H.—lo.

4

The number of " partially-paid " men would be, — Artillery and submarine miners .... .... .... .... 670 Four regiments of infantry .... .... .... .... 2,400 Four corps of mounted infantry .... .... .... .... 720 Four batteries of field artillery, 24 guns .... .... .... 360 Four companies of engineers .... .... .... .... 120 Commissariat, medical staff, &c, &c. .... .... .... 220 Total 4,490 This would still leave 3,397 men for the rifle clubs, provided the excess of men in the Naval and Field Artillery were transferred to them. They should be affiliated to the "partially-paid" regiments,* and receive the same advantages in the shape of capitation-grant, ammunition, &c, as the present rifle corps. Their dress should be the same as the regiments to which they are affiliated. Defences. The defences of the harbours are well planned, and the ;innaments are sufficient to repel the attack of several cruisers— provided the defence is properly organized and competent officers appointed, to command. Auckland, being the base for the navy, should be made perfectly secure. A powerful gun should be mounted on Victoria heights, as it would not only command the entrance, but fire on the anchorage off the city. A gun should also be mounted at Stokes Point, and a mine-field placed between it and Ponsonby Point to prevent ships running up the harbour and shelling the city from a position which is not seen by the guns of the defence. A gun is also required to command the anchorage at Wellington. It is not necessary to mount the Bin. gun at Lawyers Point at Dunedin, as the two H.P. 6in. guns and the two 7in. guns already mounted on the Ocean Beach would prevent a bombardment of the city. The submarine mining establishments are in a satisfactory condition, and, provided the officers and men are sufficiently trained, the mine defence should be effective. There would appear to be no adequate provision for keeping the public out of the batteries; the regulations recently drawn up by the War Office for this purpose should be strictly enforced. Staff. There is no one in command of the local forces. A commandant should be appointed who would be responsible for the discipline of the troops, their preparation for active service, and, in case of attack, for the disposal of the forces to resist it. The officer selected for this duty should have a thorough knowledge of his profession, and I recommend that application be made to Her Majesty's Government for the services of an officer as Commandant. Considering the frequent changes which take place in the art of war, it is desirable that this appointment should be made for not more than five years. He would require the assistance of a staff officer, who should be able to give the whole of his time to his military duties —the present Assistant Adjutant-General is also Inspector of Volunteers and Inspector of Prisons.

* In order to do this, the companies of the " partially-paid " regiments should be distributed as much as possible, and become schools of instruction for the rifle clubs.