PUBLIC SCHOOL CADETS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12927, 19 March 1906, Page 7

PUBLIC SCHOOL CADETS.

church parade:' The cadets of the three borough schools mustered yesterday morning at the Timaru Masn School for a church parade, arranged by the officer in charge of the battalion, Captain \ alentine. The morning was fine, and..= there .-'-was a good muster—Timaru Main No. 1. (Captain Collins). 53; No. 2 •Lieutenant's Fleming and Morgan, 68; Waimataitai ()Lieutenant- Werry), 41: Timaru. South (Captain Valentine), 25.: Pleaded by the Gariison Band. t-he cadets marched to Chalmeis Church for divine service, and the boys .made- a, very good appearance- on 'the way. The Main School's No.. 2 company,' in the cadet jersey uniform, was not only ■ rumericallv tne strongest, but it seemed to be com : posed ot boys as big as the No. 1 company. Possibly the closet-fitting i-iiiiomi gave that impression. It certainly looks nicer and more soldiet-like. . 'The* cadets were seated in the church, in a. 'mass in front; they filled nine rows of seats from side to side, and the rest of the church, both lloor and gallery, was quite full, and a number of people failed to get seats. Rev. R. Jackson selected lessons and hymns, and gave a discourse suited to the occasion, his Bible reading being the account of the consecration, of David" and his sermon an expansion of the story hj its lessons of covrage, physical fitness, clean living, love of nature, and trust in God, all drawn from the story of David's life and his * Psalms. The lads must have been interested,' for there was no fidgeting among them, and before dismissing Captain Valentine complimented them on their behaviour as weljl as their good muster. It would be well, before their next church parade, to supply each school with a copy of the hymns and./tunes to be used, so that-the lads could l practise them. ; They were shv of attempting to. sing until the finale. A good many joined in. singing " Onward, Soldiers," but the National Anthem, was .faiiiliar to all, and the difference in th©.Volume of sound was most' striking. IJ>' Suggested that if the cadets had known the Psalm, and hymns as familiarly, the choir might have been given a- half-holiday. After service, the cadets were marched' back to. the Main School, headed by the band, and after a brief address of thanks, and congratulation by Captain Valentine, they were dismissed, except the South School 'on-*, who were marched to their own schooi.