MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8451, 30 May 1907, Page 7

MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

PRIZE ESSAYS. '#' SECTION 11. (We have been (requested to publish ■'the prize essays of the successful «competitors, for prizes presented in • connection with the best essays written by the Cadets on their visit ■to the Exhibition. The prizes were presented by Mr G. S. W. Dalrymple and by the Chairman of the School Committee, Mr R|. Brown.) (Corporar Joseph Darvill; first : prize in No. 2 Section.) Thenewsthat the Wairarapa BattaljJKjgiild go into camp at Christchurch during the Exhibition period, aeemed too good to be true, so it can easily be imagined that there was a general stir throughout the district when the news came from headquarters that the Cadets were really going. Each boy was told exactly what he had to bring, so that on the February all was in readiness, , ifflfi we lined up in the school grounds, . and were marched under pur respectivs officers to the station, where we • entrained for Wellington. The trip ■down in the train was enjoyed by ■eveyone, and at nearly every station we wera joined by other Cadets, until we finally reached Wellington, and •went aboard the Te Anau, which left .for Lyttelton at eight o'clock. When we reached Lyttelton we were all glad to entrain for Chri3tchurch, for our « quarters on the boat were down in the hold, which was not a comfortable place. After reaching Christchurch we began our long march to the camp, which we reached about two -o'clock, and after having dinner we pitched our tents. Next day camp Toatine was commenced in dead earnest, sentries were placed and the guard told off, so that the camp soon : lasttled down. On my first visit to the Exhibition I had a look round the f< ground3, which were beautifully laid • out. There were lawns sloping down to the river, intersected by nicely'.gravelled paths and flower-beds, dotted here and there. I next entered the building, which is divided into long corridors and courts. The Canadian Court is the one which I

thdught best, for it had exhibits of v everything' Canada can produce. The \ Canterbury Court had on exhibition ..some fine specimens of grain, which •were well worth seeing. The fernery is a magnificent g) ass-roofed "building, which has from the little kidney fern to the large tree fern growing ,in it. I next went into Wonderland, where I amused myself -immensely. The return journey was much pleasanter than the other, although I much regretted leaving -camp. When we reached Masterton AVe went direct to tbd Drill Hall, and ..aft#r getting our luggage we made for home, where our mother's were •anxiously waiting for us.

(By Corporal Richard Chappell; .second prize No. 2 Section.) When it was announced that the "Wairarapa Battalion of School Cadets "was to visit the Exhibition, great ex-

citement was caused in the homes to Cadets belonged. Each Cadet told the necessary articles which had to ,bring, most of which he rhadjto bring in his haversack. The blankets were entrusted to a baggage iguard, who saw to their safety. When we arrived at the station about a thousand people were assembled to see Us away. We had a good train journey, although some boys were train sick. When we arrived in Wellington we were immediately marched on board the Te Anau. We had a good voyage over, but Tiearly every Cadet was wishing to -bear the news that Lyttelton Harbour was to be seen. There were .not many who wanted their meals -on board, some because they had provided themselves with sufficient eatables and the rest were too sick to eat. We arrived at Lyttelton at 10.45 a.m. on Friday. As soon as we arrived at camp we were ready for « good meal which we ate heartily. Next day we started camp life -earnestly. One of the placas where money was spent freely was the S canteen on the camp grounds. JEvery morning at 6 o'clock the .rouse sounded, and the first company which was lined up was the . first to march down to the river and get a wash. Sentries, orderlies and guards were all given their different •duties to do. During the time we were not allowed out of camp wrestling matches and other kinds of amusement were got up by the Cadtts. The Exhibition buildings and gardens presented a lovely appearance, and with the Avon flowing in front with motor launches on it, made it present a still more lovely ..appearance. Men were employed in cutting the lawns, and sweeping the . leaves off. Inside the building the courts were separated and laid out with great skill, the Canadian Court being one of the best. The Fernery was a lovely place to visit, andjsome of the ferns which were there were worth five pounds each. Most cadets were interested in the Armoury, where the different kinds of cannons and rifles were exhibited. The Battle of Gettysburg was another place which was well visited by us. Most of the amusement was in Wonderland, which consisted of the chute, the helter-skelter, the dragon, the camels, the toboggan and the Katzen- . jammer-castle and other amusements which were indulged in. Most of the places around Christchurch, such as Sumner, were visited by the Cadets. The Museum was a general attrac- ' tion. We struck camp on Thursday

afternoon, and marched off to' the V station just as the Hawke's Bay Battalion arrived at t th3 camping grounds. We had a better boat voyage coming back, not so many being sick. I think that this trip to the Exhibition was an extraordinary chance for educationakknowtedge.