TELEGRAMS MANAWATU CADETS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1914, Page 3

TELEGRAMS MANAWATU CADETS

INSPECTED BY GENERAL HAMILTON. (II TELEGRAPH— SPFCUL TO THE POST.) PALMEESTON N., This Day. The companies of the Cadets in No. 6 area group arrived yesterday to take part in the inspection by General Sir lan Hamilton. At' 1 p.m. the various companies, numbering in all 1036, were assembled in tho showgrounds, and proceeded to Filzherbert, headed by the Weraroa Brass Band. The weather was bitterly cold. On ■arrival at Fitzherbert, the troops were formed Out in tho order of attack and defence, in readiness for the General's arrival. The General first inspected the veterans, shaking hands and conversing for a short time with each. At the termination of the inspection he thanked them for their attendance. The General and his staff then accompanied the attacking party throughout, and took a keen interest in the movement. When cease fire sounded the boys were marched back to near tho starting ground, and lined up in square formation in front of the public who had concentrated to the spot. _ Here the General made an inspection of the Cadets, and afterwards presented in all 21 cups, being trophies competed for during the annual musketry course by tho several companies. At the conclusion of the presentation General' Hamilton addressed the Cadets. He pointed out that he had had some experience of war, and there were one or two things which lie had noticed during the attack which he would not do. He did not agree with the way in which the attack was carried out. The field was divided into deep gullies, about 200 yds apart, and the main object should have been to get into touch with the enemy as soon as possible, taking every advantage of the shelter those gullies afforded to get into position without loss much more quickly. He criticised the advance of the companies between the various gullies. He also noticed that the Scouts held out to the last moment, which meant in actual war they would all have been shot. However, he considered the boys carried out their duties very well, and with regard to the inspection he was pleased with what he had seen. New Zealand was trying to impress upon the boys their direct responsibility for the safety of the State, and he admired what he had seen of their movements. Cheers were then given for the General, the march past followed, and the Cadets then returned to catch special trains. (PRESS ASSOCIATION.)