CADETS ON PARADE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 277, 27 October 1925, Page 8

CADETS ON PARADE

COMPETITIONS AT SHOWGROUNDS. KEEN RIVALRY. A parade of local cadets was held this morning, when four companies under Major J. L. C. Merton, M.C., and other officers paraded. The roadway fronting the Technical School was the assembly point and, headed by the drum and trumpet band, the cadets j marched to the Showgrounds via Broad street, the Square, Rangitikei 1 and Cuba streets. On arrival at their destination the companies were lined up in column of platoons to await the arrival of the commanding officer of the Central Corqmand, Colonel Powlcs, the order of station being: 53 Coy under Captain J: M. Stewart and Lieutenants Niccol and Dooley; 48 Coy under Lieutenant S. E. Gilshnan, M.M., 28 Coy under Lieutenant G. Dempsey, 23 Coy under Captain? Hancox. Captain Stewart and Lieutenant Sugden, two staff officers, were also on parade, the total strength being nine officers and 300 other ranks. At- 10.35 Colonel Powles, C.M.G., D. 5.0., accompanied by LieutenantColonel Whyte, D. 5.0., D.C.M., entered the grounds, the Commandant taking the salute in front of the grandstand. Following a general inspection, a series of company drill movements were carried out in open competition between the four companies, although, in view of the short strength of the 23rd (Technical School) Coy, it did not compete in several of the series. The 53rd Coy was the first to take up its position at the base to the south of the grounds, thence marching in line past the saluting base to the north end, where they took up platoon formation and retired in the same order. The leading company gave a very fair display, its alignment being excellent, but the distancing proved slightly at fault. No 28 Coy, which followed, suffered misfortune, some confusion being apparent, and its performance in consequence suffered. No 48, which was at shorter strength than 53, put up a splendid performance, and was rightly awarded the place of honour. At the termination of the drill various competitions in rifle exercises, squad drill, physical training, relay racing and alarm racing were held, keen competition being evidenced in every section, for the standard throughout was of a very high order. No 53 Coy had the honour of annexing the handsome cup presented by the Officers’ Club for the aggregate points gained in all divisions, while the A. E. Ekstedt trophy for rifle exercises was secured by No 23 Coy, which put up a splendid performance. No 28 Coy gained double honours in that it annexed both the Collinson and Son and G. H. Bennett trophies tor physical training and squad drill, the trophies being handed to members of the winning teams by Colonel Powles, who congratulated the troops on their performances.

The competitions resulted :

The display terminated shortly before 1 p.m., when tlie troops were reassembled and marened back to Duke street, Colonel Powles again taking the salute outside the Showgrounds entrance.

No 53 No 48 No 28 N CO O Inspection .. .... SO 70 75 — Coy. drill ... .... 78 81 55 — Ilitie exercises. 76 05 73 89 Squad drill .... 84 71 J 88* Physical ..... .... 58 51 70 53 Relay race . .... ■ 20 20 00 40 Alarm 35 30 — Totals 455 393* 451* 182