7

A.—6b

Senior Cadet Corps. These should be formed as an intermediate corps prior to cadets joining the adults corps, and they should be composed of lads who had left school, were fifteen years of age, 5 ft. 4 in. in height, and physically fit. They should only be allowed to serve for two years, and if at the end of that time they had not been transferred to an adu-lt corps they should cease, except for special reasons, to belong to their corps. Commissions should be granted to the officers, after passing the same examination as provided in the Volunteer Eegulations. The examinations for non-commis-sioned officers should also be the same as provided in the above regulations. By these means the above-named ranks will be thoroughly qualified to fill similar positions in the adult corps, and by the training thus obtained by all ranks in these corps, there would be no necessity for recruits being enrolled in an adult corps as at present; all then would be returned as " trained men." These corps should be armed with the -303 carbine and bayonet, and have the following articles of accoutrements, viz., waist-belt, frog, and pouch to hold forty rounds of ammunition. The above, can be procured at about 6s. per set, either in brown or black leather, and should be the property of the Government. Haversacks should also form part of their equipment. A suitable uniform should be decided upon. A capitation of £1 per head would be ample to cover cost of uniforms, &c. An annual allowance of ball ammunition per head should also be allowed. District camps of instruction should be held annually. The adoption of a cadet system would be the means of having our young men thoroughly drilled and able to shoot. Annual rifle competitions should be encouraged in the large centres of population, thus giving further impetus to become good shots. No reference has been made to details, as these could be fixed hereafter should it be decided to start the system on the basis proposed. In conclusion, I beg to thank the Government for the honour they did me by intrusting me with the mobilisation of the cadets, and I hope that I fulfilled that duty to their satisfaction. I have, &c, L. W. Loveday, Captain, Commanding Brigade of Cadets. Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington.

Return of Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Cadets mobilised for the Review at Christchurch on the 24th June, 1901.

Name of District and Corps. Captains. Lieutenants. Sergeants. Corporal*. Buglers. Privates. Total. East Coast District. latawhero risborne ... 0 0 2 i 4 2 (i 3 1 0 39 36 52 42 Total 75 94 Haw he's Bay District. lapier High School... lastings ... Vaipawa ... lapier District School, No. 1 and No. 2 'ort Ahuriri 'aradale ... Joys' Church Brigade (exclusive of two chaplains) Total 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 8 1 5 4 2 2 6 5 2 10 4 4 0 8 1 2 0 3 35 38 35 87 48 53 39 115 5 8 8 4 1 9 3 0 2 29 24 55 46 31 77 18 39 30 11 303 409 Nelson District. felson College rreymouth lokitika ... lentral Boys beef con High School 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 5 2 0 5 0 4 1 0 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 41 67 45 33 31 54 73 48 45 34 Total 12 2 217 254