0-.—No. 14*J

Lieut.-Colonel Haeington to the Hon. D. McLean-. Sie > — Militia and Volunteer Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1872. I "have the honor to forward this my report upon tho state of the Militia and Volunteer* during tho past year. Since my last annual report, all the Militia districts which were then called out for training and exercise, as well as three of those for actual service, have been released, leaving the following still out for actual service :— Hamilton Patea Cambridge Wairoa (Hawke's Bay) Alexandra Poverty Bay White Cliffs Opotiki New Plymouth Tauranga. Cape Bgmont In pursuance of your instructions, that the settlers in these frontier districts should be as little harassed with unnecessary drill as possible, one uniform system has been adopted—viz., to parade the first and second classes only once a quarter, when they have four hours' drill, for which they are paid. This system enables the men to become more proficient, and renders the duty less irksome than the monthly parades as heretofore. The annexed return marked A shows the number who arc armed, and are liable for service. During my tour of inspection, I had an opportunity of seeing the companies of Militia in nearly all these districts, and I think it my duty especially to bring to your notice the superior state of the Militia in the Province of Taranaki, where the settlers have be'en so long under training, and where such a good spirit exists throughout the whole community. This may be accounted for by the fact of nearly all the inhabitants being permanent residents in that Province, most of whom have suffered more or less during tho late wars, whilst in the newer districts—such as Patea, Waikato, &c—many men have no fixed interest in tho place, but are constantly moving about in search of work. These latter naturally take but little interest in drill, and seek every opportunity of avoiding it. The permanent settlers, however, of these districts are beginning to form Volunteer Corps, when they will have a better opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of their duties, and affording mutual protection in their settlements. With regard to the districts which have been released from training and exercise, an impression prevailed that an immediate decrease in the strength of tho Volunteers of the North Island would take place. Such, however, is not the case, as will bo seen by Table B. I have omitted to mention that Taranaki furnished from the Militia two representatives to the Colonial Prize Firing, one of whom (Humphries) won five prizes, and shot steadily throughout. VOLUNTEEKS. In order'to render my report more intelligible, I havo kept tho Adult and Cadet Corps distinct, and will treat of each separately. On the 31st March, 1871, the strength was— Adults. Cadets. North Island ... ... ... ... 3,725 ... 177 South Island ... ... • ... ... -2,190 ... 546 5,915 ... 723 Of this number, 4,880 earned capitation. By the 31st May, 1871, these numbers had increased to— Adults. Cadets. ISorth Island ... ... ... ... 4,226 ... 657 South Island ... ... ... ... 2,141 ... 609 6,367 ... 1,260 On these numbers were based the estimates for capitation of 1871-72. On 31st March, 1872, the strength was — , ■ , Adults. Cadets. North Island ... ... ... ... 4,038 ... 1,004 South Island ... ... ... ... 2,004 ... 439 (5,042 ... 1,443 Thus showing a decrease of 325 adults, but an increase of 177 Cadets, between the 31st May 1871 and 31st March, 1872. Having again visited almost every district in both Islands since November, I will endeavour td report upon their state. Peovince of Auckland. On Ist April, 1871, the Volunteers in this Province consisted of 1,837 enrolled members, which;

REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS.