HIGH SCHOOL CADETS REVIEWED

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5330, 17 February 1947, Page 5

HIGH SCHOOL CADETS REVIEWED

,. . SMARTNESS COMMENDEp RARRACKS WEEK WAS GREAT JSUCCESS s " in ^spite of broken weather that iriterrupted the finishingofi stages of instruction, the Rotorua . High School Cadet Batfalion showed exeeptional stcadiness yesterday afternoqri when it was reviewed by the OHicer Commanding tffe Northern Military Distriet, Brigadier A. B. Williams, D.S.O. The health of the boys has been better than that generally indicated by the school attendance, and they entered with zest into all the activities - of barracks week. The effects of the ouLdoor life was mainly apparent during the first two days in the fact that thc only response to the timehor.oured formula of the day "Any conplaints?" was "Not enough." This was rather astonishing, in view of the generosity ,of parents and fviends of the school in providing all mr.nner of eatables, -but the cooks chcerfully undertook the added burYts in the cookhouse, and 'by-*break-fasfc-time on the third day, the last Ol'.ver Twist had no vacancy to voice, . A complete schedule of weapon training and specialist instruction was carried out, to the satisfaction of the instructors themselves, and the reviewing officer. After the inspection the march past of the p&rade in review order were carried out hnder the IN.C.O.'s. When it is remembered that a large proportion of the boys on para':ie yesterday had not been taught even the rudiments of arms drill and marching in formation prior to lastweek, the progress they had made within the week is very creditable, and the congratulations of the brigadier were well earned. In his address, Brigadier Williams said the turn-out was the result of -diligent instruction, the purpose of which, beyond the benefits more immediately apparent, was to provide a trained force ready to carry out the policy of the Government and to protect the rights we now enjoyedy The training they received was also , of value in preparing the boys for their civil avocations; in inspiring " confidence and inculcating the competitive spirit. He ... urged pulblic ■ opinion to suppoi*t what commom pru'dence suggested — that we should not leave our military preparalion until trouble was upon us. A tent-pitching competition in which teams from the four Houses participated was won by Drake, 244 poirlts, a quarter-point ahead of Frobisher. Afternoon tea was served the visitors, of whoin there was about 500 present, at the conclusion 5f the parade. The cerbmonial lowering of the Flag at 5 -o'clock 'brought barracks week offi-cially to an end.