H.—54,

4

62. That during at least a certain part of the year a district staff musketry instructor live at the rifle-range, and have ammunition in magazine for issue. 63. That every person attending any parade or performing any duty be credited with such parade or duty, irrespective of the attendance or otherwise of any other person. At present, when the attendance at any capitation parade is below a certain proportion of the enrolled strength of the corps, all those good members who do attend are punished by losing the parade, and often the defaulters who have caused the trouble escape. Let every tub stand on its own bottom. 64. That the date of the annual inspection by the Inspector of the Forces be in each district a permanent fixture, and that it be not a public holiday. 65. That not later than the second parade before the end of each current year the "orders" be promulgated for parade during the succeeding year. 66. That every endeavour be made to extend the Easter camp another day, so that the camp break up on Tuesday afternoon, and, if possible, by daylight; otherwise, arrangements to be made to light up the place where the troops entrain. 67. That, except the special free ammunition granted to marksmen, all ammunition issued free be expended under supervision. 68. It is found that men are eager to fire matches against another corps for nothing, who will not turn up to fire against each other for prizes. 69. Grant yearly to each corps a free issue of 1,000 rounds for matches, corps versus corps ; records of its expenditure to be kept and produced at end of year. 70. This ammunition only to be used in firing matches between corps. In its use the men will fire their very best, and their improvement in shooting be good value to the country for the cost of the ammunition. The present dearth of Volunteer officers, and measures likely to increase the supply. 71. Whether officers be elected by corps or no, let the brigade office in each district invite gentlemen wishing to receive commissions to apply, and enter their names in a list to be kept at the district office. 72. That those so entering their names be permitted and encouraged to form a class for instruction in drill and officers' duties, under district staff instructors, or Volunteer officers who might be willing to be detailed for the purpose. Some such plan might supply officers who would rapidly complete their efficiency when appointed to a corps on a vacancy arising. 73. That officers' swords, belts, and metal cap- and rank-badges be issued to the corps on charge, as the rifles are ; but any officers preferring to purchase their own articles to be at liberty to do so as at present. 74. That a person may be repaid any outlay of money made by him on account of his belonging to the Volunteer Force without his being in any sense less a Volunteer, and that such repayment in no sense constitutes a partially-paid Force. 75. It is a matter for careful consideration whether it would not be wise to repay lieutenants some portion, or gradually the whole cost they incur in their first outfit. Summer camps for Volunteers luithout interfering with their daily work. 76. A few years ago the Eichmond Eifle Volunteers, of Christchurch, having equipped themselves with tents, blankets, waterproof sheets, baggage-wagon, cooking utensils, and other camp necessaries, went into camp at midsummer. The men came to camp at evening, and left in time for work in the morning. The experiment answered well, for, as the men catered and cooked for themselves, when the Easter camp was held at Harewood Boad they were quite at home in camp, and independent of contractors or any other outside assistance. This was the first company to keep their tents in proper and uniform military order, to construct, and cook with, the broadarrow kitchens, and to purchase and cook their own food without employing any one outside of the corps. ,77. Such summer camps, if held close to town, in a paddock on a tram-line, could be made very popular, and the instruction received would render the expenditure a good outlay. Eations and firewood need not cost more than Is. 2d. per day, and one or two hours' drill could be put in daily, and the camp might last a fortnight without tiring the men. The benefit from such camps would be apparent at the Easter manoeuvres, for the men would be used to camp life and routine, and the worry and confusion so noticeable at Easter camps be avoided. 78. The writer of these lines desires to bear testimony to the readiness with which colonial Volunteers, both non-commissioned officers and privates, conform to orders, and their natural aptitude for submitting to discipline, and, if properly handled, under favourable conditions there is but little difficulty in making them into as serviceable troops as the colony would require ; they show, when called upon, an amount of industry, good-will, and intelligence that goes far to lighten the arduous responsibility of commanding a company. 79. In compiling the foregoing the object has not been to get as much show as possible for the least cost, but an endeavour has been made to sketch a system under which a reasonable view is taken of volunteering, and the public receive good value for expense incurred. 80. Attached are several detail sheets, A. to 1., giving details of proposed remuneration, and information regarding capitation, &c. 81. It is assumed that the staff exercise strict and carefal scrutiny over corps, and their administration and correct performance of capitation and other duties. Wherever public money and privileges are dealt out without rigid check, there fraud and abuse are sure to prevail. 82. The writer of these pages has neither grievance to air nor axe to grind ; he feels that he has done his level best to serve his country in the past, and he simply records his experience and opinions, and he challenges the criticism of any honest and competent military expert. (a.) That the numerical strength at the four chief centres is insufficient.