CADETS FOR BISLEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13649, 17 January 1908, Page 7

CADETS FOR BISLEY.

' AN IMPORTANT PROPOSAL. News was cabled recently regardingan annual shooting competition hot ween English and colonial cadets, and an offer to entertain schoolboy marksmen if they are sent Home. At present the cadets of New Zealand, are awaiting the result of a shooting competition -which took place in 1907 between ■ten of the best cadet _ marksmen in New Zealand and a challenging team comprising members of the London City Boys' Shooting Guild, an organisation formed under Lord Roberts' so he me of national training.

It was proposed last year that some members of the New Zealand cadet corps should compete in the cadets' shooting meeting- at Bisley in August, the London City Boys' Shooting Guild generously offering to pro'.' vide hospitality. Four representatives were suggested, but Colonel Loveday, officer in' oharge of the- cadet movement, recommended that if a team was sent it should comprise ten boys, with ono "waiting" competitor, in order to secure proper representation. Ho thought there would be no diffi, culty in raising funds for the expenses of the trip, either by publio subscription or by a £1 for £1 subsidy on the boys' contributions. The cablegram indicates that renewed interest is being taken in the project. Colonel Loveday considers the New Zealand cadet movement would receive tremendous impetus by the appearance at the Bisley cadet meeting this year of a tea"m of shooting marksmen. Shooting has received considerable attention in the New Zealand cadet movement. Every year a challenge shield is competed for in each island. Every school takes part, and the teams of ten boys securing the highest aggregate in the North and South Islands hold a shield for ono year, each competitor receiving, as a memento of his success, a neat medal inscribed with his name and provided with a red, white, and blue ribbon and clasp. A medal is also given in each school district to the cadet making the highest aggregate in class-firing, and as further encouragement there is the annual competition for the Canterbury Press challenge shields, one for each island. Inquiries are now being made by the Education Department to ascertain the number of miniature rifle ranges installed in schools where there are cadet corps. The object is to sccuro a uniform isystom of rifle ranges. Where there are no ranges the Government will provide them, and a model range is now being made to scale, to provide the pattern. The approved range is 25 yards in length, and has an ingenious arrangement by which the competitor, on pressing a lever, may have his target delivered to him after firing. Standard targets designed from the Bisley models aro to be used.