TERRITORIAL FORCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 796, 20 April 1910, Page 6

TERRITORIAL FORCE.

THE GENERAL STAFF. REARRANGEMENT OF DUTIES. ■ —\ Following upon the provisions of the new defence schema, tha duties of the members of the New Zealand General Staff have been re-arrangod, as under:— Chief of General Staff (Colonel A. W. Robin, C.B.).—Administration of military policy as may bo directed by the Council of Defence organisation for war; maintenance of defence schemes; general- supervision over general and district headquarters; advice re raising and disbanding units; censorship in time of war; medium of communication with the Eight Hon. Minister and the Council of Defence. Finance Members (to be appointed). All' expenditure; estimates; issue of money services; pay; audit; imprests; acceptance of contracts. Inspector-General (Colonel E. H. Davies, C.B.).—lnspects and reports to the Council of Defence.

Adjutant and Quartermaster-General (Colonel H. D. Tuson).—Adjutant-Gene-ral: Medical services; 'veterinary services; rewards; appointments; promotions; recruiting; personnel; discipline; medals and decorations; control o t Permanent Force; ' claims; "Army List";

"(ieuerad Orders."' Qua'jtermaster-Gen-eral: Transport; supplies; quarters; contracts; tenders; movements; rifle ranges; driti-halls.

♦Director of Military Training and .Education (Imperial general staff officer, second grade).—Staff duties: Examination of officers, courses of .instruction, and training of all arms; officers' training corps; books and training manuals; advice oh training-grounds and ranges; schemes for instructional manoeuvres; and staff rides; supervision of the schools of artillery and gunnery, musketry, and of signalling and communication; engineers. "The appointment is at presont held, in a temporary capacity, .'by lieutenantColonel B. W. C. (Jhaytor, who, it is understood, is to succeed Colonel Tuson as adjutanjt and quartermaster-general, when that officer's term of engagement expires next month/

♦Director of MilitarK Operations and intelligence (Imperial general staff officer third grade)^-Director of military operations: Organisation; plans for mobilisation, peace and war; preparation defence schemes, strategical and tactical consideration ;■ staff rides. Director of intelligence: Preparation and issue of maps and plans; collection and organisation of intelligence. *At present held by Major E. ff. W. Lasccllesy as a temporary appointment.

Director of Ordnance (LieutenantColonel H. F. Head).—Garrison and field guns; material; forts; works; fixed defences; ordnance supplies.

• Superintending Officer Construction of Fortifications (Lieutenant Price).—Construction of fortificationa; erection and maintenance of forts, barracks, etc.

Director of Military Stores (Hon. Captain J. O'Sullivan).—Custody and supply of clothing; personnel'; equipment; accoutrements; saddlery; harness (except artillery);'small arms; small-arms ammunition; small-arms-ammanition magazines; transport; vehicles; equipment, army service corps; machine-guns; campequipment; technical instruments; tenders ; contracts; Customs entries, etc.; stationery; military books, forms, etc.; medals, decorations, badges, etc. Receiver of revenue for stores, medical and veterinary equipment, ■ forage, rations, etc.

WANGANUI AND TA.RANAKI. THE NORTH ISLAND TRAINING AREA. (.■•'■ (By Telegraph.-Special Correspondent) Wanganui, April 19., Members of the local volunteer corps are somewhat in the dark as to what will happen in futuro in consequence of the passing of the new Defence Act. It is understood that Wanganui and Tara- ; naki are to be separata from Wellington and constituted areas in accordance with- Lord Kitchener's recommendations, and that a paid district adjutant will be appointed to each. Local officers consider that when the new scheme is in operation there will be no difficulty in keeping the Territorial units up to their full" strength, and there wiE be little necessity for drafting from the general training section. It is 'stated here that Waiouru Plains have been selected as the site for the North Island training area. [It is understood that certain important announcements, so far as they do not affect policy questions, will be.- made with regard to tho. above very. shortly. Parliament, it is believed, will be asked :to consider certain amendments of the Act, in accordance with the recommendations set out in Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener's report]

As an instance of the boom in recruiting which is taking place in local units of the Territorial Force, may be cited the fact that D Battery is now 145 strong, 45 over the maximum established for a field artillery unit under the old regime. The officers have recruited the extra umber required under the, new establishment without the least difficulty, and have got to work thus early in the day, so that the recruits may receive thie largest possible amount of individual training before taking their places in the ranks. This is in accordance with the recommendations of Captain G. S. Richardson, ,-iicf Instructor' of Artillery;

Colonel H. D. Tuson, tie retiring Adjutant and Quartermaster-General of the forces, has arranged to leave New Zealand on May 2i, and will proceed to England via Vancouver. Major E. ff. W. Lascelles, who is returning to his regiment (the Third Dragoon Guards), leaves on May. 30..

The winter meetings of the Wellington Artillery Officers' Institute will be resumed on Friday evening next, when members will assemble for the discussion of the syllabus of lectures to be undertaken. It is understood that Major J. E. Hume, R.N.Z.A., will be the president for the ensuing year. Lieutenant P. SkeHey and ActingLieutenant W. Avery are at present undergoing the practical portions of their respective qualifying examinations for captain and lieutenant. Captain G. S. Richardson, Chief Instructor of Artillery, will leave for the 6onth to-day. In consequence of certain difficulties which, it is stated, have been experienced with regard to compensation for loss or damage to equipment, the/defence authorities have decided that future api plications for the loan of tents, etc., for the use of boy scouts must be'declined.