Untitled

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3495, 8 March 1880, Page 2

We cannot express approval of the decision of the Board of Education in refusing its sanction for the formation of a cadet corps in Connection with the schools of the Waiotahi district. The subject of cadet corps has been treated of by us in previous issues* and it has now become geuerally recognised that juvenile corps should only exist in connection with schools, whereby a^strict discipline can be maintained, and the evils incident to the gathering of lads together without the influence of preceptors avoided. The South Australian schools have recently been supplied with 5000 S,nider Oarbines, in order .to teach'drill on its merits as a military training. The Auckland Board of Education, -however, whilst willing to acquire the advantages incidental to drill, apparently endeavor to blink the fact that such exercises can only be imparted as an essentially military acquirement. The refusal of its sanction by the Board will cause intense disappointment to the boys of the Waio-Karaka Schools, who have acquired a remarkable degree of precision in military evolutions during the time they have received instruction from Lieut. Barlow. Our reporter expresses his conviction that the intelligent manner in which the senior classes of the Waio-Karaka performs squad and company would put to the blush many adult corps of volunteers. There perhaps never was a time, when it was more necessary to subject our youths to stern disdipline. It is a common complaint now-adays that there are no well behaved boys. The youths of the age, without the experience of men, endeavour to copy their frivolities. There is, besides, a general leaning to luxurious manners, ia no ways beneficial, which too often mars the careers of lads of promise. A strict military training woujd do more to correct these tendencies than any other plan. It is impossible-to' over-rate the importance of the educational aspect of this subject. Habits of implicit obedience to orders, of selfabnegation, of exactness in detail, and of working together for a common object would ba engendered. The London School Board have recognised these facts, and every boy from the age of ten years is steadily advanced in drill and military discipline, in addition to gymnastics, whilst attending school.