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system admit of little doubt, and the New Zealand Government has been heartily congratulated by competent authorities on its action in this matter. In the first place, the cadet movement serves to solve the problem that faces the Government of a country where for various reasons the conscription system would not be popular; and further, the drill, discipline, and exercise involved in the training given to the cadets cannot fail to have a valuable effect on the rising generation both from a moral and from a physical point of view. As a feeder for Volunteer companies the cadet system may be expected to make its influence felt in an appreciable manner in a few years' time, and from this standpoint alone it is possessed of great value. In this respect New Zealand is considerably in advance of the Old Country, where there is no recognised cadet system in connection with the public schools, though, of course, some schools and some Volunteer companies also have cadet corps attached to them. Attention has been drawn in marked degree at Home recently to the difficulties attendant on maintaining the present system of voluntary enlistment in the Militia and Volunteers, and many impartial observers see no solution of this problem except some form of compulsory service. It is here, however, that the importance of the cadet movement comes in, for it gives to the citizens of the future at the most convenient time in their lives that military training which experts are agreed the members of every nation ought to possess if that nation means to be able to take a leading place among the military powers of the day. Moreover, in a country like the United Kingdom the cadet system would encourage a taste for the military calling among the younger generation, and there would then most likely be less difficulty in obtaining enlistments for the Militia and Volunteers. The system prevailing in New Zealand has excited the admiration of such well-known officers as Lord Methuen, who has done a great deal towards trying to have a similar system introduced into the Old Country. As most people know, the expenses connected with cadet-training in this colony are borne by the Education Department, which has sole control of the corps. An officer to command the whole body of cadets is attached to the Education Department, who is responsible to the Minister of Education for the organization and efficiency of the several corps. The Department supplies one " model" rifle for each cadet, one miniature shooting-rifle for every ten cadets, one officer's sword for every twenty-four cadets, rank-badges for N.C.O's., one badge for each corps, and fifty ball cartridges per cadet per annum. The cadet system has also been thoroughly organized in Australia, Canada, and Natal, and has been followed by excellent results wherever it has been tried. It gives the countries that adopt it an increased number of welltrained citizens, and for this reason is worthy of the active support of the public of the colony.

[Ashburton Guardian, 6th February, 1906.] Cadets in Camp at Ashburton. The camp roll-number now stands at 537, a second company from Rangiora having arrived on Saturday afternoon. A visit to the Domain on Sunday afternoon would have moved the hearts of the most stoic. The rain, the rain, and still the rain, was falling in a heavy drizzle, as if endlessly. There is very little comfort in saying that it might be worse, for the hopeless drizzle that prevailed on Sunday was enough to try, and to make hopeless, the most optimistic. In spite of all this, however, a very cheery spirit prevailed under canvas, and all were found to be making the best of a bad job. In the afternoon the tents were dry inside, and kept off the water unless the canvas was touched, when the water would immediately come through. The officers reported that they have had many offers of shelter and beds for the boys from those living round, for which they expressed their sincere thanks, but were not availing themselves of, as yet. This week, if fine, class firing by the different corps will be carried out continually at the rifle range, and extended-order drill, &c, will also be very carefully carried out. Colonel Bauchop, the Officer Commanding the Canterbury Volunteer District, will pay a visit of inspection on Thursday. In connection with the shooting, it may be mentioned that several thousand rounds of ball ammunition and caps have been received from Wellington for instruction purposes. A few extra tents have also been procured, owing to the increase of the number in camp. The general health of the camp is excellent. Dr. R. W. Anderson (Sydenham), of the No. 1 North Canterbury Battalion, has presented the camp with a complete medical chest, and Dr. J. R. Thomas, son of Surgeon-Colonel Thomas, has been appointed surgeon to No. 2 Battalion. As the rain continued so steadily, towards evening the water began to lie under the tents in a good many cases. One of the marquees had 3 in. of water in it. This necessitated the removal of the brigade, so all were marched out —except the New Brighton corps, whose tents were on slightly higher ground—and put up for the night at the Borough Main and Infant Schools, Rifles' and Guards' Orderly Rooms, and Hakatere Club Rooms, whilst a number were boarded out, owing to the kindness of friends. It having been reported that the boys are not well fed, we publish the list of daily rations for each cadet, which is as follows : IJ lb. bread, 1 lb. meat, 1 lb. potatoes, J pint milk, and tea, sugar, butter, jam, and biscuits as required. On account of the cadets occupying the Borough School on Sunday the pupils were given a holiday yesterday. A meeting of officers was held in camp at 11 o'clock yesterday to decide whether the camp should break up. Seeing that the weather had taken up again, it was unanimously decided to keep on with the encampment, and also to apply for leave for one day extra—till Saturday instead of Friday morning. The class firing ]and extended-order drill will be begun this morning. The companies were engaged up'till about 2 o'clock with shifting tents to drier ground, drying straw, and cleaning up generally. At the meeting of officers the question of establishing a third battalion was discussed, but was held over for a further meeting.