent-town, on the ■ level plain, one comes to the human, heart of the picture—two hundred young New Zealanders. ~ Hatbands of kaleidoscopic hues are the heraldic', devices proclaiming home districts from Nelson to Invereargill, from Greymouth- to Brighton. But amidst rainbow- variegations and miscellaneous physique - one uniform quality of alert cheerfulness stamps the chevroned little army. They are on the daily ceremonial parade' as a company. A N e w Zealand flag carried aloft distinguishes the champion platooik. .' Nelson and West Coast this time ha:vc had to yield pride- of place to Canterbury, after a comprehensive and careful series of tests. In all the movements smartness and steadiness betray a general sense of corporate pride and dignity. The individual subordinates himself to the group, and the group is animated with intelligence and directive force. Aim of Instruction. Another, scene succeeds presently when the full parade of the company 'dissolves into atoms and reforms, after a rest, into comfortable . shirt-sleeved classes going to school in small groups in the shade. The curriculum includes three courses—physical, development exercises, exercises in military mobility and precision, and training,in the scien. tiflc use of the firearm. The instruction aimß at' producing specialists in each branch, and' the whole time is de j . voted by the groups ■to their choson specialty. 1 The professional instructors of the Defence Force conduct their classes through a graded syllabus in such manner as to cause each pupil' to become himself an -instructor and model in his subject. Here under tho pines a group aro estimating the distances of various features of the landscape, according to given methods of measurement by the eye alone. Their estimates are checked by information based on previous measurements made by the instructors.. Not far-away N.C.O.'s take turns in directing the fire of their comrades on to a picture target representing Bamillies in 1706, and afterwards examine the results by a scrutiny of the perforated cardboard. In tho shade —without Amaryllis—a dozen stout fellows in singlets are building up muscle and sinew by a balanced series of free gymnastics. Yonder p. Boys' High School sergeant is manoeuvring a group of his fellows through a variety of formations and in various directions. The panorama is full of-life and purpose. And when tho prescribed work is done, it's hey for the cool waters of the baths and refreshment for brain and body. Healthy Development. Two dining-rooms make a brave show of white linen and clean cutlery and crockery, and a braver show of valiant trenchermen feasting full on tho generous camp fare. To ' one boy writing home and -detailing the menu, his mother replied very decidedly, inform-

,n S h«n that b«wi/l equal diet o fi &***! wouldn't pet if, jAI of-door esoiciiiij eighty development. vSN hour comes ia tfoXjM competition swimming, tennis L S ? houou? n Jf a f^^l flag. Andlsattbwi? should have ao sorioa of starts jffi SO that the •prist <lf*j worthy by the plaoinssHM and making enci o^^jj 2 hls si ; lc . 4te Jl fluenees for gocd clmraotor „ Individual prizes iww I tic icfit tent, tin S tho most efficient cent, of ' tire 4™v* directed to tS*ffi*! which tho compctfta over mto business We, thia spirit via £* tive force in,the t Pia 2 Proverbial that the course i»-lj|si3 of and and evoningß (Joftcral ® or w&b.3 x.M.C.A. room nasium wlwr* th& B«h tionery and W ajsrija^ spontaneously asi-l pakj munity singing, («■ 3(} spare .evenings. sss» Tlica. th 6 resomsn j~i extend to n ciwttf .jijjl medley of liutorb fcj industrial e;,J and fafce. Entertainment CoiMninj' all the undonbt;* trionie talent of fe i-'iij final concert, Trhici mim efforts. In gioit t?e* "on" for during every jb{ ' A WhalwahM But the not satisfied witb j;#® pliyaiosl,' athletic, mands of Lis yo flueneo nod oiatopa lit wholesome' nod' uy!t| Those "fcarf at caui riti .1 brutal 'soltiiity or even to tolwitijiti which itfnorari; llit rMjS claita their such a camp S3 in *hu lines ;e f!«sf t4ji fun ;>ro free ftva'.<ftis lures. Each gramme of Mbpnwirq 'singing .ilMio tfWHi fr with w'lich the If** vibion for their vlfift 4 lain, of wbakivcj &&&£ able, rondocts rfst 9<W opportunity to youth, - . :jj And wl.at of P>) I&5 "What 'are toy likfc, think of the connft iijj ask the boy?, and ?»•? admiration

ago boy; expreasw a?!™ 1 ® ians and nionM'i tf>'KJj "amiss. ABdiLiolMW of theseT I flno assembly rf has been gathered'li® specimens' iw® schools, iacfnding junior Bclio](ir^®S®s| joicing plifying -btß& ■ while of tiio'fwMjH descendants of pert business tvorfil been publfrtyM*®them leave to si' l ®;*; Here aud ttc« , but of fevr «W**JL| uirintendetl cases of rojocted; by w the whole 1 *WRJJ and oliara-ifr u opportunity ft* themselves wits J* j as a matter of tlic camp the quality ° f J? lS semblago, snd wF .j training wMc» ~J=jr y volvcs. Kay '• tlic medium