7

H.—l9.

14. Royal Military College of Australia. There are at present twenty-nine Staff Cadets from New Zealand at the Royal Military College of Australia. The full quota of ten joined this year. One cadet of the 1915 class was withdrawn as he was not up to the standard required. The three 191'! Cadets are now with the Expeditionary Force. The 1 911 Cadets who were withdrawn in April, 1916, are now all under orders to proceed with the Expeditionary Forces. The New Zealand Cadets are more than holding their own at the Duntroon College. The Commandant of the College speaks most highly of them, and expresses his appreciation of the manner in which they have worked. One Cadet is first in his class and another second. 15. Examination of Officers for Promotion. (a.) Officers of the Boyal New Zealand Artillery and New Zealand Staff Corps. No examination for officers of the above corps will be held during the war. (b.) Territorial Officer*. In August, 1916, 67 officers presented themselves for examination, and 31 passed. 23 failed in one subject, 6 in two subjects, 5 in three subjects, and 2 in four subjects. In February, 1917, 34 officers sat, and IS passed. I I failed in one subject, 2 in two subjects, 2 in three subjects, and 1 in four subjects. From the Ist May, 1916, to April, I!) 17, officers have qualified in practical work as follows: 8 for Lieutenant-Colonel, 18 for Major, 25 for Captain, and 108 for Lieutenant. (c.) Examination for First Appointment to Commission. In the latter part of 1916 it was decided to alter the system of conducting this examination. The custom was to complete the whole of l Ik' examination at one session; but owing to the large number of candidates it was found that the time available was not sufficient, therefore it was decided to hold the examination in two sessions. At Ihe first session candidates were to be examined in oral work only, and at the second they were to do their written work. Candidates were required to pass in their oral work before being permitted to sit for written work. The first examination under this system has just been completed, with the following results:— In August, 1916, I -11 candidates sa.t for (he oral portion of (his examination and 102 passed. In February, 1917, the written portion of the examination was held, when 74 candidates presented themselves, 26 of whom passed. These candidates are now fully qualified for appointment as 2nd Lieutenants in the Territorial Force. In February, 1917, 1(12 sat in oral work and 62 passed. The 62 are now eligible to sit for (he written portion of this examination in August, 1917. The results of the examination;; are, on the whole, disappointing, as a large number of candidates failed to qualify. It is quite apparent that some of the candidates are not up to the standard required, which clearly shows that further study on their part is required. The greatest credit is due to the officer in charge of examination duties and the Topographical Section at Headquarters for the work performed during the past year. 16. Harbour Defences. The existing armament in the coast defences throughout New Zealand is clean and well cared for; the guns are ready for instant action; ammunition is sufficient for possible requirements; range-finding instruments (except a few old ones used for instructing recruits) are in adjustment; and range and order dials are correct and serviceable. The electrical engines, dynamos, projectors, &C, are all well cared for, and are in proper working-order. The Defence vessels at each of the defended ports are in good running-order, except at Auckland, where the s.s. " Lady Roberts " is undergoing overhaul. The efficiency of the New Zealand Garrison Artillery throughout (he Dominion has been affected by the reduction of the trained personnel, due to most of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and gunners of Expeditionary Force age having joined different Reinforcements. The deficiencies in numbers were made up to a certain extent by larger postings of Cadets last year. To compensate for the shortage of officers, officers from the Retired hist and Reserve have been attached, and in some cases temporary appointments have been given to gentlemen with some previous military experience. These officers in most cases have devoted much extra time to duty, and have attended classes of instruction to make themselves proficient. "Weekly drills have been carried out, and half-day or whole-day parades are held approximately once a month. With the exception of that of No. 8 Company, at Westport, no annual camps have been held, but the soldiers called up for continuous duty spend a portion of each day receiving instructions, which has compensated for the training they would have received at an annual camp. The forts throughout the Dominion have been inspected by the Director of Military Training. The gun drill, gun practice, discipline and efficiency of all ranks, and the condition of the forts and equipment were found to be most satisfactory. The calls of the Expeditionary Force 115)011 the ranks of the New Zealand Garrison Artillery have been heavy, but arrangements have been made to rectify this. 17. Next Year's Training. During the coining year it is intended to devote particular attention to the instruction and training of the officers and non-commissioned officers of the Cadet and Territorial Forces. The