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1907. NEW ZEALAND.
DEFENCE FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND REPORT BY THE COUNCIL OF DEFENCE AND BY THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES, FOR THE YEAR 1907.
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
My Lobd,— - Wellington, 7th August, 1907. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the New Zealand Defence Council, 1907. I have, &c, J. G. Wakd, Minister of Defence. His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. REPORT OP NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE COUNCIL, 1907. It having been decided by Parliament that a Council of Defence take the place of the previous administration and control of the Forces by a General Officer Commanding and Staff, the members below named assumed duties on the sth January, 1907. The Volunteer year closes on the 28th February of each year, this report therefore cannot be termed other than an introductory statement for general information, with a short precis of the duties of the Council of Defence, and the policy or lines on which it is proposed to obtain better efficiency and readiness for defence Constitution, Council of Defence. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G., Minister of Defence, President. Colonel A. W. Robin, C.8., N.Z.M., Chief of the General Staff, First Military Member. (To arrive from England,) Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Second Military Member. Colonel R. H. Davies, C.8., N.Z.M., Inspector-General, Third Military Member. Colonel R. J. Collins, V.D., N.Z.M., Finance Member. Colonel W. H. Webb, N.Z.M., Secretary and Member. Meetings. The first meeting was held on the 7th January, 1907, Council afterwards regularly meeting until the departure of the Hon. the Minister of Defence to attend the Conference of Premiers in London. The Hon. R. McNab acted as Minister during the absence of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G. Policy. Taking all circumstances into consideration it was decided that the policy of defence should for the present continue purely voluntary; that regulations be made and amended to further encourage enlistment and obtain efficiency; that provision be made for forming reserves, for more decentralisation, increasing the powers and initiative of district commanders, and for the completion of staffs, &c.; and, generally, that endeavour be made to popularise the Force in the eyes of the public; that the Force be for service in defence of the colony, over-sea contingents required at any time being raised and equipped as a special Force. That coast-defence be considered, and, when decided, gone on with and maintained in relation to the naval policy existing between the Home-country and our colony. Should the Volunteer Force not be maintained or brought up to an efficient state, Volunteering has had its last chance. If the general public are in earnest as to defence, they must themselves assist and insure that under the Volunteer system sufficient enlistment is made, and that once men are enlisted they attend regularly. The alternative is a system of universal or compulsory training, whereby the burden of service in the Defence Forces will be more evenly distributed. Duties of Council of Defence. The Council of Defence is an advisory body to the Hon. the Minister of Defence on all matters connected with defence. It also prepares and puts before the Minister such subjects as may be necessary for his consideration and decision. When not in Conference with the Minister, its
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members carry out the general staff work of the Headquarters below detailed, being responsible for the sections placed in their charge: — Hon. Minister of Defence: Military policy. Chief of the General Staff: Field organization, military operations, staff and instructional duties, training and education, intelligence, mobilisation, war regulations, examination of officers. Adjutant and Quartermaster-General: (Adjutant-General section): Recruiting and organization, veterinary, promotion, peace regulations, discipline, musketry, appointments, medical, remounts. (Quartermaster-General section): Movements, tenders, transport, quarters, supplies, contracts. Inspector-General: Review generally and report on the practical results of the policy of the Council; to inspect and report annually on the efficiency of officers and men, on the handling of troops, on the suitability of armament and equipment, on the conditions of the fortifications of the colony, .and generally on all that affects the readiness of the Forces for war. Finance Member: Control of all expenditure, compilation of estimates, issues of money services, imprests, acceptance of tenders. Secretary: Printing, stationery, books, forms, decorations, central registry, Parliamentary and Ministerial business, control of clerical work and office, Army List, promulgation of General Orders, claims, payments of capitation, returns, &c, as provided for by regulations. The following additional duties are carried out at Headquarters, but under the control of the Council: — Director of Artillery Services (Ordnance): Responsible for Artillery armament, fixed coastdefences, and supplies for ordnance. Director of Engineer Services: Responsible for erection and maintenance of forts and all works, barracks, rifle ranges, drill-halls, and submarine mines. Director of Stores: Responsible for clothing and personal equipment, accoutrements, saddlery, harness, small-arms and small-arms ammunition, machine guns, material, transport, vehicles, camp equipage, and all stores required for the Defence Forces. The Government and Parliament declare the policy and vote the supplies, the Council advising and carrying out that policy to the best advantage on the supply granted. The distribution of duties are on the lines laid down by the ■' Imperial Defence Committee " for guidance of the various colonies. Military Districts. The present military districts will be maintained. As communication improves between the West Coast and Canterbury, the District of Nelson must be absorbed into Canterbury. Districts have in the past suffered from lack of staff and instruction, and from curtailed command. As may l>e seen under " Instruction and Organization," this has had attention: the staffs of each district are now being completed as follows: — Assistant Adjutant-General (a permanent officer), Assistant Quartermaster-General (Volunteer officer on partial pay), Principal Medical Officer (Volunteer), Senior Veterinary Officer (Volunteer), Intelligence Officer (Volunteer), Signalling Officer (Volunteer), Mobilisation Storekeeper (Permanent), Artillery Officer (officer commanding detachment Permanent Force), Staff Sergeant-major Instructors (Permanent, in proportion as available), Clerks (Permanent, in proportion as available). (Except Nelson, where there is no Assistant Adjutant-General required.) With this Staff the Officer Commanding District should show better results in the field efficiency of his district. Next in the chain of responsibility come the units of the Volunteer Force, comprising divisions of Garrison Artillery, batteries of Field Artillery, companies Submarine and Field engineers, regiments Mounted Rifles, battalions of Infantry, Signalling corps, Field Hospital and Bearer corps. It is here that Volunteering really commences, and it is to the instruction, training, and equipping of these units that the whole energy of the Council, and of the General and District Staffs, must be directed, and the support of the citizens of the colony given. In turn the Volunteer officers, non-commissioned officers, and men must take advantage of facilities offered, and seriously and earnestly carry out their obligations, especially that of regular attendance, otherwise no advance can be made. Officers and non-commissioned officers should strive to qualify for a rank superior to the one they hold, it being kept in mind that under war-conditions, the calling-up of reserves, &c, would very largely increase the forces, affording officers and non-commissioned officers who show fitness certain promotion. Harbour or Fixed Defence. An amount will be placed on the estimates to enable the new guns to be mounted at an early date. The scheme of harbour-defence is in accordance with the recommendations of the " Imperial Defence Committee," and the naval policy of the Empire. Permanent Force. Although the amount asked for this year to support the Permanent Forces is based on a full establishment, there is no intention to increase the Force. On the contrary, when gone into and the works of the defended ports in fixed defence are approaching completion, it will be found that
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a considerable reduction can be made. The remaining Permanent Force is to be maintained at the highest state of efficiency as instructors, and first relief of specialists to train the Artillery Volunteers, who must be further encouraged, as, in case of emergency, it will be the Volunteers who will have to form the manning details and reliefs to maintain the service of the various works. For this purpose the Volunteer Garrison Artillery have been directly linked with the Permanent Forces. General. Artillery and Engineers. Garrison and Field Artillery and Field Engineers are reported on separately, under heads "Artillery Services" and "Engineer Services." Mounted Rifles and Infantry. It is shown under heading " Instructional and Equipment " that much has to be done to improve these very important branches of the service. The Council does not consider any good can come from criticizing the past, but intend, if voted the supply, to exercise every effort to the further improvement of these arms, the result of which will form matter for next year's report. For results of shield competition see Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4. The Mounted Rifles are handicapped by the long rifle now on issue. An amount is on the estimates to bring the present stock of short rifles up to a number sufficient to arm the Mounted Force. Cadet Corps. There are fifty-eight Defence Cadet corps, two being formed and four disbanded during the year, leaving fifty-six serving. Of these thirty-two are connected with colleges or high schools. The further training of these corps is to be given effect to. The Schools of the Empire Shooting-match for 1906 was competed for, Australia entering 13 schools, Canada 1, Cape Colony 2, Great Britain 50, Natal 4, New Zealand 16—in all, 95 teams; resulting in Wanganui taking 18th place, Wellington 23rd, Auckland 42nd, Christ's 44th, Christchurch 54th, Otago 58th, St. Patrick's 62nd, Rangiora 64th, St. John's 72nd. New Zealand schools are considerably handicapped, being armed with a carbine only, having the rifle loaned for a short time before the match takes place. Thanks are due to the rectors and principals of these schools for the manner they assist by giving facilities for the drill and training of these corps. Rifle Clubs. There are 126 rifle clubs, five having been formed and seven disbanded during the year. A Supervising Officer has been appointed, whose duty is to assist rifle clubs in all matters and afford information. Clubs are now included in the Defence Annual Musketry Course. A small pamphlet of regulations, simple drill, &c, is to be prepared for their use. It is hoped to encourage such clubs, and make them feel that they are an important adjunct to the active Force, being taken into consideration in the general defence scheme of the colony. Drill and Training Manuals. The Imperial Drill Training is to be taken into use for the Infantry Force at an early date. A supply of books is to shortly arrive. The Drill Training Manual now in use by the Mounted Rifles is being revised and brought up to date, and will shortly be printed. Various books and instructional pamphlets are sent to districts for use by instructional staff and formation of district libraries. New Zealand Defence Forces Rifle Association. During the past year several additions and improvements have been carried out on the Trentham Rifle Range, and accommodation for eighty targets is now available. ' The increased target accommodation proved a great boon to competitors, enabling the annual rifle meeting to be carried out with despatch. The annual meeting took place at Trentham from the 28th February to the 6th March, and was most successful, the arrangements made being very satisfactory. The number of competitors was 433, of whom 283 were Volunteers and 150 rifle-club men. The weather was fine and the shooting good. The championship of the colony was won by Rifleman Arthur Ballinger, with a score of 461. As this was his third win, having previously won the championship for 1893 and 1897, the Championship Belt becomes his own property. The ammunition manufactured by the Colonial Ammunition Company, Auckland, gave every satisfaction. Advantage is now being taken of the non-shooting season to put the firing-mounds in order, by levelling the mounds, clearing the stones, and sowing grass-seecf. New Regulations, and Regulations Amended. The following new regulations and amendments to the regulations have been issued by the Council: — 1. Precedence determined by organization into Coast Defence, Mobile Forces, and Reserves. 2. Definition District Staffs. 3. Reorganization Instructional Staff, and-Courses of Instruction. 4. Examination for Permanent Staff and Permanent Forces. 5. Further promotion of Field Artillery and Engineers field officers after seven years, and examination.
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6. Officers, Mounted Rifles and Infantry, for twelve months training in England or India. 7. Cadet service, maximum age increased to eighteen years. Minimum age for those at high schools and colleges retained at thirteen years. 3. Manoeuvre camps, four days to be paid service pay. 9. Further control of units by Officer Commanding Divisional and Battalion Staffs as to uniform, equipment, and ammunition-supply. 10. Capitation may be earned individually and not dependent on a company being above the minimum at the end of the Volunteer year. 11. Increased scale of payment for daylight parades to adult Volunteers. 12. Payments to Cadets for daylight parades. 13. Horse-hire for officers other than Mounted Rifles when required to be mounted. 14. Groomage-allowance for mounted officers' horses. 15. Increase of free annual ammunition-allowance. 16. Reduction in price of an additional 100 rounds to each efficient member of the Defence Forces. 17. Volunteer becoming sick or injured caused by military duty, and unable to attend parades, may still earn capitation. 18. Rail passes to Volunteers within a distance of ten miles from company or battalion headquarters to attend drills. 19. Rifle clubs more ammunition and 100 rounds at reduced price; can earn marksman's badges. Rail passes 100 miles. A Supervising Officer appointed. 20. Formation of Reserve corps from existing corps. 21. Formation of corps reserves to existing corps. 22. New corps accepted to be given field-service uniform, cost to be deducted from capitation in three years. 23. Annual allowance of £25 to battalion bands. 24. Rank and promotion of honorary chaplains. 25. Widening the conditions for the earning of personal payments and badges by Garrison Artillery (Regulation 414). •>6. Service of Volunteers reduced from three years to one year (in last year's Act, but not in regulations). Department op Chief of the General Staff. Organization and Equipment. Hitherto no general system has existed for guidance of officers commanding districts. The responsibility and sphere of the O.C. District is much enlarged, and more initiative allowed him. The Defence Forces in each district are now classified into, — (a.) A Coast Defence Force (fired defence), composed of the Permanent Force, with the Garrison Artillery Volunteer Divisions and Submarine Mining Volunteers directly linked to them. (b.) A Mobile Field Force, composed of the various other branches of the actively serving Volunteers. (c.) Reserves to the above Forces, composed of— Reserves (new regulations.) Defence Cadets. Rifle Clubs. All will have specified duties assigned to them. The mobilisation regulations quoted elsewhere will contain all information as to how these various bodies will act and assemble in case of need, or for manoeuvres. This organization will assist the task of instruction, and insure the disposition of the Forces in emergency as provided for in the general defence schemes for the colony. An amount is being asked for separately for an equipment to enable a sufficient Force at short notice to be rapidly mobilised to take the field in each district. The enrolled strength of the Defence Forces was as follows at the end of the last two Volunteer
1905-6. 1906-7. No. of Corps. Headquarters Staff ... District Staffs Permanent Forces, R.N.Z.A. and R.N.Z.E. Garrison Artillery Volunteers ... Field Artillery Submarine and Field Engineers Mounted Rifles Infantry Field Hospital and Bearer corps Defence Cadets Rifle Clubs ... Garrison Bands ... Active unattached officers 6 40 359 900 445 508 4,190 7,045 162 3,125 3,079 138 73 8 45 361 929 461 470 4,189 6,88.1 211 3,094 3,141 142 101 '"& 9 6 6 72 118 5 58 126 5 Grand total 20,070 20,033
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The above Force was distributed as follows at end of Volunteer Year 1907 : —
Grand total, 20,033. A defined policy is necessary as regards equipment. The old method of getting equipment in irregular lots must be discontinued. The amount asked for should be granted to at once equip a part of the Force for active field service, i.e. — (a.) A reserve of rifles should be obtained to bring the number in the colony up to 50,000. (6.) Equipment to complete the personnel and mobilisation equipment for a first-line Force should be ready in emergency, to meet surprise raid, and for issue from time to time for peace training and manoeuvre. A minimum number of vehicles forming a nucleus for training Medical and Army Service Corps, &c, should, to begin with, be sufficient for, say, 1,500 men at each of the four districts having defended ports, with 500 for Nelson District, with an equipment of range-finders, mess-tins and covers, waterproof sheets, bandolier equipment, nucleus entrenching-tools, camp and cooking equipage, haversacks, water-bottles, telegraph-carts, ambulancewagons, medical water-carts, carts and pack-saddles for small-arms ammunition supply, general field service wagons, surgical haversacks, and harness. Provision for these articles is embodied in Estimates, the greater part of which can be made in the colony. Training and Instruction. Men without leaders can do little. Leaders without knowledge are a positive danger. Facilities, therefore, for gaining instruction must be given to the Defence Forces of the colony. The instruction of the Artillery services is good, and should yet improve. The officers of the Koyal New Zealand Artillery and the Royal New Zealand Engineers have undergone a course in England (two being now there). The Field Engineers have been handicapped. The arrival of the R.E. Instructor lately asked for will remedy this. The Field Hospital and Bearer corps are officered and instructed by professional gentlemen, and well understand the more important part of their work. In the past the Mounted Rifles and Infantry (the men who use the rifles) have been seriously handicapped owing to want of sufficient instructors, as may be seen by perusal of the statement showing available instructional staff for the colony. An Officer Instructor of Mounted Rifles for each Island has only lately been appointed. The wonder is, under these conditions, that these most important branches of a field Force know anything at all beyond the merest rudiments of drill and musketry. It is expected that the system of instruction now laid down, whereby there is the District Instructional Staff constantly operating throughout each district, with a general Instructional Staff to move regularly round the districts for the higher training, arranging for continuous courses where possible, and on evenings and half-holidays, for those who cannot give continuous attendance, will better the present state of affairs, and enable a progressive policy of military education to be carried out. To this end the Instructional Staff in each district has already been brought together for a short correcting course, not before it was needed however, the result showing that the greatest care must be taken in the selection of instructors, and even then both officer and non-commissioned officer instructors require to be periodically tested and examined. Arrangements are being made for a seven to ten days continuous course of instruction in each district at suitable time and place, should sufficient officers be found to attend, embracing drill, musketry, tactics, and administration. Facilities will also be given to such officers who cannot attend during a continuous course. By this means the higher training of the officer will receive attention, and during the summer a series of tactical exercises and staff rides will be arranged in districts on schemes and detail furnished by Headquarters.
Auckland. Wellington. Nelson. Canterbury. Ocago. Headquarters Staff District Staff Permanent Force, R. N. Z. A., R.N.Z.E. Garrison Artillery Volunteers Field Artillery Submarine and Field Engineers Mounted Rifles Infantry ... Field Hospital and Bearer corps Defence Cadets Rifle clubs Garrison bands Active unattached list and .... ... I ... I 8 82 252 79 122 1,278 1,007 37 281 222 29 8 11 162 238 91 166 1,034 2,149 36 1,052 1,740 29 34 5 2 159 292 606 52 333 525 27 9 *9 12 66 49 183 256 67 65 96 86 762 823 1,144 1,975 32 54 473 I 955 350 304 26 31 29 29 Total... 3,397 6,750 2,010 3,237 4,639
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The establishment of a cadre of horses at the centres is necessary to insure efficiency in our Field Artillery, for use also by Field Engineers, Medical Corps, and for training a nucleus of a Supply and Transport Section." With the vehicles asked for these cadres can be made somewhat selfsupporting, and certainly be of the greatest use to the Mounted Rifles and Infantry on their daylight parades and manoeuvre camps. Failing this the annual grant for hire of horses should be doubled, to enable contracts to be made for regular training during the year. Statement showing Available Instructional Staff for the Colony. Artillery and Engineer Services. One Chief Instructor, Artillery Services. Eight officers of the Royal New Zealand Artillery (one- at present undergoing instruction in England). , . « .• Three officers of the Royal New Zealand Engineers (one at present undergoing instruction in Ig The non-commissioned officers and iirst-class gunners and sappers of the Permanent Force also act as instructors. Mounted Eifles. Iv the North Island, one officer and five sergeant-major instructors to 2,312 Mounted Rifles. In the South Island, one officer and four sergeant-major instructors to 1,897 Mounted Rifles. Infantry. In the North Island, no officers, eight sergeant-major instructors, to 3,156 Infantry. In the South Island, no officers, eight sergeant-major instructors; to 3,727 Infantry. General Instructional Staff. There are to arrive froir, England two officers for three years; one sergeant instructor foj R ° ya it ie&Teasily seen how little time can be given by the present instructors to Defence Cadets or rifle clubs, and the necessity of provision being made at an early date to increase the staff oi instructors for Mounted Rifles and Infantry, as per estimates f) Under a circular, "The Further Training of Defence Cadets at High Schools and Colleges, arrangements are being made whereby Cadets will be instructed by lectures illustrated by diagram models &C , in the principles of musketry, aids to shooting, care of arms duties of scouts and sentries, simple field engineering, fire trenches, and cover and loophole work now so important in rlfle Eduction is considered necessary in all other branches of life. See the encouragement and monetary assistance given to universities, technical schools, agricultural colleges, Ac. So must it be with military education. Volunteer officers are very keen to learn. Once given the opportunity they will soon do so. In return the result will quickly become apparent among the rank and hie. Examination of Officers. The examination of officers is under attention. As the facilities for instruction increase and begin to have effect, the examination will be made more progressive, especially as regards the practical part. The written portion, instead of being a mere memory test of regulations and drill, will take more of the form of suitable problems to work out, and so encourage the study of tactics imd A a ~ehenX syllabus with detailed instructions, providing for all ranks of the Permanent and Permanent Force, is now ready, and when put into force no officer should receive ai appointment, promotion, or increase of pay until he has passed the necessary qualifying evamfnation. Officers commanding districts will be tested in tactical fitness to command. During the past year 136 Volunteer officers presented themselves for examination (5 not completed) Of the 131 completed, 106 passed and 25 failed wholly or partially. This m itself proves the necessity for a more uniform and regular system of instruction. Operations and Manoeuvres, &c. Owine to the organization under a Council of Defence not taking effect until nearly the end of the Volunteer year, and close on Easter week, 1907, manoeuvres for that date were held on same regU Wh°er: man™ref w're held the attendance was very poor. Schemes and directions for current will be issued from Headquarters, and circulated some months beforehand. ,l,e ~™ he" n Ne. South W.l« in April tut. The irterch.nge of ,*=» .id compan.on „, the Fores, Zl l "stem, h,» proved of v<l... It is hoped th.t in Mr,, Ne» Ze.l.nd m., be viriW " ! A Srp"rjin"fn«"r"e« £££» i- inking. B. P-rti.iK
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Intelligence. A section for intelligence has been formed. This very important department of a military service is naturally in many ways of a confidential, often secret, character. Much important and valuable information has already been circulated to those concerned. The collection of intelligence now in hand will shortly enable exchange to be completed with the War Office, Canada, and Australia, and cannot fail to produce better preparedness in our forces. The work of this section is being made to conform to the methods laid down by the Imperial service so that the exchangesbear more than local significance. Mobilisation. This most important question has in the past been barely touched, but is now receiving close attention. Without some general system no Force can be made use of to the best advantage at short notice, or provided for until they reach their destination. To meet this, and enable all concerned to become acquainted with their duties, a set of regulations and instructions for mobilisation suited to local requirements is now well forward. These will be printed and taken into general use when completed. With a better knowledge of the duties, many irregularities and unsoldierly methods of assembling troops for manoeuvres will give place to the method which should obtain when called up for service. The necessity of a nucleus of an army service corps will be at once apparent with these regulations. The efficient carrying-out of the several defence schemes for the colony is really dependent on a sound mobilisation system not only as applied to the active Force, but also to its upkeep, and the augmenting same, as the exigencies of the service demand. War Regulations. These regulations, being of a more or less confidential nature, need not here be detailed, sufficient to say that they, bear a close relation to the defence schemes. Senior officers are being taken more into confidence in this respect, and given opportunities to become more acquainted with their duties in war, it being obvious, if these matters are kept locked up in one place, officers concerned, not having the chance to study them, cannot be expected to carry out their duties should the emergency suddenly arise. Department of Adjutant and Quartermaster-General. Musketry. The Annual Course of Musketry has this year been issued in pamphlet form for convenience. In addition to the usual course a large amount of useful information in shooting, &c, with a number of detailed schemes for field-service practices, have been introduced. In view of the large proportion in each company who do not shoot well, it was not considered advisable this year to alter the course. There are on an average ten to twenty men in each corps who qualify as marksmen are excellent or good shots, and improve themselves. About the same number may be termed fair'to medium shots, and require to be helped to improve. The remainder of the corps generally are not good shots, and, it is feared, in many instances do not complete or fire even the elementary practices, or take the slightest interest in rifle-shooting. It is intended for next year to arrange the Musketry Course into three classes, especially with the object of improving the latter two classes, securing more supervision and instruction on the range during the course, making the classes progressive, and releasing the first-class shots from annually repeating the elementary or training course. Medical. The further organization of the Medical corps is to be gone into on arrival of the AdjutantGeneral Excellent Field Hospital and Bearer corps exist at each centre, but there is no organization or system for the Medical Staff. Regulations for guidance of the medical services and equipment of same will in due course be compiled and issued. Veterinary. On the return of the Principal Veterinary Officer from Great Britain, and the arrival of the Adjutant-General, this department will be organized and regulations issued. Appointments, Promotions, and Resignation of Officers. During last Volunteer year, 196 officers were granted appointments, 180 resigned 25 appointments lapsed through failure to pass examination (the majority of these being renewed for second trial), 4 were cancelled for absence from the colony without leave, and 227 promotions were effected. Department of Finance. The amount expended on Defence services last year out of the Consolidated Fund was £152,765. For this year the Council estimate that £184,024 will be required, an increase of £31 259 This is accounted for in having to provide extra for small-arms ammunition cordite, &c, ±8,000; tor payment of postage and telegrams consequent on the abolition of frankmg-powers, £2,000 ; for miniature-rifle ranges, £600; for capitation to Volunteers, £10,000, a large proportion of which was due for last year, the returns not having been rendered in time for payment before the 31st March; to provide for pay of Permanent Force according to establishment, £5,000; and £5,000 for salaries and allowances of Headquarters and Instructional Staff. _■ . . ■- . The forms of estimates of expenditure for the current year have been altered to show the Permanent Force as distinct from that of the Volunteers and rifle clubs, so that the cost of the maintenance of the different Forces to the colony may be seen at a glance. Provision will have to be
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made under the Contingent Defence for sufficient money to cover the following items: Completing armament Mounied Rifles, £10,000; equipment Mobile Force, £5,000; ordnance-ammunition. £15,000; field-guns, £3,000; drill-sheds, £8,000; miscellaneous ordnance stores, £4,000; ana £3,200 for sundry charges —making a total expenditure of £48,200: but as only part of the equipment can come to hand during the current year, it will be sufficient if £25,000 is placed on the Estimates. There is also a sum of £6,000 required for fixed harbour defence to be provided for. Pay and Allowances. The Council have devoted much time to the question of pay and allowance of the officers and men, as it is absolutely necessary, if an efficient Defence Force is to be maintained, that sufficient monetary recognition and prospects of advancement must be offered to insure the retention of good men in the service. The pay must be fixed and made adequate, and, with that object in view, the Council have submitted a classification scheme defining the pay and allowance of all connected with the Force as under :—
Note.—Previous service in equal grade to count, but dependent on efficiency and report, and if required qualifying examination before the inoremeni, is granted. No man under the rank of sergeant should be allowed to remain in the Force after twenty-one years' service. N.C.O.s of the rank of sergeant and up may be allowed to remain beyond twentyone years' servioe if certified annually by the Officer Commanding Permanent Force as capable of efficiently carrying out duties. To" meet any hardships of having to leave after such service, the Defence Department officials and Force should be taken under a classification or pension scheme, as in some other branches of the Public Service. The drill pay to Permanent Force, when acting as instructors to Volunteers, and extra-work pay to be continued as at present. Positions in the various districts, such as mobilisation storekeepers, drill instructors, clerks, &o. to be filled as vacancies oocur from suitable men serving in the Permanent Force. lay of Non-commissioned Officers and Men of Permanent Force. The present rates of pay are unsatisfactory, no provision being made for increases of pay for efficiency or length of service. To remedy this it is recommended that gunners on enlistment receive 6s per day, and that further pay be given for good conduct and proficiency. By such an arrangement a gunner, although not fitted for promotion to N.C.O. rank, will, provided he has n good character and is proficient, receive pay according to service. Proficiency pay classified into : — Ist class proficiency pay, Is. (one shilling) per day. 2nd class proficiency pay, 6d. (sixpence) per day. To qualify for this a man will require to pass a gunnery and specialist examination every six months. Should he fail twice in succession a special report will be made as to whether it is advisable to retain his services. Cood-conduct pay to be awarded as follows: — After 5 years' service, 3d. (threepence) per day. ~10 ~ 6d. (sixpence) per day. " 15 ~ 9d. (ninepence) per day. " 20 ~ Iβ- (one shilling) per day.
Pay. Pay, inoluding Increments. Rank. House Allowance. After One Year's Service as such. After Three , After Five Years' Service Years' Servioe as such. as such. Minimum. Maximum. Officers. £ 350 300 225 175 £ 375 325 275 190 £ 400 350 290 215 O.C. District Major Captain Lieutenant... £ 325 300 225 175 £ 400 350 290 215 £ 50 50 25 25 Staff Sergeant-majors 150 War •rant Officer: I i. 180 | 150 I 170 I 180 Store I 3 Departmen ,t. Director of Stores Storekeepers Saddler Storeman ... Fireman Arms-cleaner Labourers ... 300 150 150 150 150 106 350 180 160* 170* 190* 156-* 8s. per diem 300 150 325 170 350 180 * Increasi is of £5 per ai mum.
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ItJwill be seen that a gunner who qualifies for both proficiency and good-conduct pay will receive pay, as compared with the present rate, as follows : — Service. Present Scale. New Scaie. Per Day. Per Day. Up to 3 years ~.. ... ..: ... "... 5 6 6 0 „5„6 0 7 0 After 5 „ ... ... ... ... 6 0 7 3 ~l 10 „ ... ... I 6 6 7 6 ~| 15 „ . - 6 6 7 9 „ 20 „ 6 6 8 0 N.C.O.s will not be eligible for good-conduct or proficiency pay. The rates of pay for N. CO. swill be as follows: — - _.. Gunnery Instructor. —This N.C.O. to assist in the gunnery training of all N.C.O.s and men of both R.N.Z.A. and Volunteers. On appointment, to receive 9s. 3d. per diem. After three years 1 service as Instructor, M)s. per diem. Company Sergeant-major.—To act as Divisional Sergeant-major for the whole Division, including R.N.Z.A. and Volunteers. On appointment, to receive 9s. per diem. After three years' service to receive 9s. 6d. per diem. After six years, 9s. 9d. per diem. 2nd Glass Master Gunner.—To also carry out the duties of Quartermaster-sergeant. On appointment, to receive 9s. 3d. per diem. After three years' service, to receive 10s. per diem. Quartermaster-sergeant. —To receive the same rate of pay as for Company Sergeant-major. Sergeants. —On appointment, Bs. 6d. per diem. After three years' service as Sergeant, Bs. 9d. per diem. Corporals. —On appointment, to receive Bs. per diem. After three years' service, to receive Bs. 3d. per diem. Bombardiers. —-On appointment, to receive 7s. 6d. per diem. After three years' service, to receive 7s. 9d. per diem. Artificers. —To be placed on a sliding scale as provided under present regulations, rising according to service until a maximum of 11s. per diem is reached. When public quarters are not available lodging-allowance may be issued according to following scale: — Warrant officers and staff sergeants ... ... ... ... ... £25 Sergeants ... .. ... ... ... ... ... £20 Rank and file ... ... ... ... ... ... ... £16 In addition to the above pay, it is proposed that a free issue of service uniform be made to N.C.O.s and men each alternate year. Regulations regarding the examination of men in order to qualify for proficiency pay will be drawn up and issued to all concerned. These regulations will be framed with a view to insuring absolute proficiency on the part of all ranks. Clerks. —The reduction of the Force will necessitate a reduction in the number of clerks from nine to five. These clerks to receive same rate of pay as N.C.O.s and men of equal rank doing military duty, and that the present regulations for the promotion of clerks as laid down in the present scheme be adhered to. The cost of this scheme will be approximately £36,000, or a saving of about £9,000. The whole of the R.N.Z. Engineers to be as far as possible absorbed into the R.N.Z. Artillery. The Artillery then being composed of specialists formed into two sections designated Gunnery and Electric Lighting Sections, as per establishment below shown. An Electric Light Section is to be formed by the Garrison Artillery Volunteers at each station to supplement the R.N.Z.A. specialists in electric lighting.
Minimum Establishment of R.N.Z. Artillery. — Gunnery Section.
- 2—H. 19.
. c 'ST ■» ■ — 9 .0 : S -** ft © oo * O h3 Oh O u 43 © s ° 5 s go h-t 14 o '5° a 43 r-,8 0 cS HS © ft 00 a © OCQ O 9 CO oB . s 8 13 oo 11 M K O © 5 cato to H CU O s -J ■5 q crj <D OC *-t aj CO o S-H O O QQ M U a jo B o PQ c/i CD a a 3 o - • i I . © 49 **3 0 2 co © •£, 2> g? a ■ .s © O ' " co M ■ O Drivers. .S-2 ■2-S. .§ a o E-i fq- ■ to S H3 ■ 01 . CO © 5 o 1 3 4 1 4 4 [ 1 2 15 9 10 18 105 1 4 11 1 1 5 200
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10
Minimum Establishment of R.N.Z. Artillery.—Electric Lighting Section, drawn from Men at present serving in the R.N.Z.E.
No increment or increase of salary shall be paid to any officer unless the permanent head of the Department certifies that the duties performed by such officer, and the manner in which they are performed, justify the granting of the increased salary. Travelling Allowance and Expenses. Travelling-allowances on the following scale shall be paid, and such allowances shall include cab-hire, meals, and porterage, and shall be paid only on defined and authorised absence on duty from residence or headquarters:— PeT Die °V ' ft Bi Q, Headquarters Staff ... ... ■••■ ••■ ••• ••• 15 0 Officer Commanding District ... ••■ ••• ••■ " |° « Officer Commanding Permanent Force ... ... ••■ "nion Staff officers other than those of Headquarters Staff ... '" ion Officers of the Permanent Force.. ... ... ••■ "ninn All other officers ... ... •• •■ •■■ ••• » j" " Warrant officers and staff sergeants ... ... ••■ "' n » n Other ranks ... ... ••■ ■■■ ••; ■•■ , ■•■ " 8 " ~ On day of return or where journey is completed in one day, halt the above rates to be paid. Gamp Allowances. The camp allowances for all camps will be as follows (no travelling-allowance paid while officers are in camp): — Permanent Force and District Staff. Per Diem. s. d. Officer Commanding District ... ••• •■• • '" m Officers above rank of lieutenant ... ... ••■ ••• " * n Officers of the rank of lieutenant ... ... •■• •■• "on Warrant officers and N.C.O.s ... ... •■• ••■ " t r Gunners, drivers, sappers, and privates ... ... ■•• ... d with a forage allowance of Is. 6d. per diem for horses. Secretary's Department. The clerical staff of the Defence Department, which was for some years divided between the Under-Secretary and the Commandant, and located in separate buildings has been amalgamated and is now working satisfactorily under the Secretary of the Council of Defence in the offices at
Artil Second E Electri and Di Ingineer, Engine-drivers, icians, Stokets, Firemen, ack Hands. icers. d CO O b ce o a o M o 43 o 3 i-i 43 CQ d H 6 d 43 I CD B> <D CQ I t-l <D 43 u_ =3 1 s-t 3 Of '3 *5 £a as 2 M d a a 'S £ § o a _ _ 0) CO o 2 'o •c 43 o <D s -13 d aj <D bo »h o QQ (E <a M c3 a o CQ a '3 H a. a o 43 d 0) 43 d <D 3 _ g '3) a _ I 0_ _ o a. o O CQ <u d d d O "3 o Eh 2 2 2 3 30 55 nimu: grand total ;oyal N jw Zealand A: •tillery, 255. Clerical Staff. >yIncrements (at intervals of not less than one year). Position. Minimum. Maximum. Chief Clerk, Secretary's Department ... Accountant, Finance Department Clerks Junior clerks Cadets Typist and shorthand-writers Messengers £ 250 250 150 105 40 75 8s. per diem. £ 350 350 220 140 80 104 £20 per annum. £20 £10 £10 £10 £8
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Mount Cook. It is the intention that in the future military clerks only shall be employed, but this change can only be effected gradually. The Council of Defence is not desirous that any further appointments of cadets to the clerical staff be made. A classification with regard to pay and allowances has been prepared, and is recommended for approval. This classification will not reduce existing salaries. Tables A and B, Appendix V, show the number of the Volunteer corps which have been in existence during the ten years from 1897 to 1907, and (approximately) the number of Volunteers who have passed through the Force during that period and have received a certain amount of military training. The rate at which officers pass through the Force varies considerably, but is lower in the country than in the chief centres. The average '' service life " of a Volunteer seems to be about two years and a half in the city and two years and three-quarters in the country. Appendix V shows that approximately 42,881 all ranks and arms (not including Cadets and Rifle clubs) were enrolled and served during the past ten years. Out of this numbe- (again not including Cadets and Rifle clubs), 13,798 are at present actively serving. Artillery Services. Reports by the late Artillery Staff Officer and the Officer Commanding the Permanent Force show that the Permanent Force is not in a satisfactory state. The decisions of Council and the recommendations by the "Imperial Defence Committee" on fixed defence will enable this Force to be reorganized. The late Artillery Staff Officer reports that "although the internal discipline and organization of the Permanent Artillery is not what it should be, nevertheless I have found all ranks on parade intelligent and zealous. The material is undoubtedly excellent, and with good organization the Royal New Zealand Artillery could be made a most efficient body of soldiers." Report on the Volunteer Garrison and Field Artillery corps is attached (see Appendices I and II). Engineer Services. Works. No works of any importance have been carried out during the past three years. It is to be hoped authority will be given to proceed with the mounting of the new guns now in the colony. The amount asked for on the Estimates will keep this Department busily employed. Drill-halls. Generally the drill-halls are being maintained in good order. A new hall is under erection for Wellington. Auckland, Canterbury,- and Nelson have good headquarters drill-halls. In Dunedin the present hall is unsuitable. Power has been given the trustees to sell the old, and procure new site to erect suitable hall. Rifle Ranges. The difficulty of providing ranges is increasing, especially near populated centres. Under the Municipal Corporations Act Councils have power to expend money in this respect where ranges are required. The sympathy and assistance of Councils should be enlisted, and they should be asked to assist. A grant per district has been made for construction of miniature ranges in drillhalls. Plans and description of a cheap and safe range have been sent to O.C. Districts for their guidance. Report on the Volunteer Field and Submarine Mining corps is attached (see Appendix III). Stores. Stores and Magazines. Auckland. —Buildings in good order and meet present requirements; mobilisation equipment in good order. Being the seat of the ammunition-factory, further magazine accommodation is required. No magazines have been erected since 1872. Canterbury. —Store building inconvenient. Mobilisation equipment in good order. A position for a S.A.A. magazine away from the stores is having attention. Otago.— Hitherto no store has existed. The completion of new building about July will remedy this. A new magazine has been completed. Mobilisation equipment is in good order. Nelson.—The store requires considerable repairs, &c. The magazine is too small. The mobilisation equipment is in good order. Wellington.— The Headquarters Store is used for district purposes. The mobilisation equipment is generally in good order.
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Accoutrements. —The stock of accoutrements is inadequate, there being no reserve. Good brown-leather accoutrements can be made in the colony. A contract, delivery in August, has been made for cadet belts. Many of the buff accoutrements in use by Volunteers were taken over from the Imperial troops nearly forty years ago. Pull-throughs are now being made in the stores. Twelve thousand were made and distributed last year. Signalling flags and poles are also made at the Defence Stores. Clothing, Badges, Buttons, Forms, (fee—Only a small stock of clothing-material is kept to meet requirements of Permanent Force. A fairly large stock of buttons, badges, &c, are kept for use by Volunteer corps at cost price. Proficiency and efficiency badges are made in the colony, and issued free annually. Great-coats. —One thousand each Mounted and Infantry pattern were obtained about tour years ago to enable Volunteer corps to purchase at cost-price. Only one-half have been sold. Waterproof Sheets. —A small supply is kept for issue on payment, but the demand is very small. . , Camp Equipment. —Many of the rents now used are unserviceable, having seen ten years service. They will require replacing. Cooking-utensils.— There is a good supply of utensils. All except camp-kettles can be procured in the colony; there is a fair supply of these kettles. Small-arms Ammunition. —The reserve of small-arms ammunition is increasing, being well over the generally acknowledged safety limit. Ordnance (Artillery) Ammunition. —The supply is maintained in accordance with the authorised scale. - . Medical Equipment. —She Hospital and Bearer corps are fully equipped according to scale provided. Two new ambulance wagons designed by the Surgeon-General were supplied during the year. A supply of first-aid and field dressings is under order. Field Engineering Equipment.—The field engineering and signalling equipment has been completed, and a new telegraph equipment issued to each corps. Signalling Equipment. —Complete signalling equipment has been issued to the Signalling corps in each district. / . „ .„ Sale of Arms. —The purchase of rifles continues to increase; up .to the present about <S,4W) ME. and 900 M.L.E. rifles have been sold to Defence rifle clubs. These arms, when sent to store for new barrels, show they are well cared for. Although numbers of these rifles are sold on deferred payment, the instalments are always paid on due date. _ Armourers —There are three staff sergeant armourers in the colony employed inspecting and repairing arms, with four cadets being trained as armourers. A supply of small-arms parts and appliances for repairing is kept for use at each of the four centres. • A number of barrels are annually condemned, the damage being invariably caused by neglect. Continual complaints as to the number condemned and to be paid for by the Volunteer companies come to hand The armourers state they are more lenient to corps than the Imperial Regulations allow In many cases as high as 30 per cent, of the barrels on issue to corps have been condemned, while there are instances where corps have not had a single barrel condemned, although the arms were issued on the same date. . , Obsolete Stores.— These stores are being disposed of to the best advantage. Ihe bmder, Martini-Henry, &c, obsolete arms and ammunition are being disposed of by tender. Sporting Rifles.—lf the duty were remitted on all rifles of a '303 bore, capable of taking the Government'ammunition, it might encourage the use of such rifles, which in case of emergency would further augment the reserve stock. 27th June, 1907.
APPENDIX No. I GARRISON ARTILLERY. General Report on Garrison Artillery Volunteers, 1906-7. By Major G. N. Johnston, Director of Ordnance. The high standard of efficiency of the Garrison Artillery Volunteers as reported on last year has (with one exception) been maintained. The discipline is good, excepting as mentioned in the Challenge Shield Report. _ During the past season thirty-one officers and 900 N.C.O.s and men attended training-camps. The results of the training are very satisfactory, as regards both shooting and genera efficiency --■:: The practical gunnery work is excellent, but there is a falhng-off in the results of the theomedium guns (59-09 per cent.) is very satisfactory for the J r g Un perVinute is also good for the 6 in. B.L but poor for 8 in. B.L The rate of fire of Q.F. guns in Nos. 2, i, and 8 Companies was good, slow in Nos. 5 and i> Companies, and very slow in No. 7 Company, which points to the necessity for better training of G.GjC.s of Q.F. guns require to be very highly trained in observation and correction of fire, otherwise the shooting is inaccurate. An apparatus was devised locally for teaching observation of fire, and used with excellent results at some stations. It was found to develop quickness in observation, and decision as to new range! giving out orders, &c, on the part of the G.G.C., and so obviate delays, and consequent slow rate The7raining of specialists for signalling and D.R.F. work is carried out without the slightest difficulty in some companies, while in others signalling is entirely neglected, and the full complementof DR F. specialists is also not maintained. A company cannot expect to be graded in
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either Aor B Class if it neglects to train its specialists. Signalling sections should be formed in each company, and the men employed only as signallers. The laying has improved throughout. Drill guns are now available for all companies, and they have greatly facilitated the training. Instructions have been issued for training officers in identification of warships, by the aid of specially prepared silhouettes, and also in observation of fire by the special apparatus referred io for training G.G.C.s of Q.F. guns. At some forts electric dials have been replaced by mechanical range dials of local pattern, which are very simple and as effective as electric dials in transmitting ranges from B.C. stations to gun emplacements. "Instructions for Practice, 1906," were printed locally. The principal alterations in the conditions for practice were: (1) The mean range for B.L. guns increased to approximately 4,000 yards; (2) size of target was increased from 20 ft. to 30 ft. freeboard; (3) figure of merit to score Ist class was raised from o\s to 0 - 7. The tactical schemes issued in connection with all Garrison Artillery practice has resulted in officers studying " Jane's Fighting Ships " very thoroughly. With regard to the instruction of companies, there is still too much tendency in some districts for officers to allow Instructors from the R.N.Z.A. to undertake the instruction of their units. Officers will have to lead their men in war, and they must personally instruct them in peace time. R.N.Z.A. Instructors should only be required to assist in the instruction of a Volunteer company about one or two parades per month. The difficulties in teaching observation of fire referred to in connection with Field Artillery does not exist in garrison companies, as each officer is permitted to be present at the practice of the R.N.Z.A. or other Volunteer companies in the same district, when arrangements are made to compare his observation with the records. N.C.O.s who are G.G.C.s of Q.F. groups have not, however, availed themselves of the opportunity of attending other company practices. Coast defence manoeuvres were not practised at each of the four defended ports at Easter, which is to be regretted, as much valuable experience can be gained at these manoeuvres.
Results of Service Class Firing for 1906-7.
No. 1 Company (Auckland). Ist Series. —Three series from 6 in. B.L. guns. Faulty observation, and slowness in deciding on correction on the part of the B.C. Errors in passing ranges. 2nd Series. —Similar faults to Ist series—one serious error made. 3rd Series. —Accurate shooting, but slow. Electric dials out of order necessitated changing to range indicators. No. 2 Company (Dunedin). Ist and 2nd Series .—(6-pr. Q.F.): Observation, defective. G.G.C.s require more training. Rate of fire, fair. Effect, fair. Corrections, insufficiently bold. 3rd Series.— (6 in. 8.L.): Observation, faulty. Laying, good. Service of gun, slow. Fire discipline, good. . . Ifth Series. (64-pr. R.M.L.): Serious mistake made in passing ranges, otherwise tire discipline, laying, and effect, good. sth Series.— {2-6 in. 8.L.): Observation, good, facilitated by flank observers. Ranging, good. Times, slow. Effect, good. Range, rather short (3,317 yards). 6th Series. (2-6 in. 8.L.): This series was spoilt by bad D.R.F. manipulation. Some errors made in passing ranges. G.G.C.s not well trained. Effect, fair. No. S Company (Dunedin). 2nd Series. (64-pr. R.M.L.): In the Ist series there were several abnormal rounds which fell so far short as to indicate that bad ramming home was the cause, otherwise both series were satisfactory as regards effect and fire discipline. 3rd Series (7 in. R.M.L.): Each of these series was excellent as regards accuracy, time, and fire discipline. This company scored a figure of merit of o'9ol, and was awarded the cup for Coast Artillery Practice for 1906-7. No. 4 Company (Wellington). Ist Series —(6 in. 8.L.): A very good series, both as regards time and effect. 2nd Series.—(B in. 8.L.): One serious error in giving wrong order. Time, good. Effect, fair.
Company. Station. O.C. Figure of Merit. Classification. Order of Merit. 1 2 *8 4 5 6 7 8 9 Auckland Dunedin Dunedin Wellington Lyttelton Wellington Lyttelton Auckland Auckland Captain Knyvett Captain Fredric Captain Dodds Captain Menzies Captain Foster Captain Freeman Lieutenant Wardell Captain Forbes Captain Hazard 0-419 0-726 0-901 0-719 0-540 0-895 0-295 0-600 0-503 N.C. 1st 1st 1st 3rd 1st N.C. 2nd 3rd 8th 3rd 1st 4th 6th 2nd 9th 5th 7th * Won Coast Artillery Practioe !up for 1906-7.
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3rd Series. —(l2-pr. Q.F.): A very good series, spoilt as regards rate of fire by ranging (auto, sights) with error-of-day screw. The error ~K>i day should have been ascertained previous to series, and not have been altered during the run of target, as this is not a service condition. J.th Series. —(6-pr. Q.F.): Good series spoilt for effect by G.G.C. not being bold enough in his corrections. sth Series. —(6-pr. Q.F.): Very effective series. 6th Series. —(B in. 8.L.): Good series, both for effect and rate of fire. 7th Series. —(6-pr. Q.F.): Very good rate of fire, and excellent effect. Figure of merit, l'os. Bth Series.-—(6-pr. Q.F.): This series was spoilt by a mistake on the part of the setter. 9th Series. —(B in. 8.L.): An excellent series as regards rate of fire, and fair fire-effect. No. 5 Company (Lyttelton). Ist and 2nd Series.- —(6 in. and Bin. 8.L.): Both good series as regards fire discipline, but times slow. Laying for line not good. Effect, fair. 3rd and J/.th Series. —(6-pr. Q.F.): In both series the rate of fire was slow. Laying, not good. Observation, fair. Effect, fair. No. 6 Company (Wellington). Three series (6 in. 8.L.): Total number of rounds fired, 40, of which 37 were hits. The fire discipline and rate of fire was very good. One mistake made by G.G.C, otherwise an excellent practice. No. 7 Company (Lyttelton). Ist Series. —(6-pr. Q.F.): A very poor series, both as regards time and effect. Observation of fire very bad, as only one round fell plus. Mean range, 1,593 yards. G.G.C. requires training in observation of fire. 2nd Series. —(6-pr. Q.F.): This was also a very poor series as regards both time and effect. Laying, very erratic. 3rd Series. —(6 in. and 8 in. 8.L.): Several serious errors in transmitting ranges from D.R.F. to gun-emplacements. Rate of fire, very slow. Effect: 6 in. 8.L., fair; 8 in. 8.L., very poor. Fire discipline, not good. fth Series. —(6 in. and 8 in. 8.L.): Serious errors made in transmitting ranges from D.R.F. to gun-emplacement. Insufficient pressure in H.P. cylinder caused violent recoil, and necessitated stopping the firing to pump in required pressure. Time, slow. Effect: 6 in. 8.L., fair; 8 in. 8.L., nil. Fire discipline, poor. No. 8 Company (Auckland). Three series fired from 8 in. B.L. and one series from 6 pr. Q.F. Ist Series. —(8 in. 8.L.): Observation, good. G.G.C. slow in giving final ranges. Service of gun, good, but slow. 2nd Series. —(8 in. 8.L.): Corrections not well made. G.G.C. slow. Effect, poor. 3rd Series. —(8 in. 8.L.): Corrections insufficiently bold, the target not being bracketed throughout the series. G.G.C. and detachment slow. hih Series. —(Q.F.): Very good series as regards effect and rate of fire. 9 Company (Auckland). Ist Series. —(6 in. 8.L.): Observation, bad. B.C. too slow in giving out his corrections and orders. Corrections when ranging not bold enough. Detachments, slow. 2nd Series. —(Q.F.): Very good series for effect, but rate of fire too slow. .3rd Series. —(8 in. 8.L.): One serious error in giving wrong order, otherwise a good series for fire discipline and control by 8.C., although the effect was poor.
Return showing Results of Examination of New Zealand Garrison Artillery Volunteers for the Garrison Artillery Challenge Shield, 1906-7.
tj Station. § a. a I 9 o s a CD ■4* | © a a a c5 or a "3 a ca © . 0C~ S s | oo a % a W EC i I a a 4 .-C 43 8 ' a OJ © w IS 00 © =„43 43 O © © o s- ©a s |sl P 44*"" M a a a 2 g . II 1 EC s I o E•8 OS U ,'TJ ri g . i§co S . < © I f| |8 3If sis s Ph P4 W EH°~ O C5 O So. 1 Auckland 47 67-57 70-88 Nil 71-07 16 41-9 90 404-42 56-17 Per Cent. 1 55-17 N.C. C 8th , 2 Dunedin 77-7 81-2 78-7 75-4 89-6 18 72-6 94 587-2 81-5 1 80-5 1st A 3rd „ 3 85-5 78 75-2 38-4 80-6 17 90-1 91 555-8 77-2 0-4 76-8 1st A 4th . 4 Wellington 91-3 80 81-4 79-8 89 15 71-9 90 598-4 83-1 2 81-1 1st A 2nd ,. 5 Lyttelton 88-3 85-06 91-9 Nil 83-9 12 54 95 510-16 70-8 1 69-8 3rd B 6th . 6 Wellington 99-2 86-4 98 97-1 94 10 89-5 90 664-2 92-2 Nil 92-2 1st A 1st . 7 Lyttelton 70-7 67-93 95-98 Nil 56-41 8 29-5 85 405-32 56-3 2-75 53-55 N.C. C 9th . 8 Auckland 58-54 70-85 79-39 57-49 80-74 18 60 98 523-01 72-64 0-5 72-14 2nd A 5th „ 9 52 65-08 69-96 Nil 68-72 9 50-3 90 405-06 56-1 0-8 55-3 3rd C 7th
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APPENDIX No. lI.—FIELD ARTILLERY. General Report on the New Zealand Field Artillery. By Major G. N. Johnston, Director of Ordnance. During the past year the batteries have been trained in accordance with " Field Artillery Training, 1906." All 15-pr. B.L. batteries have this year carried out practice from concealed positions, and the results have been fairly satisfactory. The training of officers and N.C.O.s in the use of the director has not been so difficult as was anticipated. Special arrangements for targets have been fitted up in some drill-sheds, which permit of the director being used at ordinary drills, with satisfactory results. This, combined with' occasional outdoor instruction, enables officers and N.C.O.s to keep efficient in the various uses of the director. An Instructor from England arrived in January of last year, and has been sent round to the batteries in turn, one month at each station, except Auckland. The issuing of a field telephone to each battery has been delayed pending a report from England as to the most suitable pattern to adopt, but experiments have been satisfactorily carried out by D Battery at Easter manoeuvres. Range-taking is not yet satisfactory. The mekometer still fails to give accurate results when at practice at extreme ranges against indistinct targets. This is not the fault of the instrument, but owing to the difficulty of getting two men to make coincidences with indistinct targets. A oneman instrument is badly needed, and it is intended to experiment with a Barr and Stroud Rangefinder, which, if satisfactory, will be recommended for adoption for Field Artillery, the present range-finders to be transferred to the Infantry. The six additional lij-pr. Mark IV guns ordered from England last year are not yet available. The efficiency of the personnel is seen at a glance on reference to the Challenge Shield Report. I am pleased to report an improvement in nearly all the field batteries, and I think they fully justify the expenditure on them. I reported last year that they could not be relied upon to fire from concealed positions, or at concealed targets, but the results of this year's practice prove that they can now do so. This I consider most satisfactory, as it is the most difficult arm of the service to train in a regular army, but infinitely more difficult to train Volunteers to a standard which, although below that of a regular field battery, can be considered satisfactory. The Russo-Japanese war has brought into prominence the necessity of a highly trained Field Artillery, and all ranks of the Artillery are taught to realise that if they are not thoroughly efficient they are useless; in addition a spirit of esprit de corps is fostered. This spirit should be encouraged, and every possible inducement offered to make all ranks efficient. I have quite come to the conclusion that it is necessary, in order to have efficient Volunteer Field Artillery, that the officers should be carefully selected, as they require to be men of more than average ability. The cost of our six field batteries is only, approximately, £5,000 per annum, while the cost of one local regular field battery would be about £20,000 per annum at colonial rates of pay. A noticeable feature of this year's practice was the efficient tactical handling of D Battery, and the good work of its drivers. This I attribute partly to the advantage this battery has in the use of the R.N.Z.A. horses for training-purposes during the year. The present schedule of allowance for horse-hire, whilst sufficient for Easter and annual training-camps, does not permit of sufficient mounted work being done during the year by other batteries. 1 strongly recommend that arrangements be made at each district where field batteries are stationed to contract for the supply of ten horses per battery to be used during the year on, say, forty Saturday afternoons or holidays per year for training-purposes, and the same number of evenings for use at the weekly drills. The horses to be selected for suitability of stamp, registered, and contractors paid accordingly. The increased cost per battery would be about £250 per annum, while the cost of maintenance of ten horses, including the salaries of drivers, would be approximately £890 per annum, which, added to the initial expenditure for purchase of horses, building of stables, &c, renders the scheme of forming a permanent cadre of Field Artillery at each station too costly to adopt, while it would not be of greater advantage than the scheme suggested. By this scheme all batteries will be placed on the same footing as regards training. The R.N.Z.A. horses at Wellington should be maintained, as they are necessary for transportwork, training of permanent drivers, &c. Material for making breast-harness has been imported from England, and it is intended to equip all batteries with breast-harness during the present year. This will be a great aclvantage, and eliminate the complaints received from owners of hired horses re injuries through wearing badly fitted collars. The training of the officers in battery-work as carried out is fairly satisfactory, but the higher training in subjects such as (1) tactics, (2) reconnaissance, (3) topography, (4) observation of fire, <!kc., cannot be done under existing conditions. (1), (2), and (3) can be learnt by staff rides if carried out in conjunction with lectures. A staff ride of Artillery officers was held in the Wellington District during the past year'with very satisfactory results. For instruction in "observation of fire " I recommend that each Field-artillery officer be permitted to attend one practice per year of the nearest field battery out of his own district, a free pass and travelling-expenses to be allowed for this.
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It would be a great advantage if an additional twenty-five rounds of ammunition per battery per annum oould be granted for expenditure at the annual service practice as soon as the batteries are converted to four-gun batteries. I also recommend that the capitation of field batteries should be increased by 10s. per man; the present capitation is too little; the wear-and-tear of uniforms, the expense caused by the loss and breakage of stores which is made a charge against capitation, the hiring of extra horses for training-purposes, insurance against accident, and other expenses which are special to field batteries, makes it very difficult to successfully finance a battery on the present capitation. 10s. per man would, I think, be sufficient. If this was granted every battery could and should be compelled to insure its personnel against accident. Some O.C. batteries do it at present, others say they cannot afford to insure, but it is a very important and necessary precaution. During the past year special prizes and badges have been granted to signallers in each battery. With regard to the issue of efficiency badges, it has been the custom to issue only one badge to,each successful competitor. Two badges of each nature should be issued, one for the full dress and one for the service dress, so that a specialist—layer, for instance—may be known by his badge in either dress. SERVICE PRACTICE. All the field batteries carried out service practice on two separate days, the first day being devoted to instructional practice (two series), and the second day to service-classification practice (four series). While none of the batteries qualified for first class, their shooting on the whole was satisfactory. It is the first year that firing from concealed positions at invisible targets has been carried out, consequently the standard of effect is not high as compared with last year, when direct laying was used throughout. The following comparisons are interesting: The average time from first gun to section fire was—l9os, 9 mm. 39 sec.; 1906, 11 mm. 10 sec. This reveals a slowness in ranging which should be improved upon. While it cannot be expected, nor is it so important, that ranging should be done very quickly when firing from behind cover, battery-commanders do not attach sufficient importance to getting on to time shrapnel quickly. The indistinct targets used this year has caused a reduction in hits; the average hits per shell were—in 1905, 0-59; in 1906, 0"39. ' This standard is not high enough. The ranges were increased Ibis year, the average being 2,966 yards, compared with 2,813 last year. The shortest ranges were used by A Battery. B and D Batteries fired several series at about 4,000 yards range. The fire discipline was very good in three batteries, the remainder only being fair. In each battery each subaltern fired one series, and the O.C. the rest. There is still great room for improvement in reconnoitring, and careless exposure of details is a constant fault. Much of the practice was carried out from concealed positions, and there is a marked improvement since last year, but if batteries will endeavour to do their work from concealed positions more quiokly and accurately the rest will be comparatively' simple. It is disappointing to find the same mistakes made year after year, which is inexcusable, as the criticisms on each practice are typed and distributed to officers concerned in order to prevent repetition of mistakes. The observation and decision of some battery-commanders is utill painfully slow, causing the rate of fire to be quite inadequate. Practice in quick deduction and rapid issue of orders from rounds observed is more particularly what officers require. Inaccuracy in measuring the angle of sight was the cause of several series being wasted. Errors have been made by using badly selected aiming-points. A Battery. Two days' practice: Six series, fired over the gumfields north of Lake Takapuna. Excellent practice-ground. Ranges somewhat short as compared with other batteries. Targets very indistinct. Indirect laying used throughout the practice. Ranging, very good. Observation, easy. Times, fairly good. Scouting, indifferent. Range-finding, unsatisfactory owing to nature of ground. Tactics and fire discipline, 30; fire effect, 3075: total, 6075. 2nd Class. B Battery. Two days' practice : Six series; three from behind cover, remainder from forward crest, using an aiming-point owing to indistinctness of target. Ranges, long. Battery proceeded by train to Barewood for second day's practice. Excellent practice-ground. Times, slow. Rangefinding, fair. Observation, very bad in one series; fair in two; remainder good. One serious error in laying out line of fire. Fire tactics and fire discipline, 28 ; fire effect, 28 : total, 56. 2nd Class. D Battery. Two days' practice: Six series,'fired over country partly cleared of bush, very difficult to range on. Ranges, long. Targets', very indistinct. Indirect laying used throughout. Laying back used in two series. Observation, fair. Times, slow in two series; remainder good. Battery well handled. Manoeuvring, good. Range-finding, fair. Laying, good. Tactics and fire discipline, 31; fire effect, 265 : total, 605. 2nd Class. ~i k
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E Battery (Christchurch). Six series. Only one officer present. Laying, irregular and slow. Fire tactics, not good. Too little precautions taken re cover. Fire discipline, not good. Lack of smartness in passing orders. Drill, slow. Range-finding, fair. Tactics and fire discipline, 23 ; fire effect, 215 : total, 44-5. 3rd Class. // Battery. Two days' practice: Six series. Targets fairly distinct. Direct laying used throughout. Ranges, medium. Laying, good. The practice-ground afforded little space for manoeuvring. Observation, fair. Times, slow. Range-finding, good. Tactics and fire discipline, 30: fire effect, 28 : total, 58. 2nd Class. / Battery (fVestport). Two days' practice: Six series. Times, very slow. Fire tactics, not good. Fire discipline, fair. Fire effect, poor. Observation, bad. Laying, indifferent. Tactics and fire discipline, 20: fire effect, 21-5: total, 415. 3rd Class.
Return showing the Results of the Examination of the New Zealand Field Artillery Volunteers for the New Zealand Field Artillery Challenge Shield, 1907.
G. N. Johnston, Major, Director of Ordnance,
APPENDIX No. III.—FIELD ENGINEERS. Return showing Results of Competitions of New Zealand Engineer Volunteers for the Engineer Challenge Shield for Year ending 28th February, 1907.
3—H. 19.
3 8 6 a fc. 1 § 5 * i 8 . a .3 jj X ffi I I Cud sh ■" IS ri — I a © I « I I •eS - as a a ft u ■ O ?! & Sa is a a ce en as o cc CO a 00 9 <" W rH 0 co — a . or o.9 44 © O u O 343 SCO o •■91 I I tX 5 u u O I £ § * 1 o as O o . I ce 43- 00 ft o . a a . g 2 =g' s co © S £ ©. ■ •23 §2 |S act sec s;S O a o cc '- c © if! M S "3 o I D o 9 a .. O CD or co © Q © 4J i a O I. A 89 B 92-6 D 941 70 87-4 79-35 84 74 90 36 29-7 43-6 98-8 92-8 112 12-5 354 70 18 44 \ 94 16 95 20 37-5 89 19 27 5 | 90 7 '36-34 60 85 76 90 75 90 91 60-75 56 60-5 717-45 0-763 j Nil 76-32 753-5 0-8 Nil 80 816-55 0-87 Nil i 87 677-6 0-72 3 69 637-78. 0-759 1 ! 74-9 601-69 0692 1 68-2 2nd A 2nd A 2nd j A 3rd 2nd 1st E 86-7 61-85 86-5 39-3 82-25 80 50 44-5 3id B 2nd j A 5th H ' 85-2 61-6 82-98 30-3 103-2* 80 f 58 4th I 7106 62-95 88-93 25 118-91* 70 t 41-5 3rd | B 6th *E: .amined in din ict laying only. t Not e: :amined in laying out lines of fire.
Station. 8 © © a j ■a a © 4J 00 o © ■ a "Kb a *d © 2§ ■a 3 oo CO frl-A s 8 cc .9 73 a or 3 cud .a a S CO a *n ag 3 — CO § a £ © 49 rS ac 9 ©8 5~ 2 B u . o © 44 a CO "- Is cd co ©P CM 8 +-> o i"C © a ■H 0 u 0> •S *H o Company to. 1 Company .. Christchurch 93-58 94-14 52 60 -2-0 297-72 4th lo. 2 Company .. Dunedin 88-20 140 55-40 82-35 -2-5 363-45 2nd lo. 3 Company .. Auckland .. To. 4 Company .. Auckland .. 70-57 74-12 32-05 43 -1-0 218-74 5 th lo. 5 Company .. Wellington .. 80-10 113-33 70 66-40 - 1-0 328-83 3rd lo. 6 Company .. Wellington .. 88-86 | 138-69 87-33 78-33 393-21 1st
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Report on the New Zealand Engineer Volunteers. No 1 Company (Christchurch).
The position of this company in the competition is disappointing. The attendance was very good, and the general knowledge throughout the company is most satisfactory. I can give no reason why so many men did not present themselves for examination. I consider this company the most efficient Field Engineering company in New Zealand.
No. 2 Company (Dunedin).
This company is in an efficient condition. The marks of the Field Telegraph Section (55-4) are not really representative of the efficiency of the section. For obvious reasons ail the section must be examined the same day, and some of the absentees were prevented by their work from attending camp the night of the examination. No. 3 Company (Auckland). This company is a submarine mining company, and did not go into camp.
No. 4 Company (Auckland).
It will be noticed that the average of those men who were examined is much the same as in the other companies, but nearly half the company did not come up for examination.
Subject. Average of Penalties for Men Bad examined. Discipline. Marks to count for Shield Competidon. Remarks. Attendance Field engineering ... Field telegraph Signalling 93-58 163-60 75-85 73-85 -2 91-58 94-14 52 60 22 men did not present themselves for examination. 6 ditto. 3 „ Total 406-88 297-72
Subject. Average of ; Penalties for Men Bad examined. ■ Discipline. | Marks to count for Shield Competition. Remarks. Attendance Field engineering ... 88-2 165-4 -2-5 85-7 140 75-76 82-35 55-4 82-35 4 men did not present themselves for examination. 5 ditto. Field telegraph Signalling Total 412-71 363-45
Subject. Average of Men examined. r, u .„. Marks Penalties for : , ' . t) j to count for Bad o, . ,, Discipline. L Shu ;'. d . v j Competition. Remarks. tttendance i\ield engineering ... 70-57 168 -1 69-57 74-12 19 men did not present themselves for examination. 8 ditto. 7 „ I'ield telegraph lignalling 85 8050 32-05 43 Total 404-07 218-74
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No. 5 Company (Wellington).
This company, though small in numbers, has improved during the last year. It is short in officers, but this, I hope, will be remedied. When it is considered that the smaller the company the greater difference an absentee from the examination makes, the position of the company in the Shield Competition is most creditable.
No. 6 Company (Wellington).
This company is most efficient. The Testing Section consists of men who do the same work in private life. This Company is awarded the Shield for 1906-7. A. C. Kobinson, Major, Director of Engineer Services. APPENDIX No. IV.—MOUNTED RIFLES AND INFANTEY. Inducements were given to institute challenge shields for competition among the regiments and battalions of Mounted Eifles and Infantry. Much keen competition and good results come from similar competitions in other branches of the service. It is to be hoped that regimental staffs wiil this year assist this matter. So far the only competitions seem to have, been in the Otago District. Eetuhn showing the Eesult of Shield Competitions as carried out by the Ist Eegiment, Otago District Mounted Eifles, and the Ist Battalion, Otago Eifle Volunteers, for Year 1906-7.
1st Regiment, Otago Mounted Rifle Volunteers.
Shield presented by Lieut.-Colonel J. C. Nichols, v.d., Officer Commanding Ist Eegiment, Otago Mounted Eifle Volunteers.
Subject. Average of Men examined. Penalties for Bad Discipline. Marks to count for Shield Competition. Remarks. Attendance Field engineering 801 149-6 -1 79-10 11333 Field telegraph Signalling 0-91 0-83 70 66-40 8 men did not present themselves for examination. 3 ditto. 2 „ Total 403-7 328-83
Subjecr. Average of ' Penalties for Men Bad Examined. Discipline. Marks to count for Shield Competition. Remarks. Attendance Submarine Mining Section ... 88.86 159-70 88-66 138-69 87-33 78-33 6 men did not present themselves for examination. 1 man ditto. Testing Section ... Electric-lighting Section 95-27 78-33 Total 422-16 393-21
1. Corps. 2. 8 P U ■Sa S3 s l to a = '3 as 3. WCCI © . CO CO %■* «3 3| o§ ©c: *i eg 4. 8 s a TO W CO fl ■3 I = a © * MS s. o ID CO 45 £ c3 .i 44 3 sa 3* oS 6. "a c H 56 2 a c © la p 7. '3 o H 8. © oo 2 a © © © B 9. = "§ £©■ a co ©T3 " 3 ■S ° go .a-* sg 3 " 10. 11. to a © 44 > 0 O J a -t CO Sa CD CD 1 §1 a .2*4 © 43-- © -4 CO B | <! 13. 4»-H "Co ©ai £2 3 3 •Bfo BO Bemark*. laniototo Mounted Rifles itago Hussars.. 100 93 23 25 35 35 25 45 8] 8J 1744 77-55 189J 84-22 14 17 40-3 22-3 18 10 135-85 116-32 Winners of Shield, 1906-7. forth Otago Mounted Rifles i Disqualified, not having completed test in the one dav.
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1st Battalion, Otago Rifle Volunteers.
Shield presented by the Dunedin Garrison Hall Trustees, Maniototo County Council, and Dunedin Builders' Association.
APPENDIX V. Table A.-Number of Volunteer Corps and Rifle Clubs, Defence Cadets, and Bands in existence during Period from 28th February, 1898, to 28th February, 1907.
Table B.-Table showing approximately the Number of Men who have undergone Military Training as Volunteers for Ten Years, 1897-8-1907-8.
20
1. Marching. Maximum marks, .100. 2. Judging Distance. Maximum marks, 180. 8. Entrenchments. Maximum marks, 100. 4. Number of Men firing 30 Rounds each. 5. 6. Percentagei Average of Hits to Percentage Rounds ! of Columns fired. 1, 2, 3,and 5. Remarks. Corps. . . 1. Dunedin City Rifles 92 80 90 80 59 55-55 38-88 25 30-55 19-44 41-66 38-88 96-5 97-5 95-5 98-5 95-5 97 84-5 20 20 18 21 21 4-3 13-6 21-66 6-53 18-09 6209 5901 58-04 53-88-48 Winners of Shield, 1906-7. 2. Dunedin Rifles 3. Green Island Rifles 4. Dunedin Cty Guards .. 5. Wakari Rifles 6. Dunedin Highland Rifles 7. Caversham Rifles 8. North Dunedin Rifles .. Did not complete. Did not compete.
Description. 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. 1903. ' 1904. 1905. j 1906. 1907. i Vol \unteei Cor}. IS. Field Artillery ... Garrison Artillery Engineers Mounted Rifles . . Infantry Cycle Corps Bearer Corps 5 11 2 14 69 3 2 5 9 3 18 75 4 3 5 10 4 46 84 3 4 5 5 5 6 9 10 11 10 9 9 4 4 6 6 6 71 72 72 73 73 117 117 120 119 118 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 9 6 73 116 4 5 6 9 6 72 115 3 5 Rifle CI ,bs, Di efence Cade is, and Bands. 59 117 5 11 58 126 5 11 Defence Cadet Corps Rifle clubs Garrison bands ... Battalion bands ... 41 42 43 58*| 38 ! 53 56 57 72 , 114 | 112 114 113 5 ! 5 j 5 5 5 ... I ... ... 18 i I 5 5 "5 * Cadet Corps under Defence f si Depart! iven ye; dent and undi .rs. { J r Bducvtion Department separated, ror four years.
Description and Average per Corps. 8 35 i c* en x —< a .eg © H rH S3 I .2 13 00 a T'H . . . m o -o «j> T ' _ o .2 co co ! es n £ OS i OS O &.P4 ,2.2 co ® U rr £o£ 44 a " n £ 2 £ <: C a «" • 44 Q4 tcOJ= R o >J u o> a c6 CIJ44 w — 00 - (,501 .-« o a 00 frH Officer! o I O S OS 4. 00 © 44 (B elected. 4i !_ ■ 04I- © on aS7 03 rf 00 •4 m s £04H X VSo OS I H 44 I 8 c. I 44 o a! -H I I cq co o O rH r-t lO o OS Field Artillery — Enrolments Discharges, &c — Garrison Artillery— Enrolments Discharges, &c. ... Engineers — Enrolments Discharges, &c. ... Mounted Rifles — Enrolments Discharges, &c. ... Infantry— Enrolments Discharges, &c. ... Cycle Corps— Enrolments Discharges, &c. ... Bearer Corps — Enrolments Discharges, &c. ... 32 29 29 39 19 18 16 7 33 34 62 35 24 23 29 10 47 32 33 31 30 25 17 16 58 18 58' 3! 49! 30 23! 11' 31 44 37 33 22 18 19 18 28 24 54 60 26 32 12 10 16 23 47 35 23 25 9 13 32: 35 53i 33 14| 24 3 10 17! 28 44 27; 43 14 5 8 56; 37 47; 50 : 23 1 20: I 91 13! 350 304 464 346 273 229 142 116 5-7 9-7 4-7 58-4 1995 4500 1283 8282 8 10 6 6 45-6 97 28-2 350-4 24 24 27 22 51 32 17 34 1 16 21 40 43 13 18 8 18 26 22! 28 20 250 254 105 26250 8 840 11 7 17 15 7 7 9 16 10 2 4 4 5 3 4 3 67 57 41 274* 2 8-2 5 8 8 7 15 6 4 8 7 4 6 6 14 10 8 7 67 56 4-4 294* 2 8-8 *E 'or e: ight years
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REPORT OF THE INSVECTOR-GENERAL, NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES. a 28th June, 1907. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report on the Defence Forces of New Zealand. By the Act under which the appointment of members of the Council of Defence and InspectorGeneral was made, the duties of the Inspector-General are defined as follows: To review generally and report on the practical results of the Council. To inspect and report annually on the efficiency of officers and men, on the handling of troops, on the suitability of armament and equipment, on the conditions of the fortifications of the colony, and generally on all that effects the readiness of the Force for war. . Owinc to the short period that has elapsed since the Council was appointed, and the amount ot initial work the Council has had to do to institute the new order of things, it necessarily follows that there can as vet be little or no practical result from the policy of the Council. Such bein" the case, and also owing to the fact that my own appointment having been recently made, I have not had time to inspect all the Forces: my report will necessarily be brief, and will refer only to those troops which I have seen. . In future after I have had the opportunity of carrying out the inspection duties as denned, over the whole of New Zealand, I propose, with the approval of yourself, Sir, and the Council, to submit mv annual report, in time to enable the Council, if they so desire, to take advantage of the facts disclosed by such inspection when compiling their annual report and preparing the estimates. Hahbouh Defences. Recommendations for completing the works and armaments have been made by the CounciL On all occasions when I have inspected the existing works and armaments, which are in charge of the Permanent Force, I have found them well kept and in good order. Pebmanent Force. Recommendations for the reorganization of the Permanent Force have been made by the Council and when carried into effect will no doubt put the Force in a thoroughly satisfactory state The men are of superior education and intelligence, and good physique, and on my inspections have drilled well and smartly when properly handled. Their appearance on parade in service diess is at present quite spoiled, owing to their uniforms being of different make and various shades of material; otherwise they have been well turned out. Volunteers. Since beginning my inspections in February last I have inspected ninety-nine corps of the various branches of the'service, in Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago. These parades were held as far as possible on dates to suit the corps, and at their own Headquarters. The following state shows the detail of these inspections: —
Branoh of Service. Number of Corps. Percentage P" 06^ 6 Present on ! Establish- of Enrolled Bgtabltah . —e. ngt , : — Strength . ! ! Ll Auckland. Field Artillery Garrison Artillery Mounted Rifles Engineers ... Infantry Field Hospital and Bearer 1 46 3 175 ... 2 squad- I 52 rons 1 42 7 194 1 20 57 240 82 63 375 35 81 468 168 105 451 50 Per Cent. Per Cent. 80 58 75 37* 65 31 63 40 50 43 60 j 40 Garrison Artillery Also seen on another ... | 2 | 150 | occasion. 156 | 312 95 | 49 Infantry Otago. ... | 8 | 247 ! 510 | 514 I 48 | 48 Canterbury. 66 52 95 560 32 81 84 105 640 50 75 60£ 34 22 63 57 56 49 60 38 Field Artillery Mounted Rifles Engineers ... Infantry Field Hospital and Bearer ... 1 battery 49 1 18 1 60 10 315 1 19
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Details of Inspections — continued.
In addition to the above inspections, I was present at the Easter manoeuvres in Canterbury, and have on two occasions (one at .New Plymouth and one at Wanganui) inspected as many Infantry as could be mustered for field-work in the afternoon. At Easter in Canterbury, out of a strength of 1,965 on the rolls of units ordered to camp, a total of 659 attended. A summary of the above state gives the following result for all the adult corps inspected, Easter excluded: — Establishment of corps ordered to parade ... ... ... ... 8,825 Enrolled strength of corps ordered to parade ... ... ... 5,827 Total present at inspections ... ... ... ... ... 3,601 Thus, at Easter, in Canterbury, only 33 per cent, of the enrolled strength attended camp, while at other inspections 62 per cent, of enrolled strength, or 40 per cent, of establishment, have jjaraded. These results I do not consider satisfactory, and I trust the parades will be much better attended in future. Field Artillery. A separate report in detail by the late Artillery Staff Officer accompanies the report of the Defence Council. The corps I have inspected have been generally well officered, the N.C.O.s and men are of very good stamp, are keen and well drilled, and have turned out well. I have only been able to see one corpsat work in the field (at Easter), but from what I saw then and from questions I have asked, and simple tactical problems I have given at inspections connected with the uses of Field Artillery in the field, I am convinced that it is necessary for this arm to get much more work in the field in daylight. lam also of the opinion that more of the time available should be devoted to training in direct laying (and less to indirect laying and firing from behind cover), to choice of positions and to manoeuvre, than has been done recently. I feel sure that very rarely, if ever, the batteries would be required to fire from behind cover when fighting in this country, as the probability is that the Field Artillery would lie employed to prevent landings from boats, against skirmishers, or light field-guns landed from ships; often against moving targets, to cope with which the latter method is, of course, useless. It is right that the batteries should understand the methods and practise indirect laying, firing from behind cover, &c, but, as I believe, it will seldom if ever be used here, I consider the greater portion of their service practice should be in the direction of making them as perfect as possible in the work they will in all probability be called upon to do. Garrison Artillery. A separate report from the late Artillery Staff Officer on this branch of the service is also attached to the report of the Defence Council. I have had no opporttmity of inspecting these corps yet, except at Auckland. I did, however, see one corps at Wellington at work on the occasion on which I accompanied to the forts the Hon. the Acting Minister for Defence. I am glad to be able to report that the Auckland Garrison Artillery corps, which were not in a good state of efficiency a year ago, have decidedly improved, as is also shown by the A.S.O.s report. This branch of the Volunteer Force should be, and, I believe, is, more efficient and ready for service than any other, for the following reasons: They have the officers and men of the R.N.Z.A. as instructors, and as a highly trained nucleus which would form a stiffening and supply a number of experts to work with them in war-time; they have always before them, and thoroughly know, the locality and area over which they would have to fight; as a force they do not move from their positions, communication is easier to keep up, and they are therefore more easily commanded, and a great deal of their training can be done at night. Therefore, although their work is largely scientific and needs thorough training, as they are keen and work hard, under existing conditions I consider they will always be more ready than other arms, their peace training more nearly resembling the work they would do in war. Engineers. A full report from the Engineer Staff Officer accompanies the report of the Defence Council. Except at Easter, I have had no opportunity of seeing these corps in the field. The corps that attended the manoeuvres in Canterbury did good work in laying field-telephone lines, &c. I hope
Branoh of Service. Number of Corps. Present on Parade. Total Enrolled Strength. Establishment. t, Percentage Percentage j s of Enrolled Establish . StreD g h ment P resent present. Field Artillery Mounted Rifles Engineers Infantry 1 12 2 33 Wellington. 65 | 89 387 639 77 150 1,121 1,611 81 1,008 210 3,000 73 60* 50 69* I 80 38* 37 37 Infantry Battalion, 1st 2nd, Wanganui 4th, Sentry Hill Cadets, Infantry Also inspect '.'.'. 8 id on a second occasii 358 525 84 205 122 285 375 439 m. 567 388 462 504 "85 64*
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to be able to report next year that these corps have more expert signallers than at present, as signallers are badly wanted in the Force. More work in the field in daylight is also badly wanted. Field Engineer officers should be experts in the choice of ground, and have the knowledge of how to use it to the best advantage—for defence of positions for example. These corps can do a great deal of their training in drill-halls, &c, but the work learned there is only preparatory, and they must get into the field to enable them to understand how to use the knowledge gained indoors. Most of the men in this country know how to dig, I presume. The knowledge that is required is where to dig, and that can only be acquired out of doors. The Wellington Submarine Mining Engineers paraded for inspection in the drill-hali Mounted Rifles. The Mounted Rifle corps have, I consider, greater opportunities of becoming efficient and useful in their own work than other branches of the field force, for the following reasons: (a) they are almost entirely composed of officers and men who live and work in the country; (&) they train in camp for a week at least in the daytime. What is required therefore is that, in addition to learning their drill, &c. (which is only the beginning and not the end of a soldier's work), and the theory of tactics, they should be taught to bring the knowledge of country which their daily lives and occupations give them, to bear on the study of practical tactics and the art of making the best use, from a military point of view, of whatever ground they may have to fight over. With regard to the drill, more attention should be paid to dismounted drill, and to making all officers and N.C.O.s more proficient in instructing and handling their men. Corps would soon find the benefit of this, even from the point of view of the appearance of their men, and consequently of the whole corps, as it is principally dismounted drill that makes men smart and soldierlike. The men are generally of very good physique, and in most of the corps neat and uniformly dressed and equipped, especially so in the Canterbury corps that I inspected in camp at Easter. The horses throughout are of a useful stamp generally and serviceable, though in some corps rough in appearance. The horses of the Canterbury corps referred to above are, taken as a whole, the best I have seen. In a few of the corps sufficient attention is not paid by officers and men to uniformity of clothing and equipment. This does not mean extra expense, but just care in management, and it helps to mark the difference between a smart corps and a mob. As an example, although it has not yet been possible for all corps to obtain uniform saddlery, there is no reason why two or three men of a corps should parade with towels and a few with potato-sacks for saddlecloths. No saddle-cloth at all is cheaper, and a saddle that is not fit to put on a horse without a cloth is not fit to use. In some corps, also, more attention should be devoted to horsemastership, or the care of horses, without which they must break down if used for any length of time on service. Infantry. These corps vary more in efficiency and appearance than the corps of any other branch of the service, from smartly drilled, well turned-out corps, in which all the officers and most, at any rate, of the N.C.O.s are able to drill, instruct, and handle their men, to one or two corps, slack and slovenly in turn-out and drill, in which all ranks are practically ignorant of their work. The rule is, almost without exception, that where the officers are good and keen the N.C.O.s and men are also. This branch, taken as a whole, gets, I am sure, less opportunities of learning its work in the field than any other, and generally needs it more, being to a very great extent composed of officers and men who live always in towns. The physique also varies more than in any other arm, there being a great number of very young and weedy men in several of the town corps. It is a striking fact that the farther south one goes the better, generally speaking, is the physique of the town Infantry corps, due, I conclude, to the harder and colder climate in the South. " Cyclists. I have seen only one Cycle corps (Canterbury) in the field, where they did very good work as scouts and orderlies at Easter. The other corps were inspected with the Infantry battalions to which they are attached. I consider these corps could be made of great value if trained as scouts, signallers, &c. Field Hospital and Bearer Corps. The Bearer corps I have inspected have been smart, keen, and well up in their duties apparently. The organization of this branch is to be gone into on the arrival of the Adjutant-General. Defence Cadets. I have inspected eight Cadet corps, all, with two exceptions, being school corps. All the corps were smartly drilled, and neatly and uniformly turned out. Generally their drill compares very favourably indeed with the adult corps, and one school Cadet corps is certainly, as far as drill goes, ahead of any corps 1 have yet inspected. It must not be forgotten, however, that Cadet corps cannot go much beyond drill, and must be recognised as a means and not as an end.
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Rifle Clubs. A Superintending Officer has been recently appointed for rifle clubs, wljo will in future inspect and report to me when necessary. I hope on some future occasion opportunities will be found to induce the members of these clubs to turn out and take part in field manoeuvres, when it will be possible to form an opinion as to their usefulness for active service under present conditions. Arms and Equipment. The report of the Defence Council deals fully with what is required. It is therefore unnecessary for me to report upon the present state. General State of Efficiency of Officers and Men. In dealing with this subject generally, I desire to make it quite clear that I am sure the spirit which animates all ranks of the Force is excellent. If it were not so they would not be giving up their time, willingly and cheerfully, to the sacred duty of trying to become fit to protect their country, their homes, their mothers, sisters, wives, and children, while the enormous majority of the able-bodied manhood of the country is merely looking on, and sometimes, I regret to say, trying to discourage them. As far as drill and discipline go, the state of things is generally very satisfactory, but something further is required before it can be honestly said that a Force is prepared for war. Without doubt the vital tiling is to traiirthe officers to command their troops in the field over any country they may find themselves in, and under any conditions that may arise. To accomplish this they must be instructed in the field, and in daylight. Practical tactics, a knowledge of, and an eye for, country, and the power of making the best military use of all sorts of ground, can no more'be taught in a drill-hall than swimming can be taught without getting into water. The excellent material of which the Force of this country is composed demands higher training and qualifications in its officers than ordinary, firstly, because the rank and file, under existing conditions, can only get a partial training, and the less training the rank and file have the more training and intelligence the officers must have to cope with the situation; and, secondly, the rank and file being of a much higher standard of intelligence than is usual in Forces, demand higher standard still in the officers. The standard of intelligence we have, and the training must be got. If means can be devised whereby the officers can be trained in the field, and trained first apart from their men (as it will readily be seen that it is subversive of discipline, and does not tend to regard or respect, to train and correct them then I feel sure it will do more not only to popularise, but to make the Force fit to fight than anything else. Theory, of course, is most necessary, and should be mastered before or together with practice, but theory alone is of little use, and I am convinced that if officers and men can be taken out and shown what they are trying to work up to, they will be much more content to go back and work up their drill and theory in order that they may be better fitted to work in the field next time. No one would be content to go on for ever practising scales if they never heard a tune played, and Volunteers soon get tired of mere drill if they cannot see what it leads to or the use of it. In conclusion, if any argument is necessary in support of such a self-evident statement as that it is the heads of any business (in this case the officers), who first must be made efficient. I beg to be allowed to quote from two such distinguished soldiers as Lord Roberts and the late Colonel Henderson. Lord Roberts says, "It must not be overlooked that while soldiers can be made fit for active service with comparatively short training, officers cannot be improvised " ; and in his " Science of War " Colonel Henderson points out that " with good officers, and a certain amount of previous training, there is no reason why bodies of Infantry, Artillery, or Mounted Infantry, composed entirely of unprofessional soldiers, should not do excellent service in the field." I have, &c, R. H. Davies, Colonel, The Right Hon. the Minister of Defence. Inspector-General, N.Z. Forces.
Approximate Cost of Paper— Preparation, not given ; printiug (2,000 copies), £17 4e. 6d
By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington. —1907.
Price 9d.}
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Bibliographic details
DEFENCE FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND REPORT BY THE COUNCIL OF DEFENCE AND BY THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES, FOR THE YEAR 1907., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, H-19
Word Count
16,633DEFENCE FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND REPORT BY THE COUNCIL OF DEFENCE AND BY THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES, FOR THE YEAR 1907. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, H-19
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