REPORTS OF THE INSPECTION OF CERTAIN VOLUNTEER CORPS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1868 Session I, D-04

D.—No. 4.

REPORTS OF THE INSPECTION OF CERTAIN VOLUNTEER CORPS IN NEW ZEALAND.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OP HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1868.

D.—No. 4.

No. 1. Extract from a Letter from Colonel Kenny to the Hon. the Defence Ministeb. Sic,— Auckland, 17th April, 1868. I have the honor to forward the state of the Taranaki Cavalry Volunteers, whom I inspected at New Plymouth on the Bth instant; and I have great pleasure in reporting, for the information of the Government, that the appearance, efficiency, and conduct of the troop on that occasion were very satisfactory. It was a subject of disappointment, I confess, that the troop should not have mustered stronger; but before my departure from New Plymouth several new candidates had already presented themselves for enrolment, and I have reason to believe that, in the course of the present year, the strength of the troop will be considerably increased by the admission of a number of eligible members. * * # # * # * # I cannot conclude this report without testifying to the zeal displayed by Captain Wilson in the performance of his duties, and I believe that, under his management, a strong and efficient troop of cavalry will very shortly be organized at New Plymouth. I have, &c, Wm. H. Kenny, Colonel, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. Inspector of Volunteers.

Enclosure in No. 1. INSPECTION PARADE held at TARANAKI on the 8th April, 1868.

Copy of a Letter from Colonel Kenny to the Hon. the Defence Ministee. Sir,— - Auckland, 17th April, 1868. I have the honor to enclose the state of the " Taranald Light Infantry Volunteers," which was handed to me on their being assembled for drill at New Plymouth, on the Bth instant, but whom I did not formally recognize and inspect, as their strength was below the minimum authorized by the regulations. The disinclination to volunteer on the part of the settlers at New Plymouth is, I believe, ascribable to certain local causes of dissatisfaction which are wholly unconnected with the Government, and to which, therefore it is unnecessary for me, on the present occasion, to allude. I would merely remark, in connection with this subject, that perceiving there was an evident desire to re-organize a corps of Rifle Volunteers at New Plymouth, I deemed it my duty to encourage that desire—and I think it very probable, therefore, that the present body may be so augmented as to form an efficient corps in the course of the present year. I have, &c, ¥m. H. Kenny, Colonel, The Hon. the Defence Minister, "Wellington. Inspector of Volunteers.

REPORTS OF THE INSPECTION OF CERTAIN VOLUNTEER CORPS IN NEW ZEALAND.

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Enclosure in No. 2. PARADE STATE of TARANAKI LIGHT INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, 8th April, 1868.

No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Colonel Kenny to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sic,— Auckland, 30th May, 1868. I have the honor to forward the enclosed parade states of the Cavalry Volunteers, detailed in the margin, whom I inspected at Otahuhu on the 13th instant. It will be observed that a considerable number of members were absent without leave, and also that a larger number of members were absent with lca\'e from their officers than appears to be proper on the occasion of an ammal inspection. It will also be observed that the strength of the Otahuhu Troop is below the minimum. The members of the various corps, who were a robust and serviceable body of men, principally from the country districts, rode well, but many of them were mounted on very rough and untrained horses. The want of sufficient drill was, as a matter of course, apparent, but making due allowance for the disadvantages under which they have laboured in that respect, and considering that many recruits were present in the ranks, the several corps acquitted themselves very creditably, while I am happy to state that their conduct in all respects was satisfactory. 1 have, &c, Wm. H. Kenny, Colonel, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. Inspector of Volunteers.

Royal Cavalry Volunteers, Auckland iroop. Otahuhu Troop

Enclosure in No. 3. INSPECTION PARADE held at OTAHUHU on the 13th May, 1868.

No. 4. Copy of a Letter from Colonel Kenny to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sin,— Auckland, Bth June, 2 BGB. I have the honor to report for the information of the Government, that on the 2Gth and 29th ultimo, I made the inspection of the two corps named in the margin, which, although bearing different designations, are included under the general head of " Naval Volunteers " of the Province of Auckland. As regards the portion designated " Naval Volunteers," whom I inspected on the 26th May, it will be seen on reference to the enclosed state that nearly one-half of the members were absent, being employed, as I understand, principally in the Thames district. I have great satisfaction, however, in reporting that the members who were present, several of whom had come up expressly from the Thames, turned out in very good order.

Auckland Naval Volunteers and Auckland Naval Artillery Volunteers.

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They appeared to be an active and efficient body of men, capable of doing good service, especially in river or coast operations, and performed very creditably the few simple manoeuvres in company drill, <&c, which I required of them. As regards the other branch of the corps, designated in the enclosed state " Naval Artillery," whom I inspected on the 29th May, and about half of whom were also absent from the causes already stated, I am happy to report that I had reason to be well satisfied with their efficiency in gun drill, which they practised with two twenty-four pounder howitzers. The members appeared to take great interest in the branch of the service they have embraced, the result being, that although they have been under instruction for a period of only four months, they have attained a great degree of proficiency, which is alike due to their own attention and to the exertions of the drill instructor, Sergeant Broughton, E.A., who must have applied himself very diligently to his duties. I may add that I am enabled to speak more fully of the efficiency of this portion of the corps, as having been present recently at a special drill, when a larger number of the members were assembled, on which occasion they practised with blank cartridge, and fired a salute with great precision, as well as several rounds, independently, with great smartness. "With reference to the force generally which is the subject of this report, I am of opinion that it is very desirable that the corps styled " Naval Volunteers," should consist exclusively of seamen or of men accustomed to boats, and be trained to gunnery practice with the two twenty-four pounder howitzers which they have now in charge, and that from the other portion of the force a separate corps of " Artillery Volunteers " should be organized, to be armed with light Armstrong guns, of which I understand there are several in store at Auckland. I have, &c, ¥i. H. K&nmt, Colonel, The Hon. the Defence Minister, "Wellington. Inspector of Volunteers.

Enclosure in No. 4. INSPECTION PARADES held in AUCKLAND on the 26th and 29th May, 1868.

No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Colonel Kenny to the Hon. the Defence Ministek. Sic, — Auckland, 15th June, 1868. I have the honor to report that on the 27th ultimo I inspected the Auckland Bine Volunteers, and herewith enclose parade states of the several companies. 1 regret to hare to transmit so large a return of absentees, but as it appears that the irregular attendance of the volunteers generally of this district at the monthly parades has already come under the notice of the authorities, they may possibly be disposed to view the conduct of the absentees with some degree of leniency, in consideration of the great temptations of the neighbouring gold-fields which have been so rapidly developed during the last few months, and have opened up such lucrative means of employment. From this and other causes, the drill of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers appears to have been so desultory for a considerable period, that it was not to be expected that the corps should acquit itself on the day of inspection so satisfactorily as could have been desired. I regret this very much, because, judging from the portion of the corps which I saw on parade, the Auckland Rifle Volunteers are a fine body of men, and seem to be animated by a good spirit, so that it is only through lack of stimulus and of sufficient training that the corps did not appear to greater advantage. I ought to observe that, to add to the difficulties of the occasion, the weather on the day of inspection was extremely unfavourable, the ground, moreover, being so saturated with continuous rain that it was with difficulty the corps could march past. Nevertheless, the force turned out very smartly, and notwithstanding the varieties of uniform (the new regulation dress not having been yet adopted), the several companies looked extremely well. I cannot close this report without drawing attention to the serious and long-standing complaint of the Auckland Volunteers, that they do not possess the facilities for rifle practice which are enjoyed hj other corps, a fact quite sufficient of itself to damp their interest in the service, and to check the growth of all esprit de corps, by preventing the Volunteers from competing, with any prospect of success, for the annual rifle prizes, and thus maintaining their status in the Colonial Forces.

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And further, I cannot refrain from alluding to another source of discouragement, namely, the indifference to the Volunteer movement which prevails at Auckland, and the reluctance evinced by employers generally to afford members reasonable facilities for performing their duties, so that if thisfeeling continues to exist, and any emergency should occur requiring the employment of military force on the part of the Colonists, the Government would have no alternative but to call out and organize a portion of the local Militia. I have, &c. Vm. H. Kenny, Colonel, The Hon. the Defence Minister, Wellington. Inspector of Volunteers.

Enclosure in No. 5. INSPECTION PARADE held at AUCKLAND on the 27th May, 1868.

No. 6. Copy of a Ecport from the Hon. Colonel Haultain to His Excellency Sir Geoege Fekguson Bowek, G.C.M.G., Commander-in-Chief of Colonial I'orces. Sm — I have the honor to make the following report to. your Excellency on the various Volunteer Corps that I have been able to inspect in the Provinces of Canterbury and Otago, and in the district of Opotiki: — Opotihi. The population of this place have during the last eighteen months been harassed and hindered in the peaceful occupation of their lands by Native disturbances, and have frequently been called on to take up arms in their own defence. Some of the most independent and energetic amongst them have preferred Volunteer service to Militia duty, and enrolled themselves as the " Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry," numbering thirty-five officers and men, and into a company of " Volunteer Bangers," whose strength is sixty-eight. Almost all the members have served in the Ist Waikato Begiment, where they were fully trained in infantry drill; and as they have been engaged in various expeditions against hostile Natives at Tauranga and Opotiki, the two corps may be considered thoroughly efficient, and fit for any service. I found the arms clean and in good order. The cavalry had supplied themselves with the regulation uniform, but having had only a couple of hours' notice, they could not collect their horses "for parade, and I could not test their proficiency in cavalry movements ; they however went fairly through the sword exercise. The Bangers are not yet provided with a uniform, but arc waiting for a supply of the cloth, which has just arrived from England.

Canterbury. I inspected eleven separate corps (as per margin), besides the cadets in the Province of Canterbury. Parade states are attached. The total number present on the different parades was 38G of all ranks, whilst 164 were absent from various causes. The Yeomanry Cavalry, of whom fifty-eight, including their band, were present, are a very fine corps, well mounted and drilled, and handsomely dressed. They are a oredit to the Colony and to their officers, who have taken much interest and incurred considerable expense in their formation and maintenance. The Christchurch Artillery Company has been but recently formed, and have had no guns_; they however went through the foot and carbine drill very fairly, and made a creditable appearance with the new regulation uniform. The Lyttelton Artillery are second to no corps that I have seen in the Colony. Thoroughly well drilled both as infantry and artillery men, and completely equipped in every respect, they moved with smartness, and with that confidence and precision that only those who are perfectly aw fait at their work can exhibit. , I can report equally favourably of the Engineer Company, which is composed chiefly of mechanics and artisans. The members have evidently applied themselves with spirit and_ diligence to acquire a knowledge of all their duties. Their arms, uniform, and accoutrements were in excellent order, and their drill was very good. 1 inspected their orderly-room, where they have a series of models and diagrams, from which they are instructed by Lieutenant Dobson in the elements of fortification and military engineering. They would be a most valuable corps on actual service.

Yeomanry Cavalry. Christclmreh "Artillery. Engineers. ' Ko. 2, 3,4, 5, 6,

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There were considerable numbers of absentees from most of the Eiflo Volunteer companies. No. 2, Christchurch, No. 4, Eangiora, and No. 9, "VVoodend, did not muster sufficient men to enable me to judge of their drill. Of the other four companies, No. 3, Loithfiold, was the most proficient. No. 8, Heathcote, composed of tunnel and railway workmen, with their arms in perfect order, and with a good band, are a fine body of men; but they arc backward in their drill. The clothing and equipment of the whole are good, and the arms generally clean and well cared for, and there is abundant proof that Lieut.-Colonel Packe is both a competent and zealous commanding officer ; but the ardour and spirit of many of the Volunteers have evidently been damped by the reduction of their capitation grant, by the withdrawal of local contributions, and by unfavourable public discussions and resolutions. The Lyttelton Artillery and the Engineers have, much to their credit, maintained their strength and proficiency in spite of these drawbacks; but the Volunteer movement will not prosper unless it is generally encouraged and assisted, and it is better that corps should bo disbanded altogether than that they should become feeble and apathetic. G-ood progress has been made in drilling tho boys at the different schools, but there are not sufficient arms of a suitable description for all that are able to carry them. A mounted Cadet Corps of 30 boys, belonging to Mr. Scott's academy, paraded with the Yeomanry Cavalry, and went through their drill in excellent stylo. These lads, well mounted, and quite at home in their saddles, moving compactly together, under command of Mr. Swinley, who has taken a great deal of pains with them, were a most pleasing sight, and deserve every encouragement.

Otar/o. Of the Volunteers of Otago I can speak with more unqualified commendation. Hero they have had the advantages of full capitation allowance, liberal provincial grants, and general encouragement from all classes of the community; their success at the Colonial prize-firing has still further stimulated them, whilst the exertions, experience, and tact of Lieut.-Colonel Cargill have in no small degree contributed to the popularity and progress of the movement. The four corps named in the margin paraded in the first instance late in the evening for my inspection. This was not a satisfactory arrangement, as I could not ascertain the state of their arms, &c, but I was able to form a very favourable opinion of their drill and general appearance. They attended again at a general parade in the daytime, when three other corps and the Cadets ] were also present; and I then took the opportunity of inspecting their arms and accoutrements, which ] I found in excellent order. The Artillery, whose arms and appointments I had previously minutely examined in their drillshed, paraded with their three Armstrong guns, taking up their positions and firing with rapidity. This is particularly a fine corps, admirably commanded and drilled, and quite equal in all respects to lyttelton Battery. Nos. 1 and 2, and North Dunedin, are all remarkably good companies, both in drill and appearance, and I scarcely know to which I should give the preference ; whilst the other companies are but little inferior. They went through a variety of evolutions in line column, and echelon, skirmishing, relieving skirmishers, preparing for cavalry, and firing by files and volleys, and all were performed most satisfactorily. I had not expected such proficiency from any body of New Zealand Volunteers. My time did not allow me to see the Dunedin Naval Brigade at gun drill; but they are a numerous corps and a fine body of men, and acquitted themselves well at the review. I was only able to visit one of the country companies, that at East Taieri. I found a number of the arms of this corps in bad order. It was stated that they had been wet during the recent heavy floods in the valley ; hut I could not admit this as an excuse, and instructed the officer in command to enforce fines from all who appeared on parade with dirty rifles. The drill of the company was also indifferent ; but there was some excuse for this, as the members live at considerable distances from the place of assembly, and had been exempted from instruction parades during harvest time. There seems however to bo plenty of esprit in the company, which has turned out some of the best rifle shots in the Colony. I inspected the Cadets of the High and Middle Schools, twenty-four of the former having also taken part in the review, where they made a very good appearance dressed in their uniform and armed with breech-loading carbines ; they have taken much pains with their drill. I also saw them firing for a prize at their targets : they handled their arms with ease, and made excellent practice ; some of them at 200 and 300 yards equalling the score of the Colonial prize competitors, who however fired at longer ranges. I inspected the Port Chalmers Naval Company, and a smarter and better drilled sot of men I have not seen; they are all sea-faring or watermen, and were equally proficient with their rifles, guns, and cutlasses. Nothing could exceed the spirit and earnestness with which both officers and men set to their work. I was not able to examine any of the corps in musketry, but the return herewith attached will show the amount of progress made in the Province, certifying to the zeal and qualifications of Captain Atkinson, the Adjutant and principal musketry instructor. The parade states of the companies are attached. I am not able to give the total number of absentees, as four of the corps were inspected on two occasions, and some of the men absent from the first parade might have been present at the second. I have, &c, T. M. Hatjltain, Colonel, Wellington, 18th July, 1868. Inspector of Militia and Volunteers.

Dunedin Artillery. No. 1 City Guards. No. 2 Scottish. North Dunedin Kifles.

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REPORTS OP THE INSPECTION OF CERTAIN

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Enclosure 1 in No. 6. INSPECTION PARADES held at OPOTIKI on the 4th and 5th June, 1868.

Enclosure 2 in No. 6. INSPECTION PARADES held at CANTERBURY, on the 11th, 12th, and 13th May, 1868.

Enclosure 3 in No. 6. INSPECTION PARADES held at OTAGO on the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th June, 1868.

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Enclosure 4 in No. 6. FIELD STATE, OTAGO VOLUNTEERS, 25th June, 1868.

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Enclosure 5 in No. 6. OTAGO VOLUNTEERS. —ANALYSIS of PRELIMINARY DRILL and CLASS FIRING for tie Year ended 30th June, 1868.

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EEPQETS OE THE INSPECTION OE VOLUNTEER COEPS.

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