DRILL FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 98, 15 May 1900, Page 3

DRILL FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

Physical or military drill for the pupils of both sexes of the elementary schools is a question seriously occupying the minds of those interested in the education of boys and girls (says the London Daily Telegraph). Physical exercise is already a general practice in a good number of schools all over the country, but there are many who would like to see drill of a military nature introduced voluntarily in every elementary school. Portsmouth feels very strongly on the subject, and has for some time past introduced into the local schools a system of military drill, which, thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm both ot the teaching staff and of the scholars, has resulted in a high degree of efficiency; so much so, that the Mayor of Portsmouth, who has largely identified himself with a movement now of some years' growth, felt tempted to invite a number of gentlemen connected with and interested in elementary education to come down and witness a display by the scholars of the local schools, which took place in the handsome Town Hall. It must be admitted that everyone was not only surprised but impiessed by the excellent manner and precision with which the various evolutions were carried out. Whether the work done consisted of the ceremony known as trooping the colour, physical drill with bell or bar, or manoeuvring with rifles, the result reflected high credit on all concerned, and elicited warm praise from the spectators. Where all were 60 good it is, perhaps, invidious to make distinction, but the work of the boys belonging to St. Luke's National School was remarkable for the clean and steady way with which it was, carried through. These boys are drilled with rifles, and are so smart that, as one of the guests afterwards observed, they were worthy of being armed with a properly-efficient weapon. This is a course which may later be adopted, as, in the new municipal buildings to be erected, it is propo?ed to put up a morris tube gallery, at which the boys could be trained in shooting, The boys of St. Luke's School have quite a military bearing, for everyone wore a smart forage cap and leather belt. They are fortunate in having a warm sympathiser in the person of the Mayor of Portsmouth, who is evidently an enthusiast on the subject. The boys of the New-road Board School were in no way behind the others in efficiency. A better set-up body of lads it would be difficult to find, while those of the Highland-road Board School executed the trooping of the colour with a steadiness which elicited words of commendation from the distinguished soldiers present. At this school, however, it is a weekly institution, as every Friday the flag is given into the custody of the best class of tbe week. The majority of the schools possess a drum and fife band, and excellently the youngsters play. Many of them are little fellows of nine or ten, but they handled their fifes like veterans. After the boys it was the turn of the girls of the Penhale-road Board School, Cot-tage-grove, and the Roman Catholic School. So well and prettily did the girls perform their task that the boys themselves gave them a hearty cheer, and many of the movements were executed with as much .grace as precision, so that when Mr. Burrows congratulated the teachers on their pupils' success he was doing no more than they deserved. j

At the close several of the guests, who had come down specially from town, were loud in their praise of what they had seen, and as Sir James Fergusson intends in a few days bringing this question of military drill before the House of commons, any outcome of the step may well be placed to the credit of Portsmouth and its energetic workers. Before they dispersed the children, who nnmbered some 500, gathered in the great ha'l, and, after singing the National Anthi>m, gave three hearty cheers for the Queen.