MORE VANDALISM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1399, 27 March 1912, Page 5

MORE VANDALISM.

PARADES. SERIOUS CHARGES. t'GROSS--LANGUAGE"- ALLEGED. A fourth: com of vandalism at the sciliol cadet parades held in tho Normal School grounds wu ventilated nt tho meeting of tho "Wellington Education Board yesterday. Tho complaint on this occasion in? eluded allegations of tho use of language so objectionable to the residents of Brook Street (in tho vicinity of the school ground) that tho police were summoned, at then- request, to deal with tho' matter. ' At a previous meeting of tho board allegations of vandalism wcro submitted by tlio headmaster of tlie school, and a, copy' of tbo complaint was sent to General Headquarters for.offieial investigation. Previous Complaint, Reply Tj. Colonel E S. Heard, Director of Staff-' Dutos, replying on behalf of General fe* ««at it appeared that ou «-«™ } •'" semi-darkness, ;ond as thereto not suflicicnt instructors present, the ion s?tf5 ?t fi out , % ] T A ; iAt lL « ™;.ciumou of the drill tho lads were marched rfrnrn 1 " 1 . ''T 8 *' 1 gftt *' kut *°™ ,ll« " nd , co »" mtteil «»e damage, uiulo the instructor was inside tlie buildug. Instructions had been issued that in uture all cadet parodes were to ho held m lighted . halls, and a sufficient number of instructors were to attend. Also, that where there was a possibility of a disturbance, tho police were to lie requested to make an example of (he of: : lenders. 'I am very sorry," concluded Colonel Heard, "you have had cause to complain, as the action of the school comimtlees, with-the board's approval,■ in placing the loan of buildings, etc., at my disposal, has been a vcrv great hcln in carrying out tho training." Complaint No. 2-Gross Language. This disposed of the first complaint. Since then the headmaster of the school (Mr. J. C. Webb) again wrote (March 12) mamoro serious strain:— "I have again to complain," wrote the Headmaster, "of tho behaviour of tho senior cadets on parade last Monday evening.

1. Many of the cadets jumped the ' fences and gates to pain access to- the grounds before the 'stipulated time for opening tlie gaies; "2. The language, used in Brook Street was so gross that several of the residents niter protesting without effect prevailed on the caretaker to ring up the police. . • if cadets amused themselves bv intevforiiift with the electric switches in the building, and disarranging and over. ,lm, ng tllfl fonns in " l 0 assembly hall. The police constable, on his'arrival, declared that the cadets were quite beyond control, though they seemed to,liar* paid some regard to his presence." General Godley's Reply. A copy of the above was sent on to the. Department, which replied as follows:—"I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of March 20, with regard to the conduct of senior cadets at tlie Normal School. I am very sorry indeed that these irregularities should have occurred, and that your headmaster and board should'have been put to such inconvenience, but I am euro you will realise that ' wo could hardly expect to start n scheme of this magnitude without great, difficulties at first, and I trust that thev will make allowances for this. I am arranging' for the squads to be smaller, and for more instructors, and trust that by degrees more regularity will be attained. We shall, of course, pav at once for the damage doiie, and I am very much obliged to your liendmasters for their forbearance in the matter." (Sgnd.) A. ,T. GODU3Y, Mn.ior-Genoral. Commanding N.Z. Military Forces. The oohiphint, and the official rcph (which had been sought before the meeting of f.ho board), were considered yesterday, when the board met. There was practically no discussion, and tho General's letter was "received." "Evidently," commented Mr. Le» (chairman of the board), "the Defence Department is disposed to meet us in every possible way."