H.—.19

6

16. Ordnance.

(a.) Field-guns and, Howitzers. None of the new field-guns or howitzers have arrived, although shipments of small stores and equipment pertaining thereto have been received. The latest advice received is that eight 18-pr. guns and carriages for Auckland and Hamilton, and four 18-pr. guns and carriages for Invercargill, were despatched from London on the 13th May. (b.) Mountain Guns. The four Vickers-Maxim 295 in. mountain guns have arrived, and have been issued to D Battery at Wellington. (c.) Maxim Guns. The thirty-six Maxim guns ordered have not yet arrived, but the High Commissioner has been asked to hasten manufacture and supply. The conversion of the Maxim gun-mountings in the Dominion is being delayed owing to the non-arrival of the Mark IV tripod mounts and detailed instructions asked for. Pack saddlery and other equipment in this connection is coming to hand, and when the guns arrive they will be distributed for the training and use of the machine-gun sections of regiments. (d.) Animal Indents, Ordnance Stores, and, Ammunition. The annual indents for ordnance stores and ammunition have been put forward. In addition to reserves of gun-ammunition, provision has been made for practice ammunition. 17. Changes in Organization of this Forces. • The following new units have been raised : — (a.) A howitzer battery at Palmerston North. (b.) A second battalion of the 9th Regiment (Wellington East Coast Rifles). (c.) A Railway Corps, under a Director of Railway Transport; consisting of two battalions, one in each Island. Eight companies are allotted to the North Island Battalion, which has an establishment of 28 officers and 626 rank and file: the present strength is 2 officers and 349 rank and file. Seven companies are allotted to the South Island Battalion, which has an establishment of 25 officers and 592 rank and file : the present strength is 1 officer and 335 rank and file. (d.) A Post and Telegraph Corps, under a Director of Post and Telegraph Services, consisting of two battalions, one in each Island. The North Island Battalion consists of seven companies, with an establishment of 25 officers and 828 rank and file, and a present strength of 12 officers and 315 rank.and file. The South Island Battalion consists of five companies, with an establishment of 19 officers and 585 rank and file, and a present strength of 1 officer and 192 rank and file. 18. Regulations. The General Regulations (provisional) for the New Zealand Military Forces, approved in May, 1911, have proved generally very suitable. The necessary amendments will be submitted for your consideration in due course. 19. Publications, Libraries, and Training-manuals. The following publications have been issued since the date of my last report : — Final Instructions for Posting for 1911 . . . . August, 1911 (Appendix C). Handbook on Military Law .. .. .. September, 1911. Memorandum on Musketry Training . . . . November, 1911 (Appendix D). Quarterly Army List (last quarter, Ist April, 1912). Military Journal (two quarterly numbers) . . January and April, 1912. Physical-training Plates . . .. .. January, 1912. Dress Kegulations . . .. . . . . February, 1912. Memorandum re Registration and Posting for 1912.. March, 1912 (Appendix E). Army or General Orders .. .. .. Ist of each month. Reports on Promotion Examinations held in November, 1911, and March, 1912. Report on Staff tour .. .. .. .. June, 1912. Copies of the two numbers of the New Zealand Military Journal have been issued free to all officers on the Active List. The Journal has been very well reviewed by the Press, and should be of great assistance to the Territorial soldier in improving his military knowledge. Libraries have been instituted at districts and also at Headquarters. Supplies of the various training-manuals have been procured from England, and issued free In every officer and N.C.O. of the Territorial Force. In all, 7,000 copies have been so distributed. The Luge number of personal record-books, Proclamations, and notices necessary for the initiation of the universal-training scheme have been printed and distributed as required. The departmental forms, &c, in use, where necessary, owing to the development of the Territorial Force, have been revised to comply with the new Regulations and organization, and are being printed and distributed as required for use.