H.—l9a

1903, NEW ZEALAND.

VOLUNTEER FORCE (PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO THE).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 24th July, 1903. Ordered, "That there be laid before this House a return showing for the six years ending the 31st March, 1903, for each year separately, (1) the total annual cost of the Volunteer districts for the whole colony ; (2) the cost of eaoh district ; (3) the number of corps (mounted and foot) in each district, with the number of men in eaoh corps; (4) the number of members who qualify for capitation in each corps ; and (5) the number and names of, and duties performed by, each paid officer and official in eaoh distriot, and the amount of salary paid to each such officer and official.'—(Mr. Geaham.)

Return showing (1) Annual Cost of each Volunteer District, and (2) Total Annual Cost for the Colony, for the Six Years ending the 31st March, 1903.

T. F. Grey, 11th September, 1903. For Under-Secretary for Defence.

Return of Number of Adult Volunteer Corps, Mounted and Foot, in each District, on the 31st March, for the Six Years ending the 31st March, 1903.

I—H. 19a,

Year. Volunteer District. 1897-98. 1898-99. 1899-1900. Total. 1900-1. 1901-2. 1902-3. Auckland ... Wellington Nelson Canterbury Otago £ 4,809 5,858 3,554 5,402 6,548 £ 12,070 12,104 4,472 10,659 10,736 £ 8,070 9,400 3,024 7,908 8,092 £ 13,026 16,275 5,414 12,157 12,952 £ 14,091 24,100 6,991 15,894 19,358 £ 19,921 27,788 8,048 17,236 22,076 £ 71,987 95,525 31,503 69,256 79,762 Annual totals 26,171 50,041 36,494 59,824 80,434 95,069 348,033

District. Description of Corps. Number of CorpB in existence on the 31st March. 1898. j 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. 1903. Auckland Wellington kelson... Canterbury )tago ... ... J ( f ... | Mounted Foot Mounted Foot Mounted Foot Mounted Foot Mounted Foot 1 16 5 16 1 12 2 16 3 19 4 23 5 24 1 11 4 20 4 22 5 23 7 26 2 9 4 22 5 23 18 26 19 43 4 12 14 26 7 31 18 26 22 45 4 13 14 26 13 34 19 26 22 46 4 14 1:1 26 13 34