H.—l9

22

Prior to being taken over under the Defence Amendment Act, 1912, many drill-halls, &c, previously vested in trustees were insured by the trustees from revenue funds or departmental grants. On these buildings vesting in the Crown they become subject to the provisions of section 5, Public Revenues Amendment Act, 1912, and section 31, Public Revenues Act, 1913. The Department was therefore able to dispense with such insurances. The number of drill-halls available for the training of the Territorial Force and Senior Cadets in each district is shown in the following table; also the number of schools, public and private halls, or other suitable buildings at present rented, where there are no drill-halls, for training purposes. The rentals are mainly at nominal rates, for use on one or two nights weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, in accordance with local requirements and the number of Territorials and Cadets undergoing training at the centre. In many cases the charges are fixed by owners or School Committees, &c, to cover cost of lighting and cleaning only, and in several cases use is permitted free of charge. The number of buildings rented for this purpose varies from year to year in accordance with the population in country districts, and the number of boys and youths posted for training in the various centres. Buildings hired Drill-halU. for Drill Purposes. Auckland ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 139 Wellington ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 112 Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 105 Otago ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 117 Totals ... ... ... ... ... 66 471 A list of the drill-halls is given in Appendix L. To the Public Works Department is due thanks for estimates, contracts, and supervision for new drill-hails, <fee, and also for supervision of repairs to existing buildings. With closer relations between the two Departments, there is no doubt that in future further economy can be practised. For instance, it is hoped to arrange drill-halls into classes or types to suit the population and requirements in the various centres, to be so designed that they may be added to from time to time, and to secure a standard pattern at the least possible cost throughout the Dominion. 76. Value of Buildings belonging to the Department. The following schedule gives the approximate value of buildings belonging to the Department, including drill-halls, offices, stores, barracks, magazines, &c, in 1913. This is exclusive of value of sites. Dnll.haU, «JiJJ- £ . £ Auckland ... ... ... ... ... 9,258 15,757 Wellington ... ... ... ... ... 30,580 58,597 Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... 26,725 7,175 Otago ... ... ... ... ... ... 47,950 16,870 Totals ... ... ... .. £114,513 £98,389 £21"2,902 77. Artillery Ranges. No permanent ranges exist. The field batteries all carried out gun practice in the vicinity of the camps. Fair ranges were obtained at little expense. m 78. Rifle Ranges. There are 271 rifle ranges in the Dominion, the larger number on lease. Some of these have, in the past been allowed to fall into disrepair, but a great deal has been done during the past year to rectify this. An amount of £3,045 14s. 3d. has been expended on them (vide Appendix M). The ranges at Trentham, Penrose, and Pelichet Bay have had fairly large amounts expended on repairs and additions, which have been well carried out. A good mound has been erected at the 900-yards firing-point at Trentham ; also a miniature rifle range, which has been instrumental in enabling the Cadets of Wellington and suburbs to carry out the whole of their class firing. The Penrose rifle range has been extended to 1,000 yards. 79. Clothing. The clothing of the Territorial Force and Senior Cadets has been continued steadily during the year, and at the end of March, with the exception of the forage caps, all clothing demands were completed. The supply of greatcoats and puttees has also been brought up to date, and all branches of the service have been fully supplied as demands came forward. The quality of material and make of garments has been fully maintained, and no complaints have been received in this respect.