NEW ZEALAND JUNIOR CADETS (REPORT ON THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1910 Session I, E-11

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. 1910. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND JUNIOR CADETS (REPORT ON THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency,

The Commandant of thb New Zealand Jcniob Cadets to the Hon. the Minister of Education. Sir,— Wellington. 16th May, 1910. I have the honour, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 36 of the Defence Act, 1909, to submit the following report on the Junior Cadets of New Zealand for the year ended 31st March. 1910. The cadets known hitherto as the " New Zealand Public School Cadets " have, by the coming into force of the Defence Act. 1909, become part of the " New /('aland Junior Cadets," which include all boys in New Zealand from twelve to fourteen years of age or to the date of leaving school, whichever is the later. Regulations under the Defence Act. 1909, were uazetted and came into force on the 18th March, 1910. The head teachers of all the boys and mixed schools (public and private) in the Dominion, numbering 2,231, were asked to supply particulars re the numbers of boys of cadet age at their respective schools, and to make recommendations' re officers, &c. From the returns received so far there are in the Cadet Branch 419 cadet units and 19,246 cadets, and in the Scout Branch there are 594 patrols and 5,054 scouts, and a grand total of cadets and scouts of 24,300, an increase of 9,614 on last year's numbers. These scouts have no connection with the Boy Scouts Organization : they comprise patrols formed at the small schools where it would be difficult to work cadet detachments. I understand that the controlling authority of the Boy Scout Organization is recommending its units to come under the control of this Department, in accordance with the Regulations for Junior Cadets relating to Boy Scouts. Owing to my taking command late in 1909. and in consequence of the vast amount of reorganization which I found to lie necessary in consequence of my having taken over the entire control of the administration, 1 was only able to inspect a small number of units during the year. Wherever I went 1 found the officers, non-commissioned officers, and cadets enthusiastic in their work and anxious to learn, but without the necessary means at their disposal. The one outstanding request everywhere was for instruction. To place teachers without any military experience in command of units, and expect them to learn their work from books, so as to enable them to train and comma ml their cadets, is setting them a difficult task. On the other hand, as there are so many units scattered all over the Dominion, an enormous staff of instructors would be required to enable each unit to be visited at anything like reasonable intervals, and the travelling-expenses and allowances would be very heavy. It is recognised, thereloie. that the only feasible way of properly training the cadets is by so training the officers that they will in turn be able to act as instructors of their commands. The appointment of a sufficient staff of peripatetic instructors for all the units would involve considerable expense. To meet this difficulty, provision was made in the regulations for the formation of a Cadet Officers' Training Unit at each of the training colleges in the Dominion, by means of which all the male students at these colleges can be so trained as to fit them to take up positions as cadet officers at the schools to which they may subsequently be appointed. I am glad to record that Cadet Officers' Training Units have already been formed at Auckland and Wellington, and it is expected that the other centres will soon follow. As there are, and will for many years be, a large number of cadet officers who will not pass through these colleges, it is intended to hold officers' training-camps annually at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson, and Dunedin, for about a week's duration, and in conjunction with the Cadet Officer's Training Units. Arrangements were made during the latter part of the year, through the Chief of the General Staff. Council of Defence, for members of the Permanent Force and district staffs to give instruction

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when and where it could be fitted in with their ordinary work. Considerable improvement has been made wherever these instructors have' been at work. Drill pay at the same rate as for N.C.O.s of the Permanent Force has been allowed, according to the work actually performed. Recommendations have been made in a separate memorandum for the appointment of the minimum sta.lT necessary to train these officers and male students and the cadets in the cities. During the year a reversion was made to two-rank drill, and tho necessary amendments to the Infantry Manual were compiled. Two-rank drill is peculiarly suitable for the Junior Cadets, owing to the limited area of drill-grounds available at many of the schools. The room hitherto leased from O'Brien and Co. as an armoury and store-room at a rental of £53 per annum has been given up, and an armoury has been built on the Defence grounds at Buckle Street at a cost of £25, thus effecting a saving of £53 per annum. The Musketry Instructions have been replaced by an up-to-date manual during the year. Much consideration has been given to the question of how to obtain the maximum of training in rifle shooting \viih a minimum of inconvenience and expense, and to this end it has been decided to encourage the establishment of miniature-cartridge ranges at or near as many of the schools as possible, and to subsidise, £1 for £1. amounts raised locally. A Manual of Regulations giving details and diagrams showing how to select sites for and eonstnu t these ranges has been compiled during the year. Already 31 of these ranges have been approved, and many more are under consideration. The ranges are generally 25 yards in length, and are for use by -22 rifles and short ammunition. Five hundred -22 Winchester rifles and 500,000 rounds of •22 ammunition were purchased for this purpose during the year. The regulations for target practice have been revised. The course is divided into (a) instructional practice and (b) (nullification practice, and careful individual instruction is insisted upon before cadets are permitted to undergo the qualification practices. Whilst I am entirely in favour of insisting on every cadet within a reasonable distance of a range firing a specified course of target practice each year, I am equally strongly opposed to making it compulsory for a team from every unit to compete for shields, medals, &c. Such compulsory competitions afford little training to the cadets A glance at the target registers for these competitions for any year will show that a very large number of the boys were not sufficiently trained in shooting to warrant their taking part in these competitions—in fact, many of them have fired at three ranges— 100, 150, and 2(K) yards- without once hitting the target. The conditions for the current year provide that each cadet shall fire twenty-nine rounds at preliminary training, and afterwards twenty-one rounds qualification practices but in the latter no cadet is permitted to proceed to a longer range until he has made an average of magpies at the shorter range ; and the teams for the compulsory competitions for shields, medals, &c, are selected from the cadets making the highest scores in the qualification practices. I have dealt with this question at length, because shooting forms a very important part of the cadet's training, and requiros to be carried out on sound lines. I therefore recommend that for the future all competitions be optional. I find it necessary to reorganize the whole system, to have officers properly appointed, and seniority clearly determined. Lord Kitchener's visit showed the necessity for this. In many of the battalions there are nearly a hundred miles distance between some of the companies, and mobilization is not only difficult but expensive. An area of country will be assigned to each battalion commander, and all units formed in that area will be under his control until the number warrants the formation of a second battalion, when the area, will be divided and a second commander appointed. Battalion commanders are. under the new regulations, assuming more responsibility in the interior economy of their commands ; and so long as they are able and willing to do the work, good results will follow, and a good system of administration and command will In , established, and will be applicable to the higher formations of the Defence scheme later on. I am aware that there are those who do not consider battalion organization necessary for Junior Cadets. 1 contend that it was always very necessary, and under the new scheme is even more necessary than hitherto, since officers are permitted to undergo examinations for substantive commissions, and, as the examinations are to be the same as for the officers of the Territorial Force, command of a company in a battalion for captain, and battalion drill for major will have to be taken, and without battalions officers would have no chance of preparing for their examinations. But the strongest point in favour of the battalion organization is the facility it offers for the delegation of a considerable amount of work to between thirty and forty battalion commanders, assisted by their adjutants (distributed over the Dominion), who can deal with many matters of a local nature, instead of every individual unit having to deal directly with headquarters for everything. The advantage of battalion organization was apparent in the mobilisation and training of the cadets for Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener's reviews. Inspection by Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener. During the visit to this Dominion of Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener in February and March, 1910, the Junior Cadets were mobilised at Dunedin, Christchurch/ Wellington, and Auckland respectively from all parts of the Dominion in close proximity with the railways, except Nelson and the West Coast of the South Island, and were reviewed by Lord Kitchener, who expressed himself as being very pleased with the excellent musters at each centre, the appearance] and steadiness of the cadets, and their fine marching, adding that they were splendid material for the defence of the count rv. In a farewell message to the people of New Zealand the Field-Marshal said, inter <di<t. that the New Zealand cadet system struck him as admirable in every way, as it undoubtedly improves the physical development of the boys, and, by the_discipline inculcated, gives them an excellent preparation for their future careers. The following was specially written by Lord Kitchener for the School Journal: —

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The parade state showed an aggregate attendance of 10,059 Junior Cadets, including several hundreds of Boy Scouts. Considering the long distances some of the cadets had to travel, together with the fact that the reviews took place soon after the beginning of the school year, when a large number of cadets were recruits, the musters were very creditable. 2,671 Senior Cadets, which with 138 bandsmen and 16 staff, also paraded with the Junior Cadets, made a grand total of 12,884 present. I am pleased to record that the mobilisation, demobilisation, camping, and parades were carried out without any serious accident or hitch of any kind, except that the adverse weather-conditions at the Hutt Park made the camp unpleasant, and spoilt the parade from a spectacular point of view. Schedule I contains, the results of the competitions for shields, cups, and District Prize Medals for 1909. All shields and cups will for the future be kept at the schools to which the winners belong. In the syllabus of instruction issued during the year stress was laid on the importance of physical training, 50 per cent, of the time allotted for drill being set apart for this purpose, and, where possible, to include deep-breathing exercises. In order to show what can lie <lono by a systematic course of physical training, accurate records were kept of the lung-capacities of the boys in the Secondary Department of the Greytown District High School before undergoing a course of physical training, and showing the result after a three-months course. The chest-expansion amounted to from ■'! in. to r>l in. [vide Schedule II). The results of a two-months course of deep breathing show remarkable increases in lung-capacities, ranging from 5 to 55 cub. in. (vide Schedule III). Schedule IV contains a statement of expenditure for the year. In the syllabus of training of young officers and members of Cadet Officers' Training Units, physical instruction will be made a prominent feature, for, like the military training, it is only by carefully instructing the teachers that a sound and systematic training of the scholars can be secured. In some districts expert physical culturists have held classes for the training of teachers, the latter deriving great personal benefit therefrom, in addition to being better equipped for the training of their pupils. In July, 1909, the Wanganui Branch of the National Defence League presented for annual competition among the Junior Cadets of New Zealand a champion belt, carrying with it each year a gold medal, for the champion shot of the Dominion ; also a champion shield and medals for the best shooting team of the Dominion. The champion belt was won by Bugler Morgan, of No. 1 Company, Onehunga District High School Cadets, in the first annual competition, the shield being won by the No. 1 Company. Woodville District High School Cadets.

SCHEDULE 1. Kksii.ts ok Competitions k<>i< Shtelds, Cups, and Medals for 1909. (liwernment Chalknge Shields. North Is'and .. .. Not awarded for 1909. The nine highest scores in this competition were made by teams that did not comply with the conditions in one or more respects. The highest-scoring team that complied with the conditions scored only 561 out of a possible 840, and under these exceptional conditions it was thought better not to award the shield to any team for the past year. South Island .. .. Geraldine .. .. .. .. .. ..765 Weekly I'ress Challenge Shield*. Ncrth Island .. .. No. 1 Compajiy, Woodville .. .. .. .. ..798 South Island .. .. Waimate .. .. . • • • .. .. .. 749 Colonial Ammunition Compnqy'e Cups. Combined districts of — Auckland and Hawke's Bay .. Cadet P. Wilson, No. 1 Company, Main School, Napier 87 Taranaki. Wanganui. and Wellington Colour-Sergemil 11. Lorimer, Greytown .. .. 82 Nelson. Marlborough. Grey, West- Lieutenant Alan McDonald, Ashburton .. .. 83 land, North and South Canterbury Otago and Southland .. .. Colour-Sergeant Cowie. District High School, Toko- 81 inairiro

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Winners of District Prize Medal*, being the Highest Individual Scorers for each District. Auckland .. Bugler A. McLean .. District High School, Waihi . . .. 81 Wellington • • Colour-Sergeant H. Lorimei Greytown . .. .. 82 Hawke's Baj .. Cadet P. Wilson .. .. No I Company, Main School. Napier .. 87 Taranaki .. . . Sergeant Melvyn Wvllie . . No. I Company, Stratford .. . . 78 Wanganui .. Sergeant G. Richards .. District High School, Patea .. .-. 76 North Canterbury .. Lieutenant Alan McDonald Ashburton .. .. .. ..83 South Canterbury .. Cadet G. Campbell .. Geraldine .. .. .. ..7!) Grey .. .. Bugler James Cochrane .. District High School. Greymouth .. 66 Marlborough .. Sergeant Carl Olssen .. Picton .. .. .. ..7'.' Nelson .. .. Cadet ('. Carpenter .. No. 2 Company, Central School. Nelson 77 Otago .. .. Colour-Sergeant Cowie .. Tokomairiro .. .. ..81 Southland .. Cadet Stacey Walker .. No. 1 Company, South School, InvercargiH 81 \\V-itland .. • • Cadet V. Lloyd .. .. Hokitika .. . . .. 77 SCHEDULE 11. Of 18 boys in Secondary Department. 9 had capacities below normal* on first baking record, and on taking of second record two months Inter only 2 were below normal.* Chest-expansion. Eight boys were selected at random after a three-months course. The following are the chestexpansions : — v Height. Expansion, I ~ Height. Expansion, iNO - Ft. in. in Inches. \ "°1 Ft. in. in Inches. 1 5 0.1 4| 5 5 4 4£ 2 4 11 4 6 5 3 5J 3 5 (i. 1 , 2| 7 5 8 5| 4 4 9 3 8 5 0.l 3 *The normal for height of oft. Bin. was taken as 210 cub. in.

SCHEDULE III. Table showing Increased Lung-capacity (in Cubic Inches) of certain Boys after a Course of Two Months' Deep Breathing.

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No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Height. Ft. in. 5 2 4 9 5 3 5 o. , , 5 8 5 4 5 04 5 3 5 6 4 9 5 0£ 5 8 5 4 5 3 4 11 5 3 4 8 5 0 4 9 5 7f 5 3 4 8 First Record. 153 165 210 182 281 169 154 180 212 180 163 265 200 195 153 160 135 217 172 Not taken 208 125 Second Record. 170 190 250 200 316 220 175 235 235 210 188 295 226 242 200 192 140 235 185 275 ' 243 160 Increase. 17 25 40 18 35 51 21 55 23 30 25 30 26 47 47 32 5 18 13 35 35

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SCHEDULE IV. DkTAILK 01 KiXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1910. Salary of late Officer Commanding Public-school Cadets £ s . d. £ b. d. £ c. d. (four months) .. . . .. .. 106 13 4 Travelling-expenses of late Officer Commanding Publicmcliool Cadets .. .. .. .. 2 11 0 101) 4 4 Salary of Commandant, Junior Cadets (nine months) .. 306 5 0 House allowance of Commandant, Junior Cadets (nine months) .. .. .. .. .. 37 10 0 Travelling-expenses of Commandant. Junior Cadets .. 58 7 6 402 2 6 Salaries of Clerk, and Armourer and Storeman .. .. 393 0 () Rent and expenses of store-room .. .. .. .. 61 0 l<) 965 7 8 Capitation .. .. .. .. .. .. 341 13 6 Arms, accoutrements, &c. .. .. .. .. 2,346 i> 2 Less recoveries .. .. .. .. 453 5 l<) 1,893 3 4 Rirle ranges, targets, tec. .. .. .. .. .. 168 2 9 Railway fares of corps .. .. .. .. .. 152 12 9 Training-camps .. .. .. .. .. .. L4B 11 9 Instructor's fares and allowance .. .. .. .. 214 0 Printing, lithographing, &c. .. .. '.. .. 24 14 0 Contingencies .. .. .. .. .. .. 6116 2,738 3 7 Total .. .. . . .. .. .. £3,703 11 3 1 have, &c, T. W. M( Donald, Major, Commandant of the Junior Cadets.

Approximate cost of paper. —Preparation, not gtveD ; printing (1,300 copies), £3 15s.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9lo.

Price (id.}