5

A.—6b

Officers Commanding Companies. —To inspect their cadets and see that they are clean and tidy on parade. Captain of the Day. —To inspect the sleeping-rooms to see that they are kept in perfect order and that due regard is paid to ventilation. To visit the guards, sentries, and latrines. Subaltern of the Day. —To assist the captain of the day in his duties. Non-commissioned Officers. —Those detailed for duties of orderly sergeants and orderly corporals to report themselves to the orderly officers of the day and accompany them on their rounds. Those detailed for company orderly sergeants and corporals to report themselves to the commanding officer of their companies, and be at all times handy to carry out any orders he may think necessary to give in relation to his own company. The non-commissioned officers in charge of rooms will be held responsible for the discipline of the cadets therein, as also for the cleanliness of their rooms. They will not allow any cadet to quit the room after " Lights out" have been sounded without his leave, and this only when the absence is necessary. L. W. Loveday, Christchurch, 20th June, 1901. Captain Commanding the Brigade. Anticipating that a number of cadets would not be in uniform, I suggested to Major Owen the advisability of procuring at Christchurch a number of jerseys and caps for their use. This he approved of, and you subsequently confirmed the arrangement. The articles, according to your instructions, were issued "on loan." The same applied to the issuing of " model rifles," a number of which were sent to me by the Education Department. Parades were held twice a day, under officers commanding battalions (seven), and a general parade, under myself, on the Saturday previous to the Eoyal Beview, in order to practice that which the brigade would have to do on the Monday. lam glad to say that all ranks acquitted themselves remarkably well, considering it was the first time that such a number of cadets had been brought together. In some cases the material was very much of the " recruit " order. I was very much indebted to Major U. V. Eichards (late of the 87th Foot) for the manner in which he discharged his duties on the arrival of the West Coast cadets, and previous to my assuming the command of the brigade. I fully utilised his services during the time I was in Christchurch. He was aptly fitted for the duties, as he had command of the Canterbury Cadet Battalion a long while ago, as also at the Eoyal Eeview, and at present he is instructor to the Christ's College and High School Cadets. The detail of the brigade at the Eoyal Eeview will be found further on, and I venture to say that it must be exceedingly gratifying to all concerned to study the same, especially when it is considered that 2,932 of all ranks responded so readily to the call in a little over three weeks' notice. The brigade took part in the reception of their Eoyal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York by lining certain streets. A voluntary church parade was held on Sunday, the 23rd June, when a large number of the cadets marched to the Cathedral to hear his Lordship the Bishop of Christchurch. His discourse was highly appreciated by those present, as it was a service specially arranged for their benefit. On Monday, the 24th June, the brigade paraded in Cranmer Square and marched to Hagley Park, and took up its position in mass of quarter-columns, and were inspected by His Eoyal Highness in this formation, the ground not permitting a line of quarter-columns. After his inspection of the general parade the march past commenced. This was led off by the brigade of cadets. I feel proud in being able to convey to you the entire appreciation of His Eoyal Highness of the manner in which each corps marched past and their general bearing. His Eoyal Highness was pleased to remark that the brigade was composed of the finest cadets he had yet seen, and qualified the assertion by adding, " You know, I have seen a good many cadets." He considered our armament and accoutrements inferior to those of Victoria. His Eoyal Highness awarded the place of honour for the marching past to the Napier District School Cadets. I took the liberty prior to leaving him to ask that his remarks might be brought under your notice, as I felt certain you would, from the interest you take in the movement, have practical effect given to the same ; and, from the speech which you delivered the same afternoon, it would appear that His Eoyal Highness had done so. After the review the various battalions were marched to their private parade-grounds and there dismissed. The homeward journey of certain corps commenced the same evening, and by 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the 26th June, the whole of the cadets had quitted Christchurch for their respective headquarters. It affords me pleasure in stating that the Stationmasters at Christchurch and Lyttelton were indefatigable in their duties in connection with the transport of the brigade. The behaviour of the brigade was all that could be desired, and in no case was a cadet brought before me for any breach of discipline. This I attribute to the manner in which discipline was maintained by the officers. I attach the Principal Medical Officer's (Dr. Thomas) and the Eesident Hospital Surgeon's reports for your information. Considering the cold and wet weather which prevailed during the stay in Christchurch, it is very satisfactory to note that there was such very little sickness among such a large number of cadets. I have to thank Lieut.-Colonel W. Wood, who acted as my brigade major, the officers commanding my battalions, and the other officers for the manner in which they all discharged their respective duties ; and it is to this fact the success of the mobilisation, discipline, and drill must be attributed. The assistance rendered me by Sergeant-Major McDonald, of the Permanent Staff, and Acting Sergeant-Major Juriss was of a valuable nature, and their knowledge of the routine in quarters was very acceptable and duly appreciated. The Nelson College Cadets were the guests of the Christ's College Cadets, and were quartered there.