DEFENCE FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND: REPORT BY THE COUNCIL OF DEFENCE FOR THE YEAR ENDING 28th FEBRUARY, 1910.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1910 Session I, H-19

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1910. NEW ZEALAND.

DEFENCE FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND: REPORT BY THE COUNCIL OF DEFENCE FOR THE YEAR ENDING 28th FEBRUARY, 1910.

Presented to both Homes of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

The Defence Council to the Eight Hon Ministbb of Defence. Wellington 2nd May, 1910. Sir,—I have the honour to submit the Report by the Council of Defence for the year 1909-10. I have, &c, A. W. Eobin, Colonel, Chief of the General Staff.

Meetings. During the year ended 28th February, 1910, the Council of Defence has met as required. The following changes took place in the Council: Colonel Davies, C.8., Inspector-General of the Forces, left for England in May, 1909, for training. Colonel R. J. Collins, 1.5.0., V.D., Finance Member to the Council, resigned on his appointment as Controller and Auditor-General. Colonel H. D. Tuson, Adjutant-General, will complete his term of service in the Dominion and return to his regiment, leaving New Zealand about the end of May, 1910. Policy. Four Subaltern officers left for England on the 24th July, 1909, and one Major in June, 1909 for training. Good reports have been received of these officers, and all have successfully passed the School of Musketry, Hythe, and Maxim Gun Course. The policy of general military training was given effect to during last session of Parliament, when legislation was introduced making training compulsory in Junior and Senior Cadets from ages twelve to eighteen, and from eighteen to twenty-one in a General Training Section. That an active Force of 20,000 all ranks, designated " Territorials," be maintained by voluntary enlistment, or by transfer from the General Training Section, eighteen to twenty-one years of age, should enlistment not be maintained. This Act had hardly come into operation when Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener visited New Zealand and inspected the defences and Forces at each 17th February to 3rd March, leaving proposals which recommended that the age of liability to service be extended to twenty-six yearsfoffage, and that be subdivided into a larger number of areas, &c. Department of the Chief of the General Staff. Field Organization, Military Operations, Staff Instructional Duties, Military Training and Education, Intelligence, Mobilisation, War Regulations. Field Organization. The reorganization of the Coast Defence and Mobile Field Force was practically ready for issue on the Ist March, commencement of the new military year, but, in view'bf thejvisit of Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, was held over for his remarks. Regiments and battalions of the Field Force are being reorganized on a peace and war establishment, and approval has been given for the appointment of permanent Adjutants and a sufficiency of N.C.O.s as administrators and instructors to each,

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Organization and Distribution of the New Zealand Defence Forces on the 28th February, 1910.

N.B.— On the 28th February, 1909, the total showed 20,428, making an increase for the year ending 28th February, 1910, of 1,885. Bands are being trained as stretcher-bearers. There are also 201 officers on the Militia list. Up to date 10,629 adult Volunteers have qualified for capitation. Fourteen rolls are still outstanding, taking which, at an average, it can be expected that 11,400 will capitate for year ending 28th February, 1910. The number of adult Volunteers who capitated as efficient for the year ending 28th Febiuary, 1906, was 11,051 ; 28th February, 1907, 10,846 ; 29th Febiuary, 1908, 11,068 ; 28th February, 1909, 10,356. The number of Defence Cadets who qualified for capitation for year ending 28th February, 1909, was 3,064. Up to date, 3,046 Defence Cadets have qualified for capitation. Seventeen rolls are still outstanding, which, at an average, it can be expected that about 3,800 Defence Cadets will qualify for year ending 31st December, 1909. Military Operations. On account of the visit of Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, inspections of the defences and Defence Forces were held during February and March in lieu of Easter camps. The following table shows the attendance of troops, &c, at the above inspections :'—

Last year 5,389 Volunteers and 855 Defence Cadets attended the Easter manoeuvres. Rifle Clubs. —It is most difficult to obtain musters for drill and instruction. It is not considered that any of the rifle clubs are efficient in this respect. It is intended to increase the ammunition grant and further extend the privilege of cheap ammunition ; also, in view of the general training coming into effect, to cancel the drill parades now required for Rifle Clubs. Staff rides, tactical exercises, and daylight week-end parades have been encouraged and carried out under district arrangements. Staff and Instructional Duties. The following instructional staff has been available during the year, and have done excellent work: — Artillery Services, Garrison and Field. —One Chief Instructor and 1 Sergeant-major ; also the officers and N.C.O.s of the R.N.Z.A,

I "T ~ Unit. (Wellington. I Auckland. jCanterbury. Auckland. jCanterbury. Otago. Nelson. Total, 1910. Comparison 1909. I I I - . - - -- Headquarters .. .. 15 District Staffs .. .. 11 12 I 18 Permanent Force .. .. j 110 71 37 Garrison Artillery Volunteers \ 264 459 188 Field Artillery . . .. j 117 76 ' 105 Engineers .. .. I 80 87 105 Railway Pioneers .. Mounted Rifles .. .. j 1,104 1,474 641 Infantry ! 2.324 898 1,201 Active List .. .. 81 22 £60 Medical Officers (attached) .. 23 21 £16 j Medical Officers (unattached) 19 16 H10 Field Ambulances .. 45 33 *54 Veterinary Officers (attached) 9 3 4 Reserve Volunteer Corps .. 27 .. ■ 95 Defence Cadets .. .. 999 1,159 670 Defence Rifle Clubs .. | 1,870 421 435 Garrison Bands .. .. ! 28 30 26 Battalion Bands .. .. Ill 68 41 i i I 7,242 4,850 3,706 13 5 40 3 232 71 102 54 86 61 714 298 1,468 635 34 M6 30 f'14 8 18 54 t 46 3 ! :. 122 1,050 i 231 281 607 I 31 28 101 69 15 59 261 1,214 454 358 611 4,231 6,526 1.213 1109 61 I ,'232 □ 19 r 244 4,109 3,414 143 J 390 15 55 266 1,011 382 273 3,759 6,108 ! 178 114 49 209 14 242 3,560 3,697 146 350 ', J 4,430 2,085 22,313 20,428

I Volunteers. Defence Cadets. Oontingenters. Veterans. St. John's I T , Ambulance. District. _■_ Wellington Otago Auckland .. Canterbury Nelson 2,913 434 1,791 774 1,814 895 1,470 623 663 113 8,651 2,839 50 10 145 22 214 40 . .. _ 3,492 2,587 2,973 125 2,268 776 60 421 125 12,096 t

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Engineers and Signalling Companies — One officer, with 1 N.C.0., stationed at each of the four centres. Mounted Rifles, North Island. —One officer, with 6 Sergeants-major. Mounted Rifles, South Island. —Six Sergeants-major. Infantry. —No officers available as instructors, but four officers will complete their training in England this year. North Island : 9 Sergeants-major. South Island : 8 Sergeants-major. General Service Instruction. —One Imperial officer, with headquarters at Wellington. The augmentation of above staff of 28 officers and 28 non-commissioned officers under the requirements of the Act will insure much more efficient training in all branches of the Force. Training and Education. District classes were held throughout each district under District Instructional Officers and N.C.O.s, with good results. It is fully apparent that until permanent officers and N.C.O.s are attached to each regiment and battalion little advance can be made in general instruction. The Staff Officer who underwent two years' course at Staff College, England, has returned to duty, and with the return this year of the four exchange officers, special general continuous courses of instruction for the Field Force will again be attempted. The training and education of the Artillery and Engineer branches are quite satisfactory. It is also pleasing to note from reports by Officers Commanding Districts that generally more interest is taken by the Mounted Rifles and Infantry in musketry practices, and that there is a considerable improvement in this most important portion of a man's training. The training carried out at camps is not considered sufficient, and an increase in field-work in the daytime is absolutely necessary if real efficiency is to be looked for, and it is essential that these camps should be continuous. Officers' Training Corps have been formed at Otago University, Canterbury College, Victoria College, with a Junior Division at King's College, Auckland. These corps have held camps, and the work in all cases has been carried out satisfactorily, and the results have been good. The constant endeavour has been first to train members of these corps as men in the ranks, and then require them to act as instructors and leaders. The corps should therefore furnish a valuable source for the supply of citizen officers, and if the improvement at present observable continues, the formation of the corps should be fully justified by the results. Examination of Volunteer Officers for Year ending 28th February, 1910.— The standard of examination has been maintained. The passes obtained and quality of many of the solutions of the questions and problems were satisfactory. During the year ending 28th February, 1910, 263 officers presented themselves for examination, and 58 of these failed or partially failed. The following comparative table for the last four years is given as under t —

Intelligence, Mobilisation. Much good work continues to be done at each of the centres by the Volunteer Intelligence Officers in the way of collection of information useful for mobilisation purposes, and in amending the maps on issue to the districts. Department of the Adjutant- and Quartermaster-General. Permanent Force. The discipline has been good, and the Force generally has done excellent work. The Gunnery and Field Artillery Sections are now down to the reduced establishments, the Electric Light Section being still seven over establishment. Medical Services. The Field Ambulances in the several military districts are in a good state of efficiency, each unit having well maintained its nominal strength during the year. A number of lectures have been given to the different units by various Medical Officers on the subjects of " Sanitation " and " Prevention of Disease " ; and the giving of these instructional lectures is being encouraged in every possible way.

Period. Period. ' Number , of < Passed. Candidates. Failed or Percentage Percentage partially of of failed or failed. ! Passes. I tailed. fear ending 28th February, 1907 29th February, 1908 28th February, 1909 28th February, 1910 [ ' " i 131 106 168 146 170 152 263 205 25 80-09 19-91 22 86-90 13-10 18 89-41 10-59 58 77-94 22-06

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The plan of training bandsmen for first-line stretcher-work is now on a definite footing, and works well. All units of this corps are striving hard to bring themselves up to a high standard of efficiency. Officers generally, both those attached for special duties and those unattached, have taken a keen interest in their work. Every endeavour is being made to encourage and foster this branch by inducing its members to take part in Staff rides, war games, and the various field evolutions, &c. Taking all things into consideration, the Medical Corps of the Dominion is in a good state of efficiency, and is working on a system that promises extremely well. Supplies of " Royal Army Medical Corps Training Manuals, 1908," and also tabloid medicine chests have been imported and issued to the various Field Ambulance Units, the equipment of these units being now completed according to scale. Ambulance-wagons manufactured in the Dominion have been on service at the various manoeuvres during the year, and have given every satisfaction, proving superior to the imported vehicle. Additional supplies of stretchers have been made locally during the year, and the Public Works Department are now working on another order, which, when completed, is intended for the equipment of Battalion and other Bands. Maltese carts having been lately added to the equipment list, a sample cart has been ordered from England, with a view to having any further necessary supply made in the Dominion. Veterinary Services. During the past year further advances have been made in the organization of this valuable branch of the service, and provision is being made under the new scheme for further progress in this direction. Reports show that Veterinary Officers have been very zealous as regards attending the camps of Mounted corps, and imparting instruction in the care and management of horses, and also in giving instructional lectures to the several Field Batteries. This instruction has. already proved most useful in cases of injuries received by horses from kicks, accident, saddle and girth galls, colic, and general sickness, &c. Veterinary Officers have rendered valuable service in assessing the value of horses whose loss is sustained through accident whilst on duty, and also in ascertaining the nature and extent of injuries received, so as to adjust the amount of compensation payable, and expedite payment thereof. Appointments, Promotions, and Resignations of Officers. During the year 342 officers were granted appointments, 179 resigned, 9 commissions were cancelled, and 237 promotions were made. Decorations and Medals. Seven Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decorations, 36 Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service, 46 New Zealand Long and Efficient Service, and 80 New Zealand Service Medals were awarded this year. Arms and Ammunition. A further supply of M.L.E. short rifles, Mark 111, is on order from England, and when these come to hand the whole of the Mounted corps in the Dominion will then be armed with the new short rifle. An additional supply of M.L.E. long rifles is also under order. The number of carbines for use by cadets in the Dominion has been augmented by the conversion of one thousand M.E. rifles, the work of conversion being carried out by the local Armourer's Staff. In order to cope with demands for arms for Cadet corps it has been necessary to equip senior corps with M.L.E. rifles, and withdraw the carbines for the equipment of junior corps. All units have been visited periodically during the year by the Armourers, and a thorough inspection of the arms on issue made. Additional Maxim machine guns, on tripod mountings, with packsaddlery complete, have been placed on order from England, and when these arrive it is proposed to convert the Maxim guns at present in the Dominion from the Dundonald carriages to the tripod mountings, it having been found that the tripod mountings are much more suitable for transport purposes in this country than the Dundonald carriages. The supply of ordnance ammunition has been maintained in accordance with the scale laid down. The reserve of small-arms ammunition, which is composed of recent improved manufacture, is being steadily increased, having due regard to the stand of arms in the Dominion. The -303 ammunition as manufactured by the Colonial Ammunition Company continues to give every satisfaction. Over two and a half million rounds were expended during the year, and no complaints have been made. Competitors at the recent Dominion Rifle Association Meeting generally testified to the excellent quality of the ammunition supplied them. A new contract, on a satisfactory basis, has been entered into with the Colonial Ammunition Company for the supply of this ammunition, under which a sufficient quantity for present requirements is amply provided for, as also exceptional extra supplies should occasion arise therefor. Clothing and Equipment. All corps are fully equipped with accoutrements, the replacing of the buff with brown leather, which is more serviceable, being generally appreciated.

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One thousand sets of brown leather accoutrements were added to stock during the year. Provision has been made on the estimates to still further increase this reserve, and to enable the increased establishment of Territorials and Cadets under the new defence scheme to be equipped. Further supplies can be readily obtained as required, a contract having been let in the Dominion to meet necessities as occasion may demand. Locally manufactured accoutrements are proving equal to the imported Imperial articles. An additional supply of mess-tins and water-bottles has been placed on order in England. In order to establish uniformity in the clothing of the Territorial Forces, sealed patterns of Field Service uniforms have been adopted and forwarded to the Officers Commanding Military Districts for the guidance of Officers Commanding units and local manufacturers. Camp equipment has been maintained in good order, having been thoroughly overhauled and repaired from time to time. Upon the arrival of a further supply of circular tents, which, are now under order in England, our stock will be sufficient for all requirements. The stock of camp-kettles and waterproof sheets is also being increased by further supplies now under order from England. Field Engineering and Signalling Equipment. The stores ordered from England for Field Engineer and Signalling units are coming to hand, and those required for training will shortly be issued. All bull's-eye signalling-lamps have been converted and fitted to burn acetylene gas; these lamps are now giving satisfactory results. Experiments are being made with a view of similarly converting the Begbie lamps. Bridging-stores will be required under the reorganization of the Engineer companies, and a complete set, when procured from England, will be used as a pattern to have other sets made locally. The four Staff N.C.O. Instructors, in addition to their other duties, now look after the Engineer and Signalling stores, resulting in such stores being better catered for. The new equipment lists to meet the reorganization of Signalling and Engineer units will shortly be issued. Transport. Arrangements are being made for an additional supply of water-carts. A sample general-service wagon, latest pattern, has been ordered from England, with the object of having any further requirements in this direction made in the Dominion. A proportion of transport wagons, small-arms ammunition carts, and water-carts, with harness complete, and also packsaddlery, are now on issue to the several military districts. Rifle Ranges. The various rifle ranges in the Dominion have been kept in good order during the year. Repairs and additions have been carried out at Trentham, Putiki, Tuapeka, and smaller ranges. The question of a site for a range at Masterton has been satisfactorily arranged, and the construction of same is being proceeded with. An area of land for a range at Cobden has been taken by Proclamation, and the matter of construction is now receiving attention. Land has also been taken for a range at Fernhill (Hastings), and the matter of vesting the site in Trustees and constructing the range is being attended to. Additional land has been acquired for range purposes at Ashburton. Authority for further improving the Trentham Range has been granted, and the work is being proceeded with, and, when completed, this range should be the best south of the Line. Buildings, Drill-sheds, &c. Alterations and additions to various drill-sheds in the Dominion have been carried out from time to time during the year. The new gun-shed at the Garrison Hall, Wellington, is in course of construction, being now well on the way towards completion. The Westport Drill-shed required additions, consequent upon the sending of two guns there recently. These additions have now been made, and the shed has ample floor-space for present requirements. The new drill-shed at Gisborne is completed, and now offers excellent accommodation for the local corps, besides being a valuable asset. A new S.A.A. magazine has been built at Christchurch, and its construction has been the means of considerably relieving other overstocked magazines in the Dominion. Dbpabtmbnt of Finance. The amount voted by Parliament out of the Consolidated Fund for the year ending 31st March, 1910, for expenditure in connection with the Permanent Force, Volunteers, stores and magazines, and Defence miscellaneous services, amounted to £204,297, of which the sum of £190,347 was expended.

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Some of the principal items which make up the expenditure are as follows : — Salaries and pay— . £ Headquarters .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,194 Permanent Force .. .. .. .. .. .. 41,655 Volunteer Force .. .. .. .. . .. .. 10,665 Stores and magazines .. .. .. .. . . . . 4,449 Ammunition and cordite .. .. .. ... .. .. 24,16] Arms, equipment, ordnance, and other warlike stores .. . . . . 10,108 Capitation .. .. .. .. ~ .. .. 29,480 Easter manoeuvres, 1909 .. .. ~, , n ,, r .. ... .. 13,101 Efficiency fees, badges, and daylight parades xol j r .. .. .. 7,461 Freight, cartage, and shipping charges a }o .. .. .. 5,378 Railway fares and charges .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,580 Maintenance of launches, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 1,787 Travelling allowances and expenses .. .. . . .. .. 5,252 The sum of £10,000 was voted last year in the Public Works Fund, Contingent Defence, and £4,977 was expended. The chief items in this vote were : — £ Drill-sheds, &c .. 2,378 Rifle ranges, &c. . . .. . . . . . . . . ~ 1,124 In connection with fixed harbour defences, an amount of £5,372 was expended for the year ending 31st March, 1910. Field Artillery, The training of the Field Artillery has been carried out on similar lines to the previous year, but difficulty has been experienced in getting N.C.O.s and men to attend the practice camps for more than one day. Individual training has been well carried out, and in most cases the individual efficiency of N.C.O.s and men is of a high standard. The officers are very keen, and, in addition to their ordinary drills, have devoted a lot of time to reconnaisance schemes and Staff rides, with the result that they are far more efficient in the tactical handling of their commands than in former years. In order to give officers experience in observation of fire, facilities have been given them to visit the practice camps in other districts. The Subaltern officers are, almost without exception, competent Instructors, and devote a lot of time to personally training their commands. They have each fired two series at service practice. The N.C.O.s and men are very keen, and devote a lot of time to instruction on Saturday afternoons and holidays. The total time per year devoted to drill and instruction by some batteries would be equivalent to about one month's continuous training. The stamp of horses now supplied is better than formerly, and there is less difficulty in hiring them for Artillery purposes ; but a permanent arrangement has so far been impossible. The training of Signallers to that high Standard of efficiency so necessary in a Field Battery is a difficult matter. The Signallers of one battery only can be classified as " very good," one battery as " good," the remainder as " indifferent." As a result of the service practice, two batteries classified as " first class," and two " qualified." The efficiency examination resulted in two batteries being graded " A," and all the remainder as " B." The efficiency and shooting records of each battery is shown by the following tables : —

Return showing Standard of Efficiency of the N.Z.F.A. for 1909-10.

The Field Artillery Challenge Shield has been awarded to D Battery for the year 1909-10.

Battery. ! ; a ap « .a \ & a a S, « . OB do c 'P. a | a I &p*w in I°9 i 5 so o C .5 5 a 3 . $ >, ; iff ss v> i s I i 3 ! 1 MoS i : | ; | I J ffl CS PP ' P J < I OB I 13 o 0> bo cS -*= a 8 <p Ph a "« 1 "S go [_, i—I l> I—I 5 1 * I s§ -§§ 08 ■—■ g "-i P ! A B D E H .. 50 50 .. ; 85 87 .. i 93 i 96 .. '■ 74 : 50 ..65 46 110 118 115 89 98 87 94 95 90 92 9 80 io ; 90 9 : 85 9 I 80 9 ' 75 116 128 139 90 109 73 48 93 39 79 : 49 94 50 91 48 96 i 50 82 37 ! 93 ! 45 81 45 83 ! 50 j ■ | I | _ 755 ! 77-5 Q 884 90 1st 917 93-5 1st 740 76-0 Q 753 76-6 N.Q. i i A.A.' B. C.

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Artillery Training Circular No. 6/1910.

In order to allow for easier conditions at short ranges, deductions have been made for batteries having shorter ranges than the standard used by E Battery thus, —Mean range for ba,ttery: Standard range : . Total marks gained : . Marks awarded : Note. —In order to qualify as a Ist class battery, 140 marks, or 70 per cent., must be obtained. To qualify, 50 per cent. D Battery, Wellington, wins the Rhodes Cup for 1909-10. Garrison Aetillery. The training of the Garrison Artillery has been carried out satisfactorily. The following table shows the steady advancement that has been made in general efficiency and in accuracy of shooting during the past few years : —

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Desig! ation of Bs attery. A. B. D. lbs. |1| o E. r" H. Number of guns . . .. .. . . 4 4 Mark of 15-pr. B.L. guns .. .. ,. j IV IV Number of series fired for classification .. .. I 7 5 Number of series fired by indirect laying .. , • • i 6 5 Percentage of effective time shell .. .. 26 37 Number of series fired from concealed positions ... 3 2 Average time for series fired from concealed positions from— Action to first gun .. .. .. ., 6' 0" 4' 15" First gun to method of fire .. " .. .. 5' 10" j 6' 47" First gun to last gun .. .. .. .. 12' 0" 10' 32" Average time for series fired from open positions from — Action to first gun .. .. .. 2' 0" I 2' 15" First gun to method of fire .. .. .. 5' 45" 5' 30" First gun to last gun .. .. .. .. 9' 30" I 12' 0" Average number of rounds fired to get the range .. 10 4 Average number of rounds fired before getting effective 10 8 fire Number of series fired by night . . .. .. .. 1 Marks awarded for " A," manoeuvre and fire discipline, ! including reconnaissance, concealment while recon- j noitring and time taken, driving, discipline on the march and in action, time taken from order to action, 1 method of handling battery by the battery leader, f 70 81 service of guns, quickness in pointing out target, quick decision by B.C., smartness and accuracy in passing orders, maintaining intervals and rate of fire |' Marks awarded for " B," shooting, including accuracy | \ in ranging, percentage of effective time shell, per- ' g. „„ centage of target destroyed, distribution, time occu- j j pied, percentage of shell in rectangle \) Total .. 1 124 150 4 IV 6 5 73 2 4 I 5 4 59 2 2 I 3 3 33 5' 20" 4' 27" 9' 15" 7' 0" r 15" 16' 0" 3' 15" 5' 0" i 9' 6" 2' 0" 5' 0" 10' 0" 4' 40" 5' 0" 12' 0" 4 7 6 7 5 7 1 70 81 84 71 51 ) I 54 124 2,800 108 Q 69 150 3,000 140 1st 81 165 2,800 144 1st 61 I 132 3,210 132 Q 40 Mean range .. .. .. .. .. ! 2,800 3,000 Marks awarded .. . . . . . . . . I 108 140 Classification .. . . . . . . . . Q 1st 91 2,500 71

1904-5 1905-6 1906-7 1907-8 1908-9 1909-10 Year. Percentage of Hits to Rounds fired. 36-10 .. i 46-60 .. j 51-09 62-45 71-50 83-06 Average Marks awarded for General Efficiency in Gunnery, Signalling, Range-finding, &c. 70 72 73 82-06 88-95 85-05

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During the past year the whole of the Q.F. shooting (excepting at Lvttelton) has been carried out by night. The Chief Instructor of Artillery has visited each centre during the training season, in order to insure uniformity of system and drill. The training-camps have been held under similar conditions to previous years—i.e., each company holding a company training-camp, but no Brigade camps have been held. It is proposed that company camps be abolished, and that in future all companies of a district undergo annual training in camp at the same time, in order that battle practice may be carried out and defence schemes rehearsed, and Staff Officers thereby get an opportunity of learning their duties. At present far more attention is devoted to company service practice than to battle practice. If, however, brigade camps were held in place of company camps, battle practice would receive the consideration due to its importance. Under the new scheme, the establishment Artillery companies has been reduced to 100, the previous establishment of 156 having been found too large to efficiently train, with the limited material available. There has been a considerable change in the personnel of the officers during the'past year, but their keenness and desire to learn their duties is beyond all praise. The N.C.O.s are not, on the whole, such good Instructors as they might be, owing to the work of training the men, which the 'special'duty of[*the company N.C.O.s, being carried out by R.N.Z.A. Instructors. The efficiency and shooting records of each company is shown by the following tables :—

Return showing Standard of Efficiency of the N.Z.G.A. for the Year 1909-10.

Table A.— Results of Coast Artillery Practice for the Year 1909-10.

District a ce P< a o J_l a a •o a 0 • a ■ °a | 60 .9 *& ft I H W) a a 4* o so .2 9 (3 ' h a o •8 I f p> S 5 O xi a | r M Pi > r Y fl "be pa a 3 b O (U ft la o J OS H o o „ o 3 CM © ° a « '8 a eg f No. 1 Auckland \ No. 2 { No. 3 ( No. 1 Wellington \ *No. 2 I fNo. 3 Canterbury | N 2 „, f No. 1 Otago | No> 2 Westport .. No. 1 46-0 47-0 40-0 42-0 35-0 61-2 | 74-5 75-2I 87-7 62-3 84-4 82-0 84-5 90-8i 95-6 92-0 93-6 89-0 90-0 96-0 I 89-8 | 3-0 95-7: 4-5 96-1 j 3-9 93-0; 4-3 89-7 3-8 85 90 75 90 90 46-0 45-0 25-0 45-0 49-5 63 82 '78 87 99 50-0 50-0 50-0 50-0 39-0 53-7 31-8 38-1 31-4 13-0 32-30 l 24 81-4 86-5 76-0 88-4 91-1 2nd 3rd N.C. 1st 1st " A." " B." " C." " A." " A." ! i7 66 35-0 40-0 40-0 44-0 35-5 85-0! 94-4 88-4! 95-2 85-0 92-1 86-0 90-0 J 79-8 .. j 84-0 93-6 89-0 85-0 80-0 89-0 3-5 93-0 4-0 93-0 3-75 97-3 i 3-5 89-7 4-3 95 ! 93 85 49-0 40-0 | 35-0 43-0 50-0 79 84 68 70 80 50-0 39-2 50-0 50-0 40-0 32-8 15-6 I 46-8 45-2 29 I 28 30 : 44 33 87-9 84-0 85-7 86-8 82-7 1st 1st 1st 1st N.C. " A." " A." " A." " A." " B." l_ I * Awarded Challenge Shielc d for highest si landard 1 of efficiency tor 191 19-10. t Tganizi ;d for eleotrie-li ightinj ; duties only.

Company. Division. Company Commander. 6 in. 8 in. 6-pr. B.L. B.L. Q.F. Figure of Merit. 12-pr. m≤ Q.F. hs be ll III |i ! p H h 3 [ R No. 1 Canterbury .. Capt. Gill .. 1-307 1-029 0-857 1-196 0-972 1 121 1st 1st No. 2 Otago Major Dodds . . .. .. I 1-021 1-021 1-021 1st 2nd No. 2 Wellington Capt, Ellis .. 1-010 .. j 1-010 1-010 1st 3rd No. 2 Canterbury .. Capt, Rattray .. j 0-934 Nil ! 0-900 0-934 0-900 0-922 1st 4th No. 1 Otago IB * ■ T"» 1» ■« . j*v ■« -m n n r* Major Frederic 1-013 .. j 0-666 Capt, Somerville. j 0-745 0-678 I 1-123 1-011 0-666 0-896 1st 5th No. 1 Wellington 0-536 0-711 0-927 0-716 1st 6th No. 1 Auckland Capt. Greenhough i 0-497 .. I 0-811 .. J 0-497 0-811 0-601 2nd 7th No. 2 Auckland Capt. Potter .. .. 0-507 j 0-584 Nil 0-507 0-584 0-532 3rd 8th No. 3 Auckland Capt, Morran .. 0-374 .. 0-546 0-374 0-546 0-431 N.C. 9th No. 1 Westport Capt. Cottrell .. . . .. I 0-043 0-507 0-351 0-351 N.C 10th

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Order of Merit for B.D. Shooting, — No. 1 Canterbury .. . . . . .. ... . . Ist. No. 1 Otago .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 2nd. No. 2 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. .. 3rd. Order of Merit for Q.F. Shooting, — No. 2 Otago .. .. .. .. .. ■■"..•; .. Ist. No. 1 Canterbury . . . . .. .. . . .. 2nd. No. 1 Wellington . . . . . . .. .. ~ 3rd. No. "1 Company, Canterbury Division, is awarded the Coast Artillery Cup for B.L. No. pany, Ofcago Division, is awarded the Hudson Cup for Q.F. shooting.

Table B. — Average Figure of Merit of Divisions arranged in order of Merit.

Dominion Rifle Association. The annual rifle shooting meeting was held at Trentham in March last, commencing on the 4th and terminating on the 11th, and was particularly noteworthy as being the occasion of a visit of a representative rifle team from New South Wales, which came to compete for the Empire Match and the Gordon Highlanders Trophy. The Empire Match, which is open to a duly accredited team of eight men from any part of the British Empire, and is fired for in two stages, the first at 200, 500, and 600 yards, and the second at 800, 900, and 1,000 yards, was won by the New Zealand team with a score of 2,043, the New South Wales team scoring 1,932. In view of the weather-conditions, the score of our representatives was distinctly good, and the win against the excellent team representing New South Wales was indeed meritorious. The Gordon Highlanders Trophy is also shot for by teams of eight men, but under novel and difficult service conditions. The trophy was presented by the Gordon Highlanders Regiment for competition between the States of the Commonwealth and New Zealand, in remembrance of their association with the overseas contingents during the South African War. This match was also won by the Now Zealand team, the Dominion thus retaining possession for this year of the valuable trophy, which was won by New Zealand at Randwick in October, 1909. Under the conditions of competition this trophy, which is becoming historic, has again to be competed for in Australia during 1910. There was again a large increase in the number of competitors, totalling 568, of whom 336 were Territorials and 232 Rifle Club men. The latter show a marked increase, and the total was another record for New Zealand. The amount received from entrance fees for ordinary matches was £1,624 75., and for re-entry and extra matches £75 10s. ; disputed shot fees yielded £86 2s. 6d.; and donations from the public amounted to £45 ss. The cash prizes paid totalled £1,702 155., the prize-money being allocated as follows :— £ s. d. Open to all competitors .. .. .. .. .. 1,522 15 0 Open to Territorials only .. .. .. .. .. 80 0 0 Open to Rifle Club men only .. .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 Empire Match .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 £1,702 15 0 The expenditure incidental to the meeting is chiefly made up of items as follows: Preparation of range and targets, £140 ; printing and stationery, £100 ; markers' fees, £100 ; postages, £10 ; freight and cartage, £30 ; wages, £175. Although a much larger number of the competitors stayed under canvas during the meeting than formerly, a considerable number of them did not take advantage of the liberal meals provided by the Association, consequently the cost of catering largely exceeded the receipts, and it is a matter for consideration as to whether a catering-fee should not in future be included in the entry. Further improvements were made in the service matches, with a view to inculcate skill with the rifle for use under service conditions, but, beyond the provision of moving and disappearing targets, the limited area of ground available and the safety of the public preclude any more extended scope. The figure target —brown, and green ground—which has been in use in one or two matches at Trentham for the last two years has been adopted by the National Rifle Association at Bisley and by the New South Wales Rifle Association, Sydney, for competitions up to 600 yards, and there is no reason why it should not be more generally used here.

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Division. Commander. Fis Figure of Merit. gui re of M< [ei ■it. 1 ! Average Class. Average Canterbury . . Otago Wellington . . Auckland i . . j Lieut.-Colonel Cooper .. I Lieut.-Colonel Allen Lieut.-Colonel Campbell Lieut.-Colonel Patterson "t »"• 1-021 0-958 0-863 0-521 iu x 1st. 1st. 1st. 3rd.

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The Championship Belt was won by Rifleman G. Halliday, of the Karori Defence Rifle Club, Wellington, with a score of 483 ; Captain W. S. King, of the Linwood Rifle Corps, Christchurch, being second, with 482 ; and Captain J. H. Ross, of the Active List, and Armourer-Sergeant W. H. Cutler, of the Australian Rifle Regiment, tied for third place, with scores of 479. The Permanent Artillery were employed as markers, there being no fewer than 100 members of the Force on the range. The marking gave entire satisfaction. The Colonial Ammunition Company, Auckland, supplied the ammunition, which was again of excellent quality. The universal testimony of the competitors to the excellent arrangements for the meeting, the absence of any complaints, and the general satisfaction on the whole was most gratifying to all concerned. The Executive, Staff, and Range Officers gave their services gratuitously. The recommendations of the Executive Officer (Colonel Collins, 1.5.0.) in regard to increased longrange accommodation were carried out in part in time for the meeting. Twelve additional " Ralston " targets were erected on the Somerville Range, and the necessary mounds made, thus providing on thirty-seven targets facilities for competitions up to 1,000 yards. It has been decided to continue the projected improvements during the current year, and complete the scheme as outlined by Colonel Collins in 1905. This includes the provision of thirteen more " Ralston " targets for the Somerville Range, with the necessary head-cover and firing-mounds, additional mounds on the Seddon Range, the removal and extension of the present buildings, and the completion of a telephone system. The completion of these works will provide range-accommodation up to 600 yards on seventy-five targets and up to 1,000 yards on fifty targets, and, in view of the rapid growth of the meeting, should enable- the programme to be carried out within a reasonable time. Signalling and Engineer Companies. Progress. The training during the past year has been carried out on similar lines to previous year, and it is satisfactory to report that in every Signalling unit there has been a general all-round improvement. The Engineer units have much improved. With the improved facilities for carrying out their annual training, the Engineer and Signalling companies have carried out good work. Field Telegraph Sections. The four Field Telegraph Sections have shown great improvement since last year, and, with the improved cable-cart, have reached a satisfactory standard of efficiency. Riding is not as good as it should be in some of the sections. Every man in the detachments should be a good rider. The electrical knowledge of some of the men- is excellent. The Staff Instructor for Engineers attended all camps of the Engineers in the Dominion, besides instructional visits during the year. The following tables show the order of merit of the companies and Signallers : —

Return showing Efficiency of the New Zealand Field Engineer Volunteers for Year ending 28th February, 1910.

I h I" w '"i o> Its ' i, I i, District. Corps. | S | J 1 § S 11 \% <2 . Auckland No. 3 Company, 93 ! 7 60 94 i 90 75 F.E.V. J I ■ Canterbury ! No. 1 Company, 73 ' 27 :67-251 96 j 88 75 F.E.V. Otago ■. :. No. 2 Company, 51 ; 49 71 85 i 90 \ 80 F.E.V. Wellington No. 4 Company, I 20 ; 80 j 60 85 | 92 70 F.E.V. 25 ft 02 o p 75 i ii i to j $ J M i O— H ■ "gee ' • • 555-0 179-30 Wins the Field Engineer Efficiency Shield. ! 535-551 76-50 I ' ' 68 69 67-3 oa 77-8 506-8 i 72-4 i 61 60 448-0 64-0 ' I . !

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Return showing Number of First, Second, and Third Class Signallers in the Field and Garrison Artillery for Year ended February, 1910.

Return showing Number of First, Second, and Third Class Signallers of Infantry and Mounted Corps in the Dominion for Year ended February, 1910.

District. j Battery or Company. I I I Number of i Number of First-class Seoond-class Signallers. Signallers. Number of Third-class Total. Signallers. I j Auckland Wellington Canterbury (A Battery, F.A. I No. 1 Company, N.Z.G.A. .. No. 2 Company, N.Z.G.A. I No. 3 Company, N.Z.G.A. .. i (D Battery, F.A. .. .'.] i No. 1 Company, N.Z.G.A. j No. 2 Company, N.Z.G.A. iNo. 3 Company, N.Z.G.A. IE Battery, F.A. iNo. 1 Company, N.Z.G.A. ( No. 2 Company, N.Z.G.A. I B Battery, F.A. No. 1 Company, N.Z.G.A. I No. 2 Company, N.Z.G.A. IH Battery, F.A. JNo. 1 Company, Westport, i N.Z.G.A. 6 5 5 8 11 12 4 7 6 9 11 7 6 4 1 2 1 2 7 7 3 9 2 7 3 8 2 12 12 : i2 3 7 7 8 9 11 9 6 6 6 10 Otago 2 Nelson 2 3 Totals . . 102 26 140 102 12 26

I ! Number of Secondclass Signallers. [ District. Battalion or Regiment, and Unit. Number af First-class Signallers. Number of Third-class Signallers. Total. Auckland Wellington . . 12nd Regiment, Auckland Mounted Rifles— No. 1 Company, Waikato Mounted Rifles 1st Battalion, Auckland Infantry— No. 1 Company, New Zealand Native Rifles (No. 2 Company, New Zealand Native Rifles No. 3 Company, New Zealand Native'Rifles Gordon Rifles 2nd Regiment, Wellington Mounted Rifles— Eketahuna Mounted. Rifles 1 1st Battalion, Wellington Rifles — Wellington City Rifles. . { Zealandia Rifles / No. 1 Battalion, North Canterbury Infantry— Christchurch City Rifles j No. 2 Battalion, North Canterbury Infantry— J Sydenham Rifles Canterbury Highland Rifles Canterbury Native Rifles /2nd Battalion, Otago Rifles — Green Island Rifles Oreti Rifles Bluff Guards Gore Rifles .. 2 1 5 4 3 6 4 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 6 6 4 ■ 5 I 8 6 2 2 ■Canterbury . . 1 3 3 I 1 Q 3 1 1 •Otago 1 5 3 I 1 1 5 4 1 Totals. . t 17 ! 28 13 58 I i

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Return showing Number of First, Second, and Third Class Brigade Signallers in the Dominion.

Approximate Cost of Paper, —Preparation, not given ; printing r2,200 copies), i>lo.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9lo.

Price 6d.]

i Number of N » of Number of District. First-class aeoomx - Third-class Signallers, j Signaller^ ] j ' I Unit. I Total. j i " Signalling Section, No. 1 Company, Engineers Signalling Section, Cycle Corps Signalling Section, No. 2 Company, Engineers Signalling Section, Cycle Corps Signalling Section, No. 3 Company, Engineers Signalling Section, College Rifles Signalling Section, No. 4 Company, Engineers Signalling Section, Post and Telegraph Rifles Canterbury .. 1 6 2 .-. J .. 6 Otago .. I 3 8 .. I 15 8 14 Auckland .. 2 i •'! 9 6 I n 37 5 Wellington . . ! 2 3 2 .. j 9 6 2 7 17 Totals 32 34 26 92