POET—The lorry fleet still consists of 18 vehicles, and under present conditions it would not be advisable to reduce this number. Three of the old "Karriers" remain, but these'are now in a very poor condition, being at least 18 years old. However,' it is felt that they should be kept on the road, since replacement at the authorized rate of two per year would, at the present exchange, be extremely costly.
During the August mobilization only 25 civilian vehicles were hired instead of 66, the number allowed in the Mobilization Scheme. An economy was effected by using S.V.C. transport to carry the-stores of Units billeted at the Race Club; when unloaded, _these vehicles returned to S.V.C. Headquarters.
Owing to (a) lorry patrols, (b 4987 mus increased to 30 miles the ur sporting of units to and fron "emergency year); in 1938 the the Rifle Range in increa: ing num average was 24; this year the mileage bers, and (c) the intensive training s 200 per month. This increase of in Mob Dispersal, the demands o! course is due to the excessive run-j Corps transport have increased, and ing during the last few months, e£. the fleet now runs on the average during September the average mileage 8,596 miles per month, It is be-per car was 799; October 818;! coming more difficult to keep the November 931; December 1012. vehicles in good condition, since the There are always two of the cars practice of having a driver res-at least in P.W.D. workshops underponsible for each vehicle had to be going repairs. The strain of con-abandoned when 19 drivers were stantly driving these vehicles is detailed to drive the armoured cars being felt by the Russian Detachment for: the. SMP. drivers, but some relief is afforded As; régards the armoured cars, the by the members of Transport Com-bases of the petrol tanks have now pany taking over the duties every all been strengthened. A sixth car Wednesdcy evening, and on alternate has been fitted with W/T., although Saturdays and Sundays. for the present all the sets have Two tables accompany this section been removed from the cars. Since of the Report. The first is a com-July 25. the cars have been lent to parative strength return for 1938/39. the S.MP. and now, owing to their At the end of 1938, there were 200 constant, running on indifferent officers and 1,807 other ranks in the roads, their condition is rapidly Corps and, at the end of 1939, 195 deteriorating and they are all it urgent needofoverhaul and repainting.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.