5

H.—l9

Headquarters. Copies are furnished to the War Office, London, where the work has been much appreciated. The interchange of intelligence with the War Office is of the greatest value to New Zealand, and would immediately become apparent if trouble arose. The collecting and sifting of intelligence by an Intelligence Officer at each centre at late Easter manoeuvres was undertaken for the first time with good results. Mobilisation. Instructions for mobilisation adapted to local conditions have been issued. When these are better understood, the information as to the resources in vehicles, horses, and harness known and classified, and the facilities for supply appreciated, mobilisation at short notice will be possible, and be on a system uniform to all. It is impossible and unnecessary to maintain full Field Transport for service, or even peace requirements, but it is necessary to have the mobilisation instructions in use, studied, understood, and brought into workable order against a time of need. The railway system is well adapted for mobilisation. The alternative lines of telegraph facilitate communication, and the yearly increasing roading and population of the lines of communication enable the best use to be made of these mobilisation instructions. War Regulations. The schemes for the various and important ports acting in the defence of the Dominion have been revised. The duties of all concerned in war are more clearly laid down. Senior officers are being trained more on these lines; thus, in the event of sudden emergency, they will be better acquainted with their duties. As can readily be understood, matters under this heading are strictly confidential, but it will be satisfactory to know that steady progress in the readiness for defence is being made. Department of Adjutant-General anu Quartermaster-General. Veterinary Department. The establishment of a Veterinary Branch has been successfully carried out during the year. The Chief Government Veterinarian has been appointed Director-General, and sixteen other Government Veterinarians have lately accepted commissions in the Department. It is hoped that, by the end of the year, the whole corps will be in a thorough workingorder. Principal Veterinary Officers have been appointed to the military districts with the exception of Nelson, where no officer is at present available. It is intended in the meanwhile to work this district from Wellington. Officers will be detailed to attend camps to perform veterinarj- duties and give lectures and demonstrations on the examination of horses, treatment of wounds, stable-management, &c, and the Director-General is also arranging to give similar lectures at special parades held for the purpose. In this manner it is hoped not only to increase the efficiency of all mounted men, but, by imparting useful instruction regarding the horse in health and disease, and affording information relative to first aid amongst animals, to induce more young men to join the Mounted Forces of the Dominion. Approval has been obtained for purchasing four officers' field-chests, and the order for these has now gone forward. It is the intention to place one of these at each of the District Headquarters. They contain practically all instruments and drugs likely to be required in the ordinary course of a training-camp. It is hoped that during the year sanction may be obtained for a supply of field-forges with farriers' tools, which are needed in the districts. y Medi col Department. Since the last annual report the Medical Branch has been reorganized, and new regulations have been approved and issued. These regulations provide for a Sanitary Branch, a Reserve of Medical Officers, and a Nursing Reserve, the latter being affiliated to the Royal Army Nursing Reserve, of which H.R.H. Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein is President. The Sanitary Branch will be administered by the Chief Sanitary, Officer, who will be on the Staff of the Director-General, and Sanitary Officers will be appointed to each of the military districts. The Reserve of Medical Officers has been organized with the object of having a number of medical gentlemen available on the outbreak of hostilities. It is hoped that those officers at present serving in the Defence Forces who find their civil duties preclude their taking any active part in the Medical Corps will join this Reserve. The Field Ambulances have been favourably reported on by the Director-General, and special mention has been made of those at Nelson and Dunedin. A new corps has been raised in Wellington, and it is hoped will now prosper. Equipment. —A supply of first-aid field dressings was obtained during the year, and an additional supply of surgical haversacks and other stores is now being provided for.