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for the reinforcement of either Largs or Glenelg Section, as well as to march against an enemy's troops that had succeeded in effecting a landing on the coast of Spencer or St. Vincent Gulf, should be kept at a central point, whence it can rapidly be moved to either Section-probably in the South Park Lands, near the principal station, whence the lines diverge to the north, north-east, and south-east. It might comprise six companies of infantry, three of mounted infantry, one squadron of lancers, and four 16-pr. R.M.L. guns.
The offensive-defensive force of the Colony consists, according to Schedule (A) of the Federal Defence Scheme, revised to January 1896, of two companies of mounted infantry, four companies of infantry, and details. These also should be stationed near the railway station, but separate from the movable force for the defence of Adelaide. In view of the small proportion which the South Australian contingent bears to the whole of the Federal Field Force, as well as to the total number of troops which must be retained for the defence of Adelaide and its vicinity, the Military Commandant of South Australia should not command the contingent should it be ordered by the Government to operate out of the Colony, but should detail an officer to assume this command until the South Australian troops join the Federal Force, when this officer will take over the duties assigned to him by the military head of that force. Until the contingent is ordered to leave the Colony, it will, of course, be at the disposal of the Commandant for any operations which he may consider necessary.
In addition to the contribution to the Federal Field Force, the Federal Defence Scheme imposes on South Australia the responsibility of furnishing two companies of infantry to the Federal Garrison of Albany. Until the whole garrison for that station can be provided by Western Australia, the South Australian Defence Scheme should embody all arrangements for the prompt dispatch of the above two companies to King George's Sound.
It will be seen from the foregoing that it is not necessary to constitute the inner and outer anchorages as separate districts or sections of the defence, since the duties in connection with these will be performed under the orders of the Largs Section Commander.
With the small number of troops available for the defence of Port Pirie and Wallaroo, the Committee consider that these places should not be con- stituted as separate sections of the defence. A company of infantry should be detailed to each place for the protection of the supplies of coal kept there, and their further defence left to the action of the "Protector" and to that of the Adelaide Movable Force, which should be ready to move in whole or in part to either place as required. The two companies should be on detachment from the force, and would be comprised in the strength already detailed for it.
The distribution of troops above suggested is based on the constitution of the South Australian Forces, as given in the Return of Resources for the 31st December, 1895, and on the proposals contained in the Federal Defence Scheme of January 1896. It is merely intended as a guide to the Military Commandant, who will modify it in accordance with the actual state of the forces and his own superior knowledge of the local conditions.
4. Passing from the military to the naval defences of the Colony, the Committee note from the Return of Resources, dated the 31st December, 1895, that the latter consists of the cruiser " Protector," a permanent naval staff of 3 officers and 14 petty officers, and a naval reserve of 5 officers and 141 seamen, artificers, stokers, and boys. The duties of the naval force, as inferred from Chapter II of the Defence Scheme, are—
(a.) To man the "Protector."
(b.) To man boats and armed vessels, detailed for the defence of the Port River.
(c.) To lay the mine-fields.
(d.) To man launches and small steamers to patrol the waters from Cape Catastrophe to Backstairs Passage.
(e.) To carry out the traffic regulations; and
(f.) To establish signalling stations at points commanding the entrances to St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs.
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