H.—l9

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(4.) Otago Disteict. The Otago Hussars is one of the best bodies of Volunteers that I have ever met. The North Otago Mounted Eifles is a very good company. The Dunedin Naval Artillery is very good indeed, having 47 well-trained and 25 partiallytrained gunners. The Port Chalmers Naval Artillery is very much improved, and has 32 welltrained and 45 partially-trained men in its ranks. The Bluff Naval Artillery is an excellent infantry company ; and the Oamaru Navals has very considerably improved as an infantry company. There are three field batteries in the district. Of these, B Battery is as good as can be expected. The G and I Batteries have improved very much in their knowledge of gunnery. All are deficient in practical knowledge. G Battery is armed with 12-pr. E.B.L. guns, which are unserviceable. B and I Batteries have 9-pr. E.B.L. guns. There is no service ammunition on issue, nor is there the means of carrying it. The Dunedin Engineer Company is in a very good state of efficiency. Considerable improvement has been shown in the majority of the infantry companies, of which there are eleven in the district. Several are, however, inefficient in their strength and knowledge. The Bruce Eifle Company did not capitate last year, being below its minimum strength. The East Taieri, Naseby, and Eiversdale Eifle Companies did not attend the Easter Camp, and the Kaitangata Company was represented by seven men. The infantry instruction in this district is very much behindhand. Sergeant-Major Towler is good, but the other instructors are useless. With good instruction the Volunteers would much improve. They have shown that they are desirous of learning. The Oamaru and Southland Districts have been absorbed into the Otago District, under Lieut.-Colonel Webb. I feel certain that the corps in those districts will benefit thereby. Lieut.-Colonel Webb is a very excellent officer. Majors Callan, Headland, and Smail, and Captain Milne and Quartermaster Mclndoe, are very good officers. A battalion can easily be formed in this district, and Lieut.-Colonel Webb has already taken steps in that direction.

Inspection of Volunteer Corps in Otago District.

Otago District. T5 13 © a a cs .3 m tn a '!« ° £ a cd Soft o o CD m d •4=» 'S, a o •21 43 13 o3 © 43 S Is a <y © "3 "3 a a* a P Remarks. 03 u CD o o "3 o Cavalry and Mounted BiflesOtago Hussars North Otago Mounted Eifles Total ... • 3 3 58 60 61 63 57 53 55 52 6 11 Excellent. Very good. 6 118 124 110 107 17 Naval Artillery— A. Dunedin Navals 3 72 75 40 69 6 Very good indeed. Seen at camp at gunnery. Good ; very much improved. Very good indeed as an infantry company. Seen at Easter Camp; did capital work. Much improved as an infantry comPort Chalmers Navals B. Bluff Navals 3 4 77 97 80 101 64 53 76 98 4 3 Oamaru Navals 58 61 60 59 2 Total ... 302 15 pany. 13 304 317 217 Field Artillery— B Battery 3 57 60 31 49 11 Very good as regards its officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. Practical work necessary. Personnel good; materiel useless. Detachment seen at Easter Camp. Improved very much. Practical work very necessary. G Battery 52 55 18 52 3 3 I Battery 3 48 51 49 40 11 Total ... 9 157 166 98 141 25 Engineers — Dunedin Engineers 2 78 80 64 15 Very good indeed. 65