E.—2

151

APPENDIX E.

PUBLIC-SCHOOL CADETS.

No. 1. EXTRACT FROM THE THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. The Education Act provides that " in public schools provision shall be made for the instruction in military drill of all boys " ; and'it is declared to be the duty of the Board in each district " to cause physical drill to be taught to all boys and girls over the age of eight years attending the public schools in the district." The number of children returned as receiving instruction in drill in the public schools of the Dominion at the end of was 143.580. The term " drill " here must be taken to include physical and disciplinary exercises. There were on the 31st March, 1909, 185 cadet companies, 111 detachments, and 14 sections, with a total strength of 14,686 members, equipped with the " model rifles " (dummies) which have been imported by the Department for purposes of drill, and with a percentage of miniature Martini-Henry rifles for target-practice. Details of the number of cadet companies in the several districts are given in Table Vof the report of the Officer Commanding. The number of battalions formed was 32. At the end of the year the companies in the North and South Islands respectively, exclusive of those attached to district high schools, competed for two challenge shields presented by the Government. The conditions were that each competing squad should consist of ten cadets, all belonging to the same company or detachment; each company to have seven shots at 100 150 yards (sitting), and 200 yards (lying), the local range being used in each case. The North Island shield was again won by the Dannevirke North No. 1 Company (Hawke's Bay), with a score of 798 out of a possible 840; the South Island shield was won by the North-east Valley (Dunedin) No. 1 Company, with a score of 724. The results of the competitions for the valuable prizes presented by the Weekly Press Company (Christchurch) and the Colonial Ammunition Company (Auckland) are given in the tables of the report of the Officer Commanding. During the summer of 1908-9 five camps were held, seven battalions, with a total strength'of all ranks of 1,343, being represented. Each camp was held for a week (six days), and a capitation allowance of 3s. 6d. per head was provided by the Department towards the expenses, together with the loan of necessary equipment. An illustrated manual of physical exercises has been supplied for general use in schools ; and a revised edition of the Manual of Infantry Training for the Public School Cadets has also been issued for use in schools where there are cadet corps. For the encouragement of rifle practice by the cadet companies forming the No. 3 Wellington Battalion and the No. 2 Wanganui Battalion, Captain J. Kebbell, of Ohau, and Mr. J. Handley, of Wanganui, each very generously presented a silver-mounted shield. The expenditure for the year 1908 was £5,613 12s. Id., made up as follows :— £ s. d. £ 8. d. Salary of Commanding Officer .. .. .. 317 10 0 Travelling-expenses of Commanding Officer .. .. 263 11 5 Salaries of clerk, and armourer and storeman .. 889 0 0 Rent and expenses of store-room .. .. .. 29 2 6 — 999 8 11 Capitation .. .. .. .. .. 1,633 19 7 Arms, accoutrements, ammunition, &c. 2,737 910 Less recoveries .. .. 847 111 1,890 7 11 Rent, &c, of rifle ranges .. .. .. .. 182 17 10 Railway fares of corps .. .. .. .. 267 14 11 Training-camps .. .. .. .. • ■ 583 19 1 Contribution towards expenses of Cadet Friar, competing at Boys' Bisley, England .. .. 50 0 0 Contingencies .. .. .. .. .. 5 810 4,614 8 2 Total .. .. .. .. .. 5,613 12 1