G—No. 14a,

REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR

IV

by the 31st of March, 1872, had increased to 2,182, [of whom 1.983 earned capitation money this year. They are divided amongst the following districts : — Auckland ... ... ... ... ... ... 917 Wairoa and Waiuku ... ... ... ... ... 496 Waikato ... ... ... ... ... ... 99 Poverty Bay ... ... ... ... ... ... 71 Bay of Plenty ... ... ... ... ... ... 130 Thames ... ... ... ... ... ... 469 2,182 Auckland Bistrict. The Auckland District comprises four Cavalry, one Artillery, one Engineer, ten Rifle, and two Naval Corps, which I inspected in January and February. The Auckland Rifle Brigade is composed of four companies, which drilled as a battalion, performing some manoeuvres steadily. The Engineers, Nos. 1 and 5 Companies, Scottish, Hobson, Onehunga, and Otahuhu Companies all drilled creditably as separate companies, but special praise is duo to the Engineers and Onehunga Rifles. lam here led to remark that if the separate corps in the centres of population were formed into battalions, it would be most beneficial. The officers and non-commissioned officers would have opportunities of receiving special instructions when the men did not assemble for drill, which would afford them a more intimate knowledge of their duties, and give them more confidence on parade. The Auckland Artillery still maintain the reputation they have hitherto had for their zeal and attention. I regret to say that the Auckland Troop of Cavalry have by no means improved since last year; their muster at my inspection was small, and their drill indifferent. There is also much room for improvement in the Prince Alfred Troop. The Otahuhu Troop were in better order than last year. Owing to a misconception of orders, the Howick Troop did not parade on the day appointed, but some of them attended the Brigade Field Day at Epsom. The muster of the Naval Companies was meagre, but there is much difficulty in assembling the members of these corps together at ono time, as so many are employed in the coasting trade. After inspecting each corps separately, a Brigade Field Day was held at Epsom Racecourse, at which nearly all the corps were represented. The weather was unusually hot, but the men turned out cheerfully, and performed several manoeuvres satisfactorily. A battalion of Cadets was also formed, which moved steadily with the adult Volunteers. Since last year a good range has been handed over to the Volunteers by the Provincial Government, which has tended to encourage rifle practice throughout the district. Wairoa and Waiuku. Since my last report these two districts have been amalgamated, and now comprise two Cavalry and nine Rifle corps. The Waiuku Troop are a most efficient corps, and still continue to attend most regularly to their duties. Their application to be allowed to attend two parades on each of six consecutive days was granted, and has been productive of good results, which were conspicuous at my last inspection. The Drury Light Horse are a newly raised corps, and havo made very fair progress since their enrolment. The Rifle corps havo all been supplied with uniforms, and show a marked improvement in their drill since last year. Notwithstanding the release of the Militia, the Volunteers of this district have not decreased in numbers; but on the contrary, in Waiuku, nearly all the adult population have joined their ranks. There has also been an increased interest shown in rifle practice, and two representatives were furnished for the Colonial Prize Firing. Waikato. There were only two Volunteer corps in this district when I visited it, —the Waikato Rifles and the Te Awamutu Cavalry. The former are quite a new corps and have not had the opportunity of making much progress as yet; they, however, furnished two representatives for Colonial Firing. The Cavalry arc a well-mounted, efficient body of men, and have had a special training of six consecutive days twice in the year under a well-qualified instructor. Since my visit to this district, another Cavalry corps has been formed at Cambridge, which is composed of several bond fide settlers, and promises to be a success. Poverty Bay. There are two corps in this district, one of Cavalry and a company of Rifles, who mustered well at my inspection. The former have been for some time greatly in need of a competent instructor, but are well mounted, and will soon become effective if they only attend drills regularly under their new Drill Instructor. The latter are armed with the Snider rifle, and appeared desirous of learning their work. Bay of Plenty. At Tauranga there are two corps. The Cavalry troop drilled fairly; and the company of Rifles, which is chiefly composed of old Military Settlers, have made good progress; one half of their number attended class-firing this year. I had no opportunity of visiting Opotiki. Thames. This district comprises one Engineer, one Naval, and five Rifle corps, amounting to four hundred and sixty-nine men.