E.—ld.

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.