H.—l9

4

distinguished during field work or operations. The table below shows the number of officers who attended at Auckland, Otago, Wellington, and Canterbury: —

Wellington includes officers from Nelson District. In addition to this, officers' clubs in the various centres have been particularly active. Staff rides and district classes have been held. Officers Commanding Districts have been supplied with much valuable information supplied by the Director of Military Operations, War Office, bearing on the subject of military operations, training, and education. The results of the past year bid well for future improvement in the education of officers for the present year. With improvement in the leaders, they in turn will train their rank and file, and greater efficiency will be assured. The one great want felt during these courses is the lack of an actual Force to handle practically. With so small a Permanent Force, and a Volunteer Force only available on certain holidays and half-holidays, more cannot be accomplished. On the experience gained last year the continuous courses for this year will be divided into grades, instruction being given as follows : — (a.) Six days' continuous, for non-commissioned officers. (b.) ~ junior officers' course. (c.) ~ senior officers' course. The following drill manuals have been issued to the Forces for training purposes :— " Imperial Infantry Training," adapted to single rank. " Mounted Rifle Manual, 1908," adapted to N.Z. Forces. " Field Artillery Training, 1908," adapted to N.Z. batteries. " Garrison Artillery Training, 1908," adapted to N.Z. companies. " Musketry Annual Course of Target Practice," adapted to N.Z. Forces, on the lines of Imperial course. " Instructions for Mobilisation (Provisional), 1908," adapted to local requirements. " Notes on Military Hygiene on the Field and in Camp." It is expected that little, if any, change in drills will be made for a considerable time, so that from now forward there will be general uniformity of work and training throughout the Dominion. No attempt is being made to turn the Force into a mere drill-machine, the simplest of movements only being necessary to enable officers to lead their commands in the necessary tactical formation to occupy the position required, where the full and best effect of field-gun or rifle fire can be obtained, and good shooting will do the rest. Assuming that the function of the Dominion Defence Forces is primarily defence, the instruction given to officers is that based on defence with the use of the counter-attack. It is hoped that in the near future an Infantry Officer Instructor will be available in each district, who will take special charge of musketry instruction and musketry practice. In our tactical Scheme of Defence good shooting is of the greatest importance. The Target Practice Course has this year been framed to give more latitude to officers in the training of their men in shooting. Examinations of Volunteer Officers for the Year ending February, 1908. —One hundred and sixty-eight officers completed their examinations, of whom 146 passed, and 22 failed. The percentage of officers who passed was slightly over 86J, the failures being represented by less than 13|. Compared with the previous year there has been an increase of 26 in the number of officers who completed examinations, whilst the failures have been less. Last year ending February, 1907, 131 completed examinations, and 25 failed. This year 168 completed examination, and 22 failed. The standard of examinations has been raised, being now largely composed of suitable problems requiring the study of minor tactics, fire-effect, and leading of troops, rather than mere memorytest or drill manuals. There is no doubt this better result is due to the initiation of district and general classes and courses of instruction. Regulations for the examination of the Permanent Staff have been put into effect. In future no officer is to receive permanent appointment, or, in case of officers at present serving, receive promotion, unless he passes the necessary qualifying examination. For this year's examination, one officer, Headquarters Staff; one, District Staff; and four officers of the R.N.Z. Artillery, presented themselves. The first portion of the examination was held in June, the latter part will be in November next. It is to the Permanent officers we must look to fill future staff and district appointments. Intelligence. Much information of military value has been collected in the various districts as to resources, roads, bridges, communications, landing-places, &c. This information is sifted and recorded at

District. 10 Days. 9 Days. 8 Days. 7 Days. 6 Days. 5 Days. 4 3 Days. Days. 2 Days. 1 Day. Total. Auckland ... Dtago Wellington Danterbury 30 11 46 18 2 2 2 • 4 2 2 2 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 9" 2 6 36 41 55 43 2 3" 4" 5 j 13 4" 4 '1 i Total 105 9 8 7 8 4 12 4 175