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accordance with the general scheme. For instance, R.E. officers are told off on pp. 23 and 25 as engineers to the Eastern and Western Defences (Nos. 1 and 2 Sections), but no orders to these officers are traced in the C.R.E.'s scheme. Again, two R.E. officers are told off on the same distribution Tables to the northern defences, and so should presumably report to the Officer Commanding that (No. 3) section. In the C.R.E.'s scheme they are placed directly under the Officers Commanding Alexandra and Faber positions.
In the C.R.E.'s scheme (pp. 55 to 88) detailed orders are given with reference to works not only to the R.E. staff, but also to four acting engineers, three civil engineers, and to the
Officer Commanding Blakan Mati Redoubt.
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Tanjong Katong. Faber position.
It would seem a better arrangement to describe generally the works required in each section of the defences in the orders of the Commandant of each section (Chapter IV), and to give the same description and also the detailed instructions concerning them in orders to the senior engineer officer in each section, to whom an assistant staff should be told off.
The C.R.E.'s scheme alludes to the hill above Borneo Wharf and Guthrie's Hill being held by volunteers from the docks. There are no arrangements in the general scheme for raising, arming, and organizing these volunteers.
28. Page 50. The information given under the head of "Coal" might be embodied in the description of the projects on p. 49, where it is not already given there. The first three paragraphs under the heading "Tools and Stores" might be omitted.
29. Page 51.-It is under consideration to approve a reserve of tools, &c., for the station, the reserve to consist of such part of the difference between the mobilization requirements and the peace establishment as could not with certainty be purchased or obtained locally on mobilization. It is understood that the War Office will communicate with the General Officer Commanding on this subject.
30. Page 51.-The note "fire to be lighted" in the column of remarks is not understood.
31. Page 52.-Reference is here made to obtaining labour for R.E. works from the R.E. contractor and the transport contractor. On p. 147, "Enrol- ment of Civil Labour," it is stated that the only description of labour likely to be required would be coolie labour for transport purposes, and that the Superintendent of Works has been nominated to provide what is required. It would be convenient if these proposals were brought into accord, and all unskilled civil labour obtained through one official.
32. Page 52.-It is presumed that the sites referred to as "Pine Hill” and "Pine Tree Hill" are one and the same. The same name should be given to it throughout.
33. Page 54.-The action by the C.R.E. on mobilization given under the heading "Orders" on this page might conveniently precede the details of "Works" on p. 48. The general orders to Officers Commanding on p. 54 might be omitted here, as they are given elsewhere.
34. Page 54, line 36.-Allusion is made to "one of the stores hired by the O.C.A.S.C." No order to the O.C.A.S.C. is traced with reference to the
hiring of stores.
35. Page 88.-Under the heading of "Orders for O.C. Transport," it is stated that thirteen carts are " shown for R.E. transport." These carts cannot be traced in the statement on p. 39, or at the foot of the Table on p. 46. The further transport requirements shown on p. 88 are also not provided for on pp. 39 and 46.
36. Pages 89, 90, and 91.-The "Orders for O.C.S.D." on these pages should come under the heading "Submarine Mining."
37. Page 89, lines 4 and 5.—The steam-launches for look-out on the mine-fields are required for regulation of traffic, and will be arranged for by the Master Attendant who is in charge of this (see p. 141, paragraph 7).
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