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defenders, is much to be deprecated. It would be a preferable course, and one more consistent with British traditions, to hold out to the last, either on Tower Hill, or in King Tom Peninsula, or in whatever other position has most to recommend it, in the expectation of being relieved by sea, the remnant of the defenders feeling confident that they would not long be left without succour. Their presence there would be a valuable aid in the attempt, which would certainly be made, to recapture the station.
12. The Table given in paragraph 14, it may be noticed, is not absolutely correct, as the latest approved establishment of the garrison of Sierra Leone comprises, in addition, a detachment of two officers and forty-nine non- commissioned officers and men of Royal Artillery, to be furnished from Devonport in the event of war with a Maritime Power becoming probable. As delay, however, might occur in their arrival, it would not be safe to count on this reinforcement being available on the spot in the case of any emergency.
13.-(Paragraph 17.) From the "Annual Return of Naval and Military Resources" for the year ending December 1892, it is gathered that there is no ball ammunition available for the Frontier Police. If the police are to be utilized for defence purposes, it is of importance that they should be provided with a supply of ball ammunition. The attention of the Colonial Office has been directed to this point in War Office letter 57/20/7340, of the 3rd March, 1893. It is to be noticed, also, that, although the same Return shows that 500 additional police could be raised in the event of war, no arms or ammunition are available for them: and it is not shown what steps are to be taken for raising the native levies referred to in paragraphs 70 and 106, or how they are to be armed and commanded.
14.-(Paragraphs 12, 21.) The Officer Commanding reckons on being able to utilize in the defence of the ridges six 9-pr. R.M.L. field-guns, the supply of which has been asked for in War Office correspondence 57/Sierra Leone/1258/1276. The Committee are of opinion that eight machine-guns on travelling mountings would be a more suitable movable armament, and the supply of these has been approved by War Office for consideration with Estimates of 1894-95. Until these guns are actually at the station they should not be reckoned upon in the Scheme of Defence.
15. Table (A), treating of the arrangements for supply, shows that the Officer Commanding calculates on receiving certain quantities of stores from England. It has been decided to increase the reserve of preserved meat and biscuit to 100,000 lbs. of each by sending out an additional supply of 75,000 lbs. of each, and the Officer Commanding troops West Africa has been informed in War Office letter 53/West Africa/1687, of the 28th April, 1893, that these stores will be dispatched as soon as he reports that storage accommodation is available. There is no prospect that the other stores estimated for will be supplied.
16. (Paragraph 30.) It is assumed that there are stores available for all the signalling stations proposed, and sufficient personnel.
17. (Paragraph 48.) As regards the use of inshore boat-patrols the Committee consider that judging from the experience of the Navy the system is so unreliable as to rarely promise to be of practical use, and that it might even prove harmful, by engendering a false sense of security. In dark nights, or thick weather, such patrol-boats will rarely, if ever, be able to give even short warning of an enemy's approach, and as in clear weather the area of water overlooked from them will be smaller than that which can be overlooked from moderate heights, natural or artificial, on shore, it may fairly be concluded that the cost and crews of such patrol-boats can generally be more effectively employed in other branches of the defence.
18. Even though there are no mine-fields, some regulations for governing harbour traffic are requisite, such, for instance, as for insuring the overhaul of ships arriving off the port, so that no vessel may enter without a proper permit, for berthing ships so as not to mask the fire of the batteries, and for defining what local official is to be responsible for these duties.
19. No reference is made to the coaling arrangements. If no changes would be requisite in time of war to secure increased facilities or better protec- tion, a statement to this effect should be made.
20. Some arrangements will be necessary for dealing with the civil popu-
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