H.—l9.

4

The field artillery, while efficient for the most part in gun drill, require very much more practice in the field. Batteries are, with the exception of D Battery, which has twelve permanent horses available, much handicapped through want of horses trained to this work. Were even one team per battery supplied this would enable a section to be exercised, and drivers, &c, to be properly trained. The upkeep of the permanent horses in Wellington has been shown to cost little or nothing, owing to the money saved in carting, &c, performed by them, and a similar system could be worked out at the other centres. Garrison Artillery Volunteers. The whole of the naval and garrison artillery has now been organized as a regiment of garrison artillery Volunteers, and the companies at each station have been formed into artillery divisions. The adoption of this system was necessary for the efficiency of the garrison artillery as a fighting unit. It has not in any way interfered with the individuality of the various corps, nor has any change in uniform been made. A new system of annual practice was adopted last year, and has given good results. The shooting has been uniformly good throughout, and nearly all companies obtained a high figure of merit. Eifles have been issued to the garrison artillery in place of carbines, it being considered that men armed with small arms should possess the best weapon available. Sanction has been accorded for fort-manning parades by night under service conditions; this will increase efficiency. The strength of the garrison artillery Volunteers is not sufficient for service requirements, and the formation of other companies is under consideration. Engineer Corps. There are four field and two submarine-mining engineer companies in the colony ; these have been formed into one regiment of New Zealand Engineers. The work done, and the standard of efficiency arrived at, by both the field and the submarinemining is satisfactory. Much technical knowledge is required in both branches of this work, and the results arrived at by these companies is commendable. The equipment of these companies is incomplete. Infantry. The dismounted corps are, generally speaking, progressing and fairly efficient. As with the mounted branch, corps in the infantry show a great variation in the matter of efficiency. There are a few companies who are quite fit to take the field under any conditions, but from the causes referred to in speaking of the mounted corps the majority are not at present in that desirable position. This is not their fault, but is owing to the conditions under which they serve and have up till lately been trained. More outdoor work is very much required, and every advantage should be taken of the summer mornings and evenings. Although recruits can be trained in drill-halls, little practical instruction can be imparted except in the field ; drillhall training inculcates a cramped spirit in corps. Instruction in the principles and practice of attack and defence and in detached duties is required, and can only be satisfactorily imparted in the open. As with other branches, it has been found that in few corps subordinates have been given the opportunity of command, or exercised in instructing those junior to them. The absolute necessity of each rank possessing greater knowledge than that below it, and being in a position to instruct, has been impressed on all corps, and good results will, without doubt, ensue. Double rank has in the present manual for instruction lately issued been abolished. While it may have been necessary when men were not armed with magazine rifles, it should not now be required. Cycle Corps. There are five cycle corps in the colony. The strength of each is twenty-seven, all ranks. Should hostilities occur, these corps might be usefully employed, and augmented at short notice if required, but having in view the nature of the country, and probable character of operations likely to occur in the event of war, I do not recommend any further increase to the present strength of cycle corps. Corps are being provided with new rifle clips, the old ones having been found unsatisfactory. Medical Corps. Eegulations reorganizing the medical branch of the Defence Forces have been framed. There will shortly, it is hoped, be established in each district medical arrangements to meet such exigencies of service as are likely to occur in the colony. At present, beyond five bearer corps, insufficiently equipped, and four ambulance wagons, no medical provision can be said to exist. The present medical resources would barely meet the requirements of one battalion. There are a number of medical officers, including many of the leading men in their profession in the colony, who give their services, and in some cases they have given their money in providing requisites for the various corps, &c. With a proper organization a very efficient and inexpensive medical corps would exist. Veterinary Corps. A veterinary corps is in process of formation, and regulations regarding the same are about to be promulgated. With a properly organized veterinary corps the services of most of the best men will doubtless be available. Much benefit as regards instruction in the care of horses will ensue. In the event of horses being required for service beyond New Zealand, either in peace or war, a serviceable supply, and one creditable to the colony, would be despatched.