SCHOOLMASTERS' DRILL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6901, 15 September 1900, Page 5

SCHOOLMASTERS' DRILL.

«. As i/fc had been defiini'tely decided that military drill should T>e introduced into the public schools, it became imperative that the teachers should acquire a knowledge of the drill in. order to impart the necessary instruction ; to their, pupils. Staff Sergeantmajor Ooleman, having been appointed instructor for 'fche purpose, the first drill was held vit the Normal School this nmrning, v wben seventy-three teachers, comprising all Who were within easy rail distance of Ghr&tchurch, attended. The company having "fallen in, was briefly addressed by ttfie instructor, who said that his time was freely at ttrtieiir disposal. They -Would have to fix the hour of drill, and the place, themselves, biib these details once arranged he must ask them tio observe rigid punctuality. Th£ work to be taught was 'the exitemsion exerdises, -uhe .firsfe five physical exsreise^ and squad and company drill as laid down in Wolseley's Infantry I)<ri-ll Manual . fcr 1896. The teaclhers -hlaving . •fallen out for a few minutes, to discuss the situation, decided that they would drill at bhie formal SohooQ' at 10.45 on Saturday niomings- Some prelim!inaTy work was then gone through, in. tW cpxirfie. of whi«3» tHe men showed that, though fey the nature of their work accustomed to command, they had by no means forgotten how to obey. Many of them had evidently drilled before, and in the case of those who had not, intelligence, and an obvaous desire to learn, made up in g_r,ea<fc measure for want of previous praebnee, Even the small amount of wofk dpn,e^. >ya9 . enpugli to shpw that gomj results expected. '■:■'•