H.—lB

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

SOALL'S SYSTEM OF MUSKETRY INSTRUCTION (REPORT OF BOARD OF OFFICERS ON).

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

No. 1. Lieut.-Colonel Mottle to Lieut.-Colonel Lyon. s Native and Defence Office, Wellington, 31st October, 1870. Under instructions from the Hon. the Native Minister, I have the honor to request you will be good enough to assemble a Board of Officers, consisting of yourself as President and Captains McPherson and Marshall, members, for the purpose of tesfng the system of musketry inruction proposed by Mr. J. C. Soall, of Auckland, as against the system now in use in the Colonial iorces. P PSir Donald McLean also desires me to say that the services of the Armed Constabulary are to be made available for the trial-which should take place as early as convenrent-when you will bo good enou-h to report fully to this office as to the result, showing such m the case of each principle, and a and Mr. Soall that the Board has been ordered to be held and shall feel obliged by your giving them intimation as to when their presence will be required in Wali aenclose herewith correspondence in connection with Mr. Soall's application for the t™l (and beg to draw your attention specially to the last six lrnes of his letter of the 2nd May last) ; and S°r D McLean requests yon will be good enough to render Mr. Soall every assistance, with a view to carrying out his object. 77 I have, &c, W. Motjle, Lieut.-Colonel, Lieut-Colonel Lyon, Acting Under Secretary, Defence. Commanding Militia District, Hamilton.

No. 2. Lieut.-Colonel Lyon to the Acting Under Secretary for Defence. Sie _ Militia and Volunteer Office, Hamilton, 27th November, 1870. Adverting to your letter of the 3lst ultimo, containing instructions for a Board of Officers to assemble at Hamilton, consisting of myself as President, and Captains McPherson and Marsha , members for the purpose of testing the system of musketry instruction proposed by Mr. J. U boall, ?Zve now the h Ponor to forward herewith the proceedings of the Board, which commenced sitting on the 22nd instant, and concluded on the 25th. I have, &c, The Acting Under Secretary, Defence, W. C Lyon, Lieut-Colonek Wellington. Commanding Waikato District.

No. 3. Lieut-Colonel Lyon to Mr. Soaxl. s „_ Militia and Volunteer Office, Hamilton, 10th November, 1876. Agreeably to instructions received from Lieut-Colonel Moule, Acting Under Secretary Defence, I have the honor to intimate that a Board of Officers, of whrch I have been appomtod the President, and Captain McPherson and Marshall, members, will assemble at Hamilton on Wednesday, the 22nd instant, at noon, for the purpose of testing the system of musketry tnstruc on proposed by you as against the system now in use in the Colonial Forces. As it is my intention to carry out the trial in the manner which you may deem best to .llustrate the superiority ot your system, I I—H. 18.