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1904. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: PUBLIC-SCHOOL CADETS (REPORT ON THE). [In continuation of E.-1d, 1903.]

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

The Officer commanding Public-school Cadets to the Right Hon. the Minister oe Education. Sie — Wellington, 30th July, 1904. I have the honour to submit the following report regarding the public-school cadets :—- Organization.— Since the last report battalions with their respective staffs have been organized in the Auckland (2), Wellington (3), Wanganui (2), Marlborough (1), Grey (1), and Nelson (1) Education Districts. The strength of the corps in the several education districts at the 30th June, 1904, was 10,858 being an increase of 1,766 over the previous year; and it is fully expected from the enrolments which are coming to hand that the total strength by the end of the year will be twelve thousand. The encouragement given by headmasters towards furthering the movement still continues, and thanks are due to them, the Education Boards, their Secretaries, and the Inspectors of Schools for the assistance given at all times towards the encouraging and fostering of the movement. Inspection of Corps.— The whole of the corps of the South Island and the Auckland District have been inspected since the last report, and those in the Taranaki, Wanganui, and Wellington Districts will be inspected at an early date. It is again pleasant to have to report favourably on the general appearance and discipline of the corps inspected ; a marked improvement was found in the drill and marching. All the sergeants were examined personally as to their knowledge in drill, giving words of command, and manoeuvring their corps; and on the whole these non-commissioned officers acquitted themselves well. The necessity of utilising them was strongly impressed on officers commanding corps, who appreciated the suggestion and promised compliance therewith. Infantry Training, 1903 (New Zealand), and Firing Exercise Manuals.—A large demand for these has been made by the cadets, and it was found, necessary to issue a second edition of the " Firing Exercise," so great was the demand. It is very gratifying to find that these manuals are appreciated by the cadets. Equipment.— Since the last report it was found necessary to procure further articles of equipment for free issue consequent on the increase of corps. Up to date there are 8,750 cadets fully equipped and with the articles arriving there will be sufficient to equip ten thousand; but a further supply wi'll be necessary for future demands. With a view to utilising the model rifles for firing exercise and skirmishing, percussion-caps have been procured, as also pouches for carrying them in. This will enable the cadets to get a training in " fire discipline." Ammunition.—With a view to giving the cadets more practice on the rifle range, the annual allowance of free issue of ammunition has been increased from twenty-five to fifty rounds per cadet The ammunition required for the year, 600,000 rounds, is due in the colony in a few weeks, and will, be in plenty of time for issuing by the time the annual firing commences. Result of Shield Competitions.—The following are the results of the competitions for the challenge shields fired for annually by ten cadets of each corps in the North and South Island respectively for 1903. In addition to the shields a money grant of £10 was given with each shield ; but, as the cadets prefer having a souvenir of the event rather than the money, it is recommended to give suitable medals instead. . - 1 _ ■.„

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Public-school Cadets Challenge Shields.— Winning Teams' Scores.

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100 Yards (Lying Position). 150 Yards (Sitting Position). 200 Yards (Kneeling Position). 1 2 Total. 3 4 To'a. Total. Noeth Island. Onehunga. Private S. Hunt 4 2 4 0 3 4 4 21 4 3 4 2 3 3 3 22 3 3 2 4 4 3 3 22 65 Colour-Sergeant J. Grant .. 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 22 4 0 3 3 3 4 2 19 4 2 4 3 3 3 2 21 62 Sergeant Watts 4 2 3 4 3 2 Q 21 3 0 2 I 3 2 2 4 16 3 3 4 3 2 3 2 20 57 Private M. Good 4 3 4 4 4 4 2 25 4 2 2 ! 3 3 3 3 20 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 26 71 Private H. Thompson 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 22 2 0 3 j 3 3 4 3 18 4 3 3 4 3 3 4 24 64 Private A. Ferguson 3 3 2 4 3 4 4 23 4 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 22 4 3 3 2 3 2 2 19 64 Private S. Vause 3 2 2 3 2 3 3 18 4 4 4 2 3 22 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 21 61 Private H. Wilson 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 22 4 2 2 4 4 3 3 22 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 24 68 Private C. Wintle.. 4 2 3 3 3 4 4 23 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 20 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 26 69 Private P. Pullan 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 21 3 4 2 2 3 2 2 18 4 3 3 4 3 3 2 22 61 South Islakd. 642 General average 64-1 Waimate. 78 Sergeant Wilson 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 28 3 3 4 4 4 3 4 25 3 4 4 3 4 3 4 25 Colour-Sergeant Poweraker 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 28 4 3 4 4 4 3 4 26 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 24 78 Private Gunn 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 26 3 4 3 2 2 4 3 21 3 3 4 3 4 4 3 24 71 Corporal Duokett 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 28 4 3 3 3 4 4 2 23 4 3 4 2 2 2 2 19 70 Private Wilee 4 4 3 4 ' 1 2 4 4 25 2 4 2 2 2 4 4 20 3 4 4 3 4 4 2 24 69 Sergeant Hurst 4 3 4 4 4 4 3 26 3 4 4 i 3 4 4 3 25 3 3 2 2 4 2 0 16 67 Corporal Wilson 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 27 2 2 3 3 3 3 2 18 2 3 4 2 3 2 2 18 63 Private Pollard 4 4 4 4 I I 4 3 27 4 3 4 3 4 4 3 25 2 3 0 2 2 2 0 11 63 Private Bird -4 3 4 4 3 4 3 25 2 3 3 2 4 2 2 18 4 2 2 3 2 2 19 62 Private Nioolls 4 3 4 3 4 4 4 26 0 2 3 , 2 4 2 3 16 2 2 4 0 0 0 10 52 673General average 67 - i

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Rifle Ranges. —Provision has now been made for the use of the Penrose Range for those of the Auckland corps which do not possess ranges of their own. In other cases arrangements are being made to provide ranges for all the corps in the colony. Signalling. —This is being taken up more or less by corps. It is, however, suggested, with a view of giving encouragement to this important part of the training of the cadet, to issue a " signaller's " badge to those cadets who can read at the rate of five words a minute. The cost of the badge will be a mere trifle compared to the benefits derived thereby. Particular mention must be made of the signalling done by the Opotiki Cadets, where thirty-seven out of fifty signalled correctly, making an. average of 95 per cent, of points. The Waimate Cadets have some good signallers also. It is to be hoped that the example set by the above corps will be an incentive to officers commanding other corps to get their cadets also to take up signalling. Physical Drill. —There is every prospect of a manual being soon issued for a general system of physical drill for boys and girls, as also drill with arms for cadets. Uniforms. —Fully nine-tenths of the corps are now clothed in the pattern cadet uniform, and it is. anticipated that by the end of the present year the balance will also be in the uniform. Badges for " Number Ones." —The privates selected as " number ones " — i.e., the right-hand boy of each " fours " —will wear the numeral I. on his right arm to distinguish his position as commander of the " unit." Appointment to this position is given only to the smartest cadets, and they are held responsible for the general appearance on parade as well as the discipline, &c, of their " units." These cadets, as vacancies occur in the ranks of the non-commissioned officers, are promoted to those ranks. By the adoption of this system one-fourth of the cadets maintain the discipline of the other three-fourths of the corps. In many instances headmasters have adopted the above system throughout the whole school with beneficial results. Sergeants' Sashes. —lt is proposed, with a view of further marking the status of a sergeant beyond the wearing of the chevrons, that he shall also wear a crimson -worsted sash. These would be paid for out of capitation, and would become " school property " as in the case of the uniforms. School Colours. —All the headmasters approved of the suggestion of adopting school colours for their respective schools. The cadets are to wear them under their "cap badge" .when in uniform, and on the lapel of their jackets when in mufti, and the girls to wear them on their hats. Certificates of Discharge. —These are in future to be issued to each cadet on his leaving his school. It is unanimously admitted that the issue of these will in every way tend to train the moral character of the cadet, and that the certificate will form a passport when seeking employment or admission to either a Defence cadet or Volunteer corps. The discharge will be signed by the headmaster, and countersigned by the officer commanding the corps. When it becomes generally known that these certificates are issued, they will be sought for by any who may be seeking the services of a boy. " Good Conduct " Badges. —These badges are to be issued annually to such cadets as have during the year been (1) regular attendants at school; (2) clean and tidy at all times ; (3) who are never guilty of any act of disobedience to their superiors; (4) whose behaviour is good in going to and returning from school; and (5) who do not smoke. If any cadet commits a breach of any of the above conditions while he is a holder of a " good conduct " badge, the headmaster, whose decision is final, can remove the same for a definite period, or altogether. The institution of this badge meets with the full approval of every headmaster. Recognition of Officers. —A scheme to have the adult officers of corps duly recognised has been approved, and as soon as the details are decided upon a " Cadet Order " will be duly issued. New Regulations. —A set of new regulations was gazetted on the 18th February, 1904, amending; the previous ones as follows : (a.) Allowing schools having twelve boys of the prescribed age and height to form a " section " ; thus enabling adjacent schools which were unable to take part in the movement previously to form detachments or companies ; (b.) Increasing the ammunition-allowance from twenty-five to fifty rounds per head. Battalion Bands. —So far the two Wellington battalions are the only ones which have taken advantage of the permission granted to form a band, and the instruments are expected in a few days. The band will be a " military " one — i.e., having both reed and brass instruments. Already forty boys have been enrolled, and will commence practice directly the instruments are to hand. The establishment of such bands will not only form a source of pleasure to the public, but will also enable boys to learn a class of instruments which at present are not readily sought for, as there is little opportunity of using them. These instruments are the clarionet, bassoon, oboe, flute, piccolo, and French horn. Inquiries are being made from other districts concerning the formation of bands. Possibly the Government may, later on, take into consideration the question of making a special grant towards the upkeep of cadet bands. The cost of the Wellington band instruments has been • subscribed by the public, to whom thanks are due. " Cadet Orders." — Previous to the Ist February, 1904, notifications were made by means of " circulars " ; but, since the above date, a system of issuing " Cadet Orders " has been established, and copies of them are sent to officers commanding battalions and corps, Education Boards, and Inspectors of Schools. Railway Passes. —These are now, under certain conditions, granted to cadets attending battalion parades, rifle matches, rifle ranges, and annual competitions in military and physical drill for prizes. Buglers. —Each corps' bugler was tested at the time of the corps' inspection, and fully nine-tenths were found to be good buglers. A number of these will be available for adult corps as soon as they leave school. In one case (Onehunga) the bugler was selected for duty at Wellington in the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery. Officers commanding Volunteer corps need experience no difficulty in procuring good buglers if application is made to officers commanding public-school cadet battalions. Military School of Instruction. —A number of cadet officers who were permitted to go through the school course and have passed the prescribed examination thereat, have been unable to obtain certificates —the reason being that at present no provision exists to grant them certificates. Under the circum-

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stances it is to be hoped that provision will now be made for granting certificates to those who have already passed and for future cases ; thus giving the officers every encouragement to attend the school and perfect themselves in the subjects taught there. Ambulance. —In the " Regulations for Manual and Technical Instruction, 1903," provision is made under paragraph 23, (a), (1), for " First Aid and Ambulance " (boys and girls), and a payment of 2s. 6d. per annum will be made for each unit of the average attendance. Several schools have taken up the subject, and advantage should be taken of this with reference to the cadets, who could also be trained in " stretcher-bearer " drill, thus affording a means hereafter of recruiting the adult bearer corps. From inquiries made it is believed that medical men would gladly give their services towards instructing cadets in this most useful branch of the service, and the experience thus gained would be of value hereafter either in a civil or military capacitjr. In cases where battalions exist their present staff might be augmented by the addition of a battalion surgeon. The cost for supplying splints, &c, to twentythree battalions would not be very great, and the outlay would not be a recurring one. Camps of Instruction. —The Right Hon. the Premier informed the 2nd Wanganui Public-school Cadet Battalion, when he inspected them on the 17th December, 1903, that he had decided to let the cadets go into camp for training. The announcement was received with cheers. Too much stress cannot be laid upon the advantage which would be gained by all ranks at these camps. At present only drill is learned at the ordinary parades, but at camps all that appertains to the training in fieldwork, &c, would be imparted, and the week's training thus gained would be of incalculable benefit to the state. The various Education Boards of course would have to be consulted as to the time for going into camp. It has been suggested that the last week of the school year (December) would be the most suitable to all concerned. Instructors. —A number of the headmasters of the Auckland schools consider that since the services of a military instructor were withdrawn, the drill of the cadets has deteriorated, and they are of opinion that the old. system should be resorted to as early as possible. If it were possible to utilise the present staff instructors of the Defence Department, and to augment their present salary with a small daily allowance, the difficulty would be overcome, and the gain would be of great value to the training of all ranks. Reception of His Excellency the Governor. —The number of all ranks who took part in the reception at Wellington was 800, and that at Auckland, 550. The muster would have been greater at the latter place but for the fact that the uniforms which had been ordered were not received in time. The following communications were received from the Right Hon. the Premier in reference to the receptions, which are of a most gratifying and encouraging nature, and are highly appreciated by all ranks. Memorandum for The Inspector-General. Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 20th June, 1904. Him Excellency the Governor, Commander-in-Chief, has desired me to instruct you to convey to the Officers and School Cadets, who took part in the reception to-day, His Excellency's gratification at the cadets being present in such numbers, which fact His Excellency mentions as being a most pleasing feature of the reception. Convey to the officers and cadets His Excellency's pleasure accordingly. R. J. Seddon. To Colonel Loveday, Auckland. 17th July, 1904. Kindly convey to the officers of the cadet corps, who took part in His Excellency's reception yesterday. His Excellency's gratification in observing the strength and efficiency of the cadet corps, and His Excellency is of opinion that it would be difficult to lay sufficient stress upon the importance to be attached to the cadet movement in the colony. R. J. Seddon. Displays. —Competitions in manual exercise, marching, and physical drill were held at Christchurch on the 28th November, 1903. Major Cresswell, of the Ist Canterbury Battalion, acted as judge, and thanks are due to him for the services he rendered on that occasion. The Ist and 3rd Otago Battalions gave a display on the 28th November, 1903. They were inspected by His Worship the Mayor, the Chief Inspector of Schools, and Messrs. Allen and Millar, Ms.H.R., all of whom spoke highly of the appearance of the cadets, and of the manner in which they marched past and did their drill. On both the above occasions the girls went through physical, wand, and club drills. Battalion Parades. —These are being held throughout the colony where battalions exist. Defence of the Empire. —The following from the New Zealand Times' London correspondent of the 10th June, 1904, may not be out of place here as a conclusion to this report, bearing as it does on the system which has already been adopted in New Zealand. I have, &c, L. W. Loveday, Lieut.-Colonel, The Right Hon. the Blinister of Education. Commanding Public-school Cadets.

APPENDIX I. DEFENCE OF THE THE EMPIRE. A Chat with Sir John Ardagh. One day this week I happened to meet at dinner General Sir John Ardagh, who will always be remembered in English history as having furnished to the British Government early in 1899 a very strong and able report on the South African situation, alike in its political and its military aspect. It will also be recollected that this remarkable document came out before the Royal War Commission, whose drastic report created such a sensation when it was published last August, and that it at once became manifest that, had Sir John Ardagh's report been duly heeded by the Government, the South African war could either have been entirely averted or else conducted with success from the outset. Sir John had been speaking early in the evening about the report of the more recent commission on the Auxiliary Forces, which virtually recommended the abolition of those forces and the substitution of practical conscription. He spoke quite openly and unrestrainedly in absolute condemnation of the last report, and when we found ourselves side by side at a later period of the evening I had a long and most interesting chat with him on the general subject of Imperial Defence—both Home and colonial. " Yes," said Sir John, "I do entirely condemn the idea of conscription. Ido so, not merely because it is contrary to all our English ideas and traditions, or because I believe the people of this country would not stand it, but because I deem it utterly unnecessary." &S|j|P ■. "(But difficulty is experienced in recruiting sufficient men for the Army, is it not so ? "j §j§,?Kii|

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" Ah, but this proposed remedy is wholly disproportionate," replied Sir John. "If carried out at all it would tiave to go upon a definite basis of universal liability to military service. But that would give us an army immeasurably beyond our real needs, and in doing so would dislocate trade and hamper every industry in the country. There exists no such necessity with us as with Continental countries to have the whole nation armed and liable to military service. We must be very hard pressed indeed and completely worsted at sea for a large standing army to be requisite in this country itself." " What is your view then as to the principle upon which this country ought to act ? " " The principle of the ' armed nation 'is no doubt the sound one if properly applied," answered SirjJohn. " Only it need not be strained into dragging every man in the country—within certain age limits—from his regular employment for several of the best years of his life, thus lessening his value as a worker and diminishing the country's producingpower. There is a very simple, straight-forward, and official method which virtually secures all the practical defensive advantage obtainable from conscription without the drawbacks of that objectionable system." " This is indeed interesting. Pray explain." " My opinion," answered the General, " one which I hold and long have held very strongly is that a certain amount of efficient military training should compulsorily form a part of every boy's regular education. That is to say, he should be thoroughly taught to use a rifle, and as thoroughly trained in military habits of discipline. This should not be any mere ' playing at soldiers,' but should be made an important and essential part of every boy's education. It would not impair his efficiency as a civilian; but, on the contrary, would improve him. Habits of discipline always stand a man in stead, and it certainly would not harm anybody to know how to use a rifle. Thus, if every boy left school a decent shot with the rifle, and with a sound practical knowledge of military drill, and familiar with discipline, there you would have splendid raw material for a future army. Indeed, it would be something much better than raw material, for it would be the best possible material more than half worked into shape. It would be a quick and easy operation to construct efficient armies out of such materials as these." " I presume you would make this school military training absolutely compulsory ? " " Absolutely," replied Sir John Ardagh. "It should in no case be optional, but should be as much a necessary and compulsory part of every boy's school education as reading, writing, and arithmetic. In public and private schools alike, I would have every boy in every school in the whole Empire thoroughly trained in this way. Then the Empire would never be at a loss for soldiers in case of need." It seemed to me that the New Zealand Government might do worse than to take up this idea and give it practical effect. New Zealand has led the world in so many things that she might well do so in this matter too. I remember that a similar idea was broached in New Zealand many years ago by the late Mr. Chantrey Harris, who indeed went further, and advocated that girls as well as boys should receive this training at school. " A schoolgirl who knows how to use a rifle," he once said to me, " could kill an enemy's soldiers just as well as any man could, and why should n't she in defence of .her country ? " Why not, indeed ? But at any rate we might begin with all the boys.

APPENDIX 11.

Statement showing the Number of Recognised Public-school Cadet Corps in the several Education Districts of the Colony on the 30th June, 1904; their respective Strengths, and the Increase during the Year.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, cot given ; printing (2,025 conies), £5.

By Autnoricy : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o4.

Price 6d.~]

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Education Districts. CO ft rH O o o Sh CD r^ A cci fl ct3 a CD 0 CD 3 to tH 03 -,■-•> fl a CD -r^ 0 O 0 O o CD CO co -4^ fl cS CD fcuG Sh CD CQ rH P o *o o CO OJ & > "Eh CO "o o H 3 o EH H O CQ 0 "S -W ft crj O CC -r-i a o rH CD C/3 CC rH o Qh sh O Q Sh CO Ph Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington ... Wanganui 40 27 8 31 23 3i r 4: 2' 3' 2; 106 66 24 71 59 66 64 24 52 63 40 27 8 31 23 1,618 950 260 1,179 810 2,009 1,210 349 1,430 1,044 20 20 21 15 17 19 12 129 100 115 55 102 326 269 129 4,817 6,042 6,042 "Canterbury North Canterbury South Grey Nelson Otago Southland Westland Marlborough 14 8 7 10 34 8 3 4 13 7 3 3 28 7 3 4 16 8 6 7 26 6 3 4 6 3 3 4 28 2 2 2 9 6 3 4 16 5 2 4 35 25 37 15 86 16 5 12 30 27 12 15 73 16 3 12 14 8 7 10 34 8 3 4 695 373 174 432 1,729 325 95 155 832 465 252 500 2,054 393 119 201 4,816 88 68 76 50 49 231 188 88 3,978 4,816 Grand total of all ranks 168 191 105 151 557 457 217 8,795 10,858 Total number of corps 217 217 Total increase in the Noi Total increase in the Sot ■th Island ith Island Corps. 19 16 Cadecs. 888 878 Grand total inc: rease for the year 35 1,766