H.—l9.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

REPORT.

The Hon. the Minister of Defence. Wellington, 30th July, 1936. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report on the New Zealand Military Forces for the period Ist June, 1935, to *31st May, 1936: — 1. NEW ZEALAND REGULAR FORCES. (a) Commands and Staff. The strength of the Regular Forces is shown in Appendix I. Colonel F. Symon, C.8., C.M.G., D.5.0., R.N.Z.A., A.D.C. to the King, Director of Artillery, having reached the age for retirement, proceeded on retiring leave on the 6th May, 1936. Major L. G. Goss, N.Z.S.C., relinquished the appointment of Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Central Command, and was appointed S.O.R.D. 7, Napier, on the 18th March, 1936, vice Captain A. Bongard, M.C., N.Z.S.C. Captain V. G. Jervis, N.Z.S.C., relinquished the appointments of S.O. _ (Exams.) and O.C. Records, Regular Forces, at General Headquarters, and was appointed Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Central Command, dated 18th March, 1936. Major A. J. Edney, R.E. (on loan from the British Army), was appointed Staff Officer, Fortifications and Works, on 9th October, 1935. Captain G. H. Clifton, M.C., N.Z.S.C., after completing a tour of instruction in England, returned to the Dominion on the 9th October, 1935, and was appointed G.S.O. (Intelligence), f-rpnpyjil TTpfinn nt\T®tPi's Captain W. G. Gentry, N.Z.S.C., after completing a tour of instruction in England, returned to New Zealand on 10th February, 1936, and was appointed Staff Officer, Engineers and Exams., at General Headquarters. Captain J. I. Brooke, N.Z.S.C., proceeded to Australia on 23rd August, 1935, and was appointed to the staff of the Royal Military College of Australia, Sydney, as an instructor. He is seconded while so employed. Captain C. S. J. Duff, after completing courses of instruction in England, returned to New Zealand on 15th October, 1935, and was appointed Assistant Staff Officer, Artillery (temp.), at General Headquarters, and has since been appointed O.C. Fort Dorset and Instructor in Gunnery, Central Command. Flight Lieutenant Y. J. Somerset-Thomas, Royal New Zealand Air Force, resigned Ins commission on 15th July, 1935. Captain S. F. Allen, N.Z.S.C., relinquished the appointment of Staff Officer, Engineers, and was appointed Officer in Charge Records, Regular Forces, in addition to his appointment of Staff Officer, Signals, at General Headquarters. Dated 18th March, 1936. I—H. 19.