H.—l9

12

Inspection of Volunteer Corps in Otago District —continued.

A very creditable return, marred by a few companies. About 85 per cent, capitated. Note. —Owing to the lateness of the season I inspected several corps of this district at the Easter Camp. It is impossible for corps to muster so strongly at camp as at their homes. (5.) Nelson, Maelboeough, and Westland Disteict. The Marlborough Mounted Eifle Company is not up to the standard. There are in this district three Naval Artillery companies. They are purely rifle companies, of which the Nelson and Westport are very good. There is one field battery, armed with 3-6-pr. E.B.L. guns. The guns are useless ; there is no ammunition for them. Theoretical knowledge is fair; practical knowledge nil. Of the ten rifle companies, those at Nelson and the Blenheim Eifles are good ; but the Westland companies are very much behindhand. This is generally not the fault of the officers and men, who as a rule appear to be keen to become efficient. A bad system has hitherto prevailed, which will be put an end to now that Lieut.-Colonel Pitt is in charge of the whole district. Competent supervision has been much needed. Lieut.-Colonel Bonar has done much for volunteering in the past. He is not, however, able to exercise that supervision which is necessary in the command of a sub-district, and the various companies under him have suffered in comparison with those companies which are more looked after. The practical examination of the officers has been allowed to become simply a form, and the subaltern officers of several of the companies are never given an opportunity of commanding their men on parade. The want of a drill-hall at Greymouth has severely handicapped the two companies belonging to that place. The drill-hall at Blenheim is too small for any company to drill in. At my inspection the Blenheim City Eifles had no officer and only one sergeant present. Majors Franklyn and Eogers take much interest in volunteering. Captain and Adjutant Littlejohn is a most excellent officer. Quartermaster Coleman is a good officer, taking great interest. Sergeant-Major Instructors Healy and Benning are capable instructors. The honorary officers of Nelson take quite an exceptional interest in the volunteering work. Lieut.-Colonel A. Pitt, V.D., who commands the district, is a most excellent officer.

Otago District. ■S'2 © a a c5 o 'to a co a g« I s O CD rt *a ra a o 4-3 c CD Ph on a H <! © © a i ;a a 2 * a -3 a, c3 c3 c 3*» a <y | P Remarks. on N CD a o o EH Eifle Companies— Eiverton Eifles 2 46 48 19 42 6 Seen at Easter Camp. A poor muster; work done good. Very good indeed. Seen at Easter Camp. I think this company will improve. Indifferent. The company was not at Easter Camp. Very good. Seen at Easter Camp; smart and well turned out. Very good indeed. Seen at Easter Camp; did capital work. Very good. Not seen. This corps did not attend Camp. Fair. This company had only 7 men at Easter Camp. Seen at Easter Camp. Good work done. The company has considerably improved. Not seen. This company did not attend Easter Camp. Dunedin City Guards ... 3 67 70 27 61 9 Bruce Eifles ... East Taieri Eifles 3 3 30 48 33 51 31 34 36 33 15 North Dunedin Eifles ... 2 64 66 42 63 3 Invercargill City Guards 3 70 73 40 73 Dunedin Highland Eifles Naseby Eifles... 3 3 63 45 66 48 54 61 28 5 20 Kaitangata Eifles 3 45 48 31 46 2 Gore Eifles ... 3 49 52 19 45 7 Eiversdale Eifles 45 48 31 17 Total ... 31 572 603 297 486 117 Grand total 61 1229 1290 786 1101 189