H.—l9

4

(c.) Cadet Field Artillery. The training of the Cadet Field Artillery Section has been interfered with owing to the guns being required for the Territorial batteries. Arrangements have, however, been made with the schools for Cadets to attend at the Artillery drill-sheds for instruction under the Royal New Zealand Artillery instructors. This scheme is at present working smoothly, and the Cadets show great interest in their work. 7. Garrison Artillery. (a.) Royal New Zealand Artillery (Garrison Section). At the commencement of hostilities the Garrison Artillery Section, including the Electric Light Section, performed the duties required during the precautionary stage. Later they supplemented the Garrison Artillery Territorial companies in manning the various works of defence. When pressure ceased they returned to their ordinary duties as Storekeepers and District Gunners. They also have resumed their duties as instructors to the Territorial Garrison Artillery. Assistance has been given in general work in connection with the care of forts, armament, &c. The discipline and efficiency of the Garrison Artillery Section is of a very high nature. (b.) Territorial. During the past year the Garrison Artillery companies have been mobilized for a considerable period, and have received a thorough course of instruction during that time. Annual instructional and service practices have been carried out by all Garrison companies. On the whole, the efficiency of the Garrison Artillery units may now be considered as being very high. The Garrison Artillery did not go into annual camps, as the mobilized duty was considered sufficient training. Discipline and soldierly spirit are good. 8. Engineers. (a.) Field Companies. The lack of equipment and instructors which were necessarily taken by the Expeditionary Force handicapped the Field Engineers in their training. Nevertheless, progress has been made, and the Engineers have worked satisfactorily and well. Equipment had to be improvised to a very large extent in the annual camps. (b.) Signal Units. Signal units suffered even more severely than the Field Engineers from lack of equipment, but, again, sufficient equipment was improvised in order to carry out the annual training. (c.) Railway Battalions. The work and training of the battalions has proceeded, for the most part satisfactorily, during the year. Before the outbreak of war the members were completely uniformed, armed, and equipped. Since then all arms and equipment have been withdrawn, which has been a serious setback to progress in musketry training, and has also, to some extent, affected the infantry training of the corps. A small supply of technical equipment received a few months prior to the close of the year has enabled good work to be done, and the keenness and enthusiasm shown by both officers and men augurs well for the future progress in this branch of training. During the year two instructional camps were held for officers and non-commissioned officers — the first, for the South Island Battalion, in November, at Hampden (Otago), where some one hundred attended, and the second for the North Island Battalion, at Turakina (Wanganui District), some ninety-five officers and non-commissioned officers receiving a thorough training in all branches of engineering. These instructional camps have proved to be highly satisfactory in every way, and it is proposed to hold one such camp for each battalion every year. The course of training received has enabled officers and non-commissioned officers to train their men at the numerous company camps held at week-ends more efficiently. To increase further their efficiency the Railway Department has provided for the use of the Railway battalions a miniature rifle range and accessories at each of the four centres —viz., Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The necessary accommodation is now being provided at those centres most requiring it for the storage of the varied assortment of tools, &c, inseparable from an Engineering unit. With a few exceptions, all officers appointed at the formation of the battalions have had their appointments confirmed. As far as the present crisis is concerned, the Railway battalions have been enabled to show in a practical manner the part they are to take in a national emergency. The whole of the men were mobilized, although not by Proclamation, under instructions from the General Officer Commanding, to protect the railway-lines of communication, and for nearly a month after the outbreak of the war every tunnel and bridge of the New Zealand railway system was guarded day and night. (d.) Post a,nd Telegraph Corps. The training of this corps has proceeded steadily throughout the year. The men enrolled are proving first-class material for military instruction, and have shown considerable improvement both in general appearance and steadiness on parade. The corps (especially since it has beeu raised to the status of Engineers) has paid particular attention to signalling in all branches. It has been