H.-19

21

REPORT OF THE INSVECTOR-GENERAL, NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES. a 28th June, 1907. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report on the Defence Forces of New Zealand. By the Act under which the appointment of members of the Council of Defence and InspectorGeneral was made, the duties of the Inspector-General are defined as follows: To review generally and report on the practical results of the Council. To inspect and report annually on the efficiency of officers and men, on the handling of troops, on the suitability of armament and equipment, on the conditions of the fortifications of the colony, and generally on all that effects the readiness of the Force for war. . Owinc to the short period that has elapsed since the Council was appointed, and the amount ot initial work the Council has had to do to institute the new order of things, it necessarily follows that there can as vet be little or no practical result from the policy of the Council. Such bein" the case, and also owing to the fact that my own appointment having been recently made, I have not had time to inspect all the Forces: my report will necessarily be brief, and will refer only to those troops which I have seen. . In future after I have had the opportunity of carrying out the inspection duties as denned, over the whole of New Zealand, I propose, with the approval of yourself, Sir, and the Council, to submit mv annual report, in time to enable the Council, if they so desire, to take advantage of the facts disclosed by such inspection when compiling their annual report and preparing the estimates. Hahbouh Defences. Recommendations for completing the works and armaments have been made by the CounciL On all occasions when I have inspected the existing works and armaments, which are in charge of the Permanent Force, I have found them well kept and in good order. Pebmanent Force. Recommendations for the reorganization of the Permanent Force have been made by the Council and when carried into effect will no doubt put the Force in a thoroughly satisfactory state The men are of superior education and intelligence, and good physique, and on my inspections have drilled well and smartly when properly handled. Their appearance on parade in service diess is at present quite spoiled, owing to their uniforms being of different make and various shades of material; otherwise they have been well turned out. Volunteers. Since beginning my inspections in February last I have inspected ninety-nine corps of the various branches of the'service, in Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago. These parades were held as far as possible on dates to suit the corps, and at their own Headquarters. The following state shows the detail of these inspections: —

Branoh of Service. Number of Corps. Percentage P" 06^ 6 Present on ! Establish- of Enrolled Bgtabltah . —e. ngt , : — Strength . ! ! Ll Auckland. Field Artillery Garrison Artillery Mounted Rifles Engineers ... Infantry Field Hospital and Bearer 1 46 3 175 ... 2 squad- I 52 rons 1 42 7 194 1 20 57 240 82 63 375 35 81 468 168 105 451 50 Per Cent. Per Cent. 80 58 75 37* 65 31 63 40 50 43 60 j 40 Garrison Artillery Also seen on another ... | 2 | 150 | occasion. 156 | 312 95 | 49 Infantry Otago. ... | 8 | 247 ! 510 | 514 I 48 | 48 Canterbury. 66 52 95 560 32 81 84 105 640 50 75 60£ 34 22 63 57 56 49 60 38 Field Artillery Mounted Rifles Engineers ... Infantry Field Hospital and Bearer ... 1 battery 49 1 18 1 60 10 315 1 19