PRIVATE THOMAS ATKINS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1149, 9 June 1911, Page 4

PRIVATE THOMAS ATKINS.

AND HIS NEW ZEALAND COUSIN.

An interesting report on Ihe School of Instruction which was held at Taulierenikau early in the year by Colonel E. S. Heard (Imperial General Stall), who in his official capacity as Director of military Training nnil Stall' Duties 011 tho New Zealand General Staff was Commandant of the camp, has just been printed, Tho report traverses the work done at the School of Instruction by tho officers and non-commisioned officers undergoing probationary courses, and deala with the scheme of instruction, drill, progressive training, field engineering, musketry, signalling, physical training, sanitation, and so 011. Most of thews points have already been summarised in reports which wero published in Tun Dominion when the School of Instruction broko up 011 March 17 last. By way of conclusion, however, Colonel Heard makes this significant comment:—

"In conclusion," lio says, "it was noticod that though (lie native-born of this country pick up field .training and manoeuvre very quickly indeed—a fact that is no doubt due to their outdoor life a,ad habits of independence—drill and discipline does not come so easily to them. It is obvious, therefore, (Hat a great deal of attention must lie paid to ilio latter. At this school of instruction, as soon as they had been taught to drill, to skirmish, and to do as thov were told, the rest came easily. In England, on tho other hand, the soldier picks up drill and discipline quickly, but is slower in learning the principles of modern field training."