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5
Equipment.
6. The whole Corps is now equipped with the new pattern army rifle (M. L. E. short) and the latest pattern bandolier equipment; the latter consists of—
Brown leather waist-belt, bandolier and 4 cartridge pockets, haversack, water bottle and strap, mess tin and cover, carrier, coat web and 2 coat straps.
This was received on the 13th February, 1905, and is a great improvement on the old equipment; the Artillery and Engineer units are now armed and equipped alike.
A new pattern Silver Dragon badge has also been introduced for the helmet and field service cap.
*
Discipline, Training, &c.
17. The discipline of the Corps has been good. Under the head of drills the figures are as follows:-
:-
No. 1 Company.
No. 2 Company.
Staff.
H.K.V.E.
Band.
Right, Left.
Right.
Left.
Efficients with more than 30 drills Efficients with less than 30 drills Non-efficients
7
34
18
18
35
18
Total
18
::
27
12
5
20
8
7
11
: Ni
68
32
34
64
32
2
The Troop have not been included in the above table; they have attended their drills extremely well, but their saddlery and equipment have not yet been supplied, and they have not had a sufficient number of drills to enable them to put in the required number. I therefore cannot include them amongst the efficients, although I consider the majority of them should be so classed.
Of the 35 non-efficients, 15 are absent with leave from the Colony, 1 is excused on medical certificate, 14 are recruits who have only recently joined, and 5 will be called upon to make good the loss to the Corps funds.
It will be seen from the above that there is again a very distinct improvement on former years, and a large percentage of the numbers have been present at a really good number of drills, and have not been satisfied with the bare minimum. One recruit, Gunner A. E. Wright, Right Half No. 2 Co., H.K.V.A., has been present at 110 drills, although he only joined the Corps ou the 15th September, 1904.
18. Drills have been carried out throughout the year with the 15-pr. B.L. guns and
•303-in. Maxims, in addition to Infantry Drill, &c.
19. Maxim practice was carried out frequently in Camp and on the 15th October, 1904, 28th January, 4th February, and 18th February, 1905.
20. 15-pr. B.L. practice was carried out on the 15th, 26th, and 29th October, 1904, and 4th February, 1905.
21. It will be noticed that more gun practice has been carried out than in previous years, and the Corps are now sufficiently well trained to undertake this practice under service conditions, with land targets at a long range.
22. The practice on the 29th October, 1904, was carried out at 4,100 yards at difficult targets, this range being the limit for the fuze (T. and P., No. 56), at that time in the hands of the Corps. The Officers and men have been left entirely to themselves without the interference of instructors except at the elementary practices, and I consider they have proved themselves efficient with both 15-pr. B.L. guns and 303-in. Maxims.
23. Results of practice, &c., are attached,* also a report by Major-General Slade, C.B., R.A., on his inspection on the 4th February, 1905.
24. Musketry was carried out during Camp, and a number of the members of the Corps have also fired the musketry course with the new rifle during the Rifle Meeting held on the 4th and 11th March.
25. The shooting with the latter was a distinct improvement, and in order to further encourage rifle shooting, I have started a Volunteer Rifle Club. I hope in my next Annual Report to be able to record a distinct advance by all ranks in this very important branch of a Volunteer's duties.
26. The Engineer Company musketry return is attached.*
27. The Officers and Staff Sergeants practised with revolvers with good results. 28. Enclosure No. 4* shows the average obtained for service practice.
[1040]
* [Not printed.]
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