Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. July 5, 1895.
SECRET.
ST. HELENA.
Page 307
ST. HELENA.
No. 17.
Defence Scheme revised to September 1894.
Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.
(For communication to the Colony.)
Covering Letter of the Governor and Report of the Local Defence Committee.
THE question raised in these documents of the insufficiency of the garrison, and of the best way of meeting this insufficiency, have been dealt with by the Colonial Defence Committee in a separate Memorandum. Pending action being taken on the recommendations in this Memorandum, the Colonial Defence Committee consider that the action proposed in the Defence Scheme with reference to the raising of militia in time of war, should stand. This will involve retaining in the Colony 100 stand of arms for infantry militia, and countermanding to that extent the return of M.H. reserve of arms ordered on 57/St. Helena/1743.
2. The question of a special officer being appointed to command the troops may conveniently await a final decision being arrived at with regard to the garrison.
Defence Scheme.
3. The Report of the Local Joint Naval and Military Committee of January 1894, as modified by the remarks of the Colonial Defence Committee, dated the 29th June, 1894, should be embodied in the Scheme.
CHAPTER II.
4. Page 15. The raising and organization of the local militia would be more conveniently given as part of the action of the various officers con- cerned than under the heading "Distribution of Troops."
5. Page 16. The arrangements for engaging and employing civilians for manning telephone signal stations should be given in the Scheme.
6. Page 16. In connection with telephonic communication, it should be stated that a new station will be opened near Hutt's Gate (see p. 23).
CHAPTER III.
7. Page 21, last paragraph. The look-out service described in this paragraph is important, and will be required from the earliest period of a If possible, somewhat more complete arrangements should be made for it in time of peace. It appears that thirty men are required-two for
war.
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