H.—9b

7

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT ON SOUTH CANTERBURY VOLUNTEER DISTRICT,

Parade State of the above District at Commandant's Inspection

General Remarks. This district is commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey. He has done good work, and the corps, with two exceptions, are in good order—the Waimate corps being only fair, while the Geraldine corps is much below par. I regret that I have to recommend that the Ashburton and Temuka corps should be disbanded, as both officers and men in these corps have worked well, and show a very good spirit. It was explained to me that the Temuka corps would have attended the Easter encampment at Christchurch had not the order for the camp been received just too late to warn the men by advertisement, owing to the local paper only being published twice a week. The breaking-up of this district, as I recommend, will abolish the post of District Commanding Officer. Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey has for a considerable number of years been employed under the Defence Department, and it is through no fault of his that his services will be no longer required. As he is practically wholly dependent on the small emoluments attached to the post, I trust that the Government will favourably consider his past services. Staff Sergeant-Instructor Jones is a smart non-commissioned officer. Waimate Rifles.—2sth May, 1893. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 colour-sergeant, 2 sergeants, and 40 rank and file. Absent: 1 sergeant and 2 rank and file. Uniform.— Scarlet tunics, black helmets ; officers in undress. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles ; buff belts and slings. Officers. —Captain Shaw : A good commanding officer ; about to retire on leaving the district. Lieutenant Grant: Fairly good. Lieutenat Foote (acting) : Shows keenness. Non-commissioned Officers. —Fair. Men. —-Good physique. Turn-out. —A good muster. The uniform is locally made, and is not uniform in cut. The appearance of the men is much spoiled in consequence. Drill. —The drill was fair under the officers and non-commissioned officers. C Battery, Timaru.—26th May, 1893. Present: 1 captain, 1 staff-sergeant, 2 sergeants, and 41 rank and file. Absent : 6 rank and file. Uniform. —Some men in tunics, others in frocks; busbies without plumes in several instances. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider artillery carbines ; belts of various patterns. Officers. —Captain Jackson : Takes much interest in the artillery work of his battery. Lieutenants : There are none. Non-commissioned Officers. —Satisfactory as regards gunnery. Men. —Well up in gunnery.

Prei lent on 'an lo. 09 « 03 g> CD CQ i o r o O to P4 o o Date of Inspection. Corps. to 43 d a i J3 o 3 o CO -^ a o ■+^ C0 3 c3 O 03 43 GO M © 02 03 o H o O GO > Ph o ao 1 CD (55 d cB QJ DO M <D CQ 5-1 O ft f-i o O CO > P4 O H May 26 „' 26 „ 31 „ 29 „ 30 „ 26 „ 25 June 1 „ 1 „ 1 Timaru Navals C Battery Temuka Eifles Ashburton Eifles ... Geraldine Rifles Timaru Rifles Waimate Rifles Timaru Navals C Battery . . Timaru Rifles Cadets. Timaru High School Temuka High School 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 4 4 4 4 2 4 2 4 3 3 4 3 1 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 l 43 39 31 33 27 48 36 32 29 47 53 45 42 45 38 58 46 42 35 58 61 51 46 49 43 64 49 61 51 64 1 1 1 i 7 6 3 4 5 5 2 19 16 6 8 6 4 4 5 1 f 2 2' ■ 1 May 31 1 f 1 1 4 2 31 41 39 47 43 47 4 1