SEA CADETS’ ANNUAL CAMP

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30641, 6 January 1965, Page 1

SEA CADETS’ ANNUAL CAMP

Three young sea cadets vigorously peeling potatoes on Ripa Island yesterday made an impassioned appeal to a reporter not to say what they were doing. “If our mothers get to know about this, we’ll never have any peace when we get home,” they said.

Others competently wielding paint-brushes and garden toots would no doubt have wished the same, for fathers, too, could well benefit from the experience their sons are having during . the nine-day training camp on the island. However, only 35 of the 103 boys at the camp are employed on these necessary chores at one time, the remaining 68 being instructed in the skills of knotting and splicing, rigging shear-legs, navigational and chart reading, and, of course, boat work.

The camp is an annual one organised by the Navy League for cadets aged between 13 and 17 from Nelson, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The commanding officer is Lieu-tenant-Commander M. W. Murnane. There are also nine officer and two petty officer instructors on the island. Long, Busy Day

For the boys, the day is long and busy. By 6 a.m., they have to be out of their hammocks and ready for a swim or physical training before breakfast. ~* -

Divisions and colours parade come immediately after breakfast. The boys then receive instruction in their three watches—red, white, and blue—for three hours before lunch. In the afternoon,

they receive further instruction, with organised entertainment, such as films, in the evenings. They settle down for the night at 9.30 p.m. “And there’s not a squawk from them when they go to bed,” said the training officer (Lieutenant M. M. Coleman). “They enjoy the life here, but it’s not a holiday for boys or officers.” Lieutenant Coleman said the idea behind the camp was to give the boys an opportunity to carry out the practical side of the training they received at their various units during the year. Whalers and Skiffs The cadets have at their disposal two 27ft whalers and two 16ft skiffs. There are also smaller craft for the boys to gain experience in. On January 10, the commander of the Canterbury division of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (Commander R. F. Sanderson) will inspect the ship’s company. Parents and friends of the boys will visit the island the same day. The photographs show cadets launching two of their craft, and Able Seaman W. A. Manson and Ordinary Seamen J. R. Beardsley and R. C. Plimmer preparing potatoes for the midday meal.