5

H.—l9

With the infantry, who only sleep in camp, and return to their work during the day, value for the money expended is not received. In the proposals set forth for the reorganization of the Volunteer Force this, together with other points, has been taken into consideration. Easter camps were held in the various districts this year. The attendance, except in Nelson District, generally speaking, was disappointing. The lateness of the season and bad weather immediately preceding Easter is put forward as a reason, but cannot be accepted as an excuse, for non-attendance of men who could but did not turn out. There is much to be learnt at such concentrations ; the country spends money on them, and the risk of roughing it for a few days should not be a deterrent. Good work was done by the troops present at the several camps. In some cases men of corps rode a hundred miles or more to attend, and the marching of the infantry during the manoeuvres was very good. The conduct of all ranks was most satisfactory. In future I would recommend that such concentrations be held from time, not necessarily annually, in one or two districts, as funds are available. Better supervision could be given, and a larger number of officers would be available for staff and umpire duties. At such concentrations attendance should be made obligatory, and if held at Easter the Saturday should be declared a holiday for defence purposes. In order to give proper value to manoeuvres, the law of trespass should be temporarily suspended, so far as concerns the exercise of troops on duty, with a saving clause that whatever actual damage was done should be made good by the taxpayer. Arms, Equipment, and Clothing. S.A.A. carts should be supplied to battalions. The bandolier equipment approved in 1903 has not yet been completed. There are sufficient tents for the Defence Forces in the colony. Corps should be provided with greatcoats, mess-tins, haversacks, entrenching tools, and in the mounted corps, nosebags. A supply of waterproof sheets should be kept in store for issue when required. The medical equipment for the forces is far from complete, and no veterinary equipment exists. Supply and transport equipment is also wanting. A satisfactory reserve of rifles has been established. As regards the M.L.E. rifle, mark 1., of which a certain number are on order, I would remark that the adverse criticism which has appeared regarding this rifle is only a repetition of the opposition which the rifle supplanting M.H., and in earlier times the Snider, was met with. Its acceptance by the Home and Indian authorities is a sufficient guarantee for its introduction. All adult corps are armed with M.L.E. rifles. Twenty-five cadet corps are armed with M.L.E. carbines ; thirty corps with M.E. carbines, and one corps with M.H. carbines. More magazine accommodation, which is urgently required, is now arranged for. Under the present conditions of service, and without a permanent clothing-factory in the colony, it is impossible to suggest a workable system of clothing the Force. School of Instruction. During the year 1904-5 231 candidates received instruction at the school, and of these 168 completed the full course. Of the foregoing, 208 officers and 56 N.C.O.s were examined by the Central Board during the year ending February, 1904. Of these 172 officers and 44 N.C.O.s passed, and 36 officers and 12 N.C.O.s failed. The system now in vogue is unsatisfactory, in that comparatively few centres are visited during the year. I shall have further proposals to make with regard to this. Officers must be qualified for the position they hold, otherwise they are of no use on service, and in peace-time the corps they are connected with cannot flourish. The Syllabus of Examination for promotion, &c, has undergone some change, and an examination for promotion of majors in tactical fitness for command has been introduced. Signalling. It is satisfactory to be able to report an advance in the important matter of signalling. Without an organized body of signallers the waste of time and horse-flesh, even on manoeuvres, is very great, very much of the value of instruction is lost, and the proper handling of a Force in the field is impossible. Sufficient equipment has been ordered, and is now on its way to the colony. The strength of one company per battalion at District Headquarters has been increased by two officers and thirty-four men, and these additional men will be trained as signallers, and earn capitation as such. Their duties are most important, but there should be no reason why efficiency should not be readily acquired if the proper class of man is enrolled. Supply and Transport Corps. The establishment of a supply and transport corps should be effected. Such a corps cannot be established and trained at short notice. It is an absolute necessity if a Force is to act in the field. In peace manoeuvres, too, its want is always severely felt, and realistic situations have often to be subordinated to the absence of means to feed the men. A nucleus of such a corps capable of expansion would cost comparatively little. Rifle Ranges and Drill-halls. The situation as regards rifle ranges and drill-halls has been much improved since my last report, and may be considered on the whole satisfactory.