CAB11-57-1 — Page 123

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32. Under the head of Drills the figures are as follows:-

Field Battery.

"A"

Machine Gun

Company.

Have become efficient with more

than thirty drills

75

33

Have become efficient with less

than thirty drills

16

Are non-efficients

10

20

Totals

"B"

Machine Gun Company.

"C"

Machine Gun

Company.

"D"

Infantry

Company.

"E"

Engineer

Company.

38

38

37

18

14

12

a

2

6

2

3

7

4.

1

101

64

40

42

31

20

13

Band.

Of the 47 non-efficients, 11 are absent from the Colony on leave; 10 are absent from the Colony without leave; 2 are on medical certificate; 3 have during the season become employed in positions the nature of which prevents them attending drills; 10 have not had time since joining to complete their drills; and the remaining 11, although in the Colony, have not com- pleted the requisite number of drills, and will be called upon to show cause why they have failed to become efficient.

Camp of Instruction.

33. From the 20th to the 30th October, 1899, a camp of instruction was held under canvas on Stonecutter's Island East.

34. The use of the Naval Range on the island was kindly lent by the naval authorities during the holding of the camp.

35. The camp was well attended and much practical work was performed, including com- pany, carbine, and rifle drill, extended order practice, out-post duties, musketry instruction, fire discipline, gun drill, belt filling, lectures, and instruction in gun laying and fuze boring. Gun practice took place over sea and land ranges.

36. The corps also took part with the Regular Forces in the defence of Stonecutter's Island during a night mobilization. On that occasion the Engineer Company of the corps assisted the Royal Engineers in working the electric lights on the island.

37. I am strongly of opinion that the annual Camp of Instruction tends in a high degree to promote the efficiency and popularity of the corps. Endeavours will be made during the coming season to make the rationing of the corps at the next camp more in accordance with the scale and system in use by the Regular troops whilst in camp.

38. The camp allowance of 2 dollars per caput per diem (vide "Volunteer Regulations, 1899," paragraph 30 (4)) was, during the past season, found to be insufficient to cover the many expenses in connection with the Camp of Instruction. As the result of the experience gathered on the point, I beg to suggest that the allowance should be raised to 2 dol. 50 c. per caput per diem, and thus save to the Capitation Grant the large amount, viz., 817 dol. 13 c., which it was found necessary to disburse to cover the total expenditure, a sum which, had it remained to the credit of the corps funds, might have been spent in many ways to the advantage and benefit of the corps.

Services.

39. I have already given expression to the deep sense of obligation under which all ranks of the corps lie to Colonel Mainwaring and Major Morris for their services while holding the temporary command. Those services were cheerfully and freely rendered at a momentous period in the history of the corps, and there can be no doubt that it is in great measure owing to their ability, tact, and unwearied interest that the corps has been enabled to attain so satisfactory a position during the past season.

40. Major Arthur Chapman has, as was to be anticipated from his record as Officer Com- manding the Field Battery, proved himself to be an energetic and capable Second in Command. He is devoted to the performance of his duties, and always uses his great influence with the non-commissioned officers and men in the best interests of the corps.

41. Captain W. St. C. Bland, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was appointed to the Adjutantcy just prior to the end of the training season 1898-99, has ever since rendered most efficient servico in every department of his duties. By his skill and ability as an officer, by his close and unre- mitting attention to duty, by the keen interest which he shows in the drill and instruction of the corps, and, indeed, in everything that relates to it, and by his tact in dealing with all ranks he has

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