TEACHERS AS CADET INSTRUCTORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13602, 22 November 1907, Page 5

TEACHERS AS CADET INSTRUCTORS.

AN INTERESTING QUESTION. [by telegraph.—rnKss ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Thursday. The matter of the resignation by Mr. Erskine, Assistant master at iho Terrace school, of his position as captain of the Terrace School Cadets, was" again consider: ed by tho Education Board to-day. Mr. Erskine's letter of resignation came up at last month's meeting; when, it was decided to write asking liim to continue as captain. In reply, Mr. Erskine- states that there is no regulation requiring the first assistant to undertake the duties of officer commanding the school cadets.

Captain McDonald said he thought the Board was not called upon to make any recommendation on the matter. Cadet drill in schools was a compulsory subject, and the Board would bo stultifying itself were it to accept the resignation by any of its teachers of one of the subjects in the school curriculum. He advised the Board to " sit tight;" in any case the Board could not accept the resignation, but could only offer a recommendation. The resignation must be dealt with by the Cadet Office. He moved, ''That the Board forward Captain Erskine's letter of resignation to the Cadet Office, and state that it could not recommend it, the reasons given being deemed insufficient."

Mr. Hogg thought the opinions of teachers should be obtained on the subject. He moved as an amendment, " That the question of allowing first assistants to refuse the command of cadet companies be referred to the Teachers' Institute for an expression of opinion."

Mr. Vile seconded tin's.

Captain McDonald took strong exception t> the proposal. They would be asking the teachers to show the Board how to do their own work, he said.

The amendment was defeated, and Captain McDonald's motion was carried.