FT.—l9

16

officers temporarily employed on District and Group Stall's. Wherever practicable, these, officers have been posted to their original stations, pending redistribution of officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps on reorganization and reversion to norma] peace conditions. All District and Group_ Staffs have been reduced to an economical minimum consistent with efficiency, and when demobilization has been completed will be brought down to normal peace establishment. The transfer of the weifrk in connection with the treatment of discharged soldiers from the Public Health Department to the l Defence Department necessitated a slight modification in district organization. To deal with this situation a special branch at District Headquarters was formed, known as District Headquarters (Medical)," under the control of the Assistant Director of Medical Services of each district. The latter was made directly responsible, to the Officer Commanding the District for the administration and control of the whole of District Headquarters (Medical), which is responsible for the records and medical treatment of all returned soldiers within its particular district. Discipline. The discipline of the Territorial Force continues to be satisfactory, and shows still further improvement in the reduction in the number of those prosecuted under the Defence Act as compared with the previous year. During the latter part of the existence of the Expeditionary Force training-camps the, improvement in the discipline, of the troops throughout the Dominion was very marked, and the general conduct of all troops has been most satisfactory. Returned soldiers on leave prior to discharge arc, on the whole, very well behaved, considering the fact that they are scattered and away from the discipline, of their units. Organization. Certain changes in the organization of the Department of the Adjutant-General have been effected during the year. On the, signing of the Armistice and the consequent suspension of the operation of the Military Service Act, and the cessation of all recruiting for the Expeditionary Force, the Directorates of Recruiting and Personal Services were abolished, skeleton staffs being retained for the winding-up of work under action by these two branches. SECTION 111.-BRANCH OF THE QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL TO THE FORCES. Drill-halls and other Buildings. The policy of last year has to a great extent been continued, the Department's efforts being chiefly directed to the maintenance of existing buildings in a state of repair. Expansion in regard to office, and store, &c, accommodation has been confined strictly to essentials. Extension in provision of increased accommodation for Medical Branch requirements has been considerable. This, of course, was inevitable at the termination of the war, owing to the evacuation to the Dominion of all invalided troops and necessity for completion of their treatment locally. With the arrival of the Army divisional equipment and stores suitable accommodation at local centres must be, found ; in the*meantime Trentham r will be'used to cover them. Defence Vessels. These vessels have been fully employed during the year, and during the period of repatriation will continue to be so. When demobilization is complete the position will require to be reviewed in accordance, with altered circumstances and the possible establishment of a Naval Service in the Dominion. Local Transportation. The demands on the local transport services (rail, steamer, and coach) in connection with th c concentration and final leave of Reinforcements, the evacuation of the, training-camps on the cessation of hostilities., and the despatch of invalided troops to their homes, &c, have been fully met without serious difficulty, despite restricted facilities during the period. The continued assistance of the railway and steamship authorities in this direction calls for clue appreciation. Very heavy demands continue to bo made on these local transport facilities in connection with the return and demobilization of the Expeditionary Force. The repatriation of from four to five thousand returned troops monthly as occasion has demanded has, however, been handled without undue inconvenience tinder the circumstances, and the pressure in this direction must of course continue till return and demobilization of our troops overseas is completed. The four-weeks privilege tickets over all lines granted to the soldiers after return naturally increases largely the demands on railway travelling facilities. The concessions on current fares granted, by steamship companies and the majority of coachproprietors throughout the Dominion in connection, with return of soldiers to their homes or when travelling for medical treatment continue to be of material assistance to the Department in largely reducing the cost of transport. Rifle Ranges. The problem of providing adequate facilities for training in rifle shooting is a matter which will require considerable attention in the future. During the war existing facilities have been kept up to date as far as possible. Miniature rifle ranges have been increased throughout the Dominion, and have proved of great service in the preliminary training of the young marksman.