Unruly Gisborne Cadets

Horowhenua Chronicle, 1 September 1915, Page 2

Unruly Gisborne Cadets

Ul SCiiNE AT GARRISON HALL. 'The parade of do Company Senior Cadets called for last week at :fio Garrison llall was marked by sceiics of hilarity that were scarcely 111 keepiuy with proper military discipline. On ordinary occasions tlie parade begins at 7.25 p.m. when the roll is called, and everything is in readiness to commence drill at 7.30 p.m. Usually Staff Sergeant-Major Andrews takcb tlie Company for drill, out unfortunately last Jught he waK absent with the Gisborne quota ol the Bth Reinforcement at Napier. toonio 100 lads waited impatiently until 7.35, when Lieut. J. H. Kane arrived to take charge of the Company.

'Ihe discontent which had apparently been occasioned by the wait was accentuated when a youthful non-com began to put the Company through physical drill. About half of the 65 Company are in uniform, and rhe other hall in mitiiti, ancl the percentage which were in their best suits ob7ected strongly to going down full stretch on a floor.

The officer commanding next gave orders that the lads should do certain exercises in double marching round the hall, and this gave license to tho turbulent element among tho hoys required. Those in the rear ranks chan-ged through tnose in front, and before long pandemonium reigned. Tripping was resorted to, and as the lads doubled round tho toll units flew on their faces, and spills were frequent. it was one of the most unseemly parades which has been held for wji time past, and certainly not a , credit to the Cadets. \ One lad seized hold of a tffiion Jack which was laying handy, and, after bearing it round the iiall, threw it among a batch of the National lioserve who were, waiting lor the Cadets to get through in order that they should be allowed to put in a 'ittle drill.

r lwo of the Cadets were sent off parade for refusing 'to go down on the floor during physical drill, -and it ia stated that several names were taken during the evening ror insubordination. The whole performance was a most regrettable one } and emphasises tha necessity for stricter discipline. —Gij*borne Tirnee.