The Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1901. THE ROM REVIEW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7133, 25 June 1901, Page 2

The Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1901. THE ROM REVIEW.

Those people who looked forward to the Military Review in Hagley Park as likely to prove the most enjoyable feature of the functions in connection with, the visit of the Duke of York to Christchurch were not disappointed. The procession through tfee streets on Saturday had certain characteristics which appealed strongly to some people, and the splendour of the reception given by the Mayor in tihe Canterbury Hall dazzled a select circle of gueste, but to the general public it was the review which was the centre ddsh of the feast, and it is the review winch in years to come they will ever associate with the Duke's stay in Ohristchureh. Many things contributed' to the success of the> display. In the first place, the weather was eruperb; secondly, a proud 00-nsckmsness that they were taking part in the biggest thing of its kind ever organised 1 in New Zealand- pervaded the troops themselves, and this feeling extended to tlhe spectators; and thirdly, whatever may be the shortcomings of our ; military system in other directions, the review was marred by no blunders and scarcely any .defects even of a minor character. It is understood that the Duke of York was very pleased with what he saw, and 1 without flattering our own vanity it may fairly be said that he had reason to be. He could not have failed to nofciee that fr-he mounted troops which passed contained ample material for contingent 1 ? like those which figured with such conspicuous success in South Africa, and- although.- tfhe maxdhing of the infantry naturally lacked the mechanical precision of the Regulars, his Royal Highness must have been impressed with the physique ,of the men and their soldierly bearing. You cannot expect in Volunteers those niceties of drill which in the Regular Army are carried to such a pitch of pedantic exactness, but out in the colonies you get other qualities which on a battlefield go a very long way to- compensate for the absence of the drill instructor's polish and the military tailor's art. These qualities, no doubt, were not lost on the observant eyes of our Royal visitor, and if furiker proof were needed to mor* strongly imgress upon him the almost inexhaustible military resources of the Empire it was furnished yesterday. It is also understood that the Duke w*us particularly struck with the Cadets. Again we may add that he had reason to be. The ' Cadet system, whatever its detractors may argire to the contrary, is going to prove of incalculable benefit to New Zealand in training 'her youth in the us© of arms, and also in affording them a rational and health-giving exercise, and yesterday's review showed that our youth are intelligent pupils and, moreover, that they have capable instructors.