SWEDISH DRILL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1830, 16 August 1913, Page 3

SWEDISH DRILL.

AND MR. ROYD GARLICK'S APPOINTMENT. PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY. MR. WJLFORD'S WITNESS PROBED BY MR. HERDMAN. The Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry appointed to take evidence and report upon the appointment of Mr. Eoyd Garlick as Director of Physical Training resumed its sittings yesterday, when there were present: Tho Hon. J. A. Millar (chairman), tho Hon. A. L. Herdman, Messrs. D. H. Guthrie, T. IC. Sidey, A. H. Hindmarsh, C. E. Statham, H. Poland, G. M. Thomson, E. Scott. There were also in attendance: The Hon. J. Allen, Messrs. E. P. Lee, M.P., E. Clark, M.P., T. M. Wilford, M.P., G. Kogbon (Inspector-General of Schools), and Mr. Eoyd Garlick.

_The committee sat for two hours, and only one witness—Walter Ancott Johnson, Physical Training Instructing Inspector, employed by the State, under Mr. Eoyd Garlick—was heard. Tho Man from the Navy. Johnson stated that he joined the Navy in 1887, and left it in March of this year. He came out on the Terra Nova with Captain Scott. He produced first-class certificates,, signed by British military and naval officers, to the clfcct that he was qualified to instruct in the Swedish system and in physical braining. He had had three months' personal instruction under Professor Alan Broman,. who was necognised 1 (he thought) as the leading Swedish expert in the world. To get a first-class certificate he had to get 90 per cent, of marks in tho following subjects: Physiology (including hygiene), anatomy, personal ability (method of instruction), boxing, catch-as-catch-can wrestling, jujitsu, swords, foils, and swimming. He remembered Jlr. Garlick on one occasion starting out to instruct a class.

Mr. Wilford (by whom tlie witness was called): What happened? Mr. Garlick at once found that ho did not know tho necessary words of command, and he asked Moore first, and then myself, to come out and teach them.

Did he Fay why?—"He said he wanted some instruction in, tho matter of commands himself."

Was this simple Swedish drill? —"Absolutely tho simplest." It is absolutely vital to master tho words of command?—" Yes."

But he called on you because he was unable to do it?—" Yes.".

When was that?—"l should say the beginning of May of tliis year." That was six months after his appointment .... and you tell the commit-

tee solemnly that lie absolutely could not give tho simplest words of command in Swedish drill?—'"Yes."

And lie appealed to yoa to help him?— "Yos." .

Witness said that tho manual of drill instruction was arranged partly on Profes-. sor Broman's system and partly otherwise. Broman's was tho Ling system. Mr. Wilford: Does Mr. l'oyd Garlick understand Swedish drill?

Witness: Tho advanced system? No. The elementary form H—"l'ho words of command? No.'

Do you remember his wife's class when Mr. Royd Garlick was in the ranks taking instruction ?—"Yes." What is a sufficient test to know if a man is proficient in Swedish driil?—"Ask him to give an advauoed table without the book." If Mr. Garlick asks you to do that you can?—"At any time." . Can Jlr. Garlick do it?—"ln .advance Swedish? No." Is it a fact that Jlr. Garlick introduced into the system a courso of breathing exercises?—" Yes." Were they safe or dangerous?—"ln tho present form they are dangerous." You have had lectures from Jlr. Garlick on physiology ?—"Yes." Did you have these lectures in England? ■ -"Yes." Could he from his knowledgo of physical oulture gain a third-class certificate m England?—"No; not in a naval and military school." How long do you think it would talco for- a man to become fit to instruct moil who were instructing children?—" Years." How long is it since lie ceased trying to teach the toachers?—"Ho is not doing it at all.", . , . ' What is he doing?—" Organising the movements of ten instructors. . Witness mentioned a couple of other things. And you and the instructors do tho rest? —"Yes."'' i What salary do you. get ?—'.£2oo. Johnson said that he had recently been to Hamilton to instruct teachers there. Mr. Wilford: Could you draft a manual in advanced Swedish for instruction? —"Yes." Could Jlr. Garlick ?—"I should sav not." Special training, tho witness added, wos necessary for children who had adenoids - , were knock-kneed, or flat-footed, or roundshouldered, etc. Instruction according to the manual and without due regard to theso peculiarities would result badly, chiefly, in tho development of weak hearts. Ho was present at the display given in the Town Hall. , Jlr. Wilford: Would that display bo tolerated in Portsmouth with the veriest new-chums in Swedish drill? Johnson: It would bo ridiculed. Why Johnson Loft the Navy. In 1907, witness said, he was one of the 60 men chosen to -represent the British Navy in drill competitions at Olympia. _ The Hon. A. L. Herdman: Have you got your discharge from the Navy? Johnson: Yes. I have not got it on me, but I can get it. Did you sav you eamo to New Zealand with Captain Scott?—"l didn't come to New Zealand- with him. I. came with him as far as Australia." How did you come to leave the Terra Nova ?— "Through an argument on a point of seamanship." Wero you dismissed from the ship?--"I was Kent aboard the Cambrian, by Captain Scott from the Terra Nova." To put it bluntly and plainly, you wero practically dismissed from tho ship?— •'Yes" Have you had any. difference with Mr. Garlick?—"No; I have always found him a gentleman." . : You seem to have a poor opinion ot Mr. Garlick's ability?—'l have as regards advanced Swedish." What as regards tho ordinary Swedish that would bo taught in the schools?— "When we first started he knew nothing. I can't say how much ho knows n °You say that Jlr. Garlick instructed you from this book and that, you had never seen the book before that. How then can you say he was wrong? Witness answered tlrat he had not seen tho book before coming to New Zealand, but had seen it before the tune referred to. In any case, the manual was so abbreviated that one needed io thoroughly understand Swedish system. Eeforring f o Johnson s certificates and story of his qualifications, Mr. Herdtuau asked: Don't you think you aro wasting your timo by coming out here?— \°'man of your ability! According to Mr. Wilford you are a man of exceptional talent and marvellous slcill in gymnastics. Why leave golden opportunities to como to tins rather remote part of tho world. • Witness: You must think I am vmdictive! _ . ~ .p. Mr. Hordman: Oh, no, I cion t. ion have given vouv oridotice quite fairly as far as I know. Still there are some P con " liarities about, it. Tho most extraordinary peculiarity is that you pay you 'had never been iu communication with Mr. Winoui before last evening Perhaps you can cxP \vitnc?<? Tpporttrd that he hnd never seen ov known Jlr. AVilfonl before tlio previous evening. , _ . In answer to Mr. Stntham. Johnpnn ?aul that he had seen adults beiii? instructed according to the manual without additions which were necessary to make the exercises ?afe. * Jlr. G. M. Thomson: Are you pah shod with the way thins?, are-sroim on now: Johnson: Yes. but I think they could improved, L In what yray?— As regards theso breath-

ing exercises. • . • There should be an addition of leg movements." To Hon. James 11 cu: All that was in the manual was found, except ono exercise, which had been struck out. Air. (iiii'lick wns able to settle teclnuical questions arising out of the manual. Ifr. -Mien: Who have you l>ccn accustomed to teach? Johnson: OMcers of tho British Navy, men of the British Navy, and instructors of tho British S'av.v. Jlr. Wilfyrd: Jliddics? Johnson: I include them in the officers. 111'. Allen: Have you had any experience in instructing people who wore goins to instruct children? Johnson: No; because the youngest you set I hem in the Navy is fifteen- . Is this manual not compiled from ProfesstH* liioinan's system ?—"Yes." Is it not a modified form?—" Yes." Modified for what?—"To suit children." }.Lr. Wilford: If it i.s dangerous for children of 11, is it not still more dangerous for children of 7? Johnson: Yes. '' "Impertinence" and "Impudence." Mr. Wilford: Now, tell us why you left tho Navy?—"lt was a dispute about a, point of seamanship with an officer." You had the option of apologising or leaving, and you left?—" Yes." You knew you were right?—"l was right." ~ Mr. Herdman: Who was the officer ? Mr. Wilford: I will tell you that. It was a man who had a lot of money in the oxpodition. Mi'. Herdman: What was his name? Johnson gave some name which was not heard at the press table. Members (not catching the name): Who? Johnson: I would rather not go into that. This expedition is a soro point with me. I lost my best friends in it. Mr. Wilford: Yos, but Mr. Herdman has asked you the question, and it will look as if you have been sacked from the Navy. Mr. Herdman: Ho practically admitted that.' Mr. Wilford: And I thought that it was a very impertinent question far you to ask. Mr. Herdman: It is a piece of impudence on youT part to eay so. Mt. Wilford: I think, it is impossible to find anyone more impudent than you. have been since you have become a Minister. I think you have got swelled head. The Committee then adjourned till 8 p.m. on Tuesday next. Among the witnesses yet to bo called are: Hon. James Allen, Dr. Hardwick Smith, Major Hume, Messrs. Cr. Hogben, It. Garlick, and seven experts.