H.—9b

8

Turn-out. —A fair muster. The appearance of the men on parade was completely spoilt by the variety of the dress and belts. The corps is being clothed in frocks, but these are made in various shapes and patterns, some with five buttons, some with six; some with buttons behind, others without. Drill.-. —Company drill very indifferently done. There were a large number of recruits on parade, and I was informed that but little company drill had been done. I saw this corps at battery drill on the Ist June. There were present one officer and thirty-four rank and file. It could not be expected that battery movements should be well done, as the guns are very rarely horsed. The gunnery work was very fairly well done throughout. The guns (three 9-pr. R.8.L.) are in fair order. Timaru Naval Artillery Volunteers.—26th May, 1893. Present: 1 lieutenant-commander, 5 petty officers, and 47 rank and file. Absent: 8 rank and file. Uniform. —Naval Artillery uniform ; lanyards of different patterns. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider artillery carbines; brown belts. Officers. —Lieutenant-Commander Thomas: Takes much interest, and appears likely to be a good commanding officer ; only appointed in March, 1893. Non-commissioned Officers. —Good stamp, doing well. Men. —Good stamp. Turn-out. —A very good muster. Drill. —The corps drilled well as a company, under Lieutenant-Commander Thomas and the petty officers. I inspected this corps also during the afternoon of the Ist June. There were present one officer and forty-one rank and file. The work done was that of a piquet on outpost duty. Keenness and a desire to learn were evinced. This is a-good corps, deserving encouragement. Surgeon-Major Lovegrove was present at the inspections on 26th May and Ist June. Timaru Rifles.—26th May, 1893. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 colour-sergeant, 4 sergeants, and 50 rank and file. Absent: 6 rank and file. Uniform. —Khakee, in good order ; officers with white-enamel cross-belts. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles; buff belts ; a few slings deficient. Officers. —Captain Jowsey : A very good officer ; commands well. Lieutenant Beckingham : A good keen officer. Lieutenant Foden : A good officer. Non-commissioned Officers. —Good. Men. —Good stamp. Turn-out. —A very good muster and smart turn-out, the belts being very well cleaned. Drill. —The company drill, under the officers and non-commissioned officers, was well done. I inspected this corps on the afternoon of the Ist June. There were present a captain, two lieutenants, and fifty-five rank and file. The company was exercised as a piquet on outpost duty. The work was done with intelligence. This is a good corps, well commanded and officered, and worthy of support. Ashburton Eifles. —29th May, 1893. Present: 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 colour-sergeant, 4 sergeants, and 38 rank and file. Absent : 4 rank and file. Uniform. —Scarlet tunics; black helmets. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles; buff belts. Officers. —Captain Dolman: A good commanding officer; keen and zealous. Lieutenant Hayes : A good officer; works well. Non-commissioned Officers. —Good. Men.-— Good. Turn-out.- —A very good muster and clean turn-out. Drill. —Satisfactorily done, under the officers and non-commissioned officers. This corps is in good condition, and is very well looked after. There is a Morris-tube range in the drillshed, which is found to be of much benefit in teaching the men to shoot. Geraldine Eifles.—3oth May, 1893. Present: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 1 colour-sergeant, 4 sergeants, 26 rank and file, and 4 band. Absent: 5 rank and file. Uniform. —Non-commissioned officers and men in khakee ; officers in scarlet tunics and black helmets. Arms and Accoutrements. —Snider rifles ; buff belts. Officers. —Captain Pearpoint: Is keen, but, I judge, lacks power of command. Lieutenant McKenzie : Eeported to be a good officer. Lieutenant McDonald : Wanting in application. Non-commissioned Officers. —-Not up to ordinary standard. Man. —Good physique. Drill. —The drill, under the officers and non-commissioned officers, was much below par. I found this company not to be in a satisfactory condition. Excuses were made that the men had been harvesting and threshing during the last few months, and consequently there had not been good attendances on parade. On falling out the recruits, I found that ten men,, of about a year's service, fell out, and said they had never done their recruits' drill.