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good. Both officers and non-commissioned officers have worked at extreme pressure not only in the execution of their ordinary duties, but also to perform those of their more fortunate comrades at the front. Officers and non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force and Reserve temporarily posted for duty in the place of officers and non-commissioned officers of the Permanent Force now serving at the front have, in the majority of cases, worked with great zeal and efficiency. 4. Central Training-camp, Wellington District. This training year the experiment, was tried in the Wellington District of holding one main camp for the training of the whole of the Territorial units in the district. Rangiotu Camp, which had previously been prepared for the concentration of a large number of troops, proved central and excellent for the purpose. The results of this experiment clearly show that this system, provided a central camp can be well prepared and is adjacent to good manoouvring-ground, has great advantages in comparison with the system of holding separate camps in scattered areas. This is obvious, because it permits of the efficient supervision of the work of the District Instructors, and ensures that all units receive the same instruction. In addition the advantages of stimulating the competitive spirit in units and the opportunity given to compare the standard of efficiency and discipline attained by respective units must make for a higher standard of excellence. 5. Mounted Rifles. Satisfactory progress has been made during the training year, and much attention has been paid to elementary instruction and dismounted drill. It is generally recognized that mounted men in future wars must be prepared to fight equally well on foot as on horseback. The loss of many experienced officers and non-commissioned officers now serving with the Expeditionary Force has been a serious drawback to efficient training. Fortunately, the services of ex-officers of considerable experience have been obtained, and all ranks have combined to correct the consequent loss of efficiency. 6. Field Artillery. (a.) Royal New Zealand, Artillery (Field Section). In the absence of the permanent Adjutants the officers temporarily appointed continue to carry out their duties efficiently. The non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal New Zealand Artillery who remain are divided as evenly as possible among the various cadres, depots, and the Featherston Trainingcamp. (b.) Territorial Field, Artillery. Owing to the continuance of war-conditions the Territorial batteries are still severely handicapped in their training owing to lack of material. All batteries have carried out their full course of parades throughout the year. The annual training-camps have been completed by all batteries, and in the majority of cases these have been held in close proximity to the cities, where the convenience of employers could be studied. Shell practice was carried out by all batteries during camp, This practice was conducted in a manner which allowed for the utmost instruction being obtained with the minimum expenditure of ammunition. On the whole the practice was good. The prominent feature of the Field Artillery is the continued keenness of all ranks and the readiness with which extra time is given for training. (c.) School Cadet Artillery. The training is being carried out on the same lines as indicated last year, and is working smoothly. Wherever possible the Cadets attended the shell practice of their parent batteries. 7. Garrison Artillery. (a.) Royal New Zealand Artillery (Garrison, Section). The only station that held a Garrison Artillery camp was Lyttelton, but most of the officers and men at the defended ports have had an extra amount of drill and instruction during the year, which has to a large extent compensated for the loss of training-camps. A certain amount of shell practice has been carried out. The discipline and efficiency have been very satisfactory. The instruction has been given by officers, non-commissioned officers, and gunners of the Royal New Zealand Artillery, and has proved quite satisfactory. A number of the Territorial officers and non-commissioned officers are now quite competent to instruct in all Garrison. Artillery duties. (b.) Territorial. During the past year the Garrison Artillery companies have received a considerable amount of instruction. The present standard of efficiency is high. The discipline and soldierly spirit are good. 8. Engineers. (a.) Field, Companies, The Field Engineers have managed to retain a creditable standard of efficiency in spite of the disadvantages under which they labour owing to a shortage of experienced officers, noncommissioned officers, and men. The field-work has generally been good. More attention must be paid to the elementary recruit-training.
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