It is obvious that the several measures which I have recommended will be of no avail without efficient land and sea forces. If the works for the defence of the principal ports are to fulfil their purpose, the batteries! must ? be well manned and there • must be proper garrisons for them. The discipline of the field forces and of tho forces generally, and their ability against an enemy, can only be acquired by' proper and sufficient training. Officers com manding at each place should nave a clear view as to what they would have to da in case of at tack. For the handling of vessels of war and the working of their armaments, amongst other requirements, a knowledge of gunnery is es sential. Again, the application of torpedoes requires skill, which can only be obtained by men who give special attention to that depart ment of defence. Major-General Scratchley entered into tho subject of the organisation of the forces in much detail, and since his visit, though not according to hia suggestions, aomo action was taken in the matter. Gene rally speaking, however, the whole ar rangement of tho military anff navaj forces of the colony ; should ‘‘be 'gbYih into with reference' 'to' the duties which each sectiofiSvotffd have \h £ase qf- wa^ and the organisation' which is necessary to resist foreign aggression should harmonize with that which is essential for internal defence. I may remark that this would be much facili tated by the completion of railway communi cation throughout the North Island. I have not time now, and, if I had, it would he put of place for me to discuss tho details ol th&A matters ‘ I may, nov/ever, say that it -.appears to me that one'of 'tho first steps to bo takeh here should be to obtain the services of ari officer of the army as cbmmnndftnt, *yifh $ staff-offider under fo manage matfcqrq relating to tho land forces. Of these, qrq should bo a Royal Artilleryman. An officer of the navy should gtep bp appointed to deal with nayal organisation a*id qavql questions generally j and, if po better arrangement cap be made, it is degirable that he should bo selected with a view to hi* taking charge eff

business relating to submarine mines and loco motive torpedoes. 