SCHOOL MILITARY DRILL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 26, 29 January 1913, Page 8

SCHOOL MILITARY DRILL.

CIRCULARS TO THE BOARDS. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, January 28. The Education Department lias issued a circular memorandum to education boards throughout the Dominion, reminding them that in view of the provisions of the Defence Amendment Act, 1912, and the Education Amendment Act, 1912, the arrangements hitherto in force with respect to military drill in public school© must be regarded as having terminated on December 31 last. Under section 5 of the Education Amendment Act, arrangements (in accordance with regulations to bo issued in duo course) may bo made for military drill in public schools where tnere are approved instructors. For the present a public school in connection with which there is a fully equipped company or detachment in charge of e;omeonc holding, under the regulations in force last year, an appointment as an officer of junior cadets, may be regarded as a school in which military drill may be given to boys between the ages of twelve and fourteen years. Section G further provides that military drill so given shall he subject to inspection at such convenient times as may be arranged with the Education Board by aii officer appointed by the Commandant. It is understood that the Defence Department will also endeavour to provide, a© far as circumstances allow, opportunities for instruction. It is proposed to arrange for target practice with hazard air rifle outfit, ho. the present, however, schools that have been using miniature ranges (.22 rifle) will be allowed to continue to do so. When the circular came up for disussion at to-day’s meeting of the Wellington Education Board, Mr A. M • Hogg expressed the opinion that they .mould not make military drill a feature of their education system; and .Jr Hogben, Inspector-General, should ie told that very plainly. Military drill, he was glad to say, was in its lecadence in this .country.

Mr J. Kebbell said that a good deal jf the success of the present Tern .orial scheme was owing to the drill given in schools in the past. Tho chairman (Mr R. Lee), pointing bo the usefulness of tho cadet system, said that from the year 1874. there was a cadet corps in Ghuznee Street School, and the boys were then in uniform. From what he had seen In believed that military drill had helped discipline in the schools to a great extent.

The Board will co-operate with the Defence Department in carrying out the Act.