SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT ON THE WESTLAND, NELSON, AND MARLBOROUGH DISTRICTS, AND ON THE EASTER ENCAMPMENTS. BY LIEUT.-COLONEL F. J. FOX, R.A., COMMANDANT, N.Z. FORCES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1893 Session I, H-09a

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1893. NEW ZEALAND.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT ON THE WESTLAND, NELSON, AND MARLBOROUGH DISTRICTS, AND ON THE EASTER ENCAMPMENTS. BY LIEUT.-COLONEL F. J. FOX, R.A., COMMANDANT, N.Z. FORCES.

Presented, to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

WELLINGTON. BY AUTHORITY: S. COSTALL, GOVEENMENT PEINTER FOR THE TIME BEING.

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To His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, Governor and Commauder-in-Chief, New Zealand. My Lord, — Defence Office, Wellington, 19th April, 1893. I have the honour to forward herewith a report supplementary to the one dated the 14th February, 1893, Avhich is already in possession of your Government. This supplementary report contains the result of my inspection of the various Volunteer corps in the Westland, Nelson, and Marlborough Districts, and a report on the Easter encampments of this year. It in no way alters the recommendations which I have already tendered to your Excellency and to your Government. I regret that, although it is now two months since these recommendations were in the hands of your Ministers, nothing has so far been done to give them effect; but, as a matter of fact, a step has been taken which will make the carrying-out of several of the most important and urgent of these recommendations a matter of very great difficulty. I refer to the acceptance of the resignation of Mr. Arthur Bell, the Defence Engineer. At the beginning of the year I was aware that the Hon. the Minister of Defence had ordered Mr. Bell to take up the duties of Resident Engineer for Public Works in the Wellington District, and took the first opportunity of seeing the Minister on the subject, and of pointingout that I considered I had been hardly dealt with in having my most important officer taken from me without being consulted in the matter. The Minister replied that I, of my own free-will, had not taken up the duties of Commandant, and that therefore he saw no reason for consulting me as regards his action concerning Mr. Bell; that Mr. Bell would remain as Defence Engineer, but would do the work in the other department in addition to his Defence duties. Knowing that my report would be in the Minister's hands within a few days of the date of my interview (Ist February, 1893), and trusting that your Government would see fit to adopt the recommendations contained in that report —at any rate, in so far as the putting the Works and Submarine Mining-stations in proper order, which would necessitate the retention of the whole of Mr. Bell's services in the Defence Department for the next three years, and also knowing that Mr. Bell could not be taken from the Defence Department until after my report was completed and sent to your Excellency, I, having entered my protest, withdrew. My report was handed to your Government by permission of Your Excellency on the 18th February, 1893. After due time for consideration, and in the face of my most plainly-expressed opinion that Mr. Bell's services were wholly required in the Defence Department, and that his salary of .£6OO per annum was but a very small insurance on the sums outlaid in construction of works, &c, the Defence Minister ordered Mr. Bell to take up duties in the Public Works Department on the Ist April, 1893, as a Resident Engineer. This Mr. Bell refused to do, and tendered his resignation, while I was absent from Wellington on inspection duties. Mr. Bell's resignation was accepted without any reference to me. Had I been referred to, that resignation would have been reconsidered, and the services of a most able engineer saved to the colony. Mr. Bell having had the advantage of working for some years under Royal Engineer officers, and subsequently having had charge of the construction of works, combined in himself very high qualifications both as a civil and a military engineer—a combination but rarely met with, and therefore of very great value. If my recommendations as to the completion of the works for the submarine mining defence, and for concentrating and improving the artillery defence, are to be acted upon— and I most distinctly affirm that they should—the only proper course under the circumstances will be for your Government to apply that H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief may be pleased to permit of the services of a Royal Engineer officer, with experience in submarine mining and construction of works, being placed at its disposal for the space of three years. I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Excellency's most obedient servant, Fkancis J. Fox, Local Lieut.-Colonel and Colonel N.Z. Militia, Commandant, N.Z. Forces.

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SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT ON THE WESTLAND. NELSON, MARLBO.ROUGH, AND SOUTH CANTERBURY DISTRICTS, AND ON THE EASTER ENCAMPMENTS.

WESTLAND VOLUNTEEE DISTEICT. I eegeet that I am unable to report favourably on the corps in this District, for although the men mustered well I found that there was a general want of instruction and supervision. The sergeant-instructor (Benning), whom I found to be a steady and capable man, anxious to do all in his power, only visits the corps on an average once a month; and the Commanding Officer is unable, owing to the calls of business on his time, to exercise that supervision and carry out the inspection which is so vital to the well-being of corps isolated as they are throughout the district. He has been unable to inspect some of the corps during the past year, and it is necessary to send an officer from Wellington at considerable expense to supervise the annual volley-firing and carry out the inspection of arms, &c. There is a marked diversity in the pattern of the accoutrements in the district, and in the manner of wearing the pouches ; while in several instances there were no slings, for which there is no valid reason, as they can be at once supplied from store. Excepting at Hokitika and Brunnerton, where it is fairly stationary, the population is very fluctuating, f and from Brunnerton in war time it would be impossible to draw a man, as coal-mining, which employs all the men of that corps, would have to be continued. I am of opinion that the corps in this district are not required for the defence of the colony ; they should be disbanded, and the money now spent on them should go to improving the condition of the corps in localities nearer the vital points.

Ist Westland Bifles, Hqkitika.—Bth March 1893. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, i sergeants, and 57 rank and file. Absent: 4 rank and file. Uniform. —Scarlet tunics ; black helmets, in moderate condition, and of different patterns. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles, brown belts, and black slings. Officers. —Captain Wade: Good commanding officer, taking much interest. Lieutenant Malfroy : Energetic. Lieutenant Peake : Zealous. Non-commissioned Officers. —Not up to the ordinary standard. Men. —A good body of men. Turn-out. —There was an excellent muster. The pouch was worn on the right front. Some slings were deficient; and two of the men were not in uniform trousers. Drill. —Some company movements, manual and firing exercises, were done under the officers in the drillshed. The commands were generally badly given, and there was no proper supervision in the firing exercises. Subsequently the company was taken outside and exercised in the open. The drill was indifferent. The drill-instructor only visits this corps once a month, which is insufficient. There is plenty of good spirit evinced by both officers and men. Taking it all round this is a fairly good company. The rifle-range is dangerous, a road running behind the butt, which is barely higher than the target, and the bush is gradually disappearing between the butt and the road. Shooting should be stopped until the butt is raised considerably. ToTAKA Eifles, Boss.—9th March, 1893. Present: 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, and 42 rank and file. Absent: 1 captain, and 17 rank, and file. Uniform. —Scarlet tunics ; black helmets, in good order ; officers in undress uniform. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles; buff belts and slings. Officers. —Captain Macfarlane : Absent on work away from Boss. Lieutenant Bruce : Energetic and keen. Lieutenant Cass : Zealous and anxious to learn. Non-commissioned Officers. —Good men, desirous of learning. Men. —A very fine stamp. Turn-out. —The appearance on parade was good, the men being of fine physique. The pouch was worn on the right front. Drill. —This corps has only been in existence for but little over a year, and for some time was without any instruction from the drill-instructor. He only now visits the corps once a month. The company is only capable of doing squad drill. I learnt that there had been a considerable falling-off in attendance or late. There is but a very small community in Eoss itself, and the population is very fluctuating. 2—H. 9a.

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Kumaea Eifles. —10th March, 1893. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 colour-sergeant, 4 sergeants, and 47 rank and file. Absent: 2 rank and file, sick. Uniform. —Scarlet tunics ; black helmets. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles ; buff belts and slings. Officers. —Captain Davis is, I judge, a painstaking commanding officer, anxious for the wellbeing of his corps. Lieutenant Bain : A good officer ; very willing. Lieutenant Stubbs : A smart young officer, anxious to improve. Non-commissioned Officers. —Excepting the colour-sergeant, not up to the ordinary standard. Men. —Soir.e very fine men; but a much younger and less well set-up class are joining the corps. Turn-out. —There was an excellent muster, only two men being away sick ; but this corps had some twelve men in their band on parade, instead of the five allowed by regulations. The uniform is generally in very indifferent condition, and of many patterns. Drill. —The drill was generally indifferent. There was no knowledge of fire discipline. Neither officers nor non-commissioned officers, except the colour-sergeant, who has been recently appointed, appeared to advantage. Company drill was rendered difficult by the smallness of the hall, which is hired as a drill-hall; but the men did their best. This is a very good shooting corps as regards its team. I found that the expenses of the hall come to about £20 per annum, and the bandi costs a considerable sum, the bandmaster being paid out of the capitation. With such an outlay it is only natural that the uniform should be indifferent. Bach man pays 10s. entrance-fee on joining. The corps could not carry on without such a subscription. Greymouth Naval Aetilleey.—llth March, 1893. ' Present: 1 lieutenant-commander, 1 sub-lieutenant, 1 chief petty officer, 3 petty officers, and 42 seamen gunners. Absent: 1 sub-lieutenant, and 8 seamen gunners. Uniform. —White shirt, straw hats; in excellent order. The men have blue shirts and caps. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles ; brown belts. Officers. —Lieutenant-Commander Fricker: A good commanding officer. Lieutenant Smith: A smart young officer. Lieutenant Jones : Absent, away from Greymouth. Non-commissioned Officers. —Good. Men. —Clean and well set up, but young. There were nine very young recruits on parade, two of them being under seventeen. Turn-out. —The turn-out was very good, and smart in appearance. Drill. —The drill was on the whole fairly well done. This corps has on charge a 12-pr. E.B.L. gun, with which it never drills. The gun is fairly well kept. I found that a supply of ammunition had been sent as an annual allowance. As already stated, under general remarks re Naval Artillery corps, this is an extremely unwise proceeding, which may at any moment lead to disaster. Band. —The band is composed of five men belonging to the Naval Artillery and five to the Greymouth Eifles. The bandmaster receives £20 per annum from each corps. The drill hall has a debt of £350 on mortgage at 10 per cent. The interest and lighting costs each corps £20 per annum. Gebymouth Eifles. This corps has sent in an application to be allowed to disband; but the action of the commanding officer has not been approved generally by the corps. I met a number of members (20), who expressed the conviction that the corps could be restarted if a good commanding officer could be found. I intimated that I thought it would be unwise of them to place too much hope on their services being retained. Beunneeton Eiples.—l3th March, 1893. Present: 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, and 48 rank and file. Absent: 1 colour-sergeant and 1 sergeant. Uniform. —Scarlet tunics, black helmets; in bad order. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles; brown belts and slings. Officers. —Captain, nil. Lieutenant Tomkies: A good, smart young officer. Lieutenant Armstrong: A young officer. Non-commissioned Officers. —Fair to moderate. Men.- —Good physique. Turn-out. —A very good muster, only two being absent. The appearance was completely spoilt by the oldness and dirtiness of the uniforms, which were also of different patterns, and the fact that seven men were without uniform trousers. The pouch was worn on the right side in front, and the slings were all much too long. Drill. —When commanded by Lieutenant Tomkies the drill was fairly executed, but without any attention to detail; but when Lieutenant Armstrong and some of the non-commissioned officers were in command the drill was absolutely bad. There is no captain. Lieutenant Tomkies, though a very smart young officer, is too young for the command of this corps. The men are nearly all coal-miners, belonging to shifts having certain hours. The drill-instructor visits the corps once a month, finding a fair parade on one month and a very indifferent muster the next month.

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NELSON VOLUNTEEE DISTEICT. This District is commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt, a Volunteer officer of considerable service. He is assisted by an Adjutant, Captain Littlejohn (who also commands the Nelson College Cadets), and by a drill-sergeant instructor. The corps in the command, with the exception of the Naval, corps at Westport, lie either in or close to Nelson, and are brought to that place once a month for battalion drill. It is quite impossible for either the Adjutant, who is a Volunteer officer and could not give the time, or the drill-sergeant (on account of expense and time involved), to visit the corps at Westport as frequently as is necessary. The corps is therefore thrown altogether on its own resources as regards the instruction of the recruits and men, and the result is not at all satisfactory. On the other hand, the corps in Nelson and the immediate district are well cared for and have much time spent on them, and it is their own fault if they are not up to the mark. The uniform, except in the Nelson Naval corps, the H Battery, and the Cadet corps, is old and worn out, the Stoke Eifles having only serge frocks. The rifles are in very many cases cleaned with emery-powder or sand-paper, the accoutrements are in bad condition, and the pouches are worn in different ways. The standing drill (manual exercise, &c.) is very well taught, but there has been no opportunity for the men to learn outpost or reconnoitring work. Colonel Pitt is a very good officer, taking a very great deal of interest in his command, and keeping it in better order than any other commanded by a Volunteer officer. He is very ably assisted by Captain Littlejohn, who is an exceptionally good officer and works very hard. I regret to report that the drill-sergeant was too ill to appear, and that he has since died. The band is composed of Volunteers belonging to the various corps, and is not a separate body as in other districts. The instruments are the property of the district. The corps give their bandsmen their own capitation-money, and also find the uniform. In this, the district, which has a fund of its own, assists. I recommend that H Battery be disbanded, and that in this district the Nelson Naval Artillery, two rifle corps, and the Nelson College Cadet corps be only kept up.

Nelson District.—Afternoon Parade, 18th March, 1893.

There was an excellent muster of all corps, and the work done was, on the whole, satisfactory. The variety of uniforms and accoutrements and mode of wearing them was marked. The manual exercise, firing exercise, and sword-bayonet exercise (as for Martini-Henry rifles with bayonets, an exercise not done elsewhere in the colony) were very well done, as was also some physical drill by the various corps. The battalion movements were on the whole well done. The attack formations were attempted, the Naval Artillery Volunteers and the City Eifies being in the firing-line. The Navals did well, but the City Eifles completely failed, the officers and non-commissioned officers being unable to lead their half-companies or sections. Captain Littlejohn, the Adjutant of the district, was in command during this manoeuvre, and showed himself quite capable. Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt, Major Franklin, and the various captains of corps put the battalion through some drill and movements. The march past was creditably done. All the honorary officers were present. The band is in good order.

H Batteey New Zealand Aetilleby Volunteebs. —18th March, 1893. Uniform. —Artillery Volunteer; in good order. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider artillery carbine; white enamel belts; 3 6-pr. E.B.L. guns. Officers. —Captain Hyde : Takes much interest in his work. Lieutenant Topliss : Painstaking officer. Lieutenant Wimsett: Painstaking officer. Non-commissioned Officers. —Good class. Men. —Fine body of men.

'resem Officers. Non-com-missioned Officers. Privates. Hon. Officers. Absent. I Battery J aval Artillery Volunteers ... HtyBifles Stoke Eifles Vaimea Eifles College Cadets itaff 3 1 2 2 2 2 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 48 55 42 86 40 50 2 2 2 8 5 9 5 3 7 i Total ... 12

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Turn-out. —The appearance on parade was very satisfactory —clean and smart. Drill. —The drill was good as regards standing gun drill, but there was little knowledge shown of artillery work, and but little instruction appears to have been given. The guns are clean and well cared for, but are useless. The woodwork of the carriages and limbers is fast decaying. Stoke Eifles.—lBth March, 1893. Uniform. —Serge frocks, Glengarry caps; in bad order and ill-fitting. Arms and 'Accoutrements. —Snider rifle; white enamel belts, very old and worn out. Eifles polished with powder and sand-paper. Officers. —Captain Harkness : Capable officer. Lieutenant Ching : Wants application. Non-commisioned Officers.—Fair. Men. —Fair. Turn-out. —Indifferent; spoilt by the uniforms. I was told that the corps was waiting for the adoption of some definite uniform before ordering a new supply. Drill. —Fair under Captain Harkness. The men were steady on parade, and the manual exercise under Sergeant Parker was very well done. Sw r ord-bayonet exercise also well done. In the firing exercise there was a want of discipline. Waimba Eifles.--18th March, 1893. Uniform. —Scarlet tunics, blue facings. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles, polished with powder; whits enamel belts, old; buff slings. Officers. —Captain Wratt: Capable. Lieutenant Bryant: On leave. Lieutenant Eicketts: Lately appointed. Non-commissioned Officers. —Fair. Men. —A fine body of men. • Turn-cut. —A good muster, but the general appearance was not smart. Drill.— The drill was but moderate under the officers and non-commissioned officers. Nelson Naval Aetilleey Volunteers. —20th March, 1893. Uniform. —Naval Artillery Volunteer uniform, in good order. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles; brown belts. Officers. —Captain Simpson : Absent from district on leave. Lieutenant Watson : Fair. SubLieutenant Lukins : Absent, sick. ' . Non-commissioned Officers. —Very good stamp. Men. —A very fine body of men. Turn-out. —There was an excellent muster. 'The men were well-dressed and clean, and of fine physique, presenting a very creditable appearance. The manual and firing exercises were well done, as also the physical drill and bayonet-exercise, under the different petty officers; but the other work was generally indifferent under Lieutenant Watson, who told me that he rarely drilled the company. This is wrong. The officers and non-commissioned officers must be given opportunities of drilling the men, otherwise they feel no sense of responsibility. Nelson City Eifles.—2oth March, 1893. Uniform. —Scarlet tunics. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles ; buff belts. Officers.- —There is no captain. Lieutenant Gray: Not well up in his drill. Lieutenant Alborough : Eecently appointed. Non-commissioned Officers. —Below par, excepting Sergeant Gaynor. Men. —A great number of young recruits. Drill. —The drill was throughout very indifferent; neither of the officers, nor of the noncommissioned officers, excepting Sergeant Gaynor, were able to drill the company. I found this company quite below the standard of the other companies in Nelson. Part of the men live at some distance from the town, and it was evident that they had done but little drill. Nelson College Cadets.—2oth March, 1893. Uniform.— Blue frocks ; Glengarry caps. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider artillery carbines ; brown leather belts. Officers. —Captain Littlejohn: A very excellent officer. Lieutenant Cooke: Good officer. Lieutenant Gibbs : Good officer. Non-commissioned Officers. —Very good. Cadets. —A very smart body of lads. Twrn-out. —Smart and clean. Drill. —Very good under all the officers and sergeants. The attack formation was done under Captain Littlejohn, and was intelligently worked. This is a very good cadet corps. Westpoet Naval Aetilleey.—lsth March, 1893. Present: 1 lieutenant-commander, 2 lieutenants, 5 petty officers, 44 seamen. Absent: 8 seamen. Uniform. —Naval Artillery. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles ; brown belts; not well cleaned. Officers. —Lieutenant-Commander Martin: Fair. Lieutenant Gothard : Fair. Lieutenant Carr: Fair. Petty Officers. —Moderate.

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Men. —Pair ; a considerable number of recruits. Turn-out. —The appearance on parade was not up to the mark. The men have breast-pockets, which is contrary to regulations. The recruits were in plain clothes. It appears that in this corps the uniform is given to each man, so that there is no reserve kept up. Drill. —The drill was very indifferently done. A number of the men live at a distance from Westport, and are unable to attend regularly. There is no regular instruction given by a trained instructor, as the expense of sending a man from Nelson and the time taken up in going and returning precludes the possibility of even a monthly visit. The officer commanding the district for the same reasons rarely visits this corps.

MAELBOEOUGH VOLUNTEEE DISTRICT. This District is commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. W. D. H. Baillie, who is unable, owing to his having contracted an affection of the eyes, to now satisfactorily supervise his command. Lieutenant-Colonel Baillie has given much time and attention to his work, and it is much to be regretted that his services are no longer available. There is a Sergeant-Major in this district who is a Volunteer. Ido not consider that he is of any value. He was on parade without sword or belts, and was of no assistance in the drill. With the exception of the cadet corps, I do not consider that the corps in this district should continue to exist. The Marlborough Mounted Eifles are valueless, the City Eifles are but a fairlysatisfactory corps, but the Blenheim Eifles are in good condition. It would, however, be inadvisable to keep one isolated corps up, and as already recommended the corps should be disbanded. The battalion drill, under Colonel Baillie, and Captains Eogers, Griffiths, and Lomax, was but .mo.dera.tely done. The Blenheim Eifles were extended for attack, but the work was poorly done, not being understood by the non-commissioned officers and men.

Maelboeough Mounted Bifles —22nd March, 1893. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 colour-sergeant, 3 sergeants, 22 rank and file, and 5 band. Absent: 15 rank and file. Uniform. —Khakee, in good order. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider cavalry carbines, brown belts. Officers. —Captain Chaytor (acting), Lieutenant Banks (acting), Lieutenant Dodson (acting). Non-commissioned Officers and Men. —Good physique. Horses. —Fair stamp. Saddlery. —Of different patterns. Drill. —The drill was very indifferent throughout. This naturally resulted from the fact of all the officers being quite new to their work. No mounted drill is done except at the annual camp. The corps is very much scattered, and it has been found to be impossible to get the men together on other occasions. Of the men on parade six had not been in camp. The section leaders were unable to look after their sections or give them their commands. The mounting and dismounting was badly done, taking an excessive amount of time. There is no advantage to be gained in keeping up this corps. Blenheim Eiples.—22nd March, 1893. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 colour-sergeant, 4 sergeants, and 57 rank and file. Absent: 1 sergeant. Uniform. tunic, black helmet, in good order. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifle, buff belts. Officers. —Captain Eogers: A good commanding officer. Lieutenant Fowler: A good officer. Lieutenant Salmon : A good officer. Non-commissioned Officers. —Good on the whole. Men. —Good class. Turn-out. —An excellent muster and good turn-out, most of the belts being very well cleaned. Drill. —The drill was fairly well done. The markers were not up to their work. Coloursergeant Baillie did well. This is a good company, which I regret to have to recommend to be disbanded. Ido so wholly on the grounds that it is not required. Blenheim City Eifles.—22nd March, 1893. Present: 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 colour-sergeant, 4 sergeants, and 41 rank and file. Absent: 11 rank and file. Uniform. —Scarlet tunics, black helmets. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifle, buff belts. Officers. —Captain Griffiths : A keen energetic officer. Lieutenant O'Callaghan : I believe works hard. Non-commissioned Officers. —Good. Men. —Fairly good. A number of recruits in the ranks. Turn-out. —Fair. Drill. —The drill was but moderate. This is a fairly satisfactory company.

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Blenheim High School Cadets. Present : 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 colour-sergeant, 2 sergeants, and 38 rank and file. Absent: 16 rank and file. Uniform. —Blue-serge frocks ; forage-caps of very bad pattern, without stiffening. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider artillery carbine, Snider cavalry carbines, cut-down Snider rifles ; brown-leather belts, no slings. Officer. —Captain Lucas : A good officer. Non-commissioned Officers and Cadets. —A good body of cadets. Turn-out. —Clean, but spoilt in appearance by the caps. Those cadets not on parade are without uniform. Drill. —The cadets were satisfactorily drilled by the officers, and did very creditably.

YOLUNTEEB (EASTEE) ENCAMPMENTS.

WELLINGTON. JOHNSONVILLE CAMP.

The various corps mustered, as a rule, well, but there were several disappointing exceptions, the Wanganui Eifles, Albert Eifles, Manchester Eifles, and Wellington Guards not turning out as they should have done. The work done was on the whole satisfactory, but showed a general want of knowledge of field-work, and proved the impossibility of one camp Commandant being able to thoroughly instruct and supervise the field-work of such a large body of men. In this it was painfully evident that there were few, if any, officers who could have assisted him, but an attempt should have been made to find such officers and make use of them. I was present in this camp on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. On the latter day half the Force under Major Wood was detailed to reconnoitre the roads and pathways leading from Porirua to Wellington, being supposed to be the head of an attacking force landed at Porirua. This work was well done. The remainder of the Force was told off as a line of piquets covering a force in Johnsonville, which was intrusted with the defence of Wellington against any attack which could be delivered from Porirua. The line of piquets were not well posted. There were far too many

Corps. Officers. N.C. Officers. Privates. Total. Wellington. D Battery Wellington City Eifles ... Wellington Guards Wellington Eifles Wellington Garrison Band... Staff 2 2 2 3 9 6 4 4 2 1 17 41 18 23 18 28 49 24 30 20 7 6 Napier. 2 2 2 6 6 3 3 5 1 38 .15 24 17 33 158 Napier Navals P Battery Napier Eifles Napier Garrison Band Hastings Eifles ... Staff ... 2 1 46 23 29 20 40 2 Taeanaki. 3 5 28 160 Taranaki Eifles ... 36 Wanganui. Wanganui Navals Wanganui Eifles... Albert Eifles Wanganui Garrison Band ... Eoyal (Bangitikei) Eifles ... Manchester Eifles Palmerston North Eifles ... Staff ... Permanent Artillery 1 1 1 3 1 2 8 1 1 2 5 1 6 1 2 36 19 11 17 26 22 40 45 21 13 19 34 24 48 1 12 10 Tni-nla 82 Totals

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sentries out. In one case a whole piquet was disposed as sentries. In another case a piquet and its sentries were posted at the head of a deep ravine running far into the position instead of being on the projecting spurs. The guns were distributed in three sections at different points, instead of being held in reserve for combined action at the most threatened point ; and actually the first shot fired from the line of outposts was from one of these guns, thus showing to the reconnoitring force at once one of the things they were most anxious to discover. Directly the attacking force had induced the defenders to open fire, and when they found that that fire extended all along the line of defence, it became of course apparent that the defenders were prepared, and the task for the moment of the reconnoitring force was completed. There were two grave cases of misconduct which were dealt with. I have no doubt but that each of the offenders feels deep regret in having brought discredit on himself and his corps, but it would be very unwise to deal leniently with them. The good conduct and tone of the camps depend on each individual present in the camp. lam certain that this is generally felt, and that the men have sufficient pride in themselves and their corps to keep them from doing anything which would destroy the good feeling which should exist throughout. The whole discipline depends on the spirit prevailing amongst the men. Directly a bad spirit is shown it must be dealt with in a summary manner.

Palmerston Camp. Mounted Corps.

It was decided this year to have a separate camp for the Mounted Corps in the Wellington District at Palmerston North. The various corps mustered but poorly, the W T airoa Mounted Eifles and the Manawatu Mounted Eifles (the local corps) being the only corps bringing more than half their strength. I visited the camp on Good Friday, and witnessed some manoeuvres. As was only to be expected, there was very little knowledge shown of outpost and reconnoitring duties. During the subsequent days good work was done. The conduct in camp was excellent.

Mahanga Bay Camp. Strength of Corps.

The Naval Artillery Volunteers of the Wellington District went into camp at Mahanga Bay, so that instruction might be given to officers and men in gunnery and submarine mining. There was but a poor muster of each corps. The men of the "Wellington Navals did good work with the guns ; those of the Petone Navals received some elementary instruction in signalling, electricity, and boat drill. It is much to be regretted that want of a properly-fitted launch prevented any work being attempted in laying out mines. The conduct of the men was excellent.

DUNEDIN. Camp of two Local Corps.

Corps. Officers. N.C. Officers and Men. Total. Alexandra Cavalry Bangitikei Cavalry ■ Hawera Mounted Eifles Wairoa Mounted Eifles Heretaunga Mounted Eifles Manawatu Mounted Eifles 3 3 2 2 3 3 26 22 21 37 18 36 29 25 23 39 21 39 Totals 16 160 176

Corps. Officers. o | o^ Men. Total. Wellington Navals Petone Navals ... 4 3 6 3 38 26 48 32 Totals 64 80

Corps. Officers. Bank and File. Total. Dunedin Navals ... Dunedin Engineers 4 8 41 26 45 29 Totals 67 74

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Very satisfactory work done. It is much to be regretted that in this district no other corps went into camp. I feel certain that good work would have been done by the Otago Hussars and North Otago Mounted Eifles had they been brought together. Also the battery could have had useful work in a camp of its own in the vicinity of Dunedin. It appears that the country corps would have had great difficulty in getting to Dunedin and back to their homes, using the ordinary train-service. Special trains run through on Thursday and Monday nights would have obviated this difficulty. Amongst the Bifle Corps in Dunedin there is but little enthusiasm. This can hardly be wondered at when a corps like the Irish Eifles is allowed to exist after an adverse report had been made on it.

AUCKLAND. Kohimarama Camp.

It is to be observed that the Auckland City Corps, excepting the Naval Artillery and the A Battery, turned out very indifferently. The work done in camp was satisfactory. The conduct of the men is reported to have been excellent. The "Wairoa Eifles, on whom I have reported badly and recommended should be disbanded, did not attend camp.

NELSON. Richmond Camp.

The men of the Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland Districts were concentrated at Eichmond, near Nelson. An excellent muster of all corps, excepting the Marlborough Mounted Eifles, which corps did not attend. The work done was satisfactory, and the conduct of the men very good. Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt reports that there was much want of knowledge of the attack formations, and that it appeared that the Westland corps had never been together or worked in battalion drill.

Corps. Officers. Officers. Privates. Total, Staff Waiuku Cavalry Te Awamutu Mounted Eifles South Franklin Mounted Eifles ... Auckland Navals Ponsonby Navals Thames Navals A Battery Engineers Victoria Eifles Newton Eifles Garrison Band " • ■ • ... i ... i ... J ... J 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 4 6 3 3 6 5 7 6 4 5 4 30 22 27 34 31 29 30 20 15 20 19 3 37 31 32 39 3!) 36 39 28 22 27 23 Totals 92 57 294 380

Corps. Officers. N.C. Officers. Men. Total Nelson. Staff ... kelson Navals ... Westport Navals I Battery kelson City Eifles 5toke Eifles iVaimea Eifles ... College Cadets ... 7 2 2 4 3 4 2 2 7 5 6 7 5 5 9 44 37 32 29 31 32 46 9 53 ii ■ii 39 38 41 57 Mablboeough. 3 2 7 6 44 44 54 52 Blenheim Eifles ... Blenheim City Eifles ... ' Wbstland. 5-rey mouth Navals st Westland Eifles iumara Eifles 3runnerton Eifles ?otara Eifles 4 3 3 2 2 5 6 7 4 6 54 34 39 42 34 63 43 49 ■48 42 Totals ... 45 87 542 674

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H.—9a

CANTERBURY. Purau Bay.

The corps in North and South Canterbury (except the Canterbury Yeomanry and Temuka Eifles, which did not attend) were encamped at Purau Bay, in the vicinity of Eipa Island, Lyttelton Harbour. The Garrison Battery and Lyttelton Navals worked at the guns mounted for the defence of the harbour, and are reported to have done good work. A great deal of practical field-work was carried out by the other corps in camp with undoubtedly good results, as many officers and men who were totally ignorant of anything but company-drill had an opportunity of improving themselves.

GBNEEAL EEPOET. The Volunteers who attended camps are to be congratulated on having made a step in the right direction as regards their work, and I have no hesitation in saying that the officers and men have benefited largely thereby. The old idea of simply doing company, battalion, and brigade drill, winding up with a sham fight, has been put behind. Field-work and manoeuvres on a quite elementary scale have come to the front. The Naval Artillery Volunteers and Garrison Battery have spent their time in learning their gunnery and submarine work, instead of doing battalion drill and mixing up in sham fights, of which work the most elementary knowledge was always wanting. An excellent camp was held at Palmerston for as many mounted corps as could be brought together. The Field Artillery is the only branch of the service which has not benefited as much as I should have wished. When the number of the batteries are reduced, and those kept up are armed with a serviceable weapon, I hope that each battery will at Easter time have its own camp for instruction and practice, joining eventually, perhaps, when all arms are trained in the rudiments of their work, in some combined manoeuvres. The camps generally have been camps of instruction, and not of play, but the difficulty of instruction has been very great. In the Johnsonville camp there were close on six hundred men, of whom neither officers, non-commissioned officers, nor men had prior to their arrival anything but the foggiest idea of the duties of an outpost. They have gone away with some knowledge, but nothing like what they would have acquired had there been a proper staff of instructors available. A similar state of affairs must have prevailed at the other camps, as it is a practical impossibility for one, or even two or three, to supervise the whole of the camp arrangements, and be out in every direction, teaching each captain of a company the way to tell off his piquet, the manner of posting his sentries, and explaining the reasons why such positions should be occupied and others left alone. It is to be sincerely hoped that long before next Easter the Government will have a well-trained staff of instructors in the colony, who will have had time to teach the various corps the elements of their work before they go into camp. A move in the right direction has been made in the fact that the camps this Easter held at Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch have been at places where the men could be worked over ground intimately connected with the defence of those centres. The officers and men have seen and learnt the features of the country they would have to protect were they called out to meet an invader. 3—H. 9a.

Corps. Officers. Officers. Men. Total.. Canterbury Mounted Eifles Lyttelton Navals E Battery N Battery Engineers Christchurch City Guards... Christchurch College Eifles Christchurch Eifles A. Company Scottish Biiles ... ... Kaiapoi Eifles Eangiora Eifles ... Garrison Band ... Timaru Navals ... ... C Battery Ashburton Eifles... Geraldine Eifles ... Timaru Eifles Waimate Eifles ... Staff ... 1 2 2 8 1 1 2 2 1 3 4 4 8 4 4 7 5 8 6 4 4 7 7 1 7 5 5 5 8 3 3 20 42 32 30 25 21 22 23 18 19 52 29 15 27 35 28 22 36 22 25 52 38 37 33 27 32 31 23 23 62 40 16 35 41 35 30 47 28 11 1 1 2 3 3 3 8 Totals 43 I 105 518 666

H.—9a

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I am in no way responsible for the fact of a large number of corps which I have already reported upon as not required for the defence of the colony having been brought to the various camps. With the insufficient instruction which I have above commented on, it would have been better had they not been called up. I have to impress upon the Government that it is better to have fifty well-trained men under good instruction, with their hearts in their work, well dressed and well cared for, than to have a hundred men the large proportion of whom do not really care to learn, ill dressed, badly provided, and uninstructed. The Easter camps should be the perfecting of the yearly training, instead of being, as it is at present, the first time that the men have an opportunity of learning the elements of field-work. The yearly instruction should be such that the final touches could be put on it during the Easter camps; and, in order that this should be so it is necessary that better instruction should be provided, and distributed amongst fewer men. The officers and men are generally anxious to learn—they only want the opportunities. It is with great satisfaction that I can report that a very great deal of interest has been evinced during this Easter amongst all ranks in the new work which has been set before them. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,550 copies), £9155.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer for the time being, Wellington.—lB93. Price 6d.]