HIGH SCHOOL CADETS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1919, Page 7

HIGH SCHOOL CADETS.

CONCLUSION OP BARRACKS.

PRESENTATION, OF MEDALS. The barracks which has teen held at the Now Plymouth High School during the past week was brought to a conclusion yesterday, when a parade took place on the school playground. There were about 250 cadets engaged, in two companies under Lieutenants Diprose and Rowe, the whole parade being commanded by Captain Ryder. lieut.-Colonel Robinson, Palmerston North, of the N.Z.S.C., was present and inspected the parade, being accompanied by Major Cox, camj) commandant, Mr. W, H. Moyes, principal of the school, Captain Dallinger, and Lieut. King. After the inspection the cadets marched past, Lieut.-Colonel Robinson taking the salute. The parade was then assembled for the presentation of medals won in recent shooting competitions. ' Prior to the presentation, Major Cox congratulated the cadets on the way they had entered into the proceedings of the week, the keenness and enthusiasm shown being largely responsible for the success of the course. They had made marked progress during the four days, but he was sure that had it been possible to have a seven or eight days' barracks very much more advanced work could have been done. He expressed the regret of Colonel Sleeman for his inability to attend, owing to pressure of Btaff duties, but said it was his intention to take the first available opportunity of visiting the school. Major Cox said he and the barracks staff appreciated the co-operation of Mr. Moyos and the school staff. The work and 'discipline was bound to have a very beneficial effect on all who took part, and he hoped they might have a barracks every year. Lieut.-Colonel Robinson, after apologising for the absence of the officer commanding, the district, presented the Diedata The first success referred was that of the team which had won the Christchurch Weekly Press Challenge Shield for 1518. Unfortunately the shield and the medals had not arrived, owing to delay through the railway ayangements. Be congratulated the boys on their success in attaining so high a percentage of marks in the competition. The shield is competed for by cadet companies in the North Island. Two teams from the school competed last year, the senior team winning, the average score being 96.G per cent, of the maximum points possible (08). Following are the names of'the winning team and the marks scored: Cadet L. Abbott 05, LanceCorporal Candy (to, Lance-Corporal M. Barak 07, Lance-Corporal Waters flfi, Lance-Corporal Malt 65, Cadet Pearce 65, Cadet Jackson 66, Lance-Corporal Hair 07. Lance-Corporal Herbert 65, Cadet Wills 67.

The Press Company's cheque for £lO, which poes with the shield, was presented to the captain of the team. The Imperial Challenge Shield was a valuable trophy and the school was to be congratulated upon its success. The school first entered the competition for this trophy in 1913. The first team was coached by Corporal V. ,T. B. Hall, who died of wounds received on Gallipoli. In 191 A the school won both the senior and iunior competitions. In 1917 the rifles were destroyed by fire, but the school managed to compete with rifles lent by thp Defence 'Department, and secured ninth place for the Empire and first for New Zealand. In 191S eight teams were entered. The senior team secured fourth place and the junior team third place for the Empire. About 30 New, Zealand teams competed, and the New Plymouth school teams were placed Ist, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. *

Following aTe the namea of the hoys ill the successful teams:—

'Senior competition.—No. 1 platoon, fourth place for the Empire and first place for New Zealand. Team: Corporal B. H. Grayling, Sergeant Harrison, Q.M.S, Greiner. Sergeant Boulton, Sergeant Bayly, Cadet Morey, Sergeant L. O'Halloran, Lance-Corporal G. Boon. Average points, 9*2 per cent.

•Tunjor competition—No. 1 platoon third place for Empire and first for New Zealand. Team: Cadet F. Williams, Cadet L. Abbott, Lance-Corporal Candy, LanceCorporal Morton, Cadet R. Musker, Cadet Pearee, Lance-Corporal Barak, Laiicc-Corporal If Hair. Average points, 80.75 pel" cent.

Tt U worthy of note that in the last throe years the school has won £l5O in shooting prizes

Mr. Moves thanked Lieut.-Colonel Robin?on for his attendance and for presenting the medals, and also Major Cox and the bartaeks staff and instructors for the way they had conducted the barracks. He also toolc the presence of so large a number of parents and friends of the boys aa a sign of their interest in and sympathy with the work undertaken. At his call hearty cheers were given for the barracks staff. The parade was then dismissed, and the "boys gave a very entertaining exhibition of the new system of physical exercises which they nave been undergoing. in which the elements of amusement and recreation are much more prominent than in physical drill of bygone days. The smartness and alertness with which the boys responded to tfeft commands of the instructors demonstrated the success of the system.