EDUCATION: PUBLIC-SCHOOL CADETS (REPORT ON THE). (In continuation of E.-1d, 1902.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, E-01d

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1903. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: PUBLIC-SCHOOL CADETS (REPORT ON THE). (In continuation of E.-1d, 1902.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Officer commanding Public - school Cadets to the Eight Hon. the Minister of Education. Sir,— Wellington, Ist July, 1903. I have the honour to submit the following report regarding the public-school cadets of the colony : — Organization. —The organization of corps has been effected throughout the colony in the shape of " detachments " and " companies," and these, with the exception of places where schools are too isolated or scattered, and in the Auckland and Wellington Education Districts (where the matter is in hand), have been formed into battalions as follows : In Hawke's Bay, 2 ; Taranaki, 1 ; North Canterbury, 2; South Canterbury, 1; North Otago, 1; Otago, 4; and Southland, 1; with their respective staffs. The strength of the corps in the several education districts at the 30th June, 1903, was 9,370 of all ranks. There has been an increase of 3,658 of all ranks during the year, thus showing how warmly the movement has been taken up since its inception last year. Every support was given by the various Education Boards and headmasters of schools towards organization, as also promises of furthering the movement in the future. Inspection of Corps. —Every corps " recognised " to the 15th May last, excepting the Okato, Kumeroa, Masterton, Te Ore Ore, Ashburton, Porbury, Kensington, Bavensbourne, Stirling, and Park (Invercargill), was inspected, and instructed in navy and army signalling, extended order, whistle-calls, and lectures given on what a soldier had to do, how he was to do it, and what he had not to do. From the 2nd February last all corps that were inspected, in addition to the abovenamed subjects, were also instructed in the "Infantry Training, 1903 " (New Zealand), as laid down by the General Officer commanding the New Zealand Forces. Every satisfaction was given at each inspection, and the manner in which the various exercises were performed deserved the highest commendation, and clearly proved the interest the cadets took in their work, and their discipline was all that could be desired. " Infantry Training, 1903 " (New Zealand). —This manual provides for all movements being performed in " single rank," thus assimilating the present mounted drill with that of the infantry. Advantage has been taken of this drill so far as it relates to formation of " fours" in the following manner : viz., that " number ones " of each section of " fours " (after being told off into permanent " fours ") are held responsible for the discipline and cleanliness of the three cadets of their sections, so that the discipline of three-fourths of a corps is carried out by the other fourth. Further, the instructing in navy and army signalling and firing exercise is imparted by "number ones." The above system meets with the approval of every headmaster. In some schools the above has been adopted throughout the institution. Equipment. —Provision was originally made for equipping 5,000 cadets, but as the numbers increased so rapidly it was found necessary to cable for a further supply of arms, &c. Up to the present time the following issues have been made : Of model rifles, 8,739 ; of miniature rifles, 674; of officers' swords, 264; of waistbelts, 5,000; of whistles, 265; of bugles, 120. It will therefore be seen by reference to Table A that a further supply is still required for immediate issue, and provision must be made for future issues also. It is estimated that by the end of the present year the number of enrolled cadets will be 10,000. Ammunition. —All corps up to the Ist April last were supplied with ammunition as far as the supply available would permit. This year's allowance has been increased from twenty-five to fifty rounds per cadet for class and prize firings. The 200,000 rounds under order will more than complete this year's issue. The following are the conditions for the encouragement of shooting : — 1. To every cadet making over sixty-three points shall be issued a marksman's badge in yellow worsted, to be worn on the left wrist; 2. To the cadet making the highest score in the company or detachment, a badge in gold embroidery ; and 3. To the cadet making the highest score in his education district, a silver medal, which is to be worn on the right breast.

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It has also been arranged that a challenge-shield match for each Island shall be fired annually,. on the local ranges of the several corps, at a date to be fixed hereafter; each team to consist of ten cadets ; ranges, positions, &c, as laid down in Target Practice for 1903. The teams making the highest scores shall hold the shields for the North and South Islands respectively. The names of the winning teams, with the individual scores made, the name of the corps, the year, and totals of scores, will be engraved on the shields. Each winning team shall hold the shield till the result of the following year's competition is decided. A report stating the total points made, with the names of the successful competitors, is to be sent to the undersigned directly after the firing is completed. The shooting of the cadets from the various registers inspected is very encouraging, and in several cases both "possibles" and " near possibles " had been made; and there can be no doubt that in the near future the adults will find that the cadets will be able to hold their own against them. The miniature Martini-Henry rifles supplied by Messrs. Westley Bichards are a very accurate weapon, and reflect great credit on that firm. Rifle Ranges. —ln several cases it was found that where local Volunteer corps existed arrangements had been made between the officers commanding for the cadets to have the use of them, either at a nominal cost for repairs, &c, or for the cadet corps to provide their own targets. Other cadet corps were arranging for a suitable site, and others again had a range. In all cases, however, there would be some assistance required from the Government towards providing ranges ; but as this would not, on the whole, amount to a large sum, it may be presumed the necessary funds for this very important part of the cadet's training will be forthcoming. Bugler's Manual. —Every bugler has been supplied with one of these. The duties of a bugler are clearly defined. They contain the various calls, as also about 150 bugle marches. Navy and Army Signalling. —Direct photographs showing the letters of the semaphore or navy system of signalling have been supplied to every corps, together with an " Abstract of Army Signalling," so that in a very short time every cadet will be well acquainted with this important and useful branch of a soldier's training. Transfers. —It is proposed that where a cadet goes from one corps to another he shall receive a " transfer," so that his service may be a continuous one. Reckoning Boys' Service. —Some recognition should be given to the service of cadets during the time they belonged to corps in the event of their joining a Volunteer corps when they were of the age (seventeen years) to permit of them doing this. It is suggested that they be allowed to reckon half service. This question has been referred to the General Officer TDommanding for his consideration. Physical Drill. —Numerous inquiries were made regarding the issue of a universal system of physical drill for boys and girls. A syllabus of work in connection with this is, I understand, included in the new regulations for the inspection of public schools now in the printer's hands. Uniforms. —Heretofore there was no uniformity in the dress of cadets ; nearly every corps had its own uniform. One corps only in the colony has scarlet frocks. But it is pleasing to note that, after the pattern suggested by the Department had been submitted for personal inspection of 'both headmasters, officers, and cadets, they unanimously approved of it. Already several corps are clothed in this uniform, others are procuring it, and others again will also adopt it as soon as those on issue at present are worn out. Schools which are forming a second company of cadets are clothing them in the Departmental uniform. Gamps of Instruction. —Seeing that by the time in which these could be held—viz., during the last week of the school year, in the month of December—battalions will be in existence in each education district, and considering the advantages to be derived from holding these camps annually, it is to be hoped the Government will see its way to authorise them. It was ascertained that a daily allowance of Is. 6d. per cadet would suffice for providing rations, bedding, fuel, and light. Instructors. —The present system of imparting instruction in drill through the medium of teachers' classes might be improved with advantage by the engaging of, say, five or six military instructors for the colony, their duty being to instruct the teachers and to visit the schools more frequently than can be done at present. At each visit the cadets would be drilled by the military instructor, and both the teacher-officers and the cadets would be benefited greatly thereby. Badges of Rank. —An order has been issued regarding the wearing of rank badges by officers of cadet corps in terms of the following request of the General Officer Commanding to the Hon. the Defence Minister :— Badges of Bank fob Educatiok Department Cadets. I have the honour to recommend that the badges of rank of the officers of the Education cadets should be worn on the collar, instead of, as at present, on the shoulder-strap. This will prevent the confusion which at present arises between officers of the Volunteer Forces and those of the Education cadets. J. M. Babington, Major-General, Commandant, New Zealand Forces. Certificates of Discharge. —With a view to training a cadet's moral character while he is at school, it is suggested for approval that on the cadet quitting his school there shall be issued to him a " Certificate of Discharge" setting forth his rank, name, length of service, and character, signed by the headmaster of his school and countersigned by the officer commanding his corps. This certificate would thus form a passport in the case of his seeking employment or wishing to join either a Defence cadet corps or the Volunteers. The above suggestion was submitted to all headmasters, and duly appreciated by them as a step in the right direction to attain the object in view. Good-conduct Badges. —ln order to mark the conduct of a cadet while he is serving in his corps it is suggested for approval that every cadet who can be certified as being of very good character for a period of one year shall be entitled to wear a good-conduct badge, in the shape of a chevron,

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to be worn with the point up on the left wrist, and to receive a further badge for any subsequent years he may serve on the same condition. These badges to be removed at any time for any breach of discipline in connection with the corps or school by the headmaster, for a definite period or altogether, according to the offence committed. In the former case it would depend entirely on the conduct of the cadet whether he should be entitled to wear the badge at the expiration of the term for which it was removed. The proposed institution of this badge met with the entire approval of all the headmasters. Recognition of Officers.— Though the General Officer Commanding has signified his intention to allow Volunteer officers to be identified with the public-school cadet corps, there should also be some recognition of the officers of Education cadets as there is of those of the Defence cadets, who are in most cases teachers also. The reason given is that the former cadets are not under the Defence Department, and consequently they cannot be recognised. This difference should not exist, seeing that both classes of officers have only the one object in view in relation to their respective institutions. By the New South Wales " Cadet Begulations " it would appear that commissions are granted to teachers in that colony, and provision is made for their selection, competency, resignations, duties, promotion, and precedence. In the latter ease, Begulation 34 says : " The relative precedence of officers of the different corps will be according to rank and the dates of their commissions." This shows conclusively that commissions are granted. A like provision should also exist in this colony, and teachers passing a qualifying examination through the School of Instruction, as is done in the case of officers of the Volunteer Force, should receive recognition. All the teachers who are officers have expressed their wish to go up for examination. If a substantive rank is not granted, then an "acting " one should be given, so that the status of the officer may be recognised. Advantages to be gained. —The advantages which will be gained by the adoption of the present system would be the training of a lad to take his place in the adult Volunteer corps as a " trained " man, in every respect calculated to make a good soldier ; or, in cases of emergency arising, he would be found ready to take his place in the ranks. A complete system of discipline would have been inculcated in him, as also a system of order and cleanliness, which, before he left school, would become a second nature to him ; and last, but not least, the cost of raising and training such a force would be a mere bagatelle compared to what the colony would gain thereby. L. W. Loveday, Major, The Bight Hon. the Minister of Education. Commanding Public-school Cadets.

Statement showing the Number of Recognised Public-school Cadet Corps in the several Education Districts of the Colony on the 30th June, 1903, and their respective Strengths.

Approximate Gout of Paper.—Preparation, nil; printing (1,775 copies). £1 Is. ed.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3.

Price 3d.]

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Education Districts. CO O O o © ft d 0 -4-2 w M ca P3 c3 a (D -u CD a o o CD CQ CQ 4-J fl CC CD bO C CD B o Q O a C3 CD tx CD CQ o o O a c3 « o "3 o cc ■d o a C3 o CQ a "3 O CO ;-i (D "bo PQ <d > 'u Auckland lawke's Bay ]aranaki Vellington ... Vanganui ... 37 25 6 29 13 33 17 5 18 13 3 2 3. 2 97 63 15 65 29 57 58 15 46 33 31 22 5 19 14 1,455 947 214 1,081 572 1,768 1,162 268 1,269 687 19 12 15 9 110 86 103 44 83 269 209 91 4,269 5,154 5,154 'anterbury North Janterbury South 13 6 3 7 30 6 3 4 12 5 2 6 24 5 3 2 15 8 3 7 26 6 3 4 5 1 2 5 9 1 2 2 9 5 2 5 14 3 2 3 32 19 7 18 74 10 5 9 27 21 6 16 61 10 1 12 7 6 1 5 20 5 0 4 609 287 130 330 1,492 268 117 128 716 352 153 392 1,720 308 133 164 key kelson )tago iouthland Vestland darlborough 72 59 72 27 43 174 154 48 3,361 3,938 3,93; kand total of all ranks 145 175 71 126 443 363 139 7,630 9,092 ?otal number of corps companies recognised awaiting to be gazetted Total 182 4 278 278 186 9,370