VISITING SCHOOLBOYS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 462, 22 March 1909, Page 5

VISITING SCHOOLBOYS.

—: -* CITY RECREATION GROUNDS. ... CADET MATTERS.

On Saturday evening, at the Hotel ■Windsor, the ~ Wellington ' Publio Schools' Cricket Association, gave a complimentary dinner to the schoolmasters and • schoolboys'. from tho Wairarapa (whoso cricket match. with tho ■ Wellington schoolboy representatives, ■ whjch the- latter won by six wickets, is reported in this issue). Mr. J. C. Webb,.headmaster of-tho Thorndon School, presided over a largo attondaiieo. Included in those present wore: Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P.. Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., and several members of the Education Board. • Apologies for absenco wero read from the Hons. G. Fowlds and A. W. Hogg, Mr. W. C. Buchanan, M.P., Mr. W. H. Meld, M.P., Mr. J. G. W. Aitkcn, and others. ' The chairman welcomed the visjtors on behalf of tho School Sports' Association. He called upon Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P., to address the gathering. '■' ■ \ Mr. Luke, in the course of his remarks, dealt with the recreation ground difficulty. He mentioned that during tho past four years ' about £40,000 had been spent on these grounds, and what the retiring City Council had done should not be forgotten. As chairman of the Reserves Committee, lie mentioned that a "respectable" legacy would bo left the now council in the way of playing grounds. : He expressed his sympathy with tho aims of the Terrace School indesiring tho free use of Kelburne Park. His sympathies wero also due to the teaching staff. He appr6ved of drill by cadets, but he did not agree that they should be paraded on every occasion, but only on occasions of real national importance.' He was sure his friend, Captain T. W. M'Donald, of tho Dcfenco Department, and a_ member of the Education Board, would help'in this matter. On behalf of the Wellington Publio Schools' Cricket Association, Mr. Luke; acknowledged receipt of a donation from tho Wellington Cricket Association.- . ■• ' Mr. ,! M. F. Luckie, chairman of tho. Wellhigtonr Cricket Association; in the /course of a speech referred to tho difficulty of securing playing grounds, ■ and said their only method of gaming funds was to make a small charge'. It should be remembered that the Cricket Association was responsible for the upkeep" and maintenance of the Basin Reserve, upon which all it received from . admission charges was spent. 'He hoped the Cricket Association - would always be able to supply pitches to the School Sports Association. ' In reference' to the securing of a coach, already £100 a year had been guaranteed, and ho thought the coach would bo available if not next,year, the year after. The school players, or the most promising of them, would receive instruction free of charge. (Applause.) Mr. Wright expressed pleasure at the opportunity of meeting tho teachers and the pupils., Ho was satisfied that tho City Council would be thoroughly impressed with tho necessity of providing playing grounds. Ho hoped something would be done in tho way of making Jam Tin Gully a reserve. Mr. M'Donald pointed out, regarding the parading of cadets, that there were two sides to tho question. He'stated that there had, during the last two years, been only two occasions when the cadets turned out and thoy were invited, They did not decline to do this, and the board had no power to force, them to parade. Ho thought tho cadets should have camps in the open air, at which they should hold sports, etc. Ho indicated that 'he was going to put the other sido of tho question fully before the public. "Is there anything iri.this ultimatum?" he asked. "I say no." Mr. Haslam, on behalf of the visitors, returned thanks to their hosts. Before concluding, ; Mr. Luke invited the visiting scholars, on behalf of tho Mayor and City Council, to inspect the powerhouse, destructor, and Town-Hall. The invitation was accepted, and the visit will be paid at 10 o clock this morning. A special mooting of the Wellington Education Board is to bo held on Wednesday evening next to consider the cadot question.