SCHOOL CADETS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11499, 4 February 1903, Page 3

SCHOOL CADETS.

A NEW ARM OF DEFE3TCE.

TALK WITH MAJOR LOVEDAY.

Mustering fifty-two strong, and equipped with tho "dummy ,, rifles which the Government provides for drill purposes, the Normal school cadete spent the greater part of yesterday listening, -with alert intelligence, to the explanations of Major Lovedny, Omoer-in-Commaiid of the colony's Cadet Force, on the latest developments of drill. A new handbook on this subject is being prepared at present for the special use of New Zea/.andars, the object of which is to assimilate as far as possible the work of mounted m«n and infantry." Under the new teaching only a very little extra training will be needed to fit the man who has been brought up in one branch of the servics to serve with equal usefulness in the other.

The lads of the Normal Suhoul in the morning were instructed, and afterwards practised, in this "new drill, and were given an explanation, also/of the etiquette of military saluting, the methods of army and navy signalling, and other matters, which, they will be taught'in detail during the coming year. The parade took place in Cranmer square, and it. forms part of an inspection of cadet corps all over the colony, which Major Loveday, in accordance with the Government's' policy of giving increased attention to this new arm of defence, is at present making. "Already I nave visited a great number of cadet corps, in Auckland -and Hawke's Bay," Major Loveday stated to a representative of "The Prese." "I have been here since Stmda-y, and I am going to inspect the eleven Ghristehureh, .corps during tJie present week, leaving after that for the South. I find that all over the colony the.boys take a great interest in their work, and their shooting with the miniature Martini-Henry rifles, issued to each corps, is very good indeed.- I have seen numbers of boya who, in their work generally, can fully hold their own -witih volunteers. A supply of cape, officers' ewords, and* other accoutrements, has just arrived ab Wellington for distribution to the various corps of the colony,-and this year's supply; of ammunition is expected by the Waiwera. One-great difficulty has been the diversity of uniforms; a corps can not be comoetled, Indeed, to wear any uniform at all. I should like to see all the companies equipped with a common garb, ooneisting of a blue Jersey, knickerbockere, and the Glengarry cap -with diced border. Parents would have to provide this uniform themselves, but it oouW be used for ordinary school wear, and would be a cheap and serviceable drese. "I am going **> ra*et the various Christchurch jnastere," Major 'Lovedey coßtinaed,* "to arrange about forming a cadet. bat-j tat ion here, and also witih regaird to a' rifle range. The Government is quite prepared to supply cadet corps with these when there are none already available. For the particular weapons issued for shooting, miniature ranges would/ foe found very eaifcistory. The knowledge which a boy ought to "acquire of drill and shooting under the present, system should make him of great value as a trained soldier in the event of future war. In any. case, the discipline he learns etaikfe him m good stead kn civil, as well as military life. It is proposed to establish oaittaldon camps for seven days in the year, during which the boye would spend their'wnole time- under military command. aO is easy to see that after three years of drilling, shooting, and camping, a lad should have no mean knowledge of the requirements of a eoldier. Some people may call thia fostering the spirit of militarism, btft. we call It something else." Major Loveday inspected and instructed the Kast Ohristchuroh cadets during the afternoon, and to-day will review those of the West Ohristdhiirch and Addington schools.