THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3443, 26 May 1898, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

SCHOOL C.VOET-S, WELLINGTON EDUCATION BOARD TAKING THE LEAD. The question of training the hoys attending tho public schools iu military drill came before the Education Board yesterday afternoon in the shape of .. report from the Technical School Committee, which submitted a formal proposal on the subject, as follows:—(1) All toe boys to bedrilled. (2) All boys being of a min,mum height of 4fi 6in, and who may volunteer for tho same, to form tho Cadet Battalion, composed of six or more companies of a maximum strength of 100 each of all ranks. (3) The teachers to bo the officers, after passing a qualifying examination. I 1) The noncommissioned olke-ra to be composed or boys who bare passed a qualifying examination. (0) Subjects for examination to be those laid down in the Volunteer regulations for officers and non-commis-aionod officers of the infantry branch of the services. (0) Boys to cease to belong to the battalion on quitting schools. (7) The parents of the boys belonging to the battalion to provide clothing of such a pattern as will permit of its being worn either for daily school purposes or for drill. (8) Every boy to undergo a week’s training annually in camp. (9) Gymnastics and swimming to form a part of the boys’ training. (10) A full military band of 35 performers to be formed. (11) Two.bnglers, who will be instructed as flfers and drummers, per company. (12) Signalling and ambulance work will also be taught; and (13) all such other instructions as will enable them to take up the duties of their respective ranks hereafter, either in the permanent or volunteer forces, or in the case of any emergency arising, when’they are of the ago permitting them to be enrolled. The report went oo to state that it was proposed to make the undertaking as selfsupporting as possible by means of subscriptions, entertainments, &0., and mentioned that it was the intention of the Government to supplysoo miniature Martini rifles, accoutrements and haversacks as soon as an equal number of cadets were ready for them, and also to supply instructors. It was recommended that the Board ask that arrangements may be made to grant free railway transit to cadets travelling in uniform for drill and camps of instruction. For the better and more effectual working of the scheme it was considered that the Education Department should have the sole management of this portion of the boys’ education, rather than the Defence Department. These remarks, however, did not apply to the general supervision which must be exercised by the Commander of the Forces. It being incumbent to secure the services of a competent officer to undertake the inauguration and carryi ig out of the Board’s scheme, it is proposed to secure the services of Major Loveday, late of the Wellington battalion, as he had offered to undertake the above. The Chairman (Mr J. R. Blair) moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr Bradey. Mr Robertson moved, as an amendment, that the consideration of the report stand over until next meeting so as to give them’an opportunity of digesting its contents.

This was seconded by Mr Hogg> _who, however, agreed with the boys receiving military training, although they should see that the uniform was nob of an expensive character, so as nob to exclude the sons of poor parents from the benefits of the system. Ho objected very strongly to the introduction of dangerous weapons into'their schools, and "he was satisfied if the Premier of the colony had only given a little reflection to the matter he would never have suggested it for a moment. lie also objected to any appointments being filled up without the position being publicly advertised. Mr Young thought the matter should be dealt with at once, and he also thought tho danger of putting firearms into the hands of young popple was very greatly exaggerated. They were not obliged to give the boys ammunition, nor would it be given them until they were thoroughly conversant with the use of their weapons, Mr McCardle expressed general approval of the report, but thought boys on leaving school should be allowed to continue members of the cadet corps until they were old enough to join "Volunteer corps. Mr Robertson said he objected to the Board cutting itself off from the Defence Department, seeing that the scheme was only possible if the Defence Department furnished rifle?, &o. The Chairman said it was proposed that the Education Department should take the place of the Defence Department. It was necossary the Board should administer its own affairs; and there was no real severance, seeing that the Education Department would connect with the Defence Department, whereas the Board could not have any definite relations with the Defence Department. After farther discussion it was decided to omit from the report mention of Major Loveday's name, and simply to recommend the Government to appoint a competent person. The report was then adopted.

Tiio Shooting Committee of the Kelburne Rifles decided last night that the corps should flee for the officers' trophy on Saturday, at half-past 1 o'clock, at Polhill Gully, the scores to count for the Ballinger aggregate. The ammunition will be served out on Friday night at the Brillshed. The ranges will be 300 and 500 yard?. Some very useful lessons ou the construction of military sketch maps was given to a class of the B Battery by Sergeant-Major Richardson, of the permanent force, last year. That the instruction thus given was taken full advantage of was shown in connection with the IJirkkday operations of the Volunteers. Trumpeter W. Brown, of the B Battery, prepared a sketch map of the route taken by the Naval Brigade, from Wordsworth street along the Uhiro road to Island Bay, showing the fords, tracks, &0., and also delineating the details of the ground at Island Bay where the sham fight took place. The map is a creditable piece of work, and serves to show the interest taken by Volunteers in their self-imposed duties. Steps are being taken to form an Engineers' Corps in Wellington.