DEFENCE STAFF.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16412, 4 January 1919, Page 8

DEFENCE STAFF.

GENERAL CHAYTOR MENTIONED AS NEW COMMANDANT.

GENERAL RICHARDSON'S POSITION. (special to "tiie press.") WELLINGTON, January 3. ' Most people would conclude from the announcement made in the cable from tho Now Zealand war correspondent to tho effect that General Richardson was coming out to New Zealand to take charge of the work of demobilisation here, that Gonoral Richardson was actually coining out here to bo the now commandant. Tho "Post" this evening mentions Major-Gencral Sir Edward Chaytor as tho probable new comma;ndant, and finds a placo for Gonoral Richardson as Officer-in-Chargo of Demobilisation.

These "tips" have not come from Ministerial sources, and it may be that the Minister has other ideas. It is true that the present Commandant (General Sir Alfred Robin) will go out as soon as ho can hand over to a successor, and tho fact that General Richardson is coming out to New Zealand at a time when thero would bo much for him to do in London seems some good ovidence that he is tho new appointee. On the other hand, tho "Post" is usually well informed on defence matters, and thero nro reasons why General Chaytor should got tho command. Ho is the senior officer of tho New Zealand Staff Corps, and in the Army abroad ho is the officer next in seniority to Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, and the only othor New Zealand officer to bo given command of a division. Ho has been in command of tho Aneac Mounted Division in Palestine almost sinco tho beginning of the campaign, and both on Gallipoli and in Palestine has had a brilliant career in the field. Before tho war ho had for many years held the position of Adjutant-General of the Forces undor several changing commands. , ' For General Richardson it can bo said that the work he has done in England has proved him to bo an extraordinarily able administrator. Every soldier will toll that. If there woro a vote of the forces as to who should bo tho officer in charge of demobilisation, the vote would be practically unanimous for General Richardson. We havo it that he is coming out here to look after domobilisation, and for some time to come demobilisation will be the chief of the tasks of the Defence Department.

DISTRICT COMMANDS. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, January 3. Colonel Potter, Into Commandant at Tronthara, has baen appointed temporary officer commanding the Auckland district, in succession to the late Colonel Patterson. He will leave to take up his new duties shortly. LieutenantColonel J. E. Duigan, late commandor of the Tunnelling Corps in France, rocontly returned, has been appointed general staff officer in the Auckland district, vice Major Sir Robert Walker, who is leaving for England. Captain (Tomp.-Major) H. S. N. Robinson, N.Z.S.C., recently returned from the front, takes command of the Nelson Aroa Group as from January 18th, vice Major G. R. Blackett, M.C., who is returning to civil life.