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(c) Commands. On account of reacting the retiring age, on the 17th July, 1937, Colonel S. C. P. Nicholls, C.8.E., D.5.0., relinquished command of the Southern Military District and, after completing his retiring leave, was transferred to the Reserve of Officers. He was succeeded by Colonel P. H. Bell, D.5.0., who was appointed to the command on the 18th July, 1937. Colonel R. Miles, D.5.0., M.C., relinquished the appointment of Officer Commanding the Northern District on the 20th November, 1937, and was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel (temporary Colonel) 0. H. Mead, D.5.0., who took over command on the 21st November, 1937. 5. MILITARY EDUCATION ABROAD. (a) To England or India. Colonel E. Puttick, D.5.0., N.Z.S.C., returned to New Zealand on the Ist February, 1938, after attending the 1937 course at the Imperial Defence College. The 1938 course at the College is being taken by Colonel R. Miles, D.5.0., M.C., who left for England on the 20th November, 1937. Major (now Lieut.-Colonel) N. W. McD. Weir, N.Z.S.C., after completing duty as Officer Commanding the Coronation Contingent in England, attended the fifty-third course at the Senior Officers' School, Sheerness, and qualified. He returned to the Dominion on the 21st. October, 1937. Captain A. H. L. Sugden, N.Z.S.C., returned to the Dominion on the 10th September, 1937, after completing a tour of instruction with the British Regular Army in England. Captain D. T. Maxwell, N.Z.S.C., after graduating at the Staff College, Camberley, was attached to the Committee of Imperial Defence and the War Office for short attachments, and returned to New Zealand on the 29th September, 1937. Oil the Ist December, 1937, Captain W. G. Gentry, N.Z.S.C., proceeded to England to attend the Staff College, Camberley. Captain C. S. J. Duff, R.N.Z.A., proceeded to India on the 28th December, 1937, to attend the Staff College, Quetta. Captain G. H. Heal, N.Z.S.C., returned from England on the 14th February, 1938, after completing a course of instruction. (b) To Australia. Captain J. P. Joyce, R.N.Z.A., attended the School of Artillery, Sydney, from 10th January to Bth June, 1938. *Captain R. C. Queree, R.N.Z.A., attended the School of Artillery, Sydney, from 7th June to 24th September, 1937. Lieutenant W. S. McKinnon, R.N.Z.A., attended the School of Artillery, bydney, from 7th June to 24th September, 1937. * Lieutenant L. W. Thornton, R.N.Z.A., attended the School of Artillery, Sydney, from 10th January to 9th April, 1938. Lieutenant H. E. Gilbert, R.N.Z.A., attended the School of Artillery, Sydney, from 10th January to 9th April, 1938. Sergeant C. F. Rudd, R.N.Z.A., Sergeant W. E. Bradley, R.N.Z.A., and Bombardier G. H. Martin, R.N.Z.A., attended the Small-arms School, Randwick, from 15th July to 9th October, 1937. Four' Staff Cadets at the Royal Military College of Australia graduated in December, 1937, one passing out first and another second in the list of graduates. These have been commissioned as Lieutenants in the Regular Forces, and have taken up appointments in the Dominion. The vacancies at the College have been filled by four newly appointed Cadets who proceeded to Australia in February, 1938 Staff-Sergeant W. Y. Douglas, New Zealand Permanent Staff, after service with the Coronation Contingent in England, attended the fifty-sixth officers' course, Army School of Physical Training, Aldershot, for three months and qualified " distinguished." He has resumed duty at the Army School of Instruction, Trentham. (c) Interchanges. Major A. B. Williams, D.5.0., R.N.Z.A., proceeded to Australia on the 25th November, 1937, for regimental duty on exchange with Captain (temporary Major) F. N. Nurse, Australian Staff Corps, who has been appointed District Artillery Officer, Northern District. Major Williams has since qualified at the School of Artillery, Sydney. 6. CASUALTIES. Between the Ist June, 1937, and the 22nd April, 1938, two officers reached the retiring age and left tli6 Sgivicb. During the same period there were twenty-six discharges of W.O.'s and N.C.O.'s and men ; of this number, twenty-three were discharged at their own request (twenty by purchase), two reached the retiring age, and one was medically unfit.

* Qualified "distinguished." Allthe remainder qualified.

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