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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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