SUNDAY IN THE CADET CAMP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8118, 24 May 1906, Page 2

SUNDAY IN THE CADET CAMP.

ALLEGED DESECRATION. Mr G. H. Maunder, at yesterday's Education Board meeting, again brought tip the matter of the recent cadet encampment at Sentry Hill, and nearly an hour was taken up in the discussion of hii complaints that the Board had been overlooked by the Department in arranging the camp, that the camp was held at the wrong season of the year, and that certain things had occurred on thp Sunday afternoon which were offensive to a large section of the community, He said he would not give his opinion of the cadet movement, which seemed to be part of the Govern, mont policy. First, he considered the Board and the school committees concerned should have been consultad before the fixture was made. Thfl camp should have been held in the summer —in the holidays, for preference, so that it should not have interfered with the ordinary work of the schools. He entered a vigorous protest against the encouragement given on that Sunday afternoon for the lads to " imitate the ugly contortions and grimaces of the Maori halti." Then it was reported that the day wound up with toastdrinking. He did not kuow who was there, but it was evident that, though no one was willing to openly teach the children to drink, the educational authorities were ready to set the cadets this cxamplo. If it was right, let the Board teach it openly, like science or arithmetic.

The Inspector read from the regulations, showing that the officer commanding the cadets should have consulted the Board in arranging the camp. Mr Maunder moved " that the attention of the officer commanding the Cadet Corps and of the officer commanding the Taranaki District of the same be called to the failure -on their part to arrange with this Board when holding the recent encampment, and as required by the Government regulations in reference to Cadet Corps.— Seconded by Mr Trimblo. Mr Maunder then moved " that this Board rogrets that, at the recent public school cadet encampment certain things were done on the Sunday that were offensive to the Christian sentimont in the community, and rogret especially the open toast-drinking as reported by the Press.

On the motion of Mr Morton all the words after "tho community" were doloted.

Mr Monkhouso said he would oppose both motion and ainendniont. The motion was too drastic, and to carry it would mean that the officers in charge of the companies would feel compelled to resign. At the sumo time he considered the cadet movement was interfering far too mush with the ordinary work of tho schools, and should bo taken [as an extra subject, outsido ordinary school hours. Mr Maundor refused to amend his resolution, but evontually accepted the following amendment drafted by Mr Monkhouse, "That the commanding officer in future camps bo asked to take every caro to presorve tho decorum of tho Sabbath, and to avci 1 any action that may havo an injurious effi ct or be a doubtful example to the cadits,"

This was carried withq it dissent, On the motion of Mr Maunder Mr Monkhouse it was r-s lved that officers commanding pub ie school cadet corps have their attention drawn to the regulations thereon, and thaf they be requested to send tho!r returns of capitation received and expenditure annually for the Beard's information and for audit.