35

H.—l9

Proceeding to the camp of the Nelson and Marlborough troops at Tapawera, Sir lan Hamilton witnessed an attack by the troops there. A regiment of Mounted Rifles, a battery of Field Artillery, and a battalion of Infantry, altogether 1,034 of all ranks, participated. The Wellington troops were concentrated at Takapau, and were inspected in camp by Sir lan Hamilton on the sth May. On the following day field operations were carried out, when 5,229 officers and men attended the camp. Two days were spent by the Inspector-General at the camp of the Auckland troops at Hautapu. On the first day a ceremonial parade was held near the camp, and on the second day the troops, numbering 4,371, carried out field operations. At the casual camps the attendance was as follows: Otago, 520; Canterbury, 346; Nelson, 113; Wellington, 635; Auckland, 199. Only one of these (at Takapau) had the good fortune to be seen by Sir lan Hamilton. Particularly good work was done by the Otago casuals, who carried out a three-days trek, fighting engagements on the second and third day, putting out outposts at night, and generally behaving as they would have to do in any enemy's country. The men during these three days carried their full kit and two days' rations. The total number of Garrison Artillery seen by the Inspector-General was 564, and of the Railway Battalions and Post and Telegraph Corps 444, which gives a total altogether of 18,752 troops inspected by him. In addition to the Citizen Army, as above, concentrations of Cadets for inspection by Sir lan Hamilton took place as follows: Invercargill, 1,030; Dunedin, 1,813; Oamaru, 4-15; Timaru, 989; Christchuroh, 1,683; Nelson, 643; Rotorua, 433; Hamilton, 1,070; Auckland, .'5,712; Hastings, 1,226; Palmerston North, 1,084; Wanganui, 589; New Plymouth, 940; Wellington, 1,304; Masterton, 531; Blenheim, 313: making a total of Cadets inspected of 17,805. These concentrations of Cadets necessitated the boys coming in in many cases from considerable distances. In many cases, where they had to stay the night, arrangements for their billeting and feeding were made by the civil authorities and citizens, and the Defence Department owes a great debt of gratitude to all those who assisted in this respect. A considerable strain was put on the organization and administration of the Departmsnt by having the troops and Cadets assembled at practically the same time, but the organization stood the test, and, generally speaking, both camps and concentrations of Cadets passed off without a hitch. Special sacrifices were also demanded from employers for the same reason, but, as a rule, they responded ungrudgingly and allowed all their employees to be away as far as was possible. The Inspector-General saw every unit of the Citizen Army and every Cadet company, and, considering the difficulties of concentration, it is satisfactory that he should have seen so large a proportion —namely, 36,157 of the total strength of 51,561 of Territorials and Cadets, or over 70 per cent. Though the camps were completed this year earlier than usual (hitherto they have always run into June), a great deal of bad weather was experienced, owing to the winter being exceptionally early. But the conduct and spirit of the troops was, as a rule, excellent, and the discomforts consequent on the wet weather were made little of by those who had to bear them. Alex. J. Oodlkt, Major-General. Wellington, 3rd June, 1914. Commanding New Zealand Forces

APPENDIX U. PROGRAMME KOR CURRENT YEA It. 1. Camps. For the 1915 camps the following will be the arrangements : — Auckland District. (1.) The Coast Defence Infantry and Artillery will be encamped at their war stations in Auckland. During the same period the Auckland Field Artillery Brigade and the 15th (North Auckland) Regiment .will be encamped together on the Helensville Railway-line, and the 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles will be encamped south of Auckland, both within striking distance of Auckland. (2.) All other units in the district will have separate and independent unit camps. Wellington District. (3.) The entire Wellington Coast Defence command will be encamped at its war stations in Wellington. At the same time two mobile columns — (a.) 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles. J Battery, and 7th (Wellington West Coast) liegiment, will be encamped on the Palmerston North Railway; and (l>.) A second column, consisting of the !)th (Wellington East Coast) Mounted Rifles, F Battery, and 17th (Ruahint , ) Regiment, will lie encamped mi the Wairarapa Railway. Both these columns will be within striking distance of Wellington. (4.) The remaining troops of the Wellington District will have separate and independent unit camps. South Island. (5.) A divisional Mounted Hifles camp will be held in the vicinity of Oamaru or Waimate, which will be attended by the Canterbury Mounted I'ihVs Brigade (less 10th (Nelson) Mounted Rifles), the Otago Mounted Rifles Brigade, the Canterbury Field Artillery Brigade, and the Otago Field Artillery Brigade. At the same time the 2nd (South Canterbury) Regiment will be encamped in the vicinity of Timaru or Waimate, and the 10th (North Otago) Regiment in the vicinity of Oamaru. (6.) All other units of the Canterbury and Otago Districts will hold independent unit camps, that of the 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment being held on the West Coast