H.—l9.

The completion of the North Island Main Trunk Railway has much significance in mobilisation and defence. The schemes for defence at important points in the Dominion are kept revised in line with War Office Regulations and requirements as regards co-operation with the Navy, &c, in time of emergency. Adjutant- and Quartermaster-General. Permanent Force. Owing to a decision some eighteen months ago to reduce the establishment of the Permanent Force, no enlistments have taken place during the past year, with the result that the Gunnery and Field Artillery Sections are now down to their reduced establishment, and after four noncommissioned officers, who have completed their probation, have been transferred to the Militia Staff, the Electric Light Section will be but eight N.C.O.s and men over establishment. The discipline of the Force lias generally been good. There are two vacancies fur Lieutenants, one in the Gunnery and one in the Electric Light Section, and I would recommend that these be filled. Two officers have rejoined on completion of their courses of instruction in England, one having been since transferred to the Permanent Staff for Instructional duties. Oil-launches have been provided at Auckland, Wellington, and Lyttelton. Considerable trouble has been experienced with the one at Wellington owing to continual breakdowns, but those at the other centres are now working satisfactorily. Medical Department. During the past year the Field Ambulances have been reorganized under the new regulations. From reports furnished by the Director-General the efficiency of the corps appears to be improving. Special mention must ba made of the corps raised last year in Wellington, which has shown marked improvement. The Director-General brings to notice that, owing to the lack of officers willing to lecture, and want of equipment, the training of bandsmen in stretcher drill, &c, has been very perfunctory during the year. An additional supply of stretchers, locally made, and " Manuals of the Army Medical Corps " have lately been obtained. These will shortly be issued, and it is hoped that in future the training of bandsmen will be carried out under more favourable circumstances. The St. John's Ambulance Brigade have signified their willingness to act with the Medical Corps in the event of war. Needless to say, this Brigade would be of the greatest assistance, and the Acting-Director-General is now elaborating a scheme for mobilisation, which will be submitted in due course. As regards the equipment, an additional supply of surgical haversacks and tabloid medical clients have been obtained from England. The new pattern ambulance-wagons, locally made, were issued in time for the Easter camps, and from reports received proved superior to the Mark V Imperial pattern, which was considered too heavy for colonial requirements. Veterinary Department. During the past year efforts have been made to properly organize and render the corps efficient. Reports rendered by Veterinary Officers who attended the various camps, on the condition of horses employed and their general management, cannot lie considered favourable. A number of the horses employed are not up to the weight required, their conformation rendering them unsuitable for Mounted Infantry work. Cases requiring treatment were composed mainly of injuries, the result of kicks, and saddle and girth galls; treatment was also necessary in several cases of debility following exhaustion and colic. The evidence of Veterinary Officers was utilised by Courts of Inquiry in assessing the value of horses lost through accidents sustained while on duty and in ascertaining the nature and extent of injuries in order to estimate I lie amount of compensation due to the owner. During the winter months Captain Reid delivered a series of lectures on the " Care and Management of Horses, ,, and other officers have also given lectures at the various Mounted camps. Army Service Corps. The authority for the establishment of a Transport and Supply Corps has not yet been obtained. It was found necessary for the matter to stand over until the coming year, when the amount of money required would be placed on the estimates. This has now been done, and it is hoped that the necessary sanction will shortly be obtained. Arms and Ammunition. With the exception of one regiment, the whole of the Mounted units in the Dominion arc now armed with the M.L.E. short Mark I rifle, fitted with the bayonet pattern 1908. As a large number of Volunteer corps have persistently failed to produce the whole of their arms at the annual inspection of armourers, orders were issued that all rifles not produced would be charged against capitation. This lias had the desired effect, and a large number of the rifles have sdnce been forwarded for inspection. The supply of ordnance ammunition is maintained in accordance with the scale laid down. As regards the small-arms, the reserve is being steadily increased.

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