CADETS AND THE EXHIBITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 67, 20 March 1907, Page 7

CADETS AND THE EXHIBITION.

A LOCAL PLAINT. TEACHERS AGAIN GIVE A NEGATIVE DECISION. ' "Dear Sir] — I think it is a bit unfair for" us nob going to the Christchurch Exhibition, as the Kilbrrnie CaHete are preparing to go, and nearly all the other cadets in both, tho North "and South Islands have seen the Exhibition. I do not think it is just that .we should be kept at home, do you?" The abore-quoted letter, sent to the editor of the Post by an eleven-yeaT-old scholar of the Newtown School, marks another agitation in favour of organising on excursion of Wellington school cadets fco the ChrUtchurch Exhibition. An effort was made some months ago to interest tie head teacheTs of the city schools in 'tjie. movement, but tho voice and vote of the/teachers were adverse. They considered the responsibilities were greater than they should undertake. During the succeeding months, however, many cadet* hive beet taken to Christchurch from all parts of the colony, arid the isucceas of the various camps has filled the Wellington boys with disappointinent at not being able to participate in 'the encampments. The presence in Wellington of ihaay boys from other parts of tne colony who were going to or returning .from ttie Exhibition has still further tired them "with the desire to make anotber effort- to get there. On behalf of a number of parents and Uieir boys, Mr. W. H. P. Barber, M.H.R., called a meeting of the,headvnaeters of city and suburban schools to reconsidCT the question. The meeting '<ras field on Monday afternoon, all the school* excepting Thorndcn being represented. A motion was proposed in favour of the movement, but after an hour's discussion the teachers resolved to adv ieTe to their previous decision. Discussing the matter with a Post reiporter, Mr. Barber expressed keen disappointment at the adverse decision of l.he teachers. He had pointed out to them that Wellington city was practically the only district that had not given its cadets a chance to enjoy the camp gife and see the Exhibition. He thought at was a shame that the application for <;he trip had been refused a second time. Mr. W. F* Shortt, of Wellington, durrng a conversation with a member of our iitaff on this subject to-day, spoke cnthuuiastically of a visit he mado to the cadet camp at the Exhibition last Thursday. The Wangadui battalion of boy 3 was in Damp, and he dined with the officers, '»ho expressed delight with the discipline und conduct of the lads. Wonder ,was (.•stressed that Wellington hod not parfiinttftteo in the encampment. The saniftary arrangements were good, no two battalions camping on the same ground. Mr. Shortt had found that some districts had made a collection, and provided their cadets with a t>um of money to enable them to get a Teally good time whilst at- Christchurch. One district provided JBI3O for this purpose, "and," concluded Mr. Shortt, "if such a fund is started here t will be glad to head it with £5."