PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND PUBLIC DEFENCE. 653 



almost from the introduction of the Act, the utter uselessness of 

 the " extension motions " requiring- no demonstration. In Brisbane 

 an instructor in gymnasiics was appointed, and the playsheds were 

 fitted with gymnastic appliances. All senior boys were placed 

 under instruction, the time each week varying from one to two 

 hours. A most capable man was employed ; teachers and children 

 entered heartily into the work : much private practice was indulged 

 in ; and yet the training did not confer generally the beneficial 

 results that were desired. In addition to the time set apart for 

 gymnastics one-quarter of an hour each day was almost universally 

 devoted to the teaching of squad drill, and to this may be added 

 the time spent at chimge of lessons, which changes were invariably 

 effected by some adaptations or combinations of drill movements. 

 From the drill lessons no healthy child, however young, was ex- 

 cepted, and every class, from the lowest rank in the infant school 

 to the highest in the boys' and girls' departments, had to undergo 

 examination in this subject at the annual inspection. As an aid to 

 discipline the teaching of drill was found of the highest value ; it 

 enforced attention, prompt obedience, and unanimity of action ; it 

 made class changes precise and orderly ; and it brought class 

 movements to a remarkable state of steadiness and uniformity. 

 Wlien the regulations of the Queensland Department of Public 

 Instruction Avere i-evised in 1891 the defects in the scheme of 

 physical training were recognised, and it was determined that 

 gymnastic exercises should be required not only in town schools, 

 but in all State schools receiving Government aid. The former 

 text book for drill was discarded, and in its place was substituted 

 the book of ■■' Infantry Drill" used by the British army and by the 

 colonial forces, and through this change the squad drill was made 

 to agree with similar work taught to the defence force and 

 vohmteers. In the place of the " extension motions " the setting 

 up drill of the army, i.e., the "physical exercises," were required. 

 Each exercise is specially dcA-ised to train a certain set of muscles, 

 and, as they may be taken without arms, or with dumb-bells, 

 dummy muskets, or firearms, they may be made suitable for pupils 

 at all stages. School inspectors and teachers received special 

 instructions in the physical exercises, being gathered in squads at 

 the barracks and drill-sheds throughout the colony, and taught by 

 the sergeant-instructors of the defence force and volunteers. 

 This form of training became, and continues to be, most popular. 

 Public displays were given by the various squads of teachers at the 

 end of their training, and then they were disbanded to commence 

 similar teaching in their own schools, or classes. Throughout the 

 colony the boys and girls take great pride and pleasure in this 

 branch of gj-mnastics. No school treat or arbor day festival is 

 complete without an exhibition of physical drill ; and public com- 

 petitions between neighboring schools keep up a generous rivalry 

 and emulation. At assembly, at dismissal, and in the intervals 



