CO885-5 — Page 409

PUBLIC RECORD

OFFICE

Reference :-

885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

37.t

The first three, being scientific corps required for harbour defence, have been highly trained, and have been subjected to severe examinations to ascertain their fitness for promotion to their several grades. Lieutenant-Colonel Boddam has taken great pains with the scientific instruction, and now at the four great centres we have a body of highly instructed men, capable of teaching the volunteers practically their several duties and of keeping the arms and appliances in their charge in serviceable order, besides using them to the best effect.

In June 1885 Major Cautley, R.E., whose period of service in the Colony had expired, was succeeded by Major Boddam, late R.A., who had for some years been employed on the defences of Tasmania. Upon this, officer the bulk of the real work of the harbour defences has devolved. His

is attached, which will show how report much has been accomplished. In June and July 1885 he prepared and sent home the necessary requisitions for the submarine appliances essential to the defence of several of the harbours. These have now arrived, together with the electric light, which has been erected at three or four of the principal ports.

The fortifications require far more men of the artillery than the permanent force can supply, and therefore a garrison volunteer artillery has been formed at Auckland, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, which in case of any sudden attack could reinforce the permanent artillery, which could provide barely two men per gun. At Wellington as yet no response has been made to the invitation to form such a corps, but it is understood that the subject is under contemplation, and that a battery will eventually be formed.

The torpedo corps is also a bare nucleus only able to instruct and keep its material in good order. But at most ports the naval volunteers are responding to the invitation of the Department and learning the work. It will also be necessary for the navals

to learn guard-boat duties, and it is to be hoped that it may be possible in time to obtain suitable machine guns to enable them to perform it. The volunteer spirit evoked in 1885 by the danger of foreign attack has not proved evanescent. By almost every mail Government is still asked to accept the services of new corps; sinco January it has been compelled to decline no fewer than 24 of these. The total number of volunteers now on the rolls is 8,565.

As regards the physique and use of their arms, better material could not be found, but in the instruction of the officers, who were comparatively very inferior to their men, in the selection and appointment of suitable superior officers and in the enactment of a simple Act to comprise all the possible requirements of war as well as of the volunteers, much had to be done before the force could be made efficient. These preliminary difficulties have been got over. An excellent Act, approved by all branches of the service, was passed last session. The field officers of the several battalions have been chosen, and promise to be able to do any duty required of them. Last year the officers were gradually accustomed to rather more difficult examinations. Since last session military instruction has been placed on a better footing. Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey, the President of the Council, has already inaugurated a system more advanced, but still eminently practical, under which military and rifle instruction will henceforth be imparted to members of the force.

The old Constabulary Act was last session repealed and the two branches of the force separated and placed under distinct Acts-the Police and Defence Acts. The part of the constabulary styled the "Reserve is now the permanent militia, and a distinctly military body. In conduct, discipline, and physique this force is equal to the best force in the Empire. Regulations, under which the only avenue by which entrance to the permanent militia is through the ranks of the volunteers, have been published, and it is hoped that in this way a connexion between all branches of the service may be created.

The cadet corps of the Colony in 1885 had been suffered to dwindle through dis- couragement. It appeared to the Government that this was an undesirable state of things, and there are to-day 2,421 cadets enrolled, many corps being equal to the best cadet corps in the world. Wherever formed we learn that discipline has caused a distinct improvement in the habits of the lads, who no longer show the same tendency to "larrikinism as before. Even at such places as Westport and Greymouth this improvement is said by leading citizens to be apparent.

""

In 1885 the colonial magazines were empty, or nearly so. To-day we have a reserve of two million cartridges. In 1885 we had artillery (field) without guns, without reserve ammunition, infantry without accoutrements, and absolutely no reserve of small arms. To-day we have. got the field artillery guns, and six lately imported, better distributed. At least, now the guns of each battery are of the same calibre

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and description, and when twelve, now daily expected, cheaply bought from the Government, arrive, it will become possible to give each battery a fair quota, if not its full number, of similar serviceable guns.

The organisation of the volunteer force on paper in 1885 has since then been made a reality, notwithstanding the few occasions on which it can be called out. At the annual camps, volunteers learn more of their duties than in the whole year besides. Last year more than 4,000 went into camp. This year it is hoped by their officers that 5,000 will take part in the camp of each island.

In 1885 the tents in the store department were absurdly insufficient for the use of the force. To-day there are, or will be by February, nearly 600, being 400 more than in 1885.

Drill sheds have been built at almost every station; rifle ranges bought or improved at many. Naval corps have been aided in procuring boats, and a cartridge factory has been started at Auckland, and terms offered to the firm of Pigon and Wilks to establish a powder factory.

The volunteer force is now dressed alike, and local manufacturers supply most of the uniforms.

GEO. WHITMORE,

II.

(Signed)

REPORT by MAJOR BODDAM.

Commandant.

SUMMARY showing works that will be required to complete NEW ZEALAND DEFENCES. December 6, 1886.

AUCKLAND.

North Head.-Complete with exception of two 8-inch gun-pits, and magazines in

lower batteries, and minor details at Fort Cautley.

Bastion and Takapuna.-Complete, except barracks and minor details. Fort Resolution.-Complete.

Mount Victoria.-Will take four months to complete. Submarine Defences.-Complete.

Torpedo boat and equipment.-Complete. Electric Light.-Complete; only requires erection.

WELLINGTON.

Fort Ballance.-Complete, except minor details. Ngauranga.-Complete, except minor details. Kaiwarra.-Complete.

Kau Point.-Will take six months to complete.

Halswell Point.-Commenced; will take twelve months to complete. Mount Crawford.-Commenced; will take one month to complete.

Submarine Defences. Electric Light. Torpedo boat, &c.

Ripa Island.-About half finished.

Complete.

LYTTELTON.

Battery Point.-Complete, except details.

Spur Battery.-Complete.

Erskine Point.-Half finished.

Torpedo Boat and equipment.-Complete. Submarine Defences.-One month to complete.

3 G

A

51481.