Hon, Colonial Secretary,
23019
Rece (Red 9 JUN 02)
143
The report is now in your hands.
As regards paragraph 6, I have seen the Military Inspector of Schools and am quite satisfied from what he says that it will not be possible to do away with the Military School. My opinion is based mainly on the following grounds:-
The Military Schoolmaster is appointed principally in order to coach non-commissioned officers and men in order to enable them to pass the examinations leading from one rank to another. His appointment could not therefore be abolished. At the same time the above duties are chiefly performed in the afternoons; to fill his mornings he teaches the children of the regiment.
If these children were sent to the Government School the following consequences would ensue. The Military Authorities would have to pay fees, whereas now they have to pay none. Their schoolmaster instead of being fully employed would be idle half his time.
It must be added that the instruction given in Military schools is the same all over the Empire; so that when a regiment is moved to a new station the children fall at once into their places in the new school.
(sd.) E. A. IRVING,
Hon. Secretary, Education C'tee.
2.4.02.