CENTRAL SCHOOL CADETS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 98, 26 May 1900, Page 2

CENTRAL SCHOOL CADETS.

MIMIC BELIEF OF MAFEKING. The Central School boys are full of enterprise and military enthusiasm. So deeply did the events of the relief of Mafeking impress themselves on the minds of the Cadets that nothing would meet the excitement of the moment but an organised attempt to work out the problem on a miniature bub real scale. That the idea emanated from and was matured by the boys themselves, proves that the mental training received at the school is bearing good fruit; and although the scheme was naturally of a primitive character, it had all the elements of a well laid plan of defence and defiance. The order of the day was that the school fence represented the outposts of Mafeking, the besieged forces and the beleauguered residents being within the enclosure. As it was impossible, for more reasons than one, to give that realistic impression which a perfect investment of the building and grounds would have afforded, the scene of action was confined to the west side facing the flat. It was here that the besieged garrison awaited events, and it was towards that spot the relieving force bravely fought its way. The main force of the relieving army mustered on the railway bridge, attended by a very business-like looking ambulance corps and nurses. The force was split up into three sections, so as to attack the enemy on three sides, and by this means, as the beleaguered garrison formed the fourth side, the enemy were perfectly encompassed, Firing quickly commenced on all sides and was briskly maintained. Theattacking force did not by any means have matters their own way, as the " Boers " showed plenty of pluck and resource and forced their opponents to retire more than once, but only for a short while. Gradually the gallant colonials gained ground and aided by occasional sorties from the Mafeking garrison made it impossible for the enemy to hold out for much longer. Just at this time an exhibition of the abuse of the white flag was given, but the treachery was soon avenged, and the bugle sounding the " charge " a mighty and furious onslaught was made from all sides and the enemy utterly routed not one eventually escaping capture. Loud cheers greeted the entry of the victors into the now relieved city. The wounded were brought in by the ambulance nndattendedto by theskilful nurses. Several determined efforts of the prisoners to escape caused intense excitement and eventually the garrison >ind relieving force were drawn up in front of the ramparts and addressed, in a very neat and able spaccb, by the i Mayor of Mafeking (for this occasion only personated ably by Mister Skinner). After the usual cheers had beerj lustily given, the proceedings, which had been witnessed and greatly appreciated by a large crowd of spnctitors, were brought to a close by the dis missal of the wearied warriors to well-

darned rest aud refreshment, and small arms and canon were put by for future use. There was plenty of nmusement »nd a wondeiful amount of reality put into the affair, which reflected great ta-edit on all concerned. Some day the routhful soldiers who so thoroughly into the spirit of the mimic light on Poverty Flat may be answering $> the call of duty on a real field of Atttle; if so, a chord of memory may (pall the incidents of Friday, and givo fcom oven greater courage to emulate !jio deeds of during which characterised tjeir first experience of fire.