E.—2.

Appendix G.

Junior Cadet Organization. Out of a former total of 573 primary schools at which Junior Cadet Corps formerly existed, with a total strength of 30,623, there now remain only twenty-eight schools, with a total strength of 1,055. These are distributed as follows : Three in Auckland District, three in Hawke's Bay District, four in Wanganui District, two in Taranaki District, one in Marlborough District, one in Grey District, six in North Canterbury District, six in South Canterbury District, and two in Southland District. The Cadet equipment from schools where the Cadet corps have been disbanded still continues to be received, though in many cases a part of it is sold by the headmaster to the boys at the school at a low price, thus saving the expense of forwarding to the Departmental Store. Thougli the equipment is coming in but slowly, yet the question of storage accommodation must be considered, and to avoid congestion sales have been effected to dealers from time to time. The sum total realized from sales by the headmasters and from the Departmental Store is £976. The interest in the shooting competitions seems to have declined, in spite of the fact that the Department continues to supply targets, rifles, and ammunition for the purpose, and it is worthy of note that there were more trophies than competing corps during the past year. ■ Only eleven corps sent in returns, and of these two did not comply with regulations on the subject, and were accordingly disqualified. The results of the competitions are appended. RESULTS OF COMPETITIONS OF CADET SHOOTING TROPHIES. Champion Belt. Score. Sergeant Fred Hansen, Public .School, Geraldine ... ... ... 96 Government Challenge Shields, No. 1 Shield.—Geraldine School ... ... ... G4\'S4 No. 2 Shield.—Rotorua School ... ... ... ... ... 7293 " Weekly Press " Challenge Shield. No. 1 Shield. —Lower Hutt District High School ... ... ... 48-89 No. 2 Shield. — Paeroa District High School ... ... ... 59-42 Winchester Repeating Arms Company's Shield. Timaru South School ... ... ... ... ... ... 7T13 Wanganui National Defence League's Shield. Marist Brothers' School, Timaru ... ... ... ... ... 53-36 " Star " and " Graphic " Shield. Helensville School ... ... ... ... ... ... 69-03 Colonial Ammunition Company's Cup. No. 1 Cup.—(Conditions not complied with, cup not-awarded.) No. 2 Cup.—Sergeant A. Clifford, Lower Hutt District High School ... 85 No. 3 Cup.—Sergeant F. Hansen, Geraldine School ... ... ... 96 No. 4 Cup.—Private A. Blanchard, Livingstone School ... .. 73 District Prize Medals. Auckland —K. Lawrie, Rotorua ... ... ... ... ... 93 Wellington —A. Clifford, Lower Hutt ... ... ... 85 Grey— J. Oliver, Cobden ... ... ... ... ... 94 South Canterbury —F. Hansen, Geraldine ... ... ... ... 96 Otago —A. Blanchard, Livingstone ... ... ... ... 73 General Remarks. The proportionate importance of physical education to that of purely mental training has not been fully appreciated in our education system in the past, but the time has come when it should receive full and adequate attention, even if this should involve the sacrifice of some less important subjects in the curriculum. The methods of the system tend to the production of a higher standard of physical, moral, and mental efficiency at the age of puberty — i.e., the age at vvhich the foundations of character and personality are most firmly established. The scheme therefore offers an excellent medium for the distribution of a knowledge of eugenic principles, by bringing their practice into the homes of children. Some interested teachers have quickly realized this, and have addressed meetings of parents, explaining its aims and methods, with a view to securing their most desirable co-operation. The establishment of a better spirit of discipline is an essential adjunct to the success of physical education, and this can best be achieved by thoroughness in the elementary work, especially the starting positions. Although this principle is clearly emphasized during the course of training, many teachers forget it in practice at their schools, and attempt progression to more showy exercises before their classes are ready for them : thus the benefit of proper progress is lost, and the cultivation of discipline rendered more difficult. If the system is to be properly established and controlled by the Department more comprehensive regulations must be issued at an early date. Before concluding I should like to express my appreciation of the value of the advice I have received from the Inspector-General, and the assistance afforded by the heads of branches and other officers of the Education Department, also the officers of those Boards whose teachers have been assembled for training for their ready and valuable assistance. The Department must gratefully acknowledge the public spirit of the committees of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society of Hawera and the Feilding Jockey Club for placing their grounds free of charge at the convenience of the branch for training-camps. Royd Garlick, The Hon. the Minister of Education. Director of Physical Education.

By Authority: John MaCKAY, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l4.

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