2

H.—l9

Organization and Distribution of the New Zealand Defence Forces on the 28th February, 1909.

N.B. —On the 29th February, 1908, the total showed 19,947, making an increase for the year ending 28th February, 1909, of 481. Hands are being trained as stretcher-bearers. There are also 191 officers carried on the Militia List. 7,730 adult Volunteers have up to date qualified for capitation. Seventy-two rolls are still outstanding, taking which at an average, it can be expected that about 11,000 will capitate for the year ending 28th February, 1909. The number of adult Volunteers who capitated as efficient for the year ending 28th February, 1906, was 11,051; 28th February, 1907, 10,846; 29th February, 1908, 11,068. The number of Defence Cadets who qualified for capitation, year ending 28th February, 1908, was 2,577. 2,269 have up to date qualified for capitation. Eighteen rolls are still outstanding, taking which at an average, it can be expected that more cadets will qualify for the year ending 28th February, 1909, than for the previous year. Military Operations. Camps of instruction were held in each military district for four days ai Easter, the attendance being as under : Volunteers, — Auckland ... ... ... ... ... 959, or 33% of strength. Wellington . ... ... ... ... 1,788, or 50% Nelson ... ... ... ... ... ... 572, or 40% Canterbury ... ... ... ... 1,150, or 56% ~ Otago ..." ... ... ... ... ... 1,120, or 40% Grand total ... ... ... ... 5,389 Defence Cadets. Auckland . ... ... ... ... ... ... 161 Wellington ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 317 Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... 70 Otago ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 307 Nelson ... ... ... ... ... ... . . Nil Grand total ... ... ... ... ... ... 855 It must, however, be kept in mind that at most colleges and high schools it was considered best to hold a training camp at a time other than Easter. Rifle, Clubs, —Opportunity was given to Rifle Clubs to put in the greater part of two days; but, except in the Wellington District, where 77 attended, no others mustered, and in many ca"ses did not even reply to the District Commander's circular asking for information as to numbers likely to attend. There is no doubt that Saturday of Easter week not being a general holiday is accountable for many men not being able to attend manoeuvres. The training at these camps was, as referred to in last report, a combination, of camp training and manoeuvre under the direct command of each O.C. District and his Staff. Night firing was successfully carried out by the fort defence at three of the defended ports, and attacks with shell and ball ammunition were practised by the Field Force in all districts. Staff rides, tactical exercises, and daylight week-end parades have been encouraged and carrier! out under district arrangements.

Unit. Wellington. Auckland. ' Canterbury. Otago. : i Nelson. Total. Headquarters District Staffs Permanent Force Garrison Artillery Volunteers.. Field Artillery Field Engineers Mounted Rifles Infantry Active List ■Medical Officers (attached) Medical Officers (unattached). . Field Ambulances Veterinary Officers Reserve Volunteer Corps Defence Cadets Defence Rifle Clubs Garrison Bands Battalion Bands 15 11 114 239 98 59 827 2,027 65 30 19 27 11 77 299 66 45 1,352 873 22 22 12 36 4 15 34 172 80 94 592 1,037 47 17 10 50 4 100 528 410 26 45 12 39 225 75 75 707 1,598 34 % 47 3 114 994 327 30 67 15 6 55 2 266 76 1,011 63 382 273 281 3,759 573 6,108 10 178 14 114 49 49 209 3 14 242 256 3,560 566 3,697 28 146 67 350 28 1,016 2,050 32 104 766 344 30 67 J i 4,386 1,994 20,428 6,761 1,026 3,261