SENIOR CADETS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 36, 12 February 1913, Page 10

SENIOR CADETS

COMMANDANT'S COMMENDATION presentation of prizes 'rifles to be provided. There was a "full house" at the Garrison Hall, Buckle-street, last night. Seven companies of senior cadets assembled for an inspection parade, to the number of .375 (two companies were represented .by over 90 per cent, of the total strength), and that part of the general public which is neither - senior cadet nor territorial, but takes an interest in the doings of the youths who are to be the citizen army of the future, assembled in hundreds to see what was going on. Iso one could have viewed the parade without A feeling that, while serving their country, the youths were being well served. They went through a course of physical drill— much of it good ( hard work, designed to develop all the important muscles of the body,\ and to give grace and suppleness to the limbs — and they did it with a degree of excellence that reflected the greatest credit on themselves and on the non-coms, who have had the task of drilling them. This was the first 1 time the youths had performed the exercises in such large, numbers, "but," said a military enthusiast, "that's nothing to what we'll show you when they appear at the Easter Carnival." , One can easily imagine the future. If partially, trained cadets can do as well, fully trained cadets ouglit to be well worth seeing, I and it is an indication of the interest j taken in the movement that the spectators who thronged the galleries frequently applauded the young fellows for the workmanlike majincr in Which they, carried out the various exercises. The parade was under command of Maj6r' Potter, and, however they may 'behave: on other occasions, it was evident that the youths were on their best behaviour," 1 and the discipline ;was' excellent. 'I he Commandant (Major-General Godley, O.B.), was accotnpanied by, his staffofficers, and by the Honi A. L. Herdman (representing the Government), tho Hon. J: G. SAiith, M.L.C., who as a Canterbury Lieutenant-Colonel took evident interest in the proceedings, and Mr. L. M. • Isitt, M.P. for Christchurch North. A piper and drummer supplied some lively music, and the proceedings throughout were characterised by much enthusiasm. At the conclusion of the physical exercises the companies were formed up in square and the Commandant, standing in tl»e 'centre, addressed the gathering for the purpose of making som6 preaen« tations. He had much pJea'sure, he said, in presenting the V.M.C.A. cadets with the cup which they had won as the champion cadet company, which took part in the recent competition at Christchurch. The cup had been presented by Colonel Smythe, Officer Commanding the Canterbury district, for the best aggregate of marks among all the cadet companies competing, and he thought the Wellington cadets had great reason to be proud of the success achieved by the V.M.C.A. representatives. "I hope," the Commandant added, "that in the tournament' you are soon going to have here you will see that the Y'.M.C.A. cadetjs don't have it all their own way, and that the other companies will produce teams that will beat them." He went on to say that the V.M.C.A. team got the highest marks for route , marching, physical exercises, squad drill, ' and rifle exercises, a very fine record indeed. He hoped the other companies Would' emulate their example and win similar competitions before very long. (Applause.) . . ' The ' Commandant next presented the badges won by the Wellington Technical ' School Cadets as the best ehooting team at the Wellington Rifle Association's New Year tournament. He thought they would all be pleased to hear that the Government had recognised the excellent Work done by Sergeant-Major Parks in training the company of New Zealand Cadets that went to Canada and carried everything before them. On behalf of the Government he had pleasure in presenting . Sergeant-Major Parks with a ■walking stick, with a greenstone handle' and a suitable inscription on a .gold band. He wae sure that Sergeant-Major Parks ■would be very proud to have such a memento of his stay in New Zealand and of the success he had in training the Cadets, which did so well in Canada. He) Was V^ry pleaded to see «i' Minister of the Crown present, and he was perfectly sure he* realised, an did all the members of the Government, how very much the Cadets were indebted to Ser-geant-Major Park* for his efforts on their behalf. (Loud and long-continued ' applause.) , , "One other thing J want to say to you," added the Commandant, "and that is to tell you how Very pleased' I am with what I have seen of the W«l j lingtou Cadets here to-night. 1 know all the difficulties just as . well as you do. t know that a great many of you have not got your uniforms, and I know that a great many have not yet got the right uniforms. But you will" get them '. it only needs a little patience, and 1 ask you to have patience. I am glad to be able to say that the Government has decided thai tho time has now come when you shall all have rifles, and the rifles have been ordered. You can't have them all at once, they have to come from England, but they are coming. ; I alii very glad to think that the Wellington Cadets are to have rifles, because from what I havo seen to-night of their drill und discipline I think they a^e -well prepared to have, rifles,, and to uphold the credit of the Wellington district and Wellington Cadets by bearing arms.' 1 In conclusion, tho Commandant stated that arrangements were being made for the carnpanies to be exercised in field work. "You must Tememl-ef," he said, "that you are. all doing vi>ur bit for your country, and that it is Worth doing. You may say that this has boen said over and over again, but I am quite sure you all walise it, and if you do so and work well I am perfectly certain the day will come when you wdl feel yourselves well rewarded. I wish yon all the best of luck in the future." (Loud applause.)