Boy Marksmen’s Farewell.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 21, 23 November 1910, Page 6

Boy Marksmen’s Farewell.

N.Z. CADETS ENTERTAINED. LONDON, October 14. Cadet-Sergeant Jack Morgan and Cadet-Sergeant Harold Clarkson, both from Onehunga, left Ixmdon to-day by tlie Orient liner Otway on their return journey to New Zealand. By the time they reach their home they will have covered 32,571 miles in the course of their travels. Both lads were sent to England to compete at Bisley against the pick of the English cadets. Morgan holds the champion belt for cadet marksmanship in New Zealand, while his comrade, Clarkson. is the North Island gold medallist. At Bisley Morgan came second in the competition for the Gwendoline Guinness Trophy, finishing only two points behind the winner. He and Clarkson were then sent over to Canada with the British Imperial eadet contingent, and Morgan won several minor prizes there for individual shooting. At a luncheon given in London yesterday to welcome the cadets back from Canada and to bid farewell to -the two New Zealanders, Cadet-Sergeant Morgan was presented with a rifle, the gift of Aiderman Sir Charles Cheers Wakefield, one of the moving spirits in the sending of the cadet team to Canada. Not the least interesting experience for these two young New Zealanders was the visit yesterday to the Merchant Tailors’ Hall, in Threadneedlestreet. where Alderman Sir Charles C. Wakefield entertained the British and New Zealand cadet teams to luncheon. After lunch, Sir Charles Wakefield welcomed the British cadets back from Canada, where they had won their match with the Canadian cadets, and he then addressed some words of welcome and farewell to the two young New Zealanders. “You sail for New Zealand to-morrow morning.'’ he said. "Will you take back with you a message of friendly greeting to your parents, comrades and officers in the Dominion. And yourselves, here and now. at Lord Roberts’ express desire, 1 bid you on his behalf, personally, •good bye, and a safe return’.” Lord Meath, of ‘’Empire Day” fame, also addressed a few words to the departing New Zealand cadets. "I have been in your country,” he said. “Only last year I was in Australia. I have seen something of their cadet movement and their scouts, and it rejoiced my heart to see that in the oversea dominions you know how to lead the way and show what patriotism is. I do not believe it will be very long before we follow your example; at least I hope it will not be long. I wish you God speed on your journey home.” . Amidst loud applause, Sir Charles Wakefield then presented Cadet-Sergeant Morgan with a rifle. “You have come 13,000 miles to win it,” he remarked, as he handed it over. Dr. R. J. E. Hanson, who had charge of the New Zealand cadets during their stay in England, said they had carried out the tradition set by Colour-Sergeant W. R. Friar, who had come to England in 11108 from the same township, curious-* ]y enough, as these two. namely, Onehunga. near Auckland. It was said that the national products of New Zealand were mutton and wool, but henceforth

boy-marksmen wtniH have Co be gfve® pride of place. Cadet-Sergeants Morgan and Clarkson had left behind’ them is New Zealand more tlian 12,000 highlytrained eadet marksmen. There was no fake or nonsense about their training; it meant expense and hard work. If they, were going to have in England a cadet system that was worth while, they, ’too, would have to face the cost. To teach the boys to shoot and drill properly and to help them towards their (annual training under canvas, the nation had got to provide something like £2,750,000 a year. In that way they could secure full ranks for the Territorials; without it they would have to face a system much more drastic, probably on the German model. Among those present at the luncheon were the Agents-General of British Columbia, and official representatives of Australia and United South Africa, but the New Zealand Government was not; represented at all.