H.—l9

2

Organization and Distribution of the New Zealand Defence Forces on the 28th February, 1910.

N.B.— On the 28th February, 1909, the total showed 20,428, making an increase for the year ending 28th February, 1910, of 1,885. Bands are being trained as stretcher-bearers. There are also 201 officers on the Militia list. Up to date 10,629 adult Volunteers have qualified for capitation. Fourteen rolls are still outstanding, taking which, at an average, it can be expected that 11,400 will capitate for year ending 28th February, 1910. The number of adult Volunteers who capitated as efficient for the year ending 28th Febiuary, 1906, was 11,051 ; 28th February, 1907, 10,846 ; 29th Febiuary, 1908, 11,068 ; 28th February, 1909, 10,356. The number of Defence Cadets who qualified for capitation for year ending 28th February, 1909, was 3,064. Up to date, 3,046 Defence Cadets have qualified for capitation. Seventeen rolls are still outstanding, which, at an average, it can be expected that about 3,800 Defence Cadets will qualify for year ending 31st December, 1909. Military Operations. On account of the visit of Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, inspections of the defences and Defence Forces were held during February and March in lieu of Easter camps. The following table shows the attendance of troops, &c, at the above inspections :'—

Last year 5,389 Volunteers and 855 Defence Cadets attended the Easter manoeuvres. Rifle Clubs. —It is most difficult to obtain musters for drill and instruction. It is not considered that any of the rifle clubs are efficient in this respect. It is intended to increase the ammunition grant and further extend the privilege of cheap ammunition ; also, in view of the general training coming into effect, to cancel the drill parades now required for Rifle Clubs. Staff rides, tactical exercises, and daylight week-end parades have been encouraged and carried out under district arrangements. Staff and Instructional Duties. The following instructional staff has been available during the year, and have done excellent work: — Artillery Services, Garrison and Field. —One Chief Instructor and 1 Sergeant-major ; also the officers and N.C.O.s of the R.N.Z.A,

I "T ~ Unit. (Wellington. I Auckland. jCanterbury. Auckland. jCanterbury. Otago. Nelson. Total, 1910. Comparison 1909. I I I - . - - -- Headquarters .. .. 15 District Staffs .. .. 11 12 I 18 Permanent Force .. .. j 110 71 37 Garrison Artillery Volunteers \ 264 459 188 Field Artillery . . .. j 117 76 ' 105 Engineers .. .. I 80 87 105 Railway Pioneers .. Mounted Rifles .. .. j 1,104 1,474 641 Infantry ! 2.324 898 1,201 Active List .. .. 81 22 £60 Medical Officers (attached) .. 23 21 £16 j Medical Officers (unattached) 19 16 H10 Field Ambulances .. 45 33 *54 Veterinary Officers (attached) 9 3 4 Reserve Volunteer Corps .. 27 .. ■ 95 Defence Cadets .. .. 999 1,159 670 Defence Rifle Clubs .. | 1,870 421 435 Garrison Bands .. .. ! 28 30 26 Battalion Bands .. .. Ill 68 41 i i I 7,242 4,850 3,706 13 5 40 3 232 71 102 54 86 61 714 298 1,468 635 34 M6 30 f'14 8 18 54 t 46 3 ! :. 122 1,050 i 231 281 607 I 31 28 101 69 15 59 261 1,214 454 358 611 4,231 6,526 1.213 1109 61 I ,'232 □ 19 r 244 4,109 3,414 143 J 390 15 55 266 1,011 382 273 3,759 6,108 ! 178 114 49 209 14 242 3,560 3,697 146 350 ', J 4,430 2,085 22,313 20,428

I Volunteers. Defence Cadets. Oontingenters. Veterans. St. John's I T , Ambulance. District. _■_ Wellington Otago Auckland .. Canterbury Nelson 2,913 434 1,791 774 1,814 895 1,470 623 663 113 8,651 2,839 50 10 145 22 214 40 . .. _ 3,492 2,587 2,973 125 2,268 776 60 421 125 12,096 t