19

H.—l9.

52. Small-arms. During the past year 2,000 rifles, M.L.E., Mark 111, were imported, and this will enable the Department to complete the arming of the Coast Defence Troops and Mounted Rifles with this particular pattern of rifle, and possibly one or more regiments at the chief centres. The M.L.E. Long rifles at present on issue to these regiments will then be available for issue to Senior Cadets and to those liable for universal training who are posted to Rifle Clubs. An order for 15,000 additional M.L.E. rifles, Long (Mark I and Mark I*), has been placed with the War Office, and it is expected the first consignment thereof will shortly arrive. 15,000 M.L.E. rifles (part worn) have also been obtained in Canada. With these and the M.L.E. Short rifle, Mark I, the Martini Enfield, and the '310 rifles at present in the Dominion, it is hoped to arm the whole of the Senior Cadet companies during the year. The following return shows the small arms in the Dominion :— Rifles in use by Territorials and Senior Cadets — M.L.E. (Short), Mark I ... ... ... ... ... 1,924 M.L.E. (Short), Mark 111 ... ... ... ... 11,895 M.L.E. (Long), Mark I* ... ... .. ... ... 16,398 M.E. ' ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,124 31,341 Rifles sold to Defence Rifle Clubs — M.L.E. (Long), Mark I* ... ... ... ... ... 2,935 M.E. ... ... ... ... ... . . ... 2,607 5,542 Carbines on issue to Cadets — M.L.E. ... ... ... ... ... 1,485 M.E. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,515 ■310 (Cadet pattern) ... ... ... ... ... 1,058 5,058 Total arms available in Dominion ... ... ... 41,941 53. Small-arms Ammunition. The reserves of small-arms ammunition have been increased by one and a quarter million rounds, and no complaint as to its quality has been received from any branch of the Forces or Rifle Clubs during the year. The first instalment of the increased annual order of cordite, previously placed in England, has been received, though, owing to strikes at Home and other causes, it did not arrive as early as anticipated. 54. Accoutrements. The balance of the 16,000 sets of Mills Web pattern Infantry equipment previously ordered, with water-bottles to complete, have been received during the year, and are on issue to the Infantry regiments. _ An additional 6,000 sets of this equipment will be required to complete the equipment of the present establishment of our Infantry, and provide a small reserve. For the Railway Corps, Post and Telegraph Battalions, and Coast Defence Troops, an order for 10,000 Web waist-belts, with two pouches and frog each, has been placed, and also an order for 16,000 Web slings, for use with the increased supply of rifles. The Mounted regiments are equipped with the brown-leather bandolier equipment, of which 1,000 additional sets have been obtained locally during the year, to maintain establishment. So far a satisfactory Web Mounted equipment has not been evolved, and we have perforce to adhere in the meantime to the existing leather pattern bandolier. Only 1,000 tools (entrenching), with carrier complete, have been obtained, and consequently, in order thoroughly and properly to equip our Infantry regiments, and complete the Mills Web Infantry equipment, it will be necessary to obtain 20,000 more of these tools and carriers. 55. Transport Vehicles. (a.) In addition to the four carts, tool R.E. double, fitted with shaft draught, at present on issue to Field Engineers, two more have arrived from England. These are fitted with pole draught, and are also available for issue to Field Engineers. (b.) The four pontoon wagons, complete with pontoons, ordered for instruction of Field Engineers, arrived in the Dominion in November, and were used during the annual camps of instruction. (c.) One cart (Maltese) has since been received. This is a sample, so that others, if required, may be manufactured in the Dominion. (d.) Provision should be made this year for additional general service wagons in addition te five (colonial pattern) already on hand, as dependence on the various types of carts,