WANGANUI CAOETS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10518, 14 December 1901, Page 1

WANGANUI CAOETS.

Meeting of Boys In tn© Drill

Hall.

A large number of lads were present in the Drill HaU last evening in response'to the "invitation of LieutenantColonel Watt for the purpose of forming a cadet corps. Colonel Watt presided, snd there were also present on Jfoe platform Captains McNaught, Bustin, and Hughes, Lieutenants Redmond ■ and Harper, Major Purncll/and Mr A. D. Willis, M-.H.R\ In explainingthe objects of the meeting, Colonel Watt said it had been called for the purpose of forming a cadet corps (or corps), for he hoped that more than one would- be formed. In the first instance, the corps was only open, to boys vrho had left school, as -it was not intended to interfere in any way with school ..cadets. The regula- _ tions under which the corps would be '^formed were . different altogether from --those in connection with school cadets. ' School -cadets received an annual allowance of £20, provided they were efficient, whereas the proposed corps would, receive a. capitation of J>l J>er man, so if they were of the full strength (63) they would receive .£65 per year. The ages at which boys, would be admitted were -from- -14 years upwards. . The regulations said up to '18 years, but Colonel Watt did not intend to take anybody who' was 18 years of age, for the reason that the Volunteer corps were open to those boys. A boy who would be 18 years of age on February 28th, 1903. would not be enrolled. So far as height/ was concerned, Colonel Watt said that would depend on the boys who' rolled up. The Defence Department wanted a high standard, but ' at the same time it was not wished to debar everybody. If the corps was to look anything the members would need to be fairly sued boys, lie Colonel then gave.' a brief outline of the conditions under which the corps were to be formed. First, a cadet corps would be accepted provided not less than 40 or . .more than GO were enrolled. They would be supplied ,«ith,_ accoutrement? and a proportionate number, of ■■ arms? In this connection, Colonel -Watt said lie had very little" doubt that they W6nl3 be able to procure a rifio or carbine for «acb. boy. Fifty" rounds of "ball "ammunition would bo served out to each boy, and this would have to be_expended- on the rifle range at from'2oo to 500 yards, under the superintendence, of the, officers. A yearly return of arms, 'etc., would be kept, and anything which a boy might lose would be. deducted from the capitation. Therefore a, boy, if kp lost any of his accoutrements, etc., would have to make good the loss to his company. The captain of the corps would be appointed by the Defence Minister, on the recommendation of the Commandant of the Forces. The other officers would be appointed by the captain. Colonel Watt was of the opinion that the captain should be an adult, whilst the subalterns should be boys, boys of good repute/who could be looked up to by other boysi so that in timt they might be able to. take 'command of the company should occasion arise. Each member would 'have .to enlist for two yean, and take the oath of allegi-' trace in the same manner as did* the volunteers. Any of the boys who might afterwards join an adult corps and .aspire to the long-service medal would he able to count the time spent in the cadet corps', getting credit for halftime. Members 'of a cadet corps would be allowed to transfer to an adult corps on attaining the age of 17 years. Officers would be allowed to attend schools 'of instruction, and the cadets might, on the recommendation of the officer commanding the district, attend the camps of adult corps. Cadets were liable to disbandment on the recommends-

tion of the Commandant to the Defence Minister. There would be by-laws drafted for the government of the corps. Continuing, Colonel Watt gave some sound advice to the boys. There were many benefits to be derived fron; joining a cadet corps. Discipline was: the main object, and without it there could not be a company of cadets. Discipline was a very great benefit to adulU, and it was more so to boys. In soldiering a boy was not to answer back to his superior officer, even if that officer were junior to him in age. Thai would be a lesson to them when they went into life to earn their livelihood not to answer back to those in authority. Boys thought it was manly to answer back to those above them, but Colonel Watt could assure them that they were mistaken. By beings obedi- _ enfr, boys would command respect, and they would be greatly benefited and assisted in after-ufe by bo doing. In addition to the benefits to be derived by i discipline, boys would, by becoming ca- i dets, learn how to conduct themselves in the street, and how to keep themselves clean' and respectable. There was no man so clean as the British Tommy Atkins, and yet he had, perhaps, less clothes than anyone in the world with which to clothe himself, but it was consistent discipline that made him so. The question of uniform would nave to bo considered. Colonel Watt hoped that the inhabitants of Wanganui would come forward to the assistance of the movement. But at the same time if they did not -there would not b.c any difficulty about the matter? If the boys vrero enrolled he should arrange next day about the uniforms, though perhaps they would not be so good as he would like. At any rate, it would br serviceable and soldierlike, and would be the same as the Volunteer khaki drill. With regard to the appointment of a captain, it was Colonel Watts privilege, the local officer representing Colonel Newall, to recommend some officer to take the command. So far he had not asked anybody though there were several gentlemen in town who would make ffood officers. He wished that some gentlemen, who were inclined to soldiering would offer themselves privately, so that he (Colonel Watt) might be able to make and recommend a good selection. With reference to a place wherein to drill,. Colonel Watt said that he could not go so far as to say whether they would be able to have the Drill Hall, but if the trustees could arrange it, they would let the cadets have the hall for one night a week. Colonel Watt concluded by saying that the Government looked upon the cadete as the feeder of the adult corps. They, wens, part and parcel of. the adult corps, and Would be treated as such. On resuming his seat. Colonel Watt wat loudly applauded. ' At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr A. D. Willis, M.H.H., briefly addressed the boys. He said it afforded him great pleasure to see such a large attendance;' a* it showed the great interest that was being taken in the movement. For many years past, said Mr Willis, no one had taken a greater interest in cadet corps than he had. Year after year he had urged upon thr Government the necessity for cadet corps being established in the different -towns. He had always expressed the opinion that it ,wouid be better for boys, instead <»f running about the streeta, to meet together for drill. He was gla{ to' say that last session, in consequence of the recommendation of

the Defence Committee, of which he was a member, the Government had decided to accept the services of the boys. Mr Willis then referred to the good work which had been done by the old Wanganui -Cadet Corps, which was under the command of the late Major Ncill, stating that at the present time some of, the best -local volunteers had beeiTmembers of that corps. They were best far the reason that they had the advantage* of early training. After giving the boya some sound, advice, mr Willis concluded by stating -that if there was anything he could do in his ■private or public capacity to assist the corps he would he only too glad to do | it- . Colonel Watt and Lieutenant Redmond then selected the most suitable boys in the hall, picking about 60. The names of these boys will be forwarded to-day to Wellington, where they will he submitted to the Defence Minister. A reply is expected in about a fortnight's time. The captain will then be appointed, and the other necessary arrangements will be made.

SICKNESS IS A LUXURY.

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Quite easy to stop all this at the ver> st.rtt. .'Just spend half-a-crown on ': bo'.tle of- Impey's May Apple, whicl may be bought at any chemist's c storekeeper^, and give it a trial. Inv pey's May Apple acts on the systengently and pleasantly; it cleanses th( stomach, stimulates the liver, swectem the breath, and restores you to gooc health. Impey's May Apple' cures tc st.^y cured; it is an ideal family niedi ciiio, and may be taken by the mosi delicate person with the utmost confi deuce. Sold by all chemists and store keepers at 2s 6d per bottle. '