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with under the headings of its Chapters, the Committee would call attention to the recommendation contained in paragraph 4 of their Remarks (No. 147 R), dated the 6th November, 1896, as to the advisability of a new submarine mining-boat being purchased. The necessity for this is emphasized by the remark on the subject contained on p. 17 of the Scheme.
10. They would also revert once again to the subject of field artillery in the Colony, which they have dealt with in their Memoranda No. 92 M, dated the 1st February, 1897, and No. 65 M, dated the 12th June, 1896, advocating that it should consist of one 4-gun battery, with establishment of 4 officers and 96 men in peace, and 4 officers and 121 men in war, 28 men being added to supply the ammunition column of the proposed Federal Field Force. The present Defence Scheme shows two field batteries, both in the Southern District, with establishments of 4 officers and 50 men and 6 officers and 52 men, respectively, while 29 of all ranks are to be furnished from the permanent garrison artillery for ammunition column. It should be noted that it is the practice men get with field artillery, and not in working heavy guns that is useful for fitting them for their duties with ammunition columns.
The Colonial Defence Committee, after a careful reconsideration of the matter, adhere to their opinion as to the war organization of the Queensland Field Artillery. If, however, it is deemed advisable for local reasons of efficiency to maintain two field batteries in peace, they see no objection to this arrangement so long as a complete battery ready in all respects to take the field, and the necessary number of men for ammunition column duties can be furnished when required.
Chapter I.-Introductory Remarks and General Strategic Conditions.
11. The conditions stated and conclusions drawn in this Chapter show a generally correct appreciation of the natures of attack to which the Colony is liable, and of the general arrangements which should be made for its defence.
12. Page 1, paragraph 5.-"Ships carrying a small number of troops" should be substituted for " transport ships carrying large numbers of troops" in the second line of this paragraph, to bring it into accord with the general principle enunciated in the preceding paragraph.
13. Page 4, Northern Military District.-No coal depôt for Her Majesty's ships has been established, as here stated, or is contemplated, at Cairns. The proposal contained on this page and on p. 17 that Cairns should be defended by submarine mines is not recommended for adoption. The 3 miles of difficult navigation before the town is reached are an obstacle even to friendly vessels, and it would be practically closing the port to commerce to lay mines in the channels. The formation of the land does not admit of any advanced batteries, but the danger of bombardment from outside the channel is not great, and is still less if Cairns is the head-quarters of a gun- boat in war.
Chapter II.-Organization.
14. Page 5 (a), Divisions of Command.-The division of the Colony (apart from the Federal Fortress of Thursday Island) into three military districts corresponding to its civil division, and to the peace location of the troops along the three railway systems is satisfactory, the Scheme showing clearly that the duties of the troops when mobilized will be the protection of the defended places of Brisbane and Townsville, and the provision of a small detachment for the terminus of the central line of railway near Rock- hampton, and that no attempt will be made to distribute them over the many minor places along the coast.
The sub-division of the districts into sections, as indicated under this heading, and defined more fully in Table (D), pp. 11 to 13, is less satis factory. Sections I and III of the Southern District are really outposts of
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