H.—l9

10

For the Senior Cadets, it is anticipated that the brown-leather equipment withdrawn from the Infantry regiments will be sufficient. (b.) Clothing. Contracts for the manufacture in the Dominion of the hats, caps, uniforms, greatcoats, and puttees required for equipping the Territorial Force and Senior Cadets for the period of two years from the 21st March, 1911, were placed, and the clothing of these Forces has been carried out as far as the resources of contractors and woollen-manufacturers allowed. The contracts stipulated that all garments must be made in the Dominion from materials of New Zealand manufacture. In this connection the shortage of skilled labour for making up garments has proved a considerable handicap. The number of uniforms estimated to be required to be issued has been exceeded, as it was found that many of the old Volunteer uniforms were not fit for reissue, and there was also a strong objection raised against wearing uniforms that were previously worn. This objection could not be very well overruled considering that service was compulsory. The issue of clothing to the Territorial Force was commenced in January last, since when the following articles have been issued to regiments and other units up to the 31st May : Territorial uniforms—Jackets, 16,937; trousers, 11,536; pantaloons, 4,840; greatcoats, 6,396; hats, felt, 16,270; caps, forage, 14,373; puttees, pairs, 11,199. Senior Cadet uniforms —Jackets, blouse, 9,184; trousers, 7,100; shorts, 2,200; hats, felt, 9,241. The material is similar to that issued to the Imperial Forces —a drab worsted or woollen mixture weighing, for jackets and trousers, 10 oz. to each yard; for greatcoats and pantaloons, 14 oz.; 29 in. wide in each case. The proportion of small sizes per hundred, requisitioned for the city corps, compared with those requisitioned for country corps, is very noticeable, and if the requisitions for uniforms can be taken as any indication, the physique of the men in the large centres is evidently not to be compared with that of those belonging to country districts. The uniform for Senior Cadets is of the same material as above, and consists of hat, blouse, jackef, and trousers or shorts as preferred by the company. Owing to the great demands made upon contractors for the supply of uniforms for the Territorial Force, the supply of Senior Cadet uniforms had to stand over for some time. A good supply is now on hand, and the various Senior Cadet companies are being equipped as expeditiously as possible. The cost of uniforms for the various arms of the service is as follows: Mounted Rifles and Field Artillery (consisting of jacket, pantaloons, hat, cap, greatcoat, and puttees), £4 Bs. Id.; Garrison Artillery and Infantry (consisting of jacket, trousers, hat, cap, greatcoat, and puttees), £4 4s. 4d. The difference in cost of above is accounted for by the larger sized greatcoat and pantaloons required for Mounted Rifles and Field Artillery. Senior Cadet uniforms—Jacket, trousers, and felt hat, £1 ss. 2d.; or jacket, shorts, and felt hat, £1 2s. 4d. The difference here is accounted for by the fact that shorts are manufactured at a cheaper rate than trousers. (c.) Boots. The want of a good military boot for the Territorial Force having been strongly felt owing to the flimsy character of boots often worn by members of the Territorial Force for marching or camps, and to give the men an opportunity of obtaining same as a nominal cost, a pattern boot was selected by a special Board of officers convened for the purpose, and a contract for the supply of them was placed. The first delivery of boots from the contractor was received in January last, and samples were at once distributed to regiments and units, so that members of the Territorial Force could become acquainted with their merits. Supplies were also sent to each camp of instruction. Up to the 31st May, 3,862 pairs have been sold, showing that the necessity of having good marching-boots is becoming more extensively appreciated. To prevent competition with trade sales, issue is only made on the requisition of officers commanding units. (d.) Dress Begulations. Dress Regulations for the New Zealand Military Forces have been adopted and issued. These provide for the uniform equipment of the various branches of the service, and stipulate that the service uniform only is compulsory for the Territorial Force and Senior Cadets, and that no distinctions other than those necessary to distinguish the various arms must be worn. Full-dress uniforms are optional, and where provided by units must be maintained from private and not from public funds. Regimental badges for the various units have been selected by thorn and approved for adoption, with any necessary amendments which will tend to the uniformity of equipment and add to the esprit de corps of the Territorial Force. (c.) Equipment Begulations. The requirements of the Forces having been gauged, and the directions in which equipment will require to be increased to meet the services demanded having been noted, Equipment Regulations for the Forces will be shortly put in hand. (f.) Camp Equipment and Cooking-utensils. The expansion of the Forces necessitated the camp equipment being increased during the year by the addition of 500 circular tents and 20 hospital marquees. The equipment now available as under is distributed to the four military districts in proportion to requirements : 101 marquees, hospital; 30 tents, operating; 2,700 tents, circular.