H.—l9

8

During the year seven N.C.O.s and men have been killed in action ; eleven N.C.O.s and men have been invalided to New Zealand and reabsorbed into the regiment. Of these latter three have been subsequently discharged, two as medically unfit and one at his own request. The Home Service details enlisted to take, the place of the members of the Royal New Zealand Artillery on active service have during the past twelve months been subjected to a weeding-out process so far,as fresh men were available, with the result that a good proportion of those remaining are steady, well-conducted, and reliable men. A number of men who would have made good gunners did not possess the necessary physical qualifications to stand the strain of the work, and were accordingly discharged. During the year it was decided to replace the Territorial guards over the forts and other places of military importance by Home Service men, who were, except in one or two localities (notably Quarantine Island, Port Chalmers) attached to the Royal New Zealand Artillery for command and discipline. The numbers, however, coming forward voluntarily have not been sufficient, and further proposals will shortly be submitted to overcome this difficulty. 22. New Zealand Staff Corps. On the outbreak of war the New Zealand Staff Corps was eighty-four strong. Since that time seventeen Cadets, graduates of the Royal Military College of Australia, Duntroon, have been taken on strength, bringing the total up to 101. No Cadets have joined the Staff Corps during the present year, it having been decided that all should undergo the full course ol: lour years at the Royal Military College of Australia, Duntroon. The following table shows the disposition of the officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps in respect to tin; present war: —■ Embarked on active service .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 Transferred to the Royal New Zealand Artillery and to active service.. .. 10 Retained in New Zealand to fill special appointments .. .. .. 2 Retained in New Zealand being unfit for active service .. .. ..10 Transferred to New Zealand Ordnance Corps .. .. .. .. 1 Retired unfit for further service .. .. .. .. .. . . 1 101 The following shows the present disposition of tho seventy-seven officers who left New Zealand on active service:— Killed in action .. .. .. .. .. .. ..12 Died on service .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Still serving with the Expeditionary Force .. .. .. ..41 Returned to New Zealand on duty .. .. .. .. .... 19 Returned to New Zealand for retirement .. .. . . .. . . 3 Transferred to the Imperial Army .. .. .. .. .. 1 77 Of the officers returned to New Zealand some have become again fit for active service, and these will return to the Expeditionary Force from time to time as suitable officers are found to fill their places in the Dominion. Up to date the officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps have been awarded no fewer than 101 British and foreign decorations, an average of exactly one per member—an extraordinary record, and one of which New Zealand may well be proud. At present there are thirty-five Cadets under instruction, of the Royal Military College of Australia, Duntroon, who will receive commissions in the New Zealand Staff Corps as they qualify. 23. New Zealand Permanent Staff. At the outbreak of war the strength of the New Zealand Permanent Staff was 214. Since, then no permanent appointments have been made to the New Zealand Permanent Staff, till vacancies being filled by temporary instructors who are engaged for the duration of the war. In making the appointments preference, as far as possible, is given to returned soldiers. The distribution of the New Zealand Permanent Staff is as follows :— Left New Zealand on active service .. .. .. .. ..122 Retained on duty in New Zealand .. .. . . .. .. 92 214 The following shows the disposition of the 121 warrant officers and non-commissioned officers of the New Zealand. Permanent Staff who left New Zealand on active service :— Killed in action or died of wounds .. . . .. . . 26 Still serving with the Expeditionary Force . . . . . . 45 Invalided to New Zealand and now disposed of as under: — Reabsorbed in New Zealand Permanent Staff for duty in camps and districts 38 Retired on pension and superannuation . . .. . . . . 4 On sick-leave in New Zealand .. .. . . .. .. 1 Returned to duty with Expeditionary Force .. .. .. .. 8 122