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of practically duplicating the electric lights in the event of a breakdown or temporary extinction of one of the lights occurring.”
The Colonial Defence Committee consider that a divergent beam exhibited from near the right flank of Fort William will sufficiently illuminate the mine-field, and that no duplication of the lights is necessary.
4. The Local Committee propose movable concentrated beams on the right of Fort George and on the left of Fort William, the former to illuminate the "English Channel" as well as the landing-place of the shore end of the submarine telegraph cable, the latter to duplicate the light bearing on the examination anchorage and to light the field of fire of Victoria Battery.
The Colonial Defence Committee concur in the proposal for a con- centrated beam on the right of Fort George, but do not consider necessary the search-light which it is suggested should be exhibited from the left of Fort William.
5. The Local Committee take exception to the sites that have been suggested for electric light emplacements.
It is considered that before fixing the exact sites from which the different beams should be projected, it would be desirable to have actual trials made from all positions which might appear suitable.
6. The Local Committee point out that an electric light installation at Fort William will necessitate an increase in submarine mining personnel.
understood that the question of this increase is being considered
by the War Office.
7. The questions as to the method of mounting projectors and of ventilating engine-rooms brought forward in the Report under consideration will no doubt be dealt with by the General Officer Commanding in the ordinary course.
Mine-fields.
8. The Local Committee propose that the advanced mine-field at the entrance of the harbour should be retired so as to bring it well within the area illuminated by the lights.
It is considered doubtful if this retirement will be necessary, but that more information on the subject will be obtained from the electric light trials suggested above, and that the final settlement of this question may stand over until after those trials have been carried out.
9. The Local Committee question the utility of protecting the "English Channel" by electro-contact mines.
It is considered that these mines might assist in the defence should the forts be attacked by cruisers manoeuvring in front, and as it is understood that they are available at the station, there appears to be no objection to laying them in this channel, which would not be required for the anchorage of friendly vessels.
10. With regard to the proposal that the observation mines in the main channel should be laid in lines of four mines in one group, the Colonial Defence Committee see no objection to this arrangement provided it can be carried out with the boats and appliances available at the station. At the same time, they do not consider it absolutely necessary, three mines in each line being usually considered sufficient.
Security of Anchorages.
11. The Colonial Defence Committee in their Remarks dated the 19th January, 1894, stated that, "considering the strong and close defence that exists for the entrance to the harbour, the utility of booms is doubtful." The Local Committee in their present Report "are of opinion that, in order to afford protection and to give a feeling of security to the shipping, the mouth of the harbour between the forts should be closed by a boom to consist of wire hawsers or chains across the friendly channel, and improvised breakwaters across the shallow waters on either side of it.
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The Colonial Defence Committee do not concur in this proposal. They think that the Local Committee have under-estimated the difficulty of
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