H.—l9

10

19. Examinations for First Commissions in the Tehritorial Force. For the first time an examination for first appointment to commissions in the Territorial Force was held last year. Qualified candidates from the non-commissioned-officer ranks who were recommended by their Commanding Officers were allowed to compete. A report on this examination has been printed and distributed. Out of 127 candidates who presented themselves for examination, only forty-two managed to pass the qualifying test. The syllabus was not a difficult one. It was partly practical and partly written, and was based on the military duties in which a 2nd Lieutenant should be proficient. An easy literary test in dictation, composition, and arithmetic was also applied. The result was disappointing, and showed that candidates had not seriously prepared themselves for the examination. Another examination will be held this July, when it is hoped better results will be attained. 20. Staff Exercises and Courses of Instruction. A Staff exercise for senior officers was held by me at Cambridge from the 26th to the 29th January, 1914. A report on it has been printed and issued. The work at this exercise resulted in very useful instruction to all the officers who took part in it. Officers of the Motor lteserve were again made use of, and our thanks are due to those who attended for their services in rendering this Staff exercise possible. The central camp of instruction, generally known as a " refresher " course, referred to in my last year's report, was held at Palmerston North. It was attended by 185 officers and 581 non-commissioned officers and men of the N.Z.S.C., H.N.Z.A., and Territorial Force. This course is held annually for the chief purpose of refreshing the officers of the N.Z.S.C. and noncommissioned officers of the Permanent Staff in their military knowledge, and of producing the necessary uniformity in methods of instruction. The course this year will be held on lines modified by the experience gained at the Palmerston camp. In the districts a number of classes of instruction were held during the year to advance the knowledge of officers and non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force in their duties. These classes do a great deal to improve the efficiency of the Territorial Force. I have made other reference to them in paragraph 3. 21. Harbour Defences. There have been no changes in the armament of the forts during the past year. The armament as it exists is as recommended by the Imperial Defence Committee, with the exception that the guns at Fort Bastion and Takapuna are G in. H.P. instead of 6 in. Mark VII. All the armament and ammunition is in good order and ready for service. Two new searchlights ordered for Auckland have not yet arrived. We expect them shortly. All coast-defence schemes have been revised and brought up to date. In view of the report on the coast defences and defence schemes, which you will shortly receive from the Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces, I will not enlarge further on the subject. 22. Surveys and Maps. During the year the topographical survey of the south-west portion of the Wellington Dietiict has been continued northwards as far as Upper Hutt and Paraparaumu. The Survey Staff consists of the Topographer in Charge, a draughtsman, an assistant topographer, and from two to three survey " hands " as required. The survey is based on the established triangulafion survey and on additional trigonometrical points fixed as required during the course of the work. In addition to this map the Survey Staff have constructed maps for the use of the troops in manoeuvre areas during the annual camps, &c, as below : — (a.) Waikato manoeuvre area and plan of Hautapu campsite for the Auckland District troops. (b.) Takapau manoeuvre area and plan of camp-site for Wellington District troops. (c.) Springfield*manoeuvre area for use of Canterbury District troops. (d.) Sutton manoeuvre area for use of Otago District troops, (c.) Preparation of charts and plans for coast-defence schemes. (/.) Preparation of sketches and finished drawings of New Zealand country for landscape targets for musketry instruction. ((/.) Marking on maps the distribution of troops of the Zealand Military Forces. (h.) Sketches and diagrams for the New Zealand Military Journal and for lecturing purposes. (i.) Surveys at the Wellington forts for the purpose of fixing trainings and ranges to datum-points. (j.) Fixing of trainings and levels for the forts at Auckland. 23. Wikeless. It has not been deemed advisable to incur expense in connection with field wireless as yet. Until we are supplied with other more urgently necessary equipment the expense of introducing and maintaining wireless equipment would not be justified. In the meantime we are keeping touch with the latest developments, in order that, when money for the purpose is available, no time may be lost in the purchase of the necessary plant. It should be obtained if possible by 191G, when it may be expected that manoeuvres on a scale for which it would be necessary may possibly be held.