THE CADET MOVEMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8796, 25 April 1907, Page 4

THE CADET MOVEMENT.

Major E. H. M. Elliott, of the reserve of officers, lato of the 40th Regiment and formerly private secretary to Lord Glasgow, as Governor of New Zealand, was in Cliristchurch during the last clays of the Exhibition, and had an opportunity of visiting the cadet camp in Hagley Park. Writing to Colonel Loveday at a later date, Major Elliott says : "The- tent inspection on Sunday morning struck me very much by the wonderfully neat and orderly look of touts, equipment and camp stuff generally. I could not have j thought it possible to train such young lads in so short a times to exhibit such order and neatness and smartness. The way they turned j out for that and the church parade j that followed was wonderful. The tents were most carefully and accurately pitched, and the bedding aud kits piit up in a most smart and soldierly fashion. The movements of tlio troops in forming square and afterwards marching past were excellent. Both officers and cadets took the greatest interest in all the. work, and the orderlies, guards and others on duty all moved and worked splendidly. Many of the young officers and non-commissioned officers were thoroughly up to the mark, and the smartness, neatness and general demeanour of the cadets of all three battalions I saw—Taranaki, Nelson, and Wanganui—would have done credit to many old service battalions. I was thoroughly do* lighted with all I saw, and enjoyed ; my visit to the camp immenselyj and | also tbo afternoon outing to Sumner ; with Major Gibb and detachments of the cadets. The following day I accompanied the Taranaki and Wanganui battalions to Lyttelton, and watched them entrain at Christchurch, detrain at the port, and embark on board the Te Anau. The ' whole of the movements were carried oiit with the same smartness, steadiness and perfect discipline I had noted the previous day in camp, and the embarkation took place ■without the slightest hitch, one battalion occupying each gangway, and the lads themselves loading the luggage. I think your cadets deserve the highest praise and encouragement, and the movement is likely to do incalculable good in teaching these boys at school habits of discipline that will last their lives. Tour efforts are most £ably seconded by your staff and the officers iu command of the various uuits, and as an old soldier of many years' service, I must congratulate you most heartily on the success you have achieved."