TRAINING THE YOUNG CADETS IN CAMP.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 46, 24 February 1908, Page 7

TRAINING THE YOUNG CADETS IN CAMP.

PRESENTATION OF THE KEBBELL SHIELD. Saturday was an important day for Major Burlinson, his officers, and cadets in camp on the Itutt Park, the occasion being the presentation of the Kebbell Shield and the Colonial Ammunition Company's Cup to the winners. The Hon. J. M'Gowan, who made the presentation, was accompanied by Mr. Field, M.P., and Mr. F. K. De Castro (representing the Education Department). The party were received by Major Burlinson, and shown around the camp. The Minister had been asked to decide which was the neatest and cleanest tent, a!nd after a good deal of care he awafded the prize- to a tent in the Petone lines, which was certainly a picture of tidiness. The presentation took place in front of the grandstand, where- the visitors were joined by Mr Stewart, secretary, and Messrs. Bakewell and Tennant, inspectors oi the Education Board. The" Battalion; brass arid pipe band each rendered selection?. The Petone District High School cadets, physical drtfi squad — winners bf the competition at Palmerston.North—tfent through their exercises, without a hitch, and a capital exhibition of manual and firing exercises was given by %M .cadets of the Wersfrba Training School. Major Burlinson apo logissd for the absence of Captain Kebbell, and then welcomed tho Ministerial party. The Minister delivered an appropriate speech, which was attentively listened to by the boys and visitors present. He referredjto the great benefit the Dominion was deriving through the cadet system, and congratulated the battalion on its work, and the Petone and Levin Corps on winning tho prizes. In the absence of Captain. Lynskey, through a family bereavement, Captain Bedingfield £ook charge of the winning squad, which advanced to receive ihe shield. Each member, of tho team was presented with a modal given by Captain. Lynskey. .Tho Minister then handed to Private Waltham, of Levin Company (under Captain J. Burns), the Colonial Ammunition Company's Cup, for being the bes£ ahot in the Wellington, Wahganui, and Taranaki Education Districts. ,The Minister and officers, and Mr. Hoyne, Petone School headmaster, wert each greeted .with three hearty cheers by the boys, led off by Major BurlinSori. Latest reports from the camp indicate that all the bc-ys are- enjoying themselves, Major Burlinson and his officer's, having spared no pains in looking after the" comfort of the young soldiers. CHURCH PARADEThe- main street of Petone presented a very knimated app l e"ara*nce yesterday afternoon on the occasion of ft church parade of the cadets. Headed by the Battalion's brass and pipe bands', the boys left ihe grounds dt Ij).is a.m., arriving at Britannia-street at 10 minutes to eleven. Here the lads broke off. and marched to their respective churches. The services at the various churches were interesting. T,he Rev. A. Thomson at St. David's (Presbyterian) gave, an address specially stilted to the cadets. At the Anglican Church the Rev. J. D. Russell spoke to the young people, taking the word "Cadet"' as his texi. The Roy. ]?athep Maple? preached at the Church of the Sacred Heart. SECOND VISIT BY COLONEL ROBIN. Colonel Robin, C.8., has shown his interest in the camp by paying the battalion a second visit. .He was received by Major Burlinson, and after inspecting tie- battalion he decribed in manner that every boy could understand the object of the drill and its advantages. He then outlined a scheme of attack, which was duly carried out. After the final charge the boys sat down, while the Colonel spoke and explained the reason for work that had been done, and emphasised how important it was that it should be thoroughly understood. Ho also gave a number of valuable hints on scouting, and the boys who were thoroughly interested in the "talk" appeared quite sorry when the end came. The lads, who had keenly appreciated Col. Robins visit and instruction, gave him thl'efc rousing cheers, and expressed tho hope that he would be able to find time to visit them again. Colonel Robin expressed himself pleased with tho conduct and bearing of tho battalion and with the way in which the work was carried out. Ho found the health of the boy 3to begood, and that a happy, cheerful spirit pervades the camp. TROUBLE IN AUCKLAND. [B? TfitEGfeATH. — fepEOlAt TO' TiJH POST.] AUCKLAND, This Day. In regard to tho Strong Opposition to the school cadets camp which is' being voiced by the teachers and both daily papers, the Star says : ; — "We have been informed in one instance the teachers of a school have decided as a body not to countenance tlie proposals ; but, j yet in face of this, the boys have been told that should they care, to go into camp without their teachers^ provision will be made for their assimilation Into other corp3. If this is a fact, surely such action is highly reprehensible, :"s subversive of the discipline of the school in question. To encourage the boys in the ranks to practically set at defiance the wishes oi those who fire their superior officers, as well a3 then teachers, is to strike at the very 'oo': of the military system altogether, apart from the- undermining influence .such i course must inevitably exorcise on school discipline. We can only trust t hat there- is some reasonable exp'avtai'on of thb phase bf the question. it it to true that such ran attempt has been made to subvert the authority of the teachers, the headmaster of the 'school would be fully justified in disobeying the (iadet corps. , Tho regulations require- that drill shall be given in school, but it must be clearly understood that teachers are appointed to educate the children of the Dominion, and that they aro no more under the authority and dictation of the Defence Department than any other citizens. Ths Educational Institute will bo extremely disregardful of the permanent interests of the teaching profession if it does not at once decisively make the position absolutely deai' in this respect. Comftulsoiy military service is not yet ihe a v of New Zealand, and any attempt lo enforce it by ills^al regulations emanating fiom theßoaid of Education should evoke the united resistance of the teachers. "