H.—2o.

1878. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND VOLUNTEER FORCE (REPORT ON THE, FOR 1878).

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

Militia and Volunteer Office, My Lord, — AVellington, 26th September, 1878. I have the honor to submit to your Excellency a Report ou the New Zealand Volunteer Force, for the year ending 30th June, 1878. I have, &c., The Most Honorable the Marquis of Normanby, G. S. AVhit.uore, Governor of the Colony of New Zealand. Colonial Secretary.

REPORT. During the past twelve months the excitement caused by the disturbed state of European affairs has had the effect of stimulating the Volunteer movement in the colony. In the two Islands the increase has been 279 adult A rolunteers and A 32 Cadets; and, although several corps which had fallen below the minimum have been disbanded, six new corps have enrolled themselves. The new regulations, which fixed a minimum of 50 as the least which the Government would recognize as entitling the corps to its capitatiou, have had the best possible effect; and the several changes by which bond fide Volunteer officers are replacing the permanent staff at all the chief centres of population have proved that these officers arc quite equal to the duties. The present strength of the Volunteer Force is as follows : —■ Total Adults. Cadet*. North Island.. .. .. 2,834 .. .. 605 South Island.. .. .. 2,674 .. .. 1,575 Total .. .. 5,508 .. .. 2,180 Of this total, there are 592 cavalry, 620 artillery, 404 engineers, 3,413 rifles, 449 naval. It has been the endeavour of the Government to foster the artillery branch of the Volunteer Force; but the absence of sufficient ordnance has rendered it difficult to carry out this intention satisfactorily. In the future the defence of the colony from an external enemy—the only one, it is to be hoped, that will for the future threaten our prosperity and peace —will be chiefly confided to our artillery; aud it is therefore the interest of the colony to give every encouragement to so important a branch of the Volunteer service. Large guns are now expected from England, which, at our chief seaports, will be handed over to the Artillery Volunteers, and a certain number of guns will become available for corps at other places. It is probable that when these new arms reach the colony there may be a difficulty iv obtaining a sufficient number of Instructors competent to teach the several corps the use of those pieces of ordnance; but this difficulty can be got over, it is believed, should it be required, by inviting at most one or two qualified persons now at Sydney to complete the staff of Artillery Instructors.