OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 88

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN.

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.

[Conducted by Magistee, to -whom all Communications must be addressed.] *

THE NAVY LEAGUE. ! The Euryalus has been here and has gone, Jyut I do not think that many boys saw^her. X, think this was a mistake v for nothing would kindle so much enthusiasm in boys >s pacing the deck, exploring the interior, >nd examining the armour and guns of such r powerful engine of war as the Euryalus, Especially if ~lhe boys were made interested in the Navy by their teachers. Perhaps jaext time the flagship comes along the Dun'ledin branch of the Navy League will make arrangements for the V, VI, and VII Standard boys to go over the ship. But this suggests another point: How jnany, Dunedin boys are Navy Leaguers? 'Ifc-is^all very well to admire the Navy and. 1 boast of -what it has done in the .'jpast, and -have confidence in what it is going to do in the future ; but that isn't *The amount asked for to become jb. "member is just a shilling a year — one ' penny a, month"! - Surely that sum can be arranged for. - Five at a shilling "form a Tgroup , entitling the group to a copy of the .»Navy League _Jo,urnal, which is chock full jof information, interesting, and instilling Ithe'' highest / patriotism. { w .Set to work" at once, make up your groups : »i-s.Y.ery cadet ought to be a Navy Leaguer — give" the- money to your teacher or send it ' to me, and get yourself enrolled. Germany has a very, prosperous League : we %rant a better one, and as this year is the Sentfenary of Trafalgar, establish a record in 'Navy Xieague * membership. ( ' - ' Then, having established a record in the .roll number of lads as Navy Leaguers, you imghtset to' work -to enroll your fathers as - associates. To be a me-niber a man futys a. guinea- a year; .but many cannot afford that amount. Well, get all you can to join as associates at five shillings each, this,, amount securing the Navy Leag\ie 'Journal. ■> Do all of you see the Witness? Two or three weeks ago it contained a map givtwo fleets as reorganised. It, with the accompanying information, is worth cutting J out, and pasting on a piece of cardboard. ■ One of our Dunedin teachers took this map — it was reproduced from a Home paper. »I think— and using also the latest copy of the Navy League Journal, made them the tasis of a composite lesJon on history from U~ naval noint of view, on writing, and on synopsis "work. This is how it was tabulated:—

KE-OEGANISATION OF THE NAVY. 2. Mediterranean Fleet — Eight battleships Six armoured cruisers Admiral, Lord C. Beresford s* JBs.se, Malta. 5. The Atlantic FleetEight battleships Six armoured cruisers* Rear-admiral May BaseViG-ibraltar. . I. The Channel FleetTwelve battleships

Six. armoured, cruisers. Admirai. Sir A. K. Wilson Bases. Plymouth:, etc. 1. China Station Squadron. — Particulars not yet known. East Indian and Australasian Squadrons under control of admiral of China Squad-

ron. 5, Cape of Good Hope Squadron. — Apparently independent, and the fourth (particular service) squadron apparently attached to the Atlantic or the Channel Squadron.

{j o te. — The weakening of the - Mediterranean Fleet, consequent upon the entente cordiale with France; the strengthening of the Channel Fleet to meet the increased naval power of Germany; and the facilities for massing on the China station.

The details may, or may not. be accurate ; but, tabulated this way, the whole is pretty easily remembered.