RETIRED.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 464, 24 March 1909, Page 4

RETIRED.

COLONEL W. H. WEBB, N.Z.M. SECRETARY OF THE.NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL OF DEFENCE. Colonel W. H. Webb, N.Z.M., secretary and member of tho New Zealand Council of Defence, has received notice of his retirement, under tho age-limit—sixty-five—on superannuation, as from March 31 next; ho has been granted three months' leavo of absence, on full pay. Tho Now Zealand Council of Defence was constituted for a period of five years, the warrant of constitution being issued in December, 1906. The members of the council were appointed by Governor's warrant for a similar period, and their terms of office should accordingly terminate, automatically, in December, 1911. Colonel Webb's retirement, under the age-limit beforo tho expiry of his term of appointment, comee somewhat as a surpriso to thoso who aro acquainted with tho constitution of tlio council. Either this point lias been overlooked, or tho provisions of tho Supornmmation Act, in some manner which is not quite clear, have been mado to operate in tho direction of revoking all special warrants issued previously. It is fairly certain that no immediate steps will bo taken with regard to Colonel Webb s successor until tho return to Jlew Zealand, about September next, of Lieut.-Colonel K W. C. Chaytor, N.Z.M., who has completed his course at tho Staff College, England, and is now undergoing a four months' course of naval instruction. Until then, the duties of the secretary of the council of defence will probably; bo carried on by Mr. T. F. Grey, Chief Clerk of the Secretarial Branch. Lioiit.Colonel Chaytor will probably be appointed temporarily 'to tho vacant position when ho arrives, although it is generally understood that he is destined for the office of Adjutant and Quartermaster-General of the Forces, a position at present held by Colonel a., u. Tuson, who will not unlikely ask to be relieved of his duties beforo tho expiration of his term of engagement. In that event it is questionable whether the office of secretary to tho council will be continued as at present constituted. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. Colonel William lloldon Webb, is one of tho best-known figures in the New Zealand Militia, and before his elevation to tho New Zealand Council of Defence, held various important commands in tho forces. He was born at Essentlen, Herts. (England), ■in 1843, and was the eldest son of tho Rev. R. H. Webb, rector of Essendcn. Ho was; educated, first at MarlboroMjh. College, and latterly at tho Hon. East India Company s Military College, Addiscombe. In 1861 be received his commission as ensign in the Third Bombay European Regimen j., Karachi, India (afterwards Her Majesty s 109 th Foot, and latterly the Second Battalion, Leicester Regiment). Ho gained his lieutenancy in 1867, and was adjutant to-his regiment "for seven -years prior to his retirement in 1878. He married, in 18/3, a daughter of Major-General A. G. Davidson, and, after returning to England with bis regiment in 1878, came out to New Zealand in August of that year. In 1880 he was appointed district adjutant, and served in that capacity in Nelson, Marlborough, and Westport, until 1891, when ho was promoted to the'eommand of tho Otago military district, with tho rank of LieutenantColonel. In 1901 ho was transferred to tho command of tho Canterbury military district, and obtained his brevet-colonelcy in the New Zealand Militia the following year. In Fobruary, 1903, ho was transferred to tlio Wellington district command; in August of the same year ho was appointed president of the Central Board of Military Examinations. Tho retirement of Major-General Babington saw Lieutenant-Colonel i Webb gazetted acting-commandant of tho Now Zealand Forces in September, 1906.' Three'months later, the Now Zealand..Council of Defence was constituted; ani'-W. was appointed", secretary and member, with the rank of colonel. . ■ .: .

Colonel Webb is perhaps best .known to the public by his work in the virions district commands, particularly .in Otago, where bo spent ten years of his.- service. As a district commander his methods of drill, word of command, and success in handling men, wore the admiration of all who jikod to see organised bodies of men handled in that business-Hko style which seems to bo the peculiar gift of the typically English officer. The excellent tone and cspritxlecorps which characterised t!io troops in the Otago command wero largely the result of his perosnal influence, and during his regimo a very fino body' of officers wns established. "\Vhilo preserving discipline of. the strictest kind, ho' was very careful of his men, a characteristic which was specially noticed at PHblic and ceremonial parados of'the troops. 'In the "arrangement of 'such functions, in which was was conspicuously successful, he was': particular totho last detail of organisation, ami knew to the last yard almost, how far each, company had to march. His retirement removes one of the most notable figures in the history of tho New Zealand Militia.