KING'S COLLEGE CADETS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18664, 21 March 1924, Page 11

KING'S COLLEGE CADETS.

CAMP AT NARROW NECK.

[RECORD MUSTER OP BOYS.

(DISCIPLINE AND EFFICIENCY

TRAINING FOR CITIZENSHIP

Daylight saving is virtually in operation in the cantonment of the King's College Cadets at Narrow Neck. Reveille is sounded by peremptory bugles at 6 a.m., and within a few minutes thereafter, while ; laggards in town are still fathoms deep in somnolence, a battalion of lithe lads are tumbling i n the surf of the wide Pacific. It is an exhilarating beginning to each wholesome day. And so, alert and in the right mind, to prayers and the day's work.

There is a record muster of schoolboys in the camp.. Tho roll number is 260. and this practically represents the daily parade strength of tho college battalion. Sickness has been negligible; indeed, there has not been a case of serious illness since the camp opened last Friday. The ailments generally have been trivial, arid possibly largely the result of sharpened appetite and the presence of a boys' canteen, at which £100 has been spent, the canteen being run on no-profit lines.

This high standard of health may be attributed partly to the sanative position of the training ground and partly to the fine organisation of the camp and the duties and pleasures of the boys. . Tfc would be hard to find a military training camp more suitable for its purpose and ' yet so conducive to the exercise? of the delightful days of robust youth. The camp is set upon a slight plateau flanking the Rangitoto Channel, and is thus in a zone of "caller" air and sunshine. The common note of the place is the sound of the sea running lightly on sand, . than which George Borrow contends, there is no better music. A stone-throw from the open parade ground, and a little beyond a cliff above which gulls soar, hover, and volplane with an easy grace not vet acquired by aeronauts, there is an enticing beach with a long margin of surf bordering the translucent waters of the Haitraki Gulf. It is a. rare and lovely piace with its charms. enhanced by many vistas of an eager city, and, occasionally, ocean boats passing to and from all the great ports of the world

High Standard of the Camp. ■It is a tribute to King's College and all the best tradition's. of boys' schools to note that, in the independent opinion ol experienced Dominion Defence staff officers, the standard of discipline and character has never been less than excellent since the first day of the. camp. It is described as one of the finest camps over held at Narrow Neck. Even the smallest boys, 'who had not previously been in a training camp for. cadets, settled'down to its life and brisk activities in magnificent spirit. Those with some experience have been as old soldiers. "I have not seen anything better in any, part of the world,' declared Lieutenant R. ,S. Judson, V.C., of the New Zealand Staff Corps., camp adjutant and paymasterTen • officers in .the camp are college masters, all with -military experience, and all having personal knowledge of their boy soldiers. This explains to a lgreat extent the valuable service and notable success of the camp. The syllabus of training, is in every way admirable. It is neither monotonous nor irksome. All forms of military camp training, except musketry practice, (as . there is a miniature range at the college) are practised, but no exercise' is; protracted. Duties and tasks are varied with rare wisdom find''the interest and the enthusiasm. of the boys are r kept fresh and eager. Fatigue duty is distributed each day on studied principles of justice, so that every boy in camp must take his part in general service. The system is a fine example of community service, and the manner in which the - "domestic" work is performed shows that there is no muttering discontent in the camp. The "military crime'* of the camp has not been serious, and no parent has been given, cause to blush' for the lapses of his boy. Indeed, the eqtire character of the camp has been ■ excellent. -J Efficiency and Deportment. , It, should be noted that, although the military training is not irksome, there is no slackness permitted in the essential exercises. .The college insists upon the highest possible standard of thoroughness, and this insistence has been transferred to the camp. on the North Shore. Under the wary eye of Captain J. U. Collin*, officer commanding the King's College Cadets, who has had 40 years' experience and looks well for it, the boys are kept up it) the mark. Inspection of the camp shows at once that.the lads respond in the right spirit of good soldiers. Their drill is .quick and neat; their efficiency and deportment are excellent; and their loyalty to their college standard of duty and conduct is staunch and willing. The real purpose of the camp is a wholesome training for good citizenship, and even if all the nations learned the art of war no more at all forever, such training would still be invaluable in the building up of national character and fitness. .'-■;.. . „ But camp life is far from being a daily round of drill and other forms of military training. Generous provision has been made throughout the period of encampment for organised competitive gam.*. The outstanding features of this important side of camp life are surfing twice n dav on strict principles of safety, so that there need be no parental apprehension about danger from cruising sharks; ftdentific boxing without decision fights and bruising bouts, and several simple games, in the evenings there is bright musical entertainment, this having been promoted largely by the kindness of the English and Foreign Piano Agency Company, who lent a piano to the camp. Ihe college orchestra under the guidance of Mr. Charles Ellis also contributes very materially to the evening pleasures of the camp. Inspection by Principal of College. Part of the training consists of preparation for the' forthcoming military pageant in winch the King's College unit will give a demonstration of infantry versus cavalry 50 vears ago. The camp was inspected yesterday by the principal of the college, Colonel U. T. Major, and the inspection was in every way satisfactory. The huts were models of cleanliness, though the defence department might do worse than improve their ventilation without much expenditure, while the parade of the troops in camp and their subsequent march to the Takapuna Racecourse for pageant exercises were excellent. The camp will be inspected to-day by Colonel H. R. Potter, officer commanding the Northern Military District. , ~ . , It is impracticable to describe in detail all the activities and admirable features of the camp, or to mention personal! v the fine work of the college staff of officers and also the representatives of the New Zealand Permanent Staff, nor even the camp cook, who, like Bunty, "ran make fino scones." Sufficient to record that not only the boys but their parents are indebted to the various authorities for the organisation and administration of the camp. And a special word is duf> to the valuable'services of Chaplain-Captain N. Robertshawe, M.C., and the Rev. A. J. Greenwood for their service in' respect of the boys' spiritual welfare, and to Captain C. M. Rout, of the New Zealand Medical Cory*. The successful camp breaks up this evening. ' . 6