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1928. NEW ZEALAND.

DEFENCE FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE FORCES.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

REPORT. The Hon. the Minister of Defence, General Headquarters, N.Z. Military Forces, Sir — Wellington, 31st May, 1928. I have the honour to submit the following report on the New Zealand Defence Forces for the period Ist June, 1927, to 31st May, 1928. 1. Commands and Staff. During the year the following changes have taken place : — Colonel (temp. Col.-Commandant) C. G. Powles, C.M.G., D.5.0., A.D.C. to the King, Commanding Central Command, relinquished command on retirement in December, 1927. Lieut.-Colonel J. H. Whyte, D.5.0., D.C.M., N.Z.S.C., was promoted Colonel (temp. Col.-Com-mandant) and appointed to command the Central Command, vice Colonel Powles. Lieut.-Colonel I. T. Standish, C.M.G., D.5.0., R.N.Z.A., succeeded Lieut.-Colonel Whyte as G.S.O. (1), Central Command. Lieut.-Colonel C: E. Andrews, 0.8. E., N.Z.S.C., succeeded Lieut.-Colonel Standish as A.A. & Q.M.G., Northern Command. Captain L. G. Goss, N.Z.S.C., succeeded Lieut.-Colonel Andrews as Staff Officer in charge No. 2 District, Paeroa. Captain A. de T. Nevill, R.N.Z.A., succeeded Captain Goss as A.A.G., General Headquarters. Captain A. E. Conway, N.Z.S.C., was promoted Major and appointed Staff Officer in charge No. 8 Regimental District, New Plymouth. Major S. C. P. Nicholls, D.5.0., N.Z.S.C., succeeded Captain Conway as General Staff Officer (Training) at General Headquarters. Major R. A. Row, D.5.0., N.Z.S.C., succeeded Major Nicholls as A.A. & Q.M.G., Southern Command Headquarters, Christchurch. Major D. E. Bremner, M.C., N.Z.S.C., succeeded Major Row as Staff Officer in charge No. 10 Regimental District, Christchurch. Captain K. L. Stewart, M.8.E., N.Z.S.C., vacated the appointment of Staff Officer in charge No. 6 Regimental District, Palmerston North, and proceeded to England to attend the Staff College. Major L. Potter, N.Z.S.C., returned from India and succeeded Captain Stewart. Major P. H. Bell, D.5.0., N.Z.S.C., vacated the appointment of Staff Officer in charge No. 11 Regimental District, Dunedin, and proceeded to Samoa in command of the Samoa Military Police. Captain F. L. Hunt, N.Z.S.C., has temporarily taken over the duties of Staff Officer in charge No. 11 Regimental District during the absence of Major Bell. 2. N.Z. Permanent Forces. officers. (a) Imperial Defence College. Major W. I. K. Jennings, D.5.0., N.Z.S.C., who was the New Zealand representative at the first course of the College, completed his course, and has now returned to New Zealand and taken up duty at General Headquarters as General Staff Officer (Operations). Major W. G. Stevens, R.N.Z.A., succeeded Major Jennings at the course which began in January, 1928.

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