H.—l9

5

considerably handicapped in this connection owing to the lack of material and equipment, but in many instances difficulties have been overcome by means of extemporized instruments, &c, which have proved quite useful for instructional purposes, and with a certain practical value in case of emergency. A conference of the officers of the coips was held at Wellington in June, 1914. This led to greater uniformity in training methods, besides simplifying the internal organization. A special training-camp for officers and non-commissioned officers was held at Waikanae in March, 1915, extending over ten days. Those attending came from all parts of the Dominion, and the arrangements, which were entirely in the corps' hands, were carried out without a hitch. Much useful instructional work was carried out, and the benefit of those attending should be reflected in the training of the various companies. In August last the corps was called on at very short notice to supply specialists for the Expeditionary Forces. As was to be expected, the men were readily forthcoming. In addition to this, the corps promptly volunteered for the duty of posting and maintaining guards at the various wireless stations and cable-landings throughout the Dominion. 9. Infantry. Great keenness of all ranks was noticeable in the camps of the Infantry battalions. It did not appear to be so difficult to find officers for the Infantry units to take the place of those at the front as was the case in the Mounted Rifles unit. The value of individual training has not yet been sufficiently recognized by officers commanding companies. Without efficient individual instruction it is impossible to obtain an efficient company. It is only by the preparation of well-thought-out training programmes, by the constant exertion of officers throughout the year, and by the attention devoted to the obligatory drills and parades that men will come into the annual camps prepared to carry out their collective training. Satisfactory results can never be attained until officers establish a personal touch with their men, not only in the annual training camp, but throughout the year. It is hoped that when the principles laid down in the Training and Manoeuvre Regulations, 1914, and the Infantry Training, 1914, have been more fully studied, even better results will be obtained in the future. The influx of the General Training Section men, who were called up on the outbreak of war in August, caused a very large amount of elementary training to be necessary. 10. Musketry. Despite the fact that large numbers of the 'New Zealand Staff Corps, Permanent Staff, trained officers and N.C.O.s of the Territorial Force have been taken for the Expeditionary Force, the musketry progress on the whole may be considered fairly satisfactory. The musketry course was much interfered with owing to the preparation and despatch of the Expeditionary Force. This, combined with the fact that large numbers of the General Training Section were posted to Territorial units prior to the close of the training year, accounts in some measure for the numbers of men who were not exercised in range practices. The inauguration of squadron and company concentration camps proved a valuable assistance to musketry. These camps enable musketry instruction to be given in a thoroughly practical manner, the elementary training, range, and field practices being systematically carried out by squadron and company officers and N.C.O.s. Every endeavour should be made by units to take advantage of this means of training. Field practices were carried out by some units, principally those who performed their training in concentration camps. In some units the lack of trained musketry instructors rendered the carrying-out of the field practices with any degree of'efficiency impractical. Again, it is to be regretted that, owing to insufficient range accommodation, large numbers are still being exercised on 25-yards ranges. It has been noticed that in certain Cadet companies the conduct of range practices is not understood. The question of the use of miniature rifle ranges mentioned in last year's report has not been lost sight of. Four hundred -22 rifles of Army pattern have been received from England, and are being issued to districts. The institution of group rifle meetings for Territorials and Senior Cadets has more than justified itself. These meetings are a considerable stimulus to shooting, chiefly because indifferent shots are encouraged. 11. Rifle Clubs. There are now 240 Defence Rifle Clubs in the Dominion, with a total enrolled strength of 8,770. Of this number of clubs, thirty-three have been accepted since the commencement of the war. Permission has been accorded for the registration of Mounted Rifle Clubs. See Appendix N, showing alphabetical list of clubs, with respective strengths. Notwithstanding the fact that the outbreak of war has necessitated the curtailment of the supply of rifles and ammunition to Rifle Clubs, yet the keenness of members has in most cases proved so great that more attention has been paid to training than in the past. In general much interest has been evinced throughout the Dominion by members in drilling and fitting themselves, as far as possible, to take the field if required. As many of the younger members have recently had some form of volunteer training, and others have recently completed their term of Territorial training, a fair measure of efficiency is becoming apparent. Most clubs have been put through in rifle exercises, platoon drill, and extended-order work, in many cases with very satisfactory results.