9

H.—D

Mounted Eifles. The corps generally are in good order, considering how they have been raised (vide my general report on mounted infantry). Infantey. The infantry corps in the district are much above the average. This I attribute to the personal instruction and supervision which they have received from Lieutenant-Colonel Newall, who visits each corps as nearly as possible once during each month. Major Quick is always ready to render any assistance in his power when called on.

D Battbby, N.Z. Aetillbey.—26th July, 1892. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 6 sergeants, and 46 rank and file. Absent: 14 rank and file. Uniform. —N.Z. Artillery. Arms and Accoutrements. —Four 6-pr. E.B.L. guns; Snider artillery carbine; buff sword-belts. Officers. —Captain St. Hill: Will be efficient. Lieutenant G. Johnston : Keen and intelligent; good officer. Lieutenant G. Pearce : A capable and willing officer. Noii-commissioned Officers. —Good. Captain St. Hill had but lately been appointed as Acting-Captain of this corps. From what I saw of him, and of the spirit evinced, lam satisfied that he will succeed. Lieutenants Johnston and Pearce are good officers, who work well. The non-commissioned officers and men appear to be taking much interest in their work. The battery was seen by me on the afternoon of the 30th July. There were present three officers and thirty-seven rank and file. I drilled the battery, and was much pleased to find that all ranks worked with much intelligence. Once a movement was explained it was at once done satisfactorily: Major McCredie was present. I consider this will be a very efficient battery as regards its officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. The guns—four 6-pr. E.B.L. guns—are in such a bad state that they are not fit for use ; other guns must be provided for this battery. Wellington Naval Aetilleey.—27th July, 1892. Present : 1 lieutenant-commander, 3 sub-lieutenants, 6 petty officers, 37 seamen (gunners), and 32 seamen (submarine miners). Absent: 14 seamen (gunners) and 14 seamen (submarine miners). Uniform. —N.Z. Naval Artillery. This corps has also gaiters and straw hats. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifle; black belts, in good order. Officers. —Lieutenant-Commander Duncan: A very excellent commanding officer; takes great interest in his corps, and does his best for his officers and men. Sub-Lieutenant Campbell: An excellent officer; very keen ; gunnery lieutenant. Sub - Lieutenant Bell: An excellent officer ; torpedo lieutenant. Sub-Lieutenant Hume : A young officer, taking great interest in his work, attached to gunnery —6in.-8.L.-gun drill. Petty Officers. —Of a good stamp; hard-working and intelligent. Men. —Good quality ; intelligent, and taking great pride in their corps. I saw a squad at 6in.-8.L.-gun drill at Mount Cook, and squads at 7in.-E.M.L.-gun drill in the drill-shed. The work was efficiently done, but I would like to urge that a higher standard of intelligence may easily be reached by a higher class of instruction —men cannot be as interested in mere manual labour as they can be were the reasons for the manual labour fully explained to them at the time. The mere fact of telling a man he must or must not do a certain thing is not, to my mind, sufficient. The reasons should be explained to him, and his intelligence brought into play. I also saw squads at submarine-mining work. The manual labour was very well done, but the above remarks as to higher instruction bringing out intelligence and interest here also apply. The men are fully intelligent : it will be well to make the best use of their powers. The corps is also well trained in infantry work. This is an extremely creditable corps, reflecting great credit on its officers and on the spirit evoked by them amongst the men. I inspected three detachments of this corps at work with 6in. 8.L., 7in. E.M.L., and 6-pr. Q.F. Nordenfeldt guns on the afternoon of the 4th February, 1893. The men were well up in their work. It is to be regretted that so few men were present. Wellington City Guards.—2Bth July, 1892. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 5 sergeants, and 42 rank and file. Absent: 7 rank and file. Uniform. —Guards uniform, full and undress; in shabby condition. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifle ; buff belts. Officers. —Captain Paterson: Is, I judge, a good officer. Lieutenant Porritt: A smart young officer. Lieutenant McAlister : Lately joined. Non-commissioned Officers. —Fair. I was not quite satisfied with their drill, but this will be remedied. Men. —A good class. Drill. —The turn-out was clean, but the uniform is not in good condition. The men drilled well, but they were not quite so well handled by the officers and non-commissioned officers as I should desire. I think that this corps is improving, and have great hopes of being able to report very favourably on it later on. 3—H. 9.