H.—l9

12

These figures taken in conjunction with former returns show the gross total of operations performed in Expeditionary Force camps in New Zealand since the inception of the corps in November, 1915, to the signing of the Armistice in November, 1918, to be as follows : — Fillings .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 221,214 Scaling operations .. .. .. .. .. .. 18,337 Extractions .. .. .. .. .. .. 98,817 Artificial dentures .. .. .. .. .. .. 24,223 Repairs to dentures .. .. .. .. .. 3,560 Total attendances .. .. .. .. .. .. 260,990 During May, 1919, the dental examination and charting of 251 Cadets undergoing training in Trentham Camp was carried out by the Dental Staff. The figures supplied disclose the fact that only fifteen boys diet not require dental attention, and that the remainder presented an average of approximately twelve defective teeth each. These lads, for the most part, were educated at secondary schools; and it is interesting to note that compared with the men of the Second Division of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force each Cadet presented, on an average, 6-5 more defective teeth than the soldier of the New Zealand Army. As it was thought probable that the parents and guardians concerned were, unaware of the serious dental conditions existing, a circular letter was sent in all cases where necessary, drawing attention to the defects and stressing the very great benefit which would result if these boys were given the opportunity of an early visit to a dentist. Strength of the Forces. The strength of the New Zealand Defence Forces on the 31st March, 1919, was as under :— Territorial Force .. .. .. .. .. .. 25,626 Senior Cadets .. .. .. .. .. .. 31,109 Rifle Clubs .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,354 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 63,089 The above figures do not include members of the Territorial Force serving overseas with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Legislation. Since the last report the following Acts affecting the New Zealand Forces were passed into law : The Repatriation Act, 1918, making provision for the repatriation of soldiers ; the War Legislation and Statute Law Amendment Act, 1918, amending, inter alia, certain enactments having reference to the then state of war ; the Military Decorations and Distinctive Badges Act, 1918, prohibiting the improper use or disposal of military decorations and other insignia; the Expeditionary Forces Amendment Act, 1918, amending the law relating to the raising and maintenance of Expeditionary Forces for service abroad during the war. Prosecutions. Appendix A is a return showing the prosecutions laid under the Defence Act, 1909, and its amendments, from the fst May, 1918, to the 31st March, 1919. During that period the percentage of convictions to prosecution was: Territorials, 92; Senior Cadets, 76*40. The number of prosecutions for breaches of the Defence Act compared with those for the corresponding period last year show a decrease of 77 in the case of Territorials, and an increase of 130 in that of Senior Cadets. Registrations. From the commencement (2nd Juno, 1911) of registration for military training under the Defence Act up to the 31st March, 1919, the following registrations have been recorded : —

From the Ist April, 1918, to the 31st March, 1919, the total number of registrations throughout the Dominion was 10,327. Posting. The modification of the original scheme, for posting annual quotas as outlined in my last report for the year 1917 1.8 was continued for the year 1918-19. The General Training Section having been absorbed into units of the Territorial Force, postings were carried out direct from the Senior Cadets to the Territorial Force. These postings were effected on the Ist June, 1918, and, as in the 1917-18 posting, first consideration was given to Coast Defence units, particularly Garrison Artillery divisions at defended ports, which were brought up to full strength before any postings were made to other units of the Territorial Force.

District. Territorials. Senior Cadets. Totals. Auckland Canterbury .. Otago Wellington Totals 11,072 25,026 7,763 25,551 6,930 17,643 10,608 30,736 36,373 98,956 36,098 33,314 24,573 41,344 135,329