NEW ZEALAND’S CADETS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 57, 31 October 1912, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND’S CADETS.

DISPLAY IN THE TOWN HALL. It would have been indeed unfortunate if an opportunity had not been given to Stratford people to see the young New Zealanders at vine exercise, and physical drill. Much has been said about their smartness, precision, and skill, but nothing has been exaggerated. Tired though they must have been last night, for it was not till very late in the evening that they appeared on the stage, they exceeded all expectations, and their work was as near perfection as it would seem possible to get. Rounds of applause greeted every movement, some of the more spectacular exercises fairly bringing down the house. The exhibition concluded with two tableaux, excellently done. Altogether it was a memorable display, and it did not need the stirring haka at the conclusion to rouse the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm.

The Official Welcome. Prior to the raising of the curtain of “Our Regiment,” His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. P. Kirkwood) officially welcomed the New Zealand Cadets to Stratford. Mr. Kirkwood stated that, prior to the departure of the boys to Canada, ho had had, in Wellington, an 1 opportunity of seeing them drill. The I general comment, on that occasion, i was that they were well set up, smartj looking fellows, who would do credit to their country. General Godley had given those present an invitation, to inspect the boys, and drew particular .attention to the uniforms, as of the sort approved by him, and to be generally adopted by the Cadets throughout the Dominion. The Cadet movement, continued Mr. Kirkwood, was one of those things that should be heartily supported by everybody, and in this connection he would like to say that Mrs. Godley had initiated a scheme whereby the ladies of the Dominion would provide trophies for competition among the senior cadet corps of the Dominion. He trusted that the ladies of this district would give the matter their support, so that Stratford would not be behind in contributing a fair quota to the general scheme. Referring to the anti-militar-ists, the speaker said it was very unfortunate that there were any objectors at all. He could not follow them in any logical sense. The staff officers, from General Godley downwards, taking them as a body, were a most tactful and capable lot of men. Iry conclusion, Mr. Kirkwood extended to Captain Fullerton and bis cadets a hearty welcome, sincerely hoping that during their stay in Stratford they would be most pleasantly entertained. (Applause.)

“No Better Lot of EUys-” Captain Fullerton, who was receive;] with applause, responded suitably,' paying a graceful tribute to the hospitality extended to them in New Zealand. In Canada they had had a very pleasant and a very successful time. Much of their success had been due to the capable services of Sergeant-Ma-jor Parkes, who had trained the boys for six weeks in Wellington, previous to their departure for Canada. As for the'boys themselves, Captain Fullerton stated, amidst applause, that a better lot of boys could not have been got together anwhere. Their main thought had been that they were New Zealanders, and that New Zealanders always came out on top. (Applause.) For the benefit of those, who did not not know just what the boys had accoiriplished, the speaker detailed their successes. In the combined competition for marching, rifle exercises, and general appearance, tlujjNew Zealand-ers-won. The cup for inarching, alone —that also was won by New Zealand. They won another cup for rifle exercises, and again, another one for general appearance. (Applause.) Ip, physical exercises they had the hardest tussle. There was a team from Montreal, which had just concluded a triumphant tour of Europe. They had given exhibitions in Paris, Rome, etc., and were thought to be invincible, but after a great contest, “our boys won.” (Long and continued applause.) In the tug-of-war with our Australian cousins they again won. Referring to the rifle shooting, Captain Fullerton explained briefly the difficulties under which the hoys had laboured. Their rifles had been changed at the last moment, and with the unfamiliar weapon they had only been able to have one or two practices. Then, again, the conditions were unusual and ones to which the boys were unaccustomed. Moreover, the other teams had been practising assiduously for months. Under these circumstances, gaining fourth place, was a very creditable performance. (Applause.) In conclusion, Captain Fullerton thanked his audience for the kind welcome they had given them that evening. (Applause.) Another Exhibition.

This evening another opportunity will bo given to Stratford residents to see the Cadets at work, and at the conclusion of “Our Regiment” tonight, they will repeat last night’s performance. This morning the boys went to Eltham by the mail train, nnd prior to performing at the Town Hall to-night they will visit His Majesty’s Picture Theatre, whoso nospit able doors have been thrown open to them by the generosity of the proprietress— Madame Bernard.