H.—9b

4

I must now advise that the Defence Engineer's plans and papers be at once handed back to the Defence Department, and that a proper section of that department be reconstituted. In my report I have recommended that certain works should be carried out to complete the present defence works and render them effective. I need say no more than that I consider these works to be absolutely necessary, and that I believe that in the best interests of the colony they should be supervised in construction by a man with intimate knowledge of submarine-mining requirements and of works-construction. I therefore again recommend that a Royal Engineer officer, duly qualified, be obtained, through application to His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, for a term of three years, which time will be in my opinion sufficient for the completion of the works as recommended. I, on the 26th April, informed the Hon. Minister of Defence that I was ready to take charge immediately if I had the assurance of his help in carrying out those reforms indicated in my report, in so far as the annual estimate for three years was concerned; that I was anxious to at once undertake the duties of Commander of the Forces; that I should require the assistance of a Staff Officer, who, I was informed, would be appointed, if Iso recommended, on my arrival in New Zealand; that I hoped he would see fit to recommend to his Government that the proposals which I had put forward for the re-arming of the forces, and for the completion of the submarine mining works and defences, and for the perfecting of the defence of the four centres and of the coal port, and for the concentration of the armaments, should be adopted ; that although, with his help, I was perfectly willing to take up the duties of Commander of the Forces, it would be impossible for me to accept the responsibility of the defence of the Colony unless my recommendations as regards that defence should be carried out; and I had the honour of submitting a memorandum of the duties and responsibilities of an officer occupying the position of Commander of the Forces. Subsection (2), section 5, of " The Defence Act, 1886," reads, — " He may from time to time appoint an officer to be the Commander of the Forces, or any " portion of them, who shall be responsible for the discipline and efficiency of the Force, and who " shall inspect and report once in every year to the Governor upon the state of the Forces." It will be observed that I have expressed my willingness to undertake the duties of Commander of the Forces at the instance of the Hon. the Minister, but that it is impossible for me to be responsible for the efficiency and discipline of Forces which I have already reported on as being quite inefficient and with little discipline, unless my recommendations based on the annual estimate which I had put forward were carried into force, and unless I were given the sole control as regards discipline, as recommended by me; and also that, unless my recommendations as regards the supply of proper rifles to the Forces, and the completion of the defence works, submarine mining, and otherwise, were carried out, it will not be possible for the Government or Parliament of the colony to hold me in any way responsible for their defence either in the present or in the future. The duties and responsibilities of the officer occupying the position of Commander of the Forces or Commandant should be as follows (vide Queen's Regulations) ; — He is charged — (1.) With the command, discipline, distribution, military education, training, and efficiency of the officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the New Zealand Permanent Militia and Volunteer Forces, when subject to military law, or when assembled for training, exercise, inspection, or voluntary military duty. (2.) With enlisting men for and discharging men from the Permanent Militia and Volunteer Forces. (3.) With the selection of fit and proper persons to be recommended to His Excellency the Governor for appointment to commissions in the Permanent Militia and Volunteer Forces and tvith the submission to His Excellency of qualified persons recommended for appointment to commissions in Her Majesty's Forces. (4.) With the selection of fit and proper officers, -whether of the Permanent Militia or Volunteer Forces, for promotion, for staff and other military appointments, and for military honours and rewards.