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One launch will be allotted to the O.C., Island Section, for general purposes connected with his command.
One launch will be kept always under steam at the A.S.C. pier for the use of the Staff. Should this launch be taken out on duty it will be replaced by a hired launch until its return.
N.B. The foregoing also applies to war stage.
(c.) The 5-in. howitzers and 2.95-in. guns and ammunition of the Volunteers will be taken to their mobilization positions by 88th Company, R.G.A.
The Officer Commanding 88th Company will arrange through O.C. A.S.C. for the Peak tramway to be utilised for this service.
(d.) Steps should be taken to hire or impress supplementary wheel transport (ox, mule, or pony) for use in Mainland Section in lieu of mules handed over to H.K.S.B., R.G.A., for duty.
(e.) On mobilization being ordered, the 60 coolies on permanent establishment are divided into two parties of 30, one of which is placed at the disposal of the A.S.C. officer, Mainland Section, and the other remains under O. i/e Transport, Victoria. These two parties form the nucleus of the two coolie corps referred to in paragraphs 14 (b) and 20 of this Chapter.
(ii.) At the War Stage.
14. The Director of Supplies and Transport will immediately take steps to ensure:---- (a.) The provision of coolies and transport (land and water) required for the distribution of all personnel and material, applying for assistance, if necessary, to the Captain Superintendent of Police.
(b.) The organization, maintenance, and housing of two coolie corps and the provision of certain other coolies required by the troops.
(c.) The accumulation of the necessary supplies, their distribution, storage accommodation, and efficient protection.
15. The distribution of the A.S.C. officers is as under:
Second officer A.S.C. as Officer i/c Supplies. One main supply account will be kept by this officer comprising the whole garrison, both island and mainland, but the Officer i/c Supplies Mainland will keep a subsidiary account which he will render to the Officer i/c Supplies, South China Command, on the termination of operations.
Third officer (in peace time the O. i/c Barracks) as Officer in charge of Transport. Fourth officer as Officer i/c Supplies and Transport, Mainland Section. He will be assisted by Captain I.B.C. Neilson, A.S.C., Territorial Force, of Messrs. Gilman and Co., Ice House Street.
16. All transport required for movement of troops, equipment, &c., will be at once provided by the O. i/c Transpert, according to the scale laid down in Table G (iii) and requisitions already in his possession.
17. The O. i/c Transport will at once place himself in communication with the Harbour Master, in order to obtain any extra water transport which he may be unable to obtain under existing contracts.
18. The instructions contained in paragraph 13 (5) of this chapter will also hold good at the war stage.
19. Table G (iii) shows the detail of transport required for the distribution of troops with their equipment, &c., to their various posts.
Coolies required for the carriage of the movable armament on the first day are shown on Transport Tables.
20. Two coolie corps will be formed, consisting of 12 headmen and 240 coolies each. The headmen will be English-speaking Chinamen. The headquarters of these coolie corps will be, one in Victoria Barracks, and the other in Whitfield Barracks, Kowloon, which will be vacated by the Indian troops on mobilization.
N.B. Coolies required as telephone linesmen will be provided by C.E. Hong Kong Volunteers will indent on the Officer i/c Transport for such transport as may be required.
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