The N.Z. Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY). FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1905. THE TRAILING SHIP.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5598, 26 May 1905, Page 4

The N.Z. Times.

(PUBLISHED DAILY). FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1905. THE TRAILING SHIP.

orr» wocoh is iscoeporatbo ’the “ maLLiHOTon WDBPSMDKNT," SSTJLBUSHBD 1815. .

With a sense of the fitness of things which was to bo expected from a newspaper of the parochial type, our evening contemporary chose Empire Day as the date of publishing a second attack on the Premier and the British Admiralty, in connection with the gift of the gunboat Sparrow to this colony as a training-ship for boys. Finding that it had been “barking up the wrong tree” in the matter of the presumed reformatory character of the training-ship, it now changes, front and bases its objections on the score of the unsuitableness and inadequate accommodation of the Sparrow for the purpose intended. These points are-taken up, and admirably replied to, by a correspondent, evidently well-informed, whoso letter we publish in this issue. In that communication it is proved that, even on the “Post’s” own showing, there will bo ample room on the Sparrow for sixty boys—a number not likely to be exceeded. The only other objection offered by our contemporary is that there will bo no boys forthcoming. This is a deadly, double-barrelled sort of criticism ; but by letting off both barrels at once, the critic has burst his gun and damaged no one but himself. If there are to be no boys offering for the train-ing-ship, how can the vessel be too small for requirements? This conundrum is commended to the attention of our contemporary and its authorities, who are so anxious to prove the paradox that our Sparrow is certain to prove a “white elephant.” Muddled metaphor and limping logic of the kind put forward are only fitted to excite derision. 1 As bearing on the contention that all training-ships at Home in 1901 had the reformatory or charitable brand, a little further information may be tendered to enlighten the ignorance of the critic. There are in Great Britain two train-ing-ships designed to educate cadets for the mercantile marine—the Worcester, stationed near London, and the Conway, pear Liverpool. Tire Worcester has been used for this purpose since 1876, having succeeded a frigate that had been doing similar work since 1862. The Worcester is, in effect, a nautical college, managed by a committee of London shipowners and shipmasters, of which Sir Thomas Sutherland is chairman. She is neither a reformatory ship nor is she supported by charitable offerings. Cadets voluntarily join between the ages of eleven and fifteen and a half years, and an annual payment- by parents or guardians of sixty-five guineas covers the cost of tuition, uniform, medical attendance, etc. There is no lack of “inducement” offered being a thorough nautical education at a reasonable price—and there is no reason to anticipate a different experience in New Zealand. Some idea of the course of study on board the Worcester may be gathered from a list of the subjects for which prizes are annually awarded. Rule of the road, sig-

nals, navigation, nautical astronomy, uso of the sextant, conduct and application to studies, mathematics, English, French, geography. Scripture, steam, naval architecture, drawing, meteorology, magnetism, nautical surveying, seamanship, wire rope-work, swimming, boating, gymnastics, iirst aid to the injured, and cricket, aro all suitably Rewarded,

Of the value of the training imparted on hoard the AVorccstcr there is no room for doubt- Commander 1). Wilson Barker, R.N.R., the present captain of tho vessel, received his oarly training on board her. Other distinguished ox-cadets on the Worcester aro Captain H. W. Broadbent, R.N.R., of tho Conway, and Captain 11 ■ H. Crawford, C-B-. who is now an Elder Brother of Trinity House. The proudest record of tho Worcester, however, is that Admiral Togo, the illustrious Japanese commander, was for two years a student on board that training-ship. Tho Conway is conducted largely on the same lines as the Worcester. Two years’ study on either of these vessels is allowed by tho Board of Trade to count as ono year’s service at sea, so that, after two years on the training-ship and three more at sea, young men may present themselves for examination for a second mate’s certificate, which otherwise demands four years’ service. Wo do not suppose that anything like so complete a nautical education would bo attempted in New Zealand at first; but something on tho plan of tho Worcester or Conway ought to bo aimed at. with free places offered by the Government to deserving lads who pass a preliminary examination. Although the Worcester is an old, square-rigged, wooden warship, ifc is noticeable thgt nearly every subject of instruction on her list could boos well taught' on hoard a gunboat as on a full-rigged vessel.

In the spirit of the true “ little Englander,” the “ Post ” sneers at the Imperial idea that’ is associated with the training of our youths to the sea. The gift of tho Sparrow hy the Admiralty is belittled by tho statement that her value is only about £BOO. The value of training on board an ‘“'out-of-date gunboat ” is scouted —“ a vessel about as capable of turning out a seaman as the Lady Roberts or the Janie Scddon ” and the Admiralty is called upon to give us a vessel of the Royalist, Archer, or Penguin class.” Oblivious to tho execrable taste of " looking a gift horse in tho mouth,” our contemporary says by implication that the Admiralty has given us something quite worthless; and, relying on prophecy, it declares that tho Sparrow can only lead to a useless expenditure of money. Such is the pass to which political criticism has come! As wo said on a former occasion, wo have no information as to what tho Government intends to do with the Sparrow, beyond what is contained in the published statements of Ministers; hut we are content to await tho unfolding of the plans, and believe it to ho better to anticipate success than failure. A Government that has carried out successfully a number of most important projects, in the face of doleful predictions of disaster by the Opposition, is not likely to be baffled by the problem of managing a trainingship. .