THE BARTON CUP.

Wairarapa Age, 31 October 1924, Page 3

THE BARTON CUP.

PRESENTED TO WAIRARAPA HI6RH SCHOOL. At the Park Oval on Wednesday afternoon Mr W. Barton (Featherston) presented in person the cup which lie has given for annual competition among secondary school caAet companies in the Central military command. That the Wairarapa High School Cadets, in the second year of the school’s existence, and the first year of its entry into the competition, should have proved themselves superior iff corps from schools of much older standing, is no small achievement. Wairarapa people may well congratulate themsedves on the fact that their High School has begun, elmost from the start, to rank with ihe great schools of the Dominion. It is a hard matter for a new school to gain such recognition, and entails unusual and unflagging effort. Those who saw the Wairarapa High School Cadets on parade must be convinced, by the precision of their movements, their smart appearance, and their soldierly steadiness, that both boys and officers have co-operated in the work with equal enthusiasm and devotion. The Cadets marched into the Oval to the beat of their four drummers, and formed up opposite the pavilion in three platoons. Amongst those present were Col. C. G. Powles, C.M.G.,, D. 5.0., officer commanding the Central Military District, Col. H. E. Hart, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., honorary A.D.C., Mr O. N. C. Pragnell (Mayor of Masterton), and several members of the Board of Governors.

Aitor inspecting the Cadets Col. Powles, in a short address, congratulated the boys on their achievement. He emphasised the fact that such cadet training did not necessarily imply a future war; the training had its main value ajjart from that in the character-building qualities that an all round cadet training must instil. It taught boys that sure control over their bodies that would stand them in good stead later and that would give them greater control over all actions in their lives. He predicted a great future for the School and noted the improvement in the Cadets since he last saw them. Mr Barton, in presenting the cup, said that, as a resident of Wairarapa, he felt an unusual pleasure and pride is the fact that a school of his own a'st net should have proved itself of such merit. The cup, he hdded, was presented for all-round cadet efficiency, embracing shooting and physical training as well as other branches of drill. It appeared that the eng fiaS followed Dr. Uttley from Scots College, and it was an obvious inference that the principal’s personality must be of exceptional power. The cup was then handed: over to Lieut. J. W. Bird. Dr. Uttley, the Principal, in reply, expressed pleasure that this was the first Mme Mr Barton had presented the cup in person. He went on to answer various critics who had suggested that he was introducing militarism into the Wairarapa. The cadet training, he was convinced, had done more to create a real school spirit than any other force could have done. It had established a school tradition here fronx the oatset, and was going to knit the school into a compact whole. He called for three cheers for Mr Barton, and the cadets responded vigorously. Dr. Scholefield, Chairman of the School Board of Governors, congratulated the boys on the great honour they had jgained for the School. He called for three cheers for Mr Bird, O.C. of the Company, and for the other officers of the school staff who had assisted him in his work of training the boys. The Cadets then inarched off in column of route; their excellent marching and order was the subject of delighted comment on the part of all present. I