9

H.~19

The south-western portion of the Wellington Military District, embracing an area of 172 square miles, was completed in March. As a result of this survey, maps have been prepared showing contours at intervals of 50 ft., together with all roads, rivers, streets, and existing artificial features. A careful search of the maps of the Lands and Survey, Public Works, and other Departments brought to light very little that would be of much use in the construction of our maps. Sectional plans on various scales certainly do exist, but the compilation of a map on a uniform scale from these would have entailed a great deal of work, and a map so completed would have been only of use as a guide to the Topographical Survey Section. The sketch-map (Appendix E) shows the progress of the work. In additon to this map, it was necessary to make a map of part of the South Canterbury District, embracing an area of about 1,100 square miles, for the Staff tour held in January. This map was compiled from the country map, and data obtained from a hasty survey. The map shows all the existing roads, railway-lines, bridges, &c, and the main hill features are roughly indicated by hachures. In addition to these maps, certain datum posts have been erected at various points in the Harbours of Auckland and Wellington, which will add to the fighting efficiency of the guns in the fixed defences of these ports. 23. Wireless. The experiments carried out last year were satisfactory. The advice of the Imperial authorities is being asked on the subject before embarking on the purchase of any plant. 24. Aviation. Steps have been taken with regard to aviation. An officer now at Home will go through a complete course of aviation, so that he may be thoroughly competent to instruct. He will also be instructed in all the mechanical details of aeroplanes. An aeroplane has been presented to this Dominion, which will form the nucleus of a flying corps. 25. Expeditionary Force. If the experience of the South African War, when New Zealand loyally came to the support of the Mother-country, may be taken as a guide, it is fair to assume that, in the event of the Empire becoming engaged in a serious war, where the preservation of its existence is at stake, there would be an instant demand on the part of the people of the Dominion for the despatch of troops to assist the Mother-country. The value of any assistance, however willingly and enthusiastically given, will be greatly lessened if not altogether nullified, by waiting till the actual outbreak of hostilities. It has therefore become necessary to work out thoroughly in peace time full and complete plans (organization, transport equipment, &c.) for an overseas Expeditionary Force, in order that efficient machinery may exist for the immediate execution of the wishes of the people. This previous preparation will, moreover, result in a very large saving of expenditure. Such an Expeditionary Force will consist entirely of those serving Territorials who come forward and offer themselves for services overseas to assist the Mother-country to preserve the integrity of the British Empire in time of great emergency. 26. Next Year's Training. The dates of the annual camps for next year will be fixed to suit the convenience of General Sir lan Hamilton, G.C.8., D.5.0., the Inspector-General of the Overseas Forces, who has been invited by the Government to inspect the Forces of the Dominion, and who will probably-arrive at the Bluff on Monday, the 27th April. Arrangements are being made for him to see as many units of the Territorial Foi*ces and Senior Cadets as possible, and he will probably leave Auckland for Australia about the middle of May. With the exception of the Garrison Artillery, all units will therefore attend the annual camp between those dates, and the necessary opportunity will thus be afforded for an assemblage as far as possible of all the troops of each district in a camp of all arms. We have now reached the stage of our training when the co-operation of all arms must be practised, and I look forward to the combination of Horse, Foot, and Artillery at these camps as affording most valuable instruction and experience to all ranks of the army. As regards drills and parades throughout the year, experience shows that in the towns the scale of drills and parades laid down for town units is satisfactory, and can be adhered to. As regards country units, the necessary financial provision will, I trust, be made to enable units to be assembled occasionally during the year for regimental, battalion, squadron, and company training. Without this the country units come to camp very much handicapped in comparison with those of the towns, and it is imperative in the interests of efficiency that they should be afforded this facility. The system by which four extra days may be spent in camp, in order to enable units and individuals from the backblocks to thereby put in drills which it has been found practically impossible for them to do throughout the year, has proved satisfactory, and will be continued. Casual camps will be in continuation of the annual camps, with two days' interval, to enable men coming to the casual camp to be relieved by those returning from the annual camp. This will, it is hoped, be of assistance to employers, and will obviate any question of their having all their men away at the same time. I trust, however, that as far as possible employers will allow the majority of their employees to attend the first camp — i.e., the camp of their unit—as it is imperative, in the interests of efficiency of the Forces, that units should be as complete as possible, and that the men should be able to do their training with the comrades with whom they would be in the event of taking the field, and under their own officers. The second or casual camp should only be for a minimum number of men, the barest minimum with which employers can possibly manage during the annual camp. Considerations both of expense and of military efficiency make it impossible to'hold more camps than are sufficient to give the men one alternative of attendance to the annual camp of their unit.

2—H, 19.