9

H.—l9

(2.) Wellington Disteict. The cavalry and mounted rifle companies are generally in a satisfactory state, and have considerably improved since I last reported. The Alexandra Cavalry and Hawera Mounted Eifles are very good. There are four naval artillery companies. The Wellington Navals is a most excellent Volunteer company. It is affiliated to the heavy guns, and possesses 65 very well-trained and 30 partially-trained men. The Petone Navals is a very good company, having 48 well-trained and 23 partially-trained men. The Wanganui and Napier Naval Companies are purely infantry companies. The D Battery is armed with 4 6-pr. Nordenfeldt field-guns. It is the most efficient of the field batteries in the colony. The F Battery has 6-pr. E.B.L. guns, which are useless. The officers, non-commissioned officers, and men take great interest in theoretical work, but cannot be given any practice. There are nine rifle companies in the district. A very general and considerable improvement has taken place since I last inspected. More infantry instruction is much needed. Sergeant-Major Finn is very capable, and a very hardworking instructor. The Taranaki, Wanganui, and Napier Districts have been absorbed into the Wellington District, under Lieut.-Colonel Newall, who is a very hardworking and good officer. Major Wood, who is in charge of the Napier Sub-district, is a very good officer, taking much interest in his work. Major Ellis does what he can to further Volunteer interests.

Inspection of Volunteer Corps in Wellington District.

Wellington District. M CD O <a o © ■il • W <f CD •a m 8 ~ft O CD'S o o a , sa« ao O i "3 o En '3< I ° m S a I -3 m csr <J c3 ■ O* ■a © 3 "3 a CJ 1 a P Remarks. Cavalry and Mounted EiflesAlexandra Cavalry Wairoa Mounted Eifles Heretaunga Mounted Eifles Hawera Mounted Eifles Manawatu Mounted Eifles 3 2 2 55 49 40 58 51 42 50 30 24 48 43 31 10 8 11 A very good corps. Pair. Good. 3 2 68 49 71 51 41 36 38 35 33 16 Very good. Good. i _ Total ... 12 261 273 181 195 78 Slaval Artillery— A. Wellington Navals ... Petone Navals B. Wanganui Navals ... Napier Navals 3 3 2 3 95 71 63 49 98 74 65 52 82 62 54 41 84 65 63 50 14 9 2 2 Excellent. Very good. Very good infantry company. Good infantry company. i j Total ... 11 278 289 239 262 27 ?ield Artillery— D Battery F Battery 2 3 58 45 60 48 53 40 59 42 1 6 Very good. Good theoretically and at gun drill. The battery is, however, useless, the guns being unserviceable. Total ... 5 103 108 93 101 7 infantry Companies— Eoyal Eangitikei Eifles... Wellington City Eifles ... Wanganui Eifles Taranaki Eifles Napier Eifles ... Palmerston North Eifles Manchester Eifles Wellington Guards Hastings Eifles 3 2 3 ; 3 I 3 3 3 3 2 56 64 60 57 48 60 52 63 46 59 66 63 60 51 63 55 66 48 44 63 63 50 48 56 51 42 44 57 61 63 59 48 60 47 54 35 2 5 1 3 3 8 12 13 Very good. Very good indeed. Very good indeed. Good; much improved. Much improved. Good. Good. Good. Improving. Total ... 25 506 531 461 484 47 Grand Total 53 1148 1201 974 1042 159 This is a very excellent rei iresent at inspection. 2—H. 19. iord. About 84 er Ci int. ci ipitated. About 81 per cent, were