H.—l9

6

A light ambulance-wagon is being constructed in Wellington, and, if considered satisfactory, others will be built to take the place of the Imperial pattern at present on issue in the militarydistricts, these being considered too heavy and unwieldy for colonial requirements. Army Service Corps. No Army Service Corps at present exists in the Dominion, but, as it is considered so necessary that men should be trained in these important duties, the Council intend during the coming year to establish if possible a small nucleus of such a force. The establishment of small companies in the various military districts should be sufficient to carry on the ordinary work required at peace manoeuvres and camps, and these would be capable of expansion to meet the necessary requirements in the event of war. Transport. Patterns of transport-wagons, S.A.A. carts, and water-carts, are being constructed in Wellington, and if these are considered satisfactory a supply will be built for issue to each district. Stores and Magazines. Auckland. —All buildings are in good order, and no additions or alterations have been made during the year. Wellington. —Approval for the erection of a small armourer's shop at Wellington was obtained some time ago, the plans and construction of which are in the hands of the Public Works Department; but up to the present the work has not been commenced. Canterbury. —-An armourer's shop has been erected in Christchurch. Negotiations are nowproceeding for securing a suitable site for a safety cartridge-store, which is urgently needed. Otago. —The new store buildings and offices have been completed, and are now in use. They are a great improvement on the old Garrison Hall store. Nelson. —The necessary repairs have been made to the store. Clothing and Equipment. As regards clothing, tenders were invited from the various woollen-mills in the Dominion for the supply of cloth for uniforms; those of the Kaiapoi, Mosgiel, and Wellington Companies being accepted. A good supply of brown-leather accoutrements has been obtained in the Dominion at satisfactory rates, and the whole of the Defence Rifle Cadet Corps have been supplied with new accoutrements. All adult Infantry Corps whose accoutrements are obsolete or unserviceable are now being supplied. It is recommended that a reserve of accoutrements be gradually built up, so that in case of emergency an immediate issue could be made from store. The camp equipment is being maintained in good order, and any tents that are unfit for further service are disposed of, the money thus obtained being utilised in purchasing new tents. A large addition has been made to the stock of cooking-utensils during the year. Arms and Ammunition. Six extra 15-pounder B.L. guns have been imported during the past year, and issued to the various Field Artillery Batteries. As regards small-arms, the whole of the Mounted Corps of the South Island have been armed with the new pattern M.L.E. rifle. A supply of short rifles has been ordered from England to similarly equip the Mounted Corps in the North Island. All corps were visited during the year by the Inspecting Armourers, and necessary repairs effected. ... . . A satisfactory reserve of gun and small-arm ammunition is maintained. The ammunition supplied by the Colonial Ammunition Company continues to be satisfactory. Rifle Ranges. During the past year the rifle ranges in the Dominion have received a great deal of attention, and are generally in a very satisfactory condition. By a clause in " The Defence Act Amendment Act, 1907," rifle ranges may now be vested in Trustees under the Volunteer Drill-sheds and Lands Act of 1888, and steps are being taken to have all sites which are rifle range reserves so vested. During the year a new range has been completed at Hamilton, and a site taken for a range at Te Aroha, and at Tauranga land is to be taken to extend the present range. The Sumner Rifle Range has been purchased by the Government, and money granted for equipping the range at Thames. The Penrose Range has been extended, and repairs have been carried out on the ranges at Whangarei, Polhill Gully, Dannevirke, Trentham, Millerton, Denniston, Mudflat, Kaikoura, Timaru, Grassmere, Pelichet Bay, and others.