RIFLE-SHOOTING FOR BOYS.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

SIE,—The advocates of rifle-shooting in preparatory schools are often met by these two questions :—(1) Is miniature rifle- shooting of any value as preparatory to the use of the Service rifle? (2) Is it useful or desirable to train boys of the pre- paratory-school age in the use of the rifle ? The Committee of the Preparatory School Rifle Association have recently collected evidence on these points which is so conclusive that a short epitome of the circular issued by the P.S.R.A. may not be without interest to other readers than those for whom the circular was drawn up :-

Question I.

On this point we have, first, the evidence of the War Office itself, Clause 354 of " Musketry Regulations, 1909," Part I. :— " Practice with miniature cartridges is a valuable preliminary to firing with Service ammunition, provided that the rifles or aiming tubes possess a high degree of accuracy and the methods of instruction are such as to expose and correct the fault of the firer."

Major W. B. Wallace, Chief Inspector of Small Anna, Enfield Lock, writes :—" Shooting with .22 ammunition is first-rate training before using the Service rifle." The following are a few selected instances showing the ease of transition from the miniature to the Service rifle :-

(1) Major Wallace gives an instance of a men's team belonging to a miniature rifle club, who had fired with .22 ammunition only, winning a match with Service rifle at 500 yards, after only two or three days' practice, against a team accustomed to use Service rifles.

(2) Member of East Grinstead Miniature Rifle Club, having never before used Service rifle, made 29 out of 35 at 200 yards, and 33 out of 35 at 500 yards.

(3) Percy Grant, of the Wellesley Company of the Public School Cadet Battalion, Canada, made 24 out of 25 points with Service rifle at 100 yards. He had never fired anything but an air-rifle at an indoor range before.

(4) Scores made by boys of King Edward's School, Witley, at their first attempt with Service rifle and charge at Bisley :- 200 yards 500 yards

Highest possible, 35 in each case.

(5) Instances quoted by members of Preparatory School Rifle Association :—(a) Boy of thirteen made 33 out of 35 at Bisley in his first trial with Service rifle. (b) Score of 18 out of 20 with Service rifle, and 24 out of 25 (min.) made by a boy after three terms passed without practice. (e) Two boys in winning "eights" (Ashburton Shield) in their first year at their public schools. (d) In one public-school "eight" seven boys had learnt to shoot at their preparatory school.

Question II.

Questions on this point, among others, were sent out to thirty- six officers of Public School Corps (O.T.C.) With one exception the replies showed a cordial approval of the work of the P.S.R.A. One officer very aptly compared tho advantage of learning to shoot to the advantage of learning to swim before entrance to the public school. The percentage of public-school boys who join their corps during their career is seventy-four, and as a rule the boys who are net in their corps do not get training in shooting. Therefore twenty-six per cent. would pass out of the public schools untrained in shooting unless they had had training in their preparatory schooL Moreover, the majority of public-school officers who have had an opportunity of judging are of opinion that boys who have previously learned to shoot are more inclined to join their corps than those who have not so learnt. This opinion is held by a very large majority of preparatory-school masters of experience.

Freeman

Candler Blanch Wickens

Lambert

As to the educational value of shooting, Dr. R. J. E. Hanson writes :—" The object of the educationist is to develop a boy's character, intelligence, and physique. All these objects are attained if the boy is taught, when young, style and precision in the use of the rifle, provided that, after the elements have been learned, modern methods of application of fire be insisted upon."

Major Wallace writes, as to the advantage of boys starting early in shooting :—" They become keen on shooting before they are entirely engrossed with cricket and football. Their eyesight becomes well trained, and the power of accommodating the eye to rapidly focus the sights and targets is improved. The boys get taught to handle arms with safety to themselves and others." The following quotations from the Report of the Medical Officer (Education), London County Council, for the year ending March 31st, 1907, are important :—" The tendency of girls to nurse dolls or of boys to play soldiers is absolutely natural. The failure to exhibit these normal tastes may be held to indicate mental defect." "The boy of twelve is capable of learning accurate shooting as quickly as at any other age." "The movements them- selves of presenting and aiming are more highly specialised and educational than anything at present taught in school, meaning the training and co-ordination to very high perfection of a large number of nerve centres and muscular masses."

Shooting is popular with most parents. Formerly some objections were raised on the score of danger. Such objections are rarely, if ever, made now. It is probably felt that the risk (which can be reduced to a minimum by proper care) is worth running in view of the fact that boys are learning for future use the need of carefulness in the handling of guns of all descriptions.—I am, Sir, &c., GEO. F. BURGESS,

Secretary to the P.S.R.A. Sub-Committee appointed to collect evidence.

Upland House, _Upson".