DEFENCE FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND. REPORT OF THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE FORCES FROM 26th JUNE, 1915, TO 31st MAY, 1916.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1916 Session I, H-19

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1916. NEW ZEALAND

DEFENCE FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND. REPORT OF THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE FORCES FROM 26th JUNE, 1915, TO 31st MAY, 1916.

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

Sir, — Department of Defence, Headquarters Office, Wellington, 31st May, 1916. I have the honour herewith to submit the annual report on the Defence Forces. The report covers the period from the date of last year's report to date, The early meeting of Parliament renders it impossible to supply complete returns and comparisons, the military training year not closing until the 31st May, with possible extension this year into June. The work of the Department has steadily increased. Additional units have been added to the original Expeditionary Force, and continual and ample reinforcements have been regularly despatched without a hitch or serious accident. This is the more creditable owing to the fact that (Ik: Department, in the absence of a naval administration, assumed the function of fitting, equipping, and maintaining a regular troop-transport system from this the most remote dominion of the Empire. It is satisfactory to know that the new units and reinforcements have met with general approval by the Army Council and the Imperial Training Stall at the base in Egypt as regards their physique and training. As a natural result of active service abroad sick and wounded invalided soldiers have been regularly returning to the Dominion. The arrangements for (heir reception and care have been carefully and well carried out by the Defence Medical Service and Public Health Departments working in conjunction. Concurrently with the strain of training and forwarding regular reinforcements, the Territorial oi- home-defence training-system has been carried out. Without the Territorial system adopted by Parliament in 1909 it is certain that the Expeditionary Force despatched to occupy Samoa, the Main Force, and reinforcements could not have been so efficiently and expeditiously despatched and maintained. It is to the credit of the commercial, pastoral, and farming industries of the Dominion that, despite the strain of enlistment for service abroad, they have so well supported the annual training of the Territorial Forces during this time of stress. The discipline at these Territorial training-camps has been very good indeed. During the past year a Minister of Supplies and Munitions, with a Board of Advice, has been appointed with very satisfactory results in the co-ordination of manufactures and supplies throughout the Dominion, thus ensuring improvements, and sufficiency of equipment to meet urgent military demands. The Dominion has been most fortunate in securing the services of Surgeon-General R. S. Henderson, M.8., K.H.P., as Director-General of Medical Services to organize the Medical Services, and this has been carried out with excellent results. The establishment of a Discharged Soldiers' Employment Bureau under the Attorney-General is proving of great advantage to the soldier and relief to (he Defence Department after the soldier is discharged. The amount unexpended in last year's vote is due principally to the fact that the Expeditionary Force has first call on supplies and equipment, thus to a certain extent the Territorial Force had temporarily to go short. During the year steady development has taken place iir the organization and administration oi the defence scheme: the recommendations by the Inspector-General, Overseas Dominions, have now been practically introduced. Reports by the three branches of Defence Headquarters contain detail in this respect. I specially desire to bring to your notice the excellent and continued devotion to duty displayed by the Chief of the General Staff and all ranks of the Defence Department, both military, civil, and temporary, including such important sections as the Supply Board of Advice, Transport Board, Base Records, War Accounts Branch, Shipping, Embarkation and Disembarkation Staffs, Camp and Barrack Construction, &c, in which are so many capable voluntary workers. The mutual harmonious co-operation existing between all sections wholly accounts for the efficient manner in which the present strenuous duties are carried out. The officers in temporary command of the four military districts are deserving of great consideration for the manner in which they have administered their command. The Dominion is also fortunate in having two excellent officers to command at Trentham and Featherston Training-camps, with very efficient and capable training staffs. I have, &c, A, W. Robin, Brigadier-General, The Hon. the Minister of Defence. Commanding New Zealand Military Forces.

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SECTION I.—THE DOMINION SECTION OF Till: IMPERIAL GENERAL STAFF. 1. Drills and Parades. The majority of Territorial officers realize the importance of attending parades equipped with a well-thought-out plan of training. These officers make the parades interesting and instructive to their men and can ensure good, attendances. In a. few instances this is not the case : the instruction is consequently indifferent, the feeling of confidence which a soldier always requires in his officer is not. present, and the tediousuess and boredom of a lengthy parade becomes such thai the military work becomes distasteful to even keen men. Although this only occurs in isolated instances, the necessity for all officers realizing their responsibility in this matter is evident. One indifferent officer of instructor may result in hundreds of indifferent soldiers There is still a tendency to use drill-halls for work which could be done out-of-doors. The value of the latter as compared with the former is undoubted. Drill-hall practice should be discouraged. Discipline is improving, but much remains to be done in this direction ; particularly is this the case with saluting—that great test of discipline without the observance of which no army can be said to be disciplined and therefore thoroughly efficient. 2. Territorial Training-camps. The annual camps for the year were held by units. In order to interfere as little as possible with civil labour all camps were reduced to seven days, exclusive of the days of arrival and departure. For various reasons it was considered desirable to pay particular attention to the individual training, and a syllabus of work was issued from Headquarters to all units which ensured that it should be carried out in a progressive and systematic manner. Great attention was paid to the elementary training of the recruit. On the whole the weather during the period of the annual camps has been good. The health of those in camp has been excellent. * The localities of camps held throughout the Dominion are given in Appendix ('. Thanks are due to the landowners who allowed the troops to camp and train on their lands. Information regarding these landowners is given in Appendix C (to be furnished later). All units completed their annual training before the end of May. On the completion of the main annual camps, casual camps were held for the instruction of those unable to attend the camps of their units. Every possible endeavour has been made during the training year to enable men to attend camps with as little inconvenience as possible to their civil occupations. A man could elect to attend (a) the camp of his own unit, (b) that of some other unit, or (c) a casual, camp. The greatest care was also taken to ensure that an undue number of men were not taken into camp from one place of employment or business at the same time : for example, the Wellington District afforded sixteen opportunities for men to go into camp. All things considered, the attendances at the annual camps have been satisfactory. The percentage of attendance compares favourably with that of last year, The Commandant and the Chief of the General Staff, owing to pressure of war work, were unable to visit many of the camps. The Assistant Director of Military Training inspected and instructed at the majority. The work seen in camp was good, and all ranks appeared keen and anxious to become efficient. The absence of experienced officers and non-commissioned officers, commented on in last year's report, is still evident in the camps this year. Dining the ensiling period, however, every endeavour has been made by the majority of the officers to become efficient in their duties. The greatest credit is due to these officers and to the depleted staffs in the districts for the efforts they have made to increase the efficiency of their units and departments. The arrangements made for the attendance of Medical Officers at the various camps were satisfactory, and the work performed by the Medical Officers extremely creditable. The sanitary arrangements of all the camps appeared to be excellent. The various religious denominations were represented'at the various camps, and among others the V.M.C.A., C.E.M.S., and the Salvation Army had institutes in the majority of the camps. Thanks are due to them for the work which they did and for the recreation they provided. 3. Training generally of the Territorial Force. Although the Territorial Force has been depleted of a large number of its permanent officers, (hose who remain have made every effort to retain and increase the efficiency of their units. Many ex-officers have rejoined, and vacancies in the junior ranks have been filled by officers of Unattached List (b) and others. The fact that the officers must be held responsible for the instruction and training of those under their command appears to be generally recognized, and with few exceptions the present officers serving with the Territorial Force are fairly efficient in their duties. Every possible endeavour has been made to give these officers instruction in the latest teachings of modern war, and the entire Territorial Force is now training on the identical lines of the Home Army. This is due in a great measure to special courses of instruction which have been held during the year. The Wellington and Canterbury Districts have been particularly successful in the holding of these courses. The work of the officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps and non-commissioned officers of the Permanent Staff in the instruction of the Territorial Force and Cadets has Ikhui exceedingly

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good. Both officers and non-commissioned officers have worked at extreme pressure not only in the execution of their ordinary duties, but also to perform those of their more fortunate comrades at the front. Officers and non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force and Reserve temporarily posted for duty in the place of officers and non-commissioned officers of the Permanent Force now serving at the front have, in the majority of cases, worked with great zeal and efficiency. 4. Central Training-camp, Wellington District. This training year the experiment, was tried in the Wellington District of holding one main camp for the training of the whole of the Territorial units in the district. Rangiotu Camp, which had previously been prepared for the concentration of a large number of troops, proved central and excellent for the purpose. The results of this experiment clearly show that this system, provided a central camp can be well prepared and is adjacent to good manoouvring-ground, has great advantages in comparison with the system of holding separate camps in scattered areas. This is obvious, because it permits of the efficient supervision of the work of the District Instructors, and ensures that all units receive the same instruction. In addition the advantages of stimulating the competitive spirit in units and the opportunity given to compare the standard of efficiency and discipline attained by respective units must make for a higher standard of excellence. 5. Mounted Rifles. Satisfactory progress has been made during the training year, and much attention has been paid to elementary instruction and dismounted drill. It is generally recognized that mounted men in future wars must be prepared to fight equally well on foot as on horseback. The loss of many experienced officers and non-commissioned officers now serving with the Expeditionary Force has been a serious drawback to efficient training. Fortunately, the services of ex-officers of considerable experience have been obtained, and all ranks have combined to correct the consequent loss of efficiency. 6. Field Artillery. (a.) Royal New Zealand, Artillery (Field Section). In the absence of the permanent Adjutants the officers temporarily appointed continue to carry out their duties efficiently. The non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal New Zealand Artillery who remain are divided as evenly as possible among the various cadres, depots, and the Featherston Trainingcamp. (b.) Territorial Field, Artillery. Owing to the continuance of war-conditions the Territorial batteries are still severely handicapped in their training owing to lack of material. All batteries have carried out their full course of parades throughout the year. The annual training-camps have been completed by all batteries, and in the majority of cases these have been held in close proximity to the cities, where the convenience of employers could be studied. Shell practice was carried out by all batteries during camp, This practice was conducted in a manner which allowed for the utmost instruction being obtained with the minimum expenditure of ammunition. On the whole the practice was good. The prominent feature of the Field Artillery is the continued keenness of all ranks and the readiness with which extra time is given for training. (c.) School Cadet Artillery. The training is being carried out on the same lines as indicated last year, and is working smoothly. Wherever possible the Cadets attended the shell practice of their parent batteries. 7. Garrison Artillery. (a.) Royal New Zealand Artillery (Garrison, Section). The only station that held a Garrison Artillery camp was Lyttelton, but most of the officers and men at the defended ports have had an extra amount of drill and instruction during the year, which has to a large extent compensated for the loss of training-camps. A certain amount of shell practice has been carried out. The discipline and efficiency have been very satisfactory. The instruction has been given by officers, non-commissioned officers, and gunners of the Royal New Zealand Artillery, and has proved quite satisfactory. A number of the Territorial officers and non-commissioned officers are now quite competent to instruct in all Garrison. Artillery duties. (b.) Territorial. During the past year the Garrison Artillery companies have received a considerable amount of instruction. The present standard of efficiency is high. The discipline and soldierly spirit are good. 8. Engineers. (a.) Field, Companies, The Field Engineers have managed to retain a creditable standard of efficiency in spite of the disadvantages under which they labour owing to a shortage of experienced officers, noncommissioned officers, and men. The field-work has generally been good. More attention must be paid to the elementary recruit-training.

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(b.) Signal Units. The Signal units are efficient and have done good work during the training year, despite the lack of equipment. The discipline has been good, and all ranks have displayed great keenness. (c.) Railway Battalions. The work and training of the Railway battalions has been carried on throughout the year in a most creditable manner. The shortage of experienced instructors has, in common with most branches of the service, proved a hindrance to efficient training, but every endeavour has been made to remedy this, in which effort all ranks have co-operated in a most satisfactory manner. In addition to Infantry work attention has been paid to elementary work in military engineering. A number of week-end camps have been held, and much valuable instruction has been obtained through their medium. Miniature rifle ranges have been provided by the Railway Department at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, all of which are proving a valuable adjunct in the training of the companies. Notwithstanding the difficulties and disabilities inseparable from training at such a time, the Railway battalions are making steady progress in their work and training, and the standard of efficiency attained is most creditable and satisfactory. (d.) Post and Telegraph Corps. Regular parades have been held in all chief centres, great attention, being paid to work of an elementary nature. To instil interest and to maintain efficiency week-end camps have been held wherever possible. Attendance at these camps has been on a voluntary basis, and has been exceptionally good. The camp equipment was loaned by the Post and Telegraph Department, while the expenses were borne by the men attending on a per capita basis. These camps haveincreased the interest of all ranks, and afforded an opportunity of conducting practical operations in the field. 9. Infantry. All ranks have done their best to become smart and efficient, and the keenness shown in last year's camps has again been most evident. A healthy spirit of rivalry between units is apparent, and certain battalions arc undoubtedly leading in efficiency, discipline, and smartness. The importance and value of sound individual instruction is generally recognized, especially by those officers who have kept up to date in their work and learned the lessons of the present war. To ensure all units working on the same system a syllabus of training was drawn up by Headquarters, which was rigidly adhered to. By this means and the praiseworthy efforts of officers and instructors a great deal of extremely useful work was compressed into the limited training. The importance of all officers gaining and retaining the personal touch with those under their charge, particularly when not in camp, cannot be too strongly emphasized. It was particularly noticeable that those battalions which insisted upon officers retaining close touch with their men throughout the year were in every way infinitely better disciplined and more efficient than was the case with those others in which less attention was paid to this essential point. The majority of the camps were visited by the Assistant Director of Military Training, who was able to observe the various standards of efficiency attained by units. Close attention was again paid to careful individual and elementary instruction, and the greatest credit is due to all ranks for the excellent manner in which the work was carried out. The discipline was exceedingly good. 10. Musketuy. The musketry returns have not yet been completed, consequently the standard reached cannot be ascertained. A definite opinion of the results is therefore premature, but it is expected that the standard will be somewhat lower than last year. This is to be expected, owing to various circumstances which could not be avoided or remedied, and the greatest credit is due to the musketry staff of units, who have worked hard to attain as high a musketry standard as possible. 11. Rifle Clubs. There are now 246 Rifle Clubs in the Dominion, totalling a strength of 7,928. This is a most satisfactory number. The registration of Mounted Rifle Clubs has produced good results. The clubs have contributed, both from their ranks and in other ways, to recruiting, and have been the means of training men who, while beyond the age necessary for the Reserve, wish to serve their country. Many of the clubs have been drilling and otherwise fitting themselves for active service. All the clubs have evinced a patriotic endeavour to help the Dominion, and have in many ways given expression to this desire. 12. General Training Section. During the year the General Training Section has been drafted into Territorial, units so far as has been found possible. Experience has shown the extreme difficulty of keeping trace of men belonging to this section.

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13. Cadets. fhe discipline and efficiency of the Senior Cadets have in many cases shown a great improvement, and the interest taken in the, work has been most praiseworthy. The steadiness and efficiency of many of the companies show that all ranks are aiming al a creditable standard of efficiency, The large number of officers and non-commissioned officers who have joined tin' Expeditionary Force has naturally made the question of efficient instruction more difficult. Fortunately, a, great many officers and non-commissioned officers have attended the instructional tours held during the year, and are in a position to give up-to-date and efficient instruction. This fact, combined with the general keenness of all ranks, has resulted in a satisfactory standard of efficiency. The training of Cadets at secondary schools was not carried out during the year, owing to the unsettled conditions continuing. 14. Officers of the New Zealand Forces serving with-the Imperial Army. The officers of the Royal New Zealand Artillery and New Zealand Staff Corps who were in England at the outbreak of war, and who were employed with the Imperial Army, arc now serving with the New Zealand Forces, with the exception of Brigadier-General G, S. Richardson, C.M.G., attached to the War Office, London, as Dominion Representative and Commander-in-Chief of New Zealand Troops in the United Kingdom; and Brigadier-General R. 11. Davies, C.8., now commanding the 20th Division, Imperial Forces. Colonel R. Logan still retains his position as Administrator in Samoa. 15. Staff Colleges. The Staff Colleges at Camberley and Quetta were closed on I he outbreak of war, and consequently no candidates were admitted. 16. Royal Military College of Australia. There are at present twenty Staff Cadets from New Zealand at the Royal Military College of Australia. Ten of this number joined this year. The 1913 Cadets, three in number, were withdrawn in their third year, and they are now employed in the training-camps. The 1914 Cadets were withdrawn in April, 1916, and are at present on leave, on expiry of which their services will be utilized in the training-camps. The New Zealand. Cadets arc holding their own, and have shown up very well at the College. One Staff Cadet of the 1915 batch is top of his year at the College, and another is third. 17. Royal Military College, Sandhurst. During the year one candidate sat for the entrance examination to the above College and passed, and has left to join the College. Two candidates nominated by His Excellency the Governor have recently sailed for England and will sit for examination there. 18. Examination of Officers for Promotion. (a.) Officers of the Royal New Zealand Artillery and the New Zealand Staff Corps. Since the outbreak of war there has been no written examination for officers of the above corps, but one officer of the Royal New Zealand Artillery passed his practical examination. (b.) Territorial Officer*. In August, 1915, 88 officers presented themselves for examination, and of ihesc 50 passed. 20 failed in one subject, I in two subjects, and 17 in four subjects. In February, 1916, 67 officers sat and 26 passed : 27 failed in one subject, 7 in two subjects. 3 in three subjects, and 4 in all subjects. In the examination in practical and oral work from Ist June, 1915, to Ist April. 1916, the following officers qualified in the ranks as shown : 6 for Lieut.-Colonel, 3 for Major, 24 for Captain, 47 for Lieutenant, and. 142 for 2nd Lieutenant. This makes a total number of 740 officers who have presented themselves for examination since the incorporation of the scheme of universal training, and 426 have passed—a percentage of 57-58. 19. Examination for First Appointment to Commissions. In August, 1915, 247 candidates sat for the above examination, and only 36 passed. In February, 1916, 246 candidates sat and 62 passed, an improvement on the previous examination. These results can only be considered as unsatisfactory. Since August, 1915, 232 probationary 2nd Lieutenants and non-commissioned officers at the various camps have qualified for commissions under this examination. 20. Staff, District, and Regimental Exercises. In addition to the ordinary instructional exercises, it has been found possible to hold a number of Staff and district exercises during the year. These have been held at various centres throughout the Dominion, and have been well attended. Particularly has this been the case with, the Wellington and Canterbury Districts. Each of these districts held seven courses of instruction, at which over four hundred officers and non-commissioned officers in each district were given the latest instruction.

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The object of such courses has been to give officers and non-commissioned officers the latest teachings of modern war, obtained both from the French and Gallipoli fronts, and to ensure that all units in New Zealand should train on the lines identical, with the Home Army. As a preliminary to the district courses a " district, exercise " was conducted by the Assistant Director of Military Training, who recently arrived from the French front, in each of the four military districts. These were well attended. The aim of all the instruction given during these exercises has been to impress upon officers the extreme importance of establishing a good foundation of individual discipline and efficiency before attempting to carry out intricate drill and manoeuvres. The effect of such instruction was most marked at the subsequent Territorial camps, and the increased instructional value of the officers who had attended the exercises was very apparent. 21. Harbour Defences. The forts have been inspected by the Assistant Director of Military Training. The gun drill, gun practice, discipline, and efficiency of all ranks, and the condition of the forts, were found to be most creditable. 22. Surveys and Mafs. The importance of a good topographical map of the Dominion cannot be too strongly emphasized. In training in modern warfare effective work cannot be done without the use of accurate and detailed maps. This will be apparent to all who have studied the present campaign, for air-craft, concealed artillery, and the field telephone have all combined to bring about a form of warfare in which accurate maps become essential to success. The Topographical Survey Section of this Department has this year completed a topographical survey of Auckland and the surrounding country. A good map of the area is now in course of preparation on a scale of Ito 125,000. This map, besides being essential to the proper defence of Auckland, will lie invaluable in any training operations carried out in the future in this locality. In addition to the above a topographical map of the country surrounding the Featherston Camp has been made, and this is now being extensively used in connection with the training of the reinforcements to the Expeditionary Forces overseas. 23. Dominion Rifle Meeting. The meetings of the Dominion Rifle Association will not be held during the war. The rifle ranges at Trentham are being used for the training of the Expeditionary Force reinforcements. Considerable improvements have been and are being effected on the ranges. 24. " Military Journal." Owing to pressure of work due to the war it. has been deemed necessary to suspend publication for the present. Contributors have been invited to forward articles for future numbers. 25. Next Year's Training. During the coming year it is intended to devote particular attention to the instruction of junior officers and non-commissioned officers. This is essential if they are to give useful instruction to their men. By a. careful system of elementary training it is hoped that a high standard of collective training will ultimately be arrived at. So far as is possible it is hoped to bring officers and non-commissioned officers into trainingcamps for short courses of instruction. These officers will be selected from amongst those who are unable to offer their services to the Territorial Force. The present war has shown the extreme desirability of sound individual efficiency and a high standard of discipline; without both these essentials a battalion becomes valueless in the field. All efforts will therefore be concentrated upon attaining a high standard of efficiency and discipline, for which the foundation undoubtedly exists. SECTION 11.— THF BRANCH OF THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL TO Till-: FORCES. 26. Royal New Zealand Artillery. The regiment is now ten officers over and one other rank under establishment. There have been nine enlistments during the year. Applicants for enlistment who are of military age for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force are not being accepted during the period of the war. One man has been discharged on account of his services being no longer required. No discharges by purchase, or retirements on account of age, &C, have been permitted since the war commenced. There has been one desertion. Eleven officers and eighty-one non-commissioned officers and men are absent with the Expeditionary Force. One driver has been killed in action, and five non-commissioned officers and men have been invalided to New Zealand and are unfit for further active service. 27. New Zealand Staff Corps. The strength of the New Zealand Staff Corps is now eighty-eight, or twelve under establishment. Eleven commissions have been given during the year to Cadets who have passed through the Royal Military College of Australia (five in the Staff Corps and six in the R.N.Z.A.). At present there are twenty Cadets under instruction at the Royal Military College who will receive commissions in the New Zealand Staff Corps as they qualify.

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Fifty-eight officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps have proceeded on active service. Of these, two were killed in action and four died of wounds or other causes. Nine officers have been returned invalided to New Zealand. It is not intended to make any new permanent appointments in the New Zealand Staff Corps while the war lasts, except from Cadets at the Royal Military College of Australia. If at the conclusion of the war any vacancies exist appointments will be made from those officers of the Territorial Force and Expeditionary Force who have rendered good and efficient service at the front or within New Zealand, both classes being given full and equal consideration. In the meantime vacancies that may be caused by officers of the Staff Corps proceeding to the front are temporarily filled by returned Expeditionary Force and Territorial officers. As the establishment now authorized is not deemed sufficient to meet present and future requirements, an increase in the various ranks is at present under consideration. 28. New Zealand Permanent Staff. The following is now the establishment: — Sub-area sergeant-majors ... ... ... .. ... ... 142* Regimental quartermaster-sergeants (including two for New Zealand Railway Battalions) ... ... ... ... ... ... 31 Engineer instructors ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 Field Ambulance instructors ... ... ... ... ... 4 Army Service Corps instructors ... ... ... ... ... 4 Group quartermaster-sergeants ... ... ... ... ... 18 Total ... .„. ... ... ... 211. One hundred and six warrant officers and non-commissioned officers of the Permanent Staff have proceeded on active service, sixteen of whom have either been killed in action or died of wounds or disease, and eighteen have been returned to New Zealand. As in the case of the New Zealand Staff Corps, no permanent appointments will be made during the period of the war, and vacancies to be filled will be considered at the conclusion of the war on the same lines as outlined above. An increase in the present establishment is found to be necessary, and is now under consideration. In the meantime every effort is being made to allow officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps and Royal New Zealand Artillery, and non-commissioned officers of the Permanent Staff and Royal New Zealand Artillery, an opportunity to go on active service with the Expeditionary Force, 29. New Zealand Medical Services. Surgeon-General R. S. F. Henderson, M.8., K.H.P., from the Royal Army Medical Corps, has since his arrival in New Zealand performed excellent work in organizing the Medical Services, and in bringing about a general co-operation of the Medical Services throughout the Dominion. Results have shown bow fortunate the State has been in securing his services at a time like the present. He reports that on the whole sufficient Medical Officers have- been available for duty this year in the annual training-camps, as advantage has been taken in some instances of the services of returned Medical Officers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who, although unfit for active service, were fit for camp duties. The work in camps has been carried out satisfactorily, especially as regards sanitation, which shows that Medical Officers appreciate the great importance of this work. The Field Ambulance training has this year been conducted in some instances at the Ambulance training centre at Awapuni Camp, Palmerston North, along with the New Zealand Medical Corps, who were being trained for active service. The result has been satisfactory, and in future it is proposed to have permanent training centres for Field Ambulances carried out on the same lines. The health of the troops in training-camps has been above the average. With a view to organizing the Territorial Medical Services on a proper basis it is recommended that — A whole-time Medical Officer be from time to time appointed on the Headquarters Staff as Director-General, with rank of Colonel, and thai a Deputy Director of Medical Services be obtained from the R.A.M.C., with rank of Lieut.-Colonel, to assinl (he above and tour and lecture in camps. A Quartermaster from the R.A.M.C. be appointed in charge of the Rase Medical Stores to assist in the D.G.M.S.'s office and to also assist in training. The term " Principal Medical Officer " of a district be abolished, and the title " Assistant Director of Medical Services" be adopted in its place; also that a Deputy Assistant Director of* Medical Services be attached to each district as Sanitary Officer, in order to bring the organization into line with the Imperial system. A Medical Officers' Training Corps is being organized at the Otago University, on the same footing as those in the universities in Great Britain, to enable medical students to fake their places as properly trained Medical Officers when their services as such are required.

* Twenty-nine of these are utilized as regimental sergeant-majors and eight as brigade sergeant-majors at. camps, and there are eighteen employed as clerks on duties in connection with returned sick and wounded soldiers.

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30. Strength of the Forces. The strength of the New Zealand Defence Forces on the 30th April, 1916, was as under; — Territorial Force ... ... ... ... ... ... ' 26,839 , Senior Cadets ... ... ... ... ... ... ...' 27,063 Genera] Training Seel inn ... ... ... ... ... 3,437, Rifle Clubs ... ... ... ... ... 7,928 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 65,267 In addition to the home defence above quoted there are some thousands of reinforcements in continuous training at the permanent camps to maintain the New Zealand Army at the front. 31. District and Group Organization. The District, Group, and Area Staff now consists largely of officers drawn from the Territorial Force, and the work carried out, under the circumstances, has been very satisfactory. It has been found advisable, however, to appoint an extra officer to each District Staff to assist the General Staff Officer, and to relieve him of Assistant Adjutant-General's duties and work in connection with returned soldiers. Since the last annual report a certain increase in recruiting-work has been caused by the addition of new units to the Expeditionary Force, and by the provision for preliminary dental treatment of the recruit. Employment of temporary clerks has been found necessary to cope with this increase. The evacuation, care, supervision, and final disposal of the returned sick and wounded has very largely added to the work of group officers and their si all's. The sick and wounded are now returning in monthly drafts, and it must be expected that this will continue until the end of the war. An enormous amount of clerical work is entailed in keeping check on returned soldiers, and the provision of extra clerical assistance has been found necessary in each group. The new group organization, as described in last year's annual report, has now been firmly established, and is proving satisfactory in so far as can be judged under the present abnormal conditions. A card-index system for the recording of personal files of the Territorials, General Training Section, and Senior Cadets has now been installed in each group at a moderate expenditure. The personal files have taken the place of the old record-books, and a, complete and efficient record of the services of every man in the New Zealand Military Forces will be in the possession of the Department. The difficulties of effecting this change during the stress of work in connection with the Expeditionary Force have been considerably lightened by taking advantage of offers of voluntary assistance from patriotic people who are willing to place their services at the disposal of the Department. The system of recording correspondence at (lie District Headquarters has during the year been brought into line and made identical with that in use at General Headquarters. It is intended to carry this uniformity of system into the groups during the coining year, and it will then be universal throughout the service. 32. Changes in Organization ok the Forces'. (a.) New Zealand Dental Corps. To meet the dental requirements of recruits before they arc called up, ami of members of the Expeditionary Force whilst in camp and al the front, it lias been found necessary to establish the New Zealand Dental Corps. (b.) New Zealand Army Nursing Sernice. The formation of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service received the sanction of Parliament last year, and all nurses now serving abroad have been placed on the strength of this unit. 33. Legislation". The following Acts affecting this Department have been brought into force during the current year: (1) Military Manoeuvres Act, which provides for rights over land required'for training and manoeuvres; (2) War Pensions Act; (3) Expeditionary Forces Act. Various amendments to the Defence Act, 1909, referred to in my report of last, year, which were desirable for the benefit of the administration of the Defence Forces, were passed during the last session. War regulations to meet the exigencies of the present national emergency have been made from time to time by Orders in Council. 34. Discipline, The discipline of both the Territorial Force and Senior Cadets has been quite satisfactory during the past year. The great majority of the Territorials attending the annual camps have been men who are unable to join the Expeditionary Force. All ranks seem to have realized that a high standard of discipline is necessary for success in modern warfare, and have done their best to attain an even higher standard than in previous years. Considering the many, difficulties inseparable from the training of Territorial Troops at such a time, the result attained reflects the greatest credit on all concerned,

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35. Detention. During the period from the Ist May, 1915, to the 30th April, 1916, sixty-three men of the Territorial Force have been placed in military detention, under the provisions of the Defence Amendment Act, 1912, as compared with 111 for the previous twelve months. Six were committed twice and two three times. 36. Prosecutions. Appendix B gives a return of prosecutions under the Defence Act from the Ist May, 1915, to the 30th April, 1916. During the above period the percentages of convictions to prosecutions were as follows: Territorials, 8435; Senior Cadets, 8656. (The percentages for the same period last year were —Territorials, 9050; Senior Cadets, 8L87.) Compared with the figures for the previous year the numbers prosecuted during the twelve months ended the 30th April, 1916, show a decrease of 192 in the Territorial Force and 96 in. the Senior Cadets. 37. Posting. The annual posting for the year 1915-16 was carried out in accordance with the amended system detailed in my last annual report. Posting for the forthcoming year will be conducted on the same lines, and will be made simpler by a recent amendment to the Defence Act, which provides that Senior Cadets will be posted to the Territorial Force on June of the year in which they attain the age of eighteen years, and that Territorials and members of the General Training Section will pass to the Reserve in June of the year in which they reach the age of twenty-five. 38. Registration. The total number of registrations for military training recorded since the inception of the scheme of universal service up to the 30th April, 1916, is given in detail hereunder : ; — Territorials. Senior Auckland District ... ... ... 10,098 15,706 25,804 Canterbury District ... ... ... 7,158 18,008 25,166 Otago District ... ... ... ... 6,700 12,750 19,450 Wellington District ... 9,154 20,985 30,139 Totals ... ... ... 33,110 67,449 100,559 39. Regulations and Publications. Regulations to provide for the formation and conduct of the New Zealand Dental Corps and the National Reserve have been issued during the past year. Certain amendments have also been made to the Financial Instructions and Allowance Regulations. The " Recruit's Handbook," for the guidance of those desirous of enlisting in the Expeditionary Force, and " Returned Soldiers' Handbook " have also been published. The latter contains the fullest information as to the treatment, allowances, privileges, and duties of the returned soldier, and copies are freely supplied to all concerned. 40. Chaplains. Officers of the New Zealand Chaplains' Department continue to render good service in the reinforcements and Territorial Force camps. Applications by chaplains for appointment to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force have come in freely, and are greatly in excess of the requirements of the service. 41, National Reserve. The National Reserve is now organized throughout the Dominion on the basis of the regulations issued by this Department. A. considerable amount of time has been devoted to drill and training, and a fair percentage of members of the Expeditionary Force have come from the ranks of the' Reserve with an elementary knowledge of their new duties. Other methods of assisting the Defence Department during the present crisis are now being earnestly considered. 42. New Zealand Dental Services. The importance of a dental service for the troops has been recognized since the outbreak of war. Dentists were sent with the first Expeditionary Force to Samoa, and also with the Main Body and 2nd Reinforcements to Egypt. Several dentists were then appointed to the reinforcement camps to treat dental defects and disease amongst soldiers in camps before they were despatched abroad. The dental work in camps increased immensely, and, as a large number of recruits were being rejected on account of defective teeth, it was decided to organize a Dental Corps to cope with the work both in camps and at the recruiting centres. The New Zealand Dental Corps consists of— (1.) Administrative officers, who are attached to Headquarters, and are responsible for the organization and administration of the corps : (2.) Executive officers, who carry out the dental treatment of soldiers in the reinforcement camps and at the front, and who are assisted by dental mechanics, ranking aa non-commissioned officers, and by dental orderlies :

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(3.) Civilian dental surgeons, who are employed at recruiting centres (a) to examine and chart the teeth of recruits, (b) to treat the recruits as far as practicable before they are called up for camp, and (c) to treat returned soldiers. The greatest assistance has been rendered by the executive and members of the New Zealand Dental Association in the creation of this corps, which is now well established.' Thanks are due to the members of the Dental Association generally for good and willing services throughout the Dominion. 43. Base Records. Owing to the enormous amount, of work necessary in dealing with the records of the members of the Expeditionary Force, the reporting of casualties, and the treatment of returned soldiers, a separate Department designated " Base Records " has been set up under the Adjutant-General's Branch. This Department also acts as an information bureau to the Pensions Board, the Pay Department, and the public at large. The present establishment consists of 111 military and civil clerks, of whom thirty-one are women. Applications from invalided soldiers are given preference in filling any vacancies which occur. Owing to the cramped accommodation a great strain has at times been placed upon the staff in order to keep the work up to date, particularly upon the heads of sections, who have voluntarily worked long hours in order to secure the prompt despatch of correspondence, which at times amounts to a thousand letters and telegrams per day. The Department is also greatly indebted to a large voluntary staff who have from time to time, when accommodation was available, given their services in three relays' —morning, afternoon, and evening—to help in the compilation of history-sheets and other returns required which cannot be undertaken by the permanent staff. The system of records is as follows: The records of all soldiers are kept in the trainingcamps until they embark, when a copy is sent to London Records Office, and the original is filed in the Base Records Office, where all. information re each soldier is added to his file as received. A file of all Medical Board reports is also prepared, and is forwarded for the use of Medical Boards examining the soldier after his return, and is handed over to the Public Health Department after his discharge, as a record in case further medical treatment becomes necessary. The Casualty Branch is of great importance, and all notifications are promptly dealt with. On receipt of notice of casualty the next-of-kin are at once notified by urgent telegram. The casualty list is put in the safe, and not released to the Press or public for twenty-four hours after the despatch of advice to the next-of-kin. In this manner it is almost impossible for the relatives of any soldier to hear through the Press of any casualty happening to him before they have been informed by the Base Records Office. As it was found impossible to secure suitable premises to house the soldiers' records and the Base Records Staff a temporary building is now being erected behind the Government Buildings, where it is anticipated the work, will be carried on without the many disadvantages under which the staff has hitherto been working. This Department must necessarily continue to increase its staff so long as reinforcements continue to be despatched. The Director of Base Records and his staff have done excellent work in evolving a system which so far has been able to cope with the heavy demands it is from time to time called on to meet.

SECTION lII.—BRANCH OF THE QTJABTEBMASTER-GENERAL TO THE FORCES. 44. Small-arms A.mmunition. The Colonial Ammunition Company has well maintained the supply of small-arms ammunition, and the high standard is well up to previous years, although working at exceptional pressure. In this respect credit must be given the Department's Inspector, who is ever watchful of the interests of the Department. 45. Small-arms. In order to maintain sufficient arms for training the reinforcements in camp, and to equip the drafts proceeding to the front, it was necessary to withdraw a proportion of rifles from the Cadets, leaving them, however, sufficient for musketry training purposes. The whole of the collected arms were concentrated at the chief armoury at Wellington, thoroughly overhauled, and rebarrolled where necessary. An armourer has been stationed in camp, and has on charge a supply of small-arms components for repair of any rifles damaged during training. He also instructs armourers appointed in camp (usually tradesmen) to effect repairs. This must prove an advantage to regiments at the front, as the supply of qualified armourers is very limited there. 46. Accoutrements. The supply of Mills web equipment remains practically as last year, principally concentrated in the two training-camps. Endeavours have been, made to produce a substitute locally, but so far without success, principally owing to the fact that suitable material is not procurable. Bandoliers (leather) for mounted services, Field Artillery, and Engineers are made locally; also Sam Browne belts for officers. There has been no difficulty in obtaining sufficient supply of Any leather accoutrements required. 47. Camp Equipment. All tents (circular) and marquees (hospital) have been in constant use during the year, and consequently are considerably the worse for wear; but now that the hutments are completed the tents and marquees can be overhauled and repaired, and a number will be available for summer training-camps.

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Eight hundred and fifty Indian tents (G.S., 160 Ib.) were imported during the year. Like other military stores, tents (circular, linen) and marquees (hospital) are unprocurable from England at present. This also applies to the linen material of which these tents are made. 48. Clothing. Since my last report a Minister in. Charge of Munitions and Supplies, with a separate staff, has taken control of the purchase of all clothing and other stores required for the Expeditionary Forces. Having legislative authority, the Minister of Munitions can thus compel manufacturers to supply. Presumably owing to relative supply and demand, there is a sharp advance in price now being paid for uniforms, greatcoats, and underclothing. Sealed samples of the articles agreed to be purchased are sent by the Munitions Board to Defence Stores, and where any supply is deemed not equal to sample the fact is reported to the Board, which rejects or accepts same as may be thought fit. The appointment of this Board has been a great, relief, enabling the Ordnance Stores Department to carry out their true function in the direct equipment of the Forces. Notwithstanding the arrangements made by the Munitions Boards, contractors did not in some cases maintain the supplies contracted for, and hence there has been delay in properly clothing the Territorial Force as 1 anticipated by the end of March. This, however, was unavoidable. 49. Service Boots. This is an article of equipment which is always, at Home and abroad, a subject of criticism, although there has not been much complaint as to make or quality from the wearers in Egypt. The boots now supplied have been found good and serviceable. 50. Armourers. The armourers have had an exceedingly busy year. Every rifle that, was called in from districts has been cleaned, overhauled, and most thoroughly repaired and rebarrelled if found necessary. In order to cope with demands it was found necessary to work overtime in the armoury for a period, but this has now been overcome. 51. Engineer Units: Territorials. There is a shortage of technical equipment owing to stores having been withdrawn from units. As far as possible stores have been or are being obtained locally to enable a certain amount of training to be carried out by each unit. 52. Signal Companies. The Signal companies are handicapped in their training owing to want of a cable-wagon and equipment for laying telegraph-cable. There are no cable-wagons on order, as, owing to the war, annual requisitions arc not sent forward. A number of field telephones on order from England since 1913 have now come to hand, and when the telephone stores now being manufactured locally are delivered training in field telephony and (-able-laying can be carried out by these companies. 53. Mounted Signal Troop. A supply of field telephones has lately been received from England for these units, and they are now being issued. When the telephone stores now being made locally are received and issued these units will be able to train in their technical, work of laying telephone-cable and operating. 54. Field Companies. These companies are well provided with artificers' tools and entrenching implements, but have been handicapped in their training for want of tool-carts and G.S. wagons. Intimation has, however, now beon given by the War Office that six tool-carts and four G.S. wagons on order since 1913 are being sent out to the Dominion at an early date. When these arrive the field companies should be able to train in all branches of their work. 55. Care of Stores. There has been, a good deal of damage and loss of equipment on charge to Engineer units in the past owing to neglect. It appears to be impossible for Territorials to look after their technical equipment and keep their store ledgers correctly posted up. As vehicles, harness, and saddlery will be issued to these units in the near future, there will be plenty of work to employ a man in each district for the cleaning, care, and preservation of equipment on issue to field companies and mounted Signal troops. It will lie a saving to appoint a suitable returned soldier to each district to look after these stores and keep ledgers posted up. 56. Electric-light Sections, R.N.Z.A. The equipment of the authorized Defence lights at the forts is now complete, as the stores for the two new lights for Auckland Harbour have now come to hand. The electric-light Store ledgers of the R.N.Z.A. detachment in the four centres are kepi in a satisfactory manner by the R.N.Z.A. sub-accountants.

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57. Training of Engineers' Reinforcements at Camps. Complete sets of mining tools and materials, boring and blasting tools, demolition stores, entrenching implements, pontoons and bridging material have been issued to camp for training of field companies and field-troop reinforcements. Cable-wagon and equipment for laying field telegraph-cable, also field telephones and equipment, have been issued to camps for training of Engineer Signal, units. 58. Artillery. The batteries in the Dominion have been equipped with B.L. 15-pr. guns as a temporary issue for training. Much work lias been done by Ordnance Store Corps in re-forming, annealing. &c, the very large quantity of fixed brass cartridge-cases in stock, and when supplies of cordite, shells, fuzes, &c, are available a large quantity of field-gun ammunition can be rapidly made up. Economy has had to be exercised in the issue of Garrison Artillery practice ammunition. The Artillery accounts show an improvement on last year. 59. Store Buildings. As mentioned in my last annual report, the congestion in the Store buildings at Wellington was causing great inconvenience, but I am pleased to report that the Hon. the Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies, after a personal inspection, immediately ordered the erection of a new building. This met our requirements for the time being, but the large orders for stores placed by the Munitions Board again congested the stores to such an extent that another building, 100 ft. long by 40ft. wide, and of two stories, is now being erected. 1 think this will meet our requirements, but should necessity arise there is sufficient land available to erect another building of similar dimensions. This building expenditure is not wasted, as even after the war is over the buildings, if nol required for store purposes, can at little expense be converted into offices for Base Records and Pay Department, both of which branches are now paying rentals in the city, and the office-work could thereby be brought nearer Headquarters. 60. Medical Stores. These are now under the control of the Director-General of Medical Services, with a qualified warrant officer to supervise the supplies and issue same. This is as it should be, as hitherto there was no qualified man on the Ordnance Store staff for this duty. A new ambulance-wagon was recently imported from England to be used as a model for manufacture in the Dominion of other wagons required for training our Territorials. Our supply of field medical chests, surgical haversacks, and field stretchers obtained last year was sufficient to train units in camps. 61. Veterinary Stores and Horse Equipment, Saddlery, etc. The supply has been ample for requirements. 62. Sheets, Ground, Waterproof. As mentioned in my last report, then- is difficulty in maintaining supplies of waterproof sheets, as every man leaving the Dominion takes one with him as part of his equipment. Orders for 20,000 sheets have been placed in England and Australia, with promise of early delivery. A new waterproof-canvas sheet was recently tested in the training-camps and gave good results, but unfortunately the supply of material at present in the Dominion is only sufficient to make 1,500 sheets. 63. Camp-kettles and Mess-tins. A good stock of these is on hand, or on order from manufacturers in the Dominion. Owing to the increased price of tin the cost of the manufactured articles has increased. 64. Drill-books. The supply of drill-books and other technical military publications obtainable only from England is very limited, and the greatest care is being exercised in the issue of our supply on hand. A revised edition of the " New Zealand Manual of Military Law " was printed and issued during the year. There has been a great demand on the Government Printer for forms, printing, &c, and owing to the shortage of printing-paper all users of forms, &0., were asked to exercise strict economy. 65. Organization, Equipment, and Ordnance Stores. ■Further reorganization has taken place in what has in the past been generally known as the Defence Stores, bringing the duties into line with military requirements-. In future the Defence Storekeeper will assume the military designation of " Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores," the District Storekeepers being designated "Assistant Directors." In this section of the Q.M.S. branch a certain amount of dual, control still necessarily exists. I am, however, glad to acknowdedgc the assistance given me by the Public Service Commissioners in this respect during the past year. As experienced and returned officers and non-commissioned officers become available this section will in time be staffed by a military personnel, and assume its true relation to the military Forces of the Dominion.

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66. Drill-halls, Stores, and Officers. During the year the Department's drill-halls, contingent offices, regimental store, and orderlyrooms have been maintained, and repairs and minor additions, &0., effected where necessary. Owing to the Department's energies necessarily being primarily devoted to the raising, training, equipment, and transport of the successive reinforcements of the Expeditionary Forces, and the establishment and improvement of the permanent training-camps; also owing to the necessity for exercising strict economy in the matter of providing new drill-halls and buildings involving extensive capital outlay, which, though recognized as being essential in many centres for the well-being of the Territorial Force, and which in these oases are becoming more and more an absolute necessity owing to the increase of the Territorial and Senior Cadets units, very little has been possible in the way of new buildings throughout the year. The new drill-hall at Dunedin has been completed during the year and occupied by the local units, the old Garrison Hall being taken over as temporary postal premises. The orderly and store rooms required to complete the new drill-hall at Invercargill have also been finished. The provision of drill-hall accommodation at Palmerston North, with contingent orderly and store room accommodation, and also district mobilization store accommodation; further, the relieving of the congestion at the central drill-halls of the large centres, particularly at Auckland and Wellington, together with the provision of regimental mobilization stores at Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchuroh, and Dunedin, as indicated in. last annual report, as well as the erection of smaller buildings in centres where no accommodation at present exists, are matters of paramount importance to the development and maintenance of our Citizen Army, and ones which must be faced when times reach a normal state again and the resources of the Department are not so heavily strained. During the year new drill-hall sites have been reserved at Birkenhead, Te Awamutu, Dargaville, and Apiti, Ammunition-stores in connection with the local field batteries are being erected at Palmerston North and Napier. At Palmerston North a section adjoining the existing Defence site was acquired to provide for future building requirements. A building on the section has been converted at a nominal cost into suitable temporary offices for the District Headquarters Staff, eliminating the rental of premises previously occupied. In the smaller centres, drill-halls previously undertaken have been completed at Morrinsville and Apiti, also new offices, &c, at Hamilton, and an orderly and store room at Hinds for the Canterbury Mounted Signal Troop. 67. Defence Vessels. With the exception of the s.s. " Lady Roberts " at Auckland, all Defence vessels (s.s. " Janie Seddon " and launches A, L, and W) have been fully and advantageously employed during the year at the four defended ports. At Auckland Mr. H. G. Seth-Smith, formerly of that city, very generously presented his fine launch " lawai " to the Department, which enabled the s.s. "Lady Roberts," previously temporarily repaired for the examination service, to be again laid up. Launch W has been transferred from Wellington to Port Chalmers, and with the smaller launch (A) previously on the station will enable all requirements being met. At Lyttelton launch L, as hitherto, carries out all work in connection with the port defences, except in heavy weather. The s.s. " Janie Seddon " at Wellington now carries out all transport of supplies, water, &c, to Somes Island internment camp, in addition to the usual transport services to the forts. The vessel is thus fully employed on Defence work. 68. Training and Manoeuvre Areas. As in the previous year, the annual field training of the Territorial Force units has been carried out in regimental camps in their own military districts. It has thus not been necessary to provide large training and manoeuvre areas for the more extensive training and manoeuvres which will, bo required when it is possible to undertake large Territorial concentrations and more ambitious programmes of training. In this event the Manoeuvre Act provided by the Legislature last session affords the opportunity of obtaining the temporary use of requisite areas in suitable localities, and gives the means for proclaiming such areas, regulating use and compensation or claims arising m that connection. This has been a long-felt want, and when conditions again reach a normal state will be of great importance in connection with the local field training of the Territorial Force. In the North Island the Department has a very valuable permanent training-area reserved in the Waimarino district, which will, become a most important asset when facilities for transport and communication thereto have improved. In connection with the Expeditionary Force reinforcement camps no difficulty has been experienced. At Trentham the reserve is of convenient size for camp and training purposes, and it lias been possible to conveniently carry out any manoeuvres further abroad. At Featherston, where the land for the permanent camp-site had to be acquired, it has been possible to lease under suitable terms and other conditions such additional land necessary for training purposes. 69. Railway and Steamer Transport, The continued requirements for railway and coastal-steamer transport in connection with the mobilization, &c., of the successive reinforcements has maintained the abnormal demands on the local railway and steamer services which have pertained since the outbreak of hostilities. The additional services imposed on the Railway Department not only in connection with the transport of troops to and from camps, &c., on duty, concentration, or for training purposes, but also in connection with the provision of accommodation for members of reinforcements travelling

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home on their extended leave, or to and from camp on short leave, and for the general public visiting the camps, have been very heavy. The fact that these services have been so successfully maintained under excellent arrangements, in addition to the ordinary passenger traffic and the heavy freight demands of the period, is highly appreciated, and speaks volumes for the excellent manner in which the Railway Department has been able to cope with all requirements. The local steamship companies have rendered very valuable services in, connection with the coastwise carriage of reinforcement drafts concentrating and the redistribution of returned soldiers to their home ports, and have effectively met all departmental requirements in this respect, which often entailed special efforts having regard to the necessity for maintaining their mercantile services. Where reinforcement drafts can be conveyed-by ordinary services and special trips are not necessary the Onion Steamship Company and lluddarf-Parker Company give the Department generous reductions on ordinary fares. 70. Rifle Banges. Generally speaking the rifle ranges throughout the Dominion have been maintained on a satisfactory footing throughout the year, those at the larger centres being mainly placed on departmental reserves, and in the smaller centres on leased sites. Where ranges are required for the larger centres great difficulty exists in securing convenient and safe range-sites, owing to modern musketry requirements, the trend of population, and increased cost of acquiring the areas desirable, The policy of reserving suitable sites on Crown land, where available, having regard to the growth of population and increased requirements of the Territorial Forces and Senior Cadets, and of securing suitable leases of shooting rights in districts where at present the number of troops training does not warrant heavy expenditure, has been steadily pursued, and in the former case the allocation of several permanent sites is under action. The desirability of seizing every opportunity (consistent with economy) of providing reserves to meet future increasing requirements is to be emphasized, as it must not be lost sight of that land in the vicinity of most centres 'of population is increasing in value with the increase of population, and the matter of being able as far as possible to meet future or growing requirements is one of paramount importance. Plans and estimates are under preparation for the formation of a permanent range at Invercargill, where a site, partly in the adjacent estuary and necessitating a certain amount of reclamation, was previously secured. The provision of permanent ranges for Gisborne, Napier, Rotorua, Nelson, Timaru, and Balclutha, where tenure of previous sites has expired or they have become unsafe, is under consideration. In the majority of these cases great difficulty has been experienced in selecting suitable sites owing to considerations as to convenience of access, safety, and cost. It is hoped to bring negotiations in connection therewith to a satisfactory conclusion at early dates, and to have formation of ranges pushed on during the year. 71. Veterinary Services and Remounts. Since the outbreak of war a very large number of horses have been purchased, the average cost being £16 19s. for riding and £22 7s. for draught horses. It is satisfactory, from a departmental standpoint, to note that those latest purchased were obtained at no greater cost than in the beginning, and, moreover, that they were, if anything, of better quality. It is evident that there is still an ample supply of good horses of the right class available if wanted. The great bulk of the purchasing was in the hands of Inspectors of Stock in the Department of Agriculture, and the excellent work done by these officers is highly appreciated and deserving of great praise. 72. Supervision of Fitting and General Arrangements on Horse Transports. This duty was rendered somewhat less exacting owing to the fact that all concerned did their best to ensure that the right thing was done in fitting out ships for the carriage of horses. In this connection it is desired to place on record the very valuable services rendered by the late Lieut.-Colonel Clayton, N.Z.V.C. The low average mortality among the horses carried by sea affords evidence of the quality of the work done, when viewed from the standpoint of shipping arrangements. 73. Veterinary Care of Horses at Sea. Save in the case of three ships carrying a comparatively small number of horses, where capable military officers had charge anil did well, veterinary officers have been detailed for duty on each transport despatched. That they worked well and successfully is indicated by results, the average loss of horses at sea up to date having been only 305 per cent. 74. The Remount Depot. The present Remount Depot was established at Upper Hull in October, 1914. Previously, through the courtesy of the Mauawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association, a temporary and most useful, depot had been in use on the association's showground at Palmerston North. The Upper Hutt depot has proved quite satisfactory, the buildings already on the ground affording all necessary provision for office purposes, necessary cooking accommodation, and forage storage, and a good water-supply being available; an additional advantage being its nearness to the railway-station and the consequent convenience in the detraining and entraining of horses. 75. Training of the Veterinary Corps Reinforcements. This has been carried out in the training-camps by the Veterinary Officers doing duty for the time being. In all reinforcement drafts care has been exercised in the selection of recruits, and they have been given a good practical training.

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76. Veterinary Care of Horses in Camps. In the training-camps the health of horses has been very good, the percentage of mortality small, and, apart from ringworm (a troublesome but by no means dangerous affection) and a few cases of strangles, no contagious or other disease has given any trouble. Injuries resulting from kicks have, as usual, been of frequent occurrence, and tins emphasizes the necessity for continuous vigilance on the part of pickets. The use of the new stables at Featherston Camp should have the effect of largely minimizing this trouble. These stables, now in occupation, will enable both horses and men to avoid the discomfort entailed by picketing'on lines during the winter months. The new pattern of leather headstall adapted for use either in camp or on board ship has proved, on the whole, satisfactory as regards their pattern. These headstalls are fitted, with light chains for securing horses to lines, and though naturally more costly in the first instance than rope halters they are really economical, as the wastage in material is far less, and much loss of time on the part of men in securing loose horses is avoided. 77. Horses at Samoa. Additional riding-horses were despatched to Samoa during this year. A Veterinary Officer paid a visit of inspection, and instruction, leaving; there on permanent service details of the Veterinary Corps who had accompanied him. Climatic and native feeding-conditions in Samoa are rather hard upon our horses, but the animals are doing as well as can be expected. 78. War Expenses Branch. The work of this branch has greatly increased during the year, and will continue to increase with each monthly draft of recruits. Added to this, regularly returning sick and wounded increase the number to be dealt with locally. For instance, the number of allotments remitted to relatives, &c, monthly has steadily risen to 30,906 in March, and will continue to rise as each reinforcement comes into training; and these arc sent all over the world—Australia, United States, Canada, India, South Africa, Russia, &c. The accounts are of a diversified nature. Currency rates are involved— e.g., the mark was legal tender at Samoa; the vouchers from Egypt are rendered in piastres and Egyptian pounds, either in Turkish, French, or English language—sometimes all three. Pre-audit has been established, ensuring a final checking before payments are made. When Base Records transfer to the new building more room will be available for the staff, which at present is somewhat congested. Great credit is due to all grades of the staff for the generally expeditious manner in which allotments and pay and accounting generally are being dealt with. 79. Army Service Corps. The Army Service Corps companies are now fully equipped with uniform, and went into annual camp by detachments, where they performed the supply and transport duties of regimental camps very satisfactorily. The Army Service Corps are at present about 30 per cent, under establishment, caused through so many men enlisting in the Expeditionary Force since last posting. Every effort will be made at next posting to complete establishment as far as possible. Owing to the war great difficulty is experienced in filling the artificer ranks, and the officers and non-commissioned officers' positions become more difficult to fill. 80. Supplies at Training-camps. The supplies for training-camps throughout the Dominion were obtained by contract by the Assistant Director of Supplies and Transport, and all issuing and accounting was done by the Army Service Corps. The number of tenders received was up to the average, the contracts were all well carried out, and the quality of the supplies was good. 81. Canteens. The dry canteens in camp were arranged regimentally. No complaints were received. 82. Rations and Forage. The scale of rations this year was as follows : Bread, \\ lb. (or biscuits, 1 lb.); butter, 4 oz. ; candles, one per tent; cheese, 2 oz.; coffee, .} oz. ; flour, 1 oz.; jam, 4 oz.; fresh meat, lb. (or preserved meat, lib.); condensed milk, \ tin (or fresh milk, -J- pint); oatmeal, 2 oz.; onions, 2 oz. ; pepper, oz. ; potatoes, lib.; salt, | OZ.; sugar, 4 oz.; tea, f oz. Forage rations: Chaff, 121b.; oats, 6 Ib.; hay, 61b. An additional 2 Ib. oats allowed draught horses. An allowance of 2d. per man per diem was granted in addition, and this was much appreciated, as it enabled officers commanding units to purchase any extras they considered necessary for their men. No complaints regarding the quality or the quantity of the rations were received. r fhc following gives the average cost of rations and forage per head per diem, inclusive of the allowance of 2d. per diem, in the following districts : — Average Cost of Rations, Fuel, Average Cost of Light, and Straw Forage per Howe per Man por per Diem. Diem. s. d. s. d. Auckland ... ... ... ... ... I 5931 1 4-072 Wellington ... ... ... ... 1 8-041 I 2-702 Canterbury ... ... ... ... I 687 0 10-93 Otago ... ... .19 0 11-25

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83. Field Transports. Each district has now on charge wagons and harness, and during this year's camps the Remount Department lent districts sufficient draught horses to enable all transport being performed by the Army Service Corps. This entailed a saving to the Department, as well as being of the greatest use for Army Service Corps instruction. 84. Field Cooking. The cooking in camps was carried out as last year, partially by military cooks and partially by civilians. Roberts field cookers were used, supplemented in some cases by trench cooking. Several units in the Canterbury District used a new field cooker built by Scott Bros., which was found very satisfactory. 85. Camps and Barracks. The services rendered by the Public Works in the erection of the training-camps has been of the greatest service to my Department. A Director for Camp and Barrack Construction with an efficient staff has been established to maintain these camps and barracks, and to provide for possible expansion still working in conjunction with the Public, Works. The Director of Camp and Barrack Construction has done excellent and wholly voluntary work in Ibis direction. 86. Printing. I. wish to convey grateful thanks to the Government Printing Office for their great assistance in so willingly dealing with the increased amount of printing and stationery required, often at short notice. A. W. Robin, Brigadier-General, Commanding New Zealand Military Forces.

APPENDIX A.

APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, FTC. 1. Principal Appointments made during the Year. {a.) The Honourable Sir Walter Clarke Buchanan, lit,., M.L.C., to be Honorary Colonel of the 17th (Ruahine) Regiment. (b.) Staff at, Headquarters, Director-General of Medical Services. —Colonel Robert Samuel Findlay Henderson, M.8., K.U.P., Army Medical Service, with the local rank of Surgeon-General whilst so employed. Adjutant-General. —Lieut.-Colonel Robert Ward Tate to be Adjutant-General (temporarily), vice Lieut.-Colonel Herbert Edward Pilkington, Royal New Zealand Artillery, proceeding on active service. Assistant Military Secretary and Aide-de-C-amp to the Commandant. —Lieutenant Douglas Bryan, New Zealand Staff Corps, returned from active service for home duties, vice Captain Frank Hudson, New Zealand Staff Corps, on active service. Director of Supplies and Transport and Inspector New Zealand, Army Service Corps. — Captain Hubert Havard Wright, Army Service Corps, vice Major Annesley Craven Robinson, Army Service Corps, with the local rank of Major whilst so employed. Deputy Director of Supplies and Transport and Assistant Inspector of New Zealand Ann// Service Corps. —Lieutenant (temp.) Francis Edward Ostler, Army Service Corps, with the temporary rank of Captain. Assistant Director of Military Training. —Captain (temp. Major) .lames Lewis Sleeman, Royal Sussex Regiment. Director of Camps and Barrack Construction. —Colonel Ernest Haviland Hilev, New Zealand Railway Battalions. Deputy Inspector, Equipment and Ordnance Stores. —Honorary Major James O'Sullivan. Director of Equipment and Ordnance Stores. —Lieutenant (temp. Captain) Thomas McCristell, New Zealand Staff Corps, with the honorary rank of Major whilst so employed. Assistant Musketry and Machine Gun Instructor. —Captain Richard Neave, Essex Regiment. Assistant Instructor of Infantry. —Captain Sir Robert Walker, Bart., Coldstream Guards. Accounting Offi,cer, Equipment and Ordnance Stores. —Lieutenant Thomas Joseph King returned from active service for home duties.

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(c.) Officer x of the New Zealand Staff Corps who have 'proceeded on Active, Service since last Report. Colonel V. S. Smyth, Major J. E. Duigan, Major W. C. Morrison, Captain F. Hudson, Captain H. S. N. Robinson, Captain H. M. W. Richardson, Captain J. Bishop, Captain J, H. Grover, Captain T. M. Wilkes, Captain R. G. Purdy, Lieutenant G. H. Hume. (d.) Staff in Districts. Lieut.-Colonel Robert Ward Talc relinquishes his temporary appointment, as Officer Commanding the Wellington Military District on appointment as Adjutant-General (temp.) to the Forces. Lieut.-Colonel (temp. Colonel) John Edward Hume, Royal New Zealand Artillery, relinquishes the command of the Auckland Military District, and appointed to the command of the Wellington. Military District, vice Lieut.-Colonel Robert Ward Tate, appointed Adjutant-General (temp.) to the Forces. Colonel George Warren Shaw Patterson, Coast Defence Commander (Auckland), to command the Auckland Military District, vice Lieut.-Colonel (temp. Colonel) John Edward Hume, Royal New Zealand Artillery, appointed to command the Wellington Military District. Lieut.-Colonel Thomas William McDonald, New Zealand Staff Corps, invalided from active service, to be General Staff Officer, Wellington Military District, vice Captain Henry McKellar White Richardson, on active service. Captain Henry Alexander Cooper, sth Lancers, to be General Staff Officer, Otago Military District, vice Major Daniel Aloysius Hickey, D.5.0., who proceeds on active service. 2. Appointments, Promotions, etc.. oe Territorial Officers. The following table gives a summary from the 25th June, 1915, to the Ist May, 1916 :— Territorials. . Senior Cadets. First appointments ... ... 636 First appointments ... ... 162 Appointments confirmed ... ... 112 Appointments confirmed ... 35 Promotions ... ... ... 248 Promotions ... ... ... 36 Resignations ... ... ... 29 Resignations ... ... ... 9 To Reserve of Officers ... ... 13 To Territorial units -... ... 26 To Retired List ... ... ... 7 To Reserve of Officers ... ... 4 To Unattached List (a) ... ... 3 Commission cancelled ... ... I. To Unattached List'(&) ... ... 9 With Expeditionary Force... 263 Commissions cancelled ... ... 5 Deaths (see Territorials). With Expeditionary Force ... .. 281 Deaths— Total ... ... ... 539 On home service ... 4 On active service (includes Cadet officers) ... 120 On active service, nurses 10 Territorials ... ... ... 1,475 134 Cadets ... ... ... ... . 539 Total ... ... ... 1,475 Total ... ... ... 2,014

17

TL—l9.

APPENDIX B.

RETURN OF PROSECUTIONS From the 1st May, 1915, to the 30th April, 1916.

Percentage of convictions on prosecutions: Senior Cadets, 86-56; Territorials, 8435.

Approximate Gnat of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,400 copies), .£l4.

By Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer. Wellington.—lOlfi.

Price 9d.]

18

Military District. o Eh o I O 6 Nonregi x> , , , , , Absence irom or , • Ketusal to take ,-., . .. c n ; *■ istration. nth Obstruction of Convictions. Parades. Terri- Senior Terri- Senior Tcrri- Senior Territorials. Cadets. torials. Oadets. torials. Cadets. torials. I I Senior Cadets. Auckland 1 2 3 4 7 I 2 25 .. i 39 27 46 53 8 .. .. 2 I 3 6 1 .. .. II 23 13 20 1 .. .. 12 5 12 4 District totals 10 ! 35 .. I 64 56 74 83 56 74 83 Wellington 5 6 7 7a 8 3 82 103 71 87 3 .. .. 49 48 47 42 5 52 5 52 33 113 37 113 17 106 17 90 103 48 52 113 106 71 47 5 37 17 87 42 52 113 90 District totals 4 4 II 3 .. .. 186 422 177 384 422 177 381 Canterbury 9 10 11 ilA 12 1 2 I .1 .. .. 34 124 35 62 27 .139 13 122 1 .. .. .. 12 I 7 26 21 24 21 3 .. .. 10 8 9 8 124 139 12 21 8 35 13 1 24 9 62 122 7 21 8 2 District totals 5 97 304 82 220 >tago .. .. 13 14 15 16 4 8 4 L3 4 18 2 21 I 2 7 24 46 29 39 59 113 79 85 8 48 29 52 40 112 79 106 District totals 29 45 2 7 138 336 137 337 Dominion totals , 56 88 2 8 485 1,118 470 1,024