CADET FRIAR’S RETURN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2398, 13 January 1909, Page 6

CADET FRIAR’S RETURN.

BOYS’ EMPIRE MATCHES. THE • IMPERIAL PURPOSE” OF THE VISIT. Color-Sergeant AVm. Friar, of the Onelmuga High School Cadets, aml a nephew of Mr. W. A. Friar, ol Gisborne, who lias been competing in, the English Cadets’ rifle shooting meeting returned home on Sunday by the s.s. Vv inline ra-. He was successful with the rifle, being second in each contest he competed in, the Lady Gwendolen Guinness Cup and the Cheylesmore Cup. He Avas presented by Lord Roberts with a high-grade Winchester rifle, and by the Londtfh School Cadets, on behalf of his corps, with a Union Jack, bearin<»- the inscription "Loyal New Zealand.”

Cadet- Friar, who is an observant hov of 15 years, states that Lord Roberts lias issued an invitation for a team of ten New Zealand boys to go to England this year, and has also suggested that an international cadet rifle competition ho lield annually, to be fired m the different countries. The doings in Great Britain of Cadet Color-Sergeant Friar have placed on record, in an interesting letter to "The Times” by Air. R. J. E. Hanson (lion, secretary Lord Roberts’ Trophy), who writes: "Now* that the official visit of Cadet Color-Sergeant Friar (Ncav Zealand Public School Cadets) has conic to an end, I should like, Avith your permission, to giA'e some account of this lad’s stay in the Mother Country, of the purpose of his visit, and the probable result. "The Dominion Government officially delegated Cadet Friar to represent the 15,000 E.S. cadets of New Zealand as' their best marksman and to be the guest- of the City of London primary schoolboy marksmen at Bislev this summer. Shortly after his arrival be Avas Avelcomod by the- Lord Mayor, the chairman of the London County Council, Lord Roberts, Lord Meath, Lord Clieylesmore, and the Secretary of State for War. "Hospitality lias been offered from all sides, but his age and the physical training neeuecl to nrepare him for the various rifle matches for‘which lie had entered necessitated a quiet and careful course of training, ivhich he had, at Bisley and elsewhere. .

“Hc has well maintained the reputation of New Zealand schoolboy marksmen, and has shot well and consistently during his six weeks’ stay with us. Ho took second place in the competition for the Lady Gwendolen Guinness’ trophy (.303 rifle), one point only behind the winner. He tied with four other boys for the Cheylesmoro. Cup (.22 rifle, rapid firing contest), and in the ‘re-shoot’ again obtained second place, making a very fine re- - cord. “The object of his visit is not, howeVer, fully describecT by a recitation of results obtained upon The ranges.. The visit has an Imperial purpose— -i namely, to link up all boys, at Home and in the over-sea possessions, by inviting rejiresentative to come each year to the Mother Coun'try and to join hands with our boys .at Home on the ranges and in tho ; 'filaying fields. - /_ . “Moreover, such a visit foreshadows the'early introduction of a universal add uniform system of cadet training 'fjlkoughout the Empire. A school ‘cadet’s system should be introduced , for the younger (primary) schoolboys, ibllowed by a senior cadet • .intern' for the' - working hoys, Cplitrolled by the education author-'itie-V iu consultation with the milir tary training departments of the ' various bodies throughout .the Empire. Such a system is proving ' e'ffii*ien ! t‘; and successful in Natal and '^rew’’ i Ze , aland. . _ .- - . _ “A sure foundation for a national armv will result. A healthy and liap•W- improved in character, 'ihteljigchbe, and physique, will road,'ily kpAte ‘from .its manly ;vanks tlio f pi'o|ioi'iioii 'of citizen soldiers necessary to fill the cadres of a genuine ' citizen army.”