THE WEST COAST CADETS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 June 1901, Page 4

THE WEST COAST CADETS.

Official Blunders.

(press.) The first section of the 2000 school cadets, who arc to he present at Christchurch during the Royal visit arrived in Christchurch on Monday morning, and were immediately marched to Cranmar square. The section comprised some five companies from West Coast schools, and included about 300 cadets. Two of the companies were in full uniform khaki tunic, knickerbockers, and cap—and carried small rifles or carbines. One company-, the Westland Cadets, was distinguished only by blue caps, with name badges. The other companies no uniforms whatever. It is understood, however, that the uniforms for some of the cadets at present without them, arc being sent down, and will arrive some time before the Royal functions take place. The senior company, the Greymouth Cadets, appeared to be a well-manned, well-drilled, and well-officered company-, and understood and executed the various commands given by Major Richards without hesitation.

When the cadets arrived at Craumer square, and were drawn up in battalion, facing the Normal school, a didiculty presented itself. The cadets were not expected till the middle of the week, and accordingly little or no preparation had been made for their reception, ihe Normal school had not even been closed. A consultation took place, and it was eventually decided to close the school forthwith, in order that the class rooms might be made available for the visiting cadets. The boys were then called out, and dismissed until Wednesday week. Mr Weston (Chairman of the Canterbury Education Board), addressing the cadets in the Square hefoie they were marched into the school, welcomed them to Christchurch, and hoped they would give a good account of themselves at the forthcoming review. He relied upon them as soldiers to do their duty and not to damage the buildings, or anything inside, or round about. He hoped they would have a very good time during their stay in Christchurch. (Cheers.) The cadets were then marched into the Normal School quadrangle, and, after arms had been piled, were dismissed for lunch.

A number of Normal boys were present when the cadets arrived, and heartily cheered the visitors as they entered the school.

Before the cadets were dismissed, they were strictly cautioned by several of the masters, who had accompanied them, not on any account to leave the school without express permission.

It seems inexplicable that arrangements for the accommodation of the first instalment of cadets should have been so backward as they appeared to be on Monday. The arrangements for the Tarawera to make a special trip yesterday with cadets was, we believe, decided upon at least a week ago. The whole of the details of the transport preparations were published in the Wellington papers about the middle of last week, and it is hard to believe that the authorities in Wellington would not advise those in Christchurch who have the responsibilityon their hands of looking after the cadets. The boys, hotwithstandiug official blundering, appeared yesterday to be fairly well content wifh their lot as the provisions were being served out. They had a good trip down from Wellington, had a good breakfast on board, and were received by Major Richards. The lads are under the command of Captain Boswell, of Westport. They arc accompanied by several teachers and members of school committees. On board the Tarawera they were comfortably accommodated in the 'tween decks. Before they left the steamer they gave three hearty cheers for the chief steward, Mr. Madge, who had looked after their comfort.

Mr Fraser, M.H.R., waited on the Defence Department, and recommended that passes he granted to teachers other than the officers of the cadets only, as the responsibility of looking after the boys was great. The Department acquiesced, and is authorising the issue of passes to all tho teachers necessary to accompany the boys. The Normal School squad at present possesses the appearance of a full military camp. The piled arms occupy a large portion of the space, and between the rows diminutive sentries, armed with diminutive rifles, pace to and fro, heedless of what their companions arc doing around them.

Accommodation on the Corinna. The trip to Christchurch for tho great review, which hundreds of West Coast school cadets have probably dreamt about for months past was not a thing of unalloyed comfort. Even at midday on Tuesday, when satisfaction at Mr Cook’s excellent catering arrangements, seemed to bo the predominant feeling with all—the agonies of Saturday night at sea were still remembered. In tho first case tho Coast representatives turned out in far greater numbers than was at first expected. In spite of this their accomodation on tho Corinna, which carried them from Greymouth to Wellington, was left far from satisfactory. Several of the teachers as well as the boys, were full of interesting reminiscences when a representative of “Tho Press’’ saw them yesterday. There were about 280 of them in all, and about 300 volunteers, wore loft to the ministrations of a stewards’ staff of seven people. They found their way to their sleeping accommodation, where at first the chief difficulty seemed to be tho lack of straw. Packed one upon the other, taking up every cornet of tho room, with a human layer on top to warm the human bedding below, there was no need of straw. As a teacher put it: “I was lying across two boys. I had the foot of one against my neck, the head of another in my stomach, and the knee of a fifth in my back.” To make matters worse, they were loft in total darkness. Little provision had been made in case of sea-sick-ness. Mai de mer, moreover, showed a complete disregard for seniority, and tho masters were themselves prostrated. An Hour in Rain.

At about half-past one on Sunday, the cadets reached Wellington, which welcomed them with a hearty shower. Here they expected to stay until Wednesday, but after standing for an hour in the downpour, waiting for instructions, they were directed to got on board the Tarawera, at once Here, fortunately, all was changed, and the lads received attention and comfort which they cannot praise too highly. When they reached the Normal School, and the long tables were spread, complaints wore quickly dissipated. The sole objection still remaining that “there did not seem to be a knife and fork in Christchurch, ’’ vanished almost instantly in a general adoption of a system of pocket knife and finger.