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as well as the camp equipment and small-arms ammunition required in the various sections of the defence, are available at the Station.
4. In the Appendix relating to submarine mines no estimate is given of the time required to lay out-
(a.) A preliminary defence.
(b.) The complete defence.
5. It is desirable that a scheme of transport should be drawn up, showing the requirements for putting the Station in a state of defence, and stating how they would be met.
The whole question of the guard-boat defence of submarine mines is now under consideration. Meanwhile, the number estimated as necessary by the Local Committee (sixteen) might be considerably reduced, and at the Lyemun Pass, it appears that a patrol boat for outpost service by night or in very thick weather is all that could be required.
The Colonial Defence Committee concur in the views of the General Officer commanding as to the present inadequacy of the garrison of Hong Kong. They do not, however, consider that it is at present necessary to go beyond the numbers laid down in their Memorandum No. 31 of the 31st October, 1887. Meanwhile, they strongly urge that the reinforcement of this garrison to the strength proposed by them and approved by the Secretary of State for War should be carried out as soon as possible.
The provision of the light field and machine guns asked for by the General Officer commanding for the defence of the land front of the position of Hong Kong appears to be most desirable, and the Colonial Defence Committee recommend that they should be supplied without delay.
Finally, the Committee recommend that a copy of these remarks should be forwarded to the Governor for consideration by the General Officer com- manding and the Local Committee, with a view to the modification of the scheme of defence in the direction suggested.
November 25, 1889.
(Signed)
G. S. CLARKE, Secretary,
Colonial Defence Committee.
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PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T, HARRISON,-27/11/89.
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