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19. Pages 30 and 31. (B.) Estimate of Expenditure.-It is suggested that this estimate might conveniently come at the end of Part III of the Scheme under a heading "Action to be taken by the Chief Paymaster." It is somewhat difficult to connect the items of the general estimate as now given with the details embodied under the headings of the various Departments for which expenditure is incurred, and it is suggested that the general estimate should be an abstract of the various detailed ones.
20. Page 31, paragraph 6.—The sums here given for transport services amount to 5,2201., whereas in the Table at the foot of p. 17 the total is given as 6,460. The discrepancy is probably in part due to drivers being separately provided for in the general estimate, but this is not clear, and in any event the general estimate should include the hire of the horses for the mounted force.
21. Page 34 (i), paragraphs 4 and 5.-The Committee recommend that the General Commanding should be asked to ascertain and report, after consultation with the local authorities, whether the Kentville Yeomanry troop would be available to assist in the defence of Halifax in time of war, and whether it would be possible to strengthen and give additional training to that force in time of peace.
22. Page 49, Supply.-A paragraph should be added under this heading explanatory of the arrangements that have been made in accordance with W.O. letter 53/Bermuda/4767, dated 8th June, 1896, and the reply of the General Commanding, dated 25th July, 1897, for sending certain supplies to Bermuda on receipt of telegrams from that station.
23. Page 52, paragraph 7.-It should be stated in the Scheme that the instructions and forms here referred to have been drawn up and are ready for issue.
24. Pages 54 and 59, Requisitions. Orders to issue all necessary equipment should be, and apparently are (p. 85, Issues), in the hands of the Ordnance Officer in time of peace, who will act on them, and will require no further requisitions on mobilization.
25. Page 58, 3rd paragraph.-The electric lights should be worked entirely by the Royal Engineers. Gunners should not be told off for the purpose.
26. Page 59, 4th paragraph; page 62, 3rd paragraph.-The distribution of guns as given in these paragraphs does not correspond with that given in the Tables on pp. 18 and 60. From these Tables it would appear that eight 20-prs. are to be located, two at the Narrows, three at the Chebuctoo Road emplacements, and three at the Central Neck (? Bones' Mill) emplacements, while three 9-prs. are told off to Blockhouse Hill. This arrangement is not, however, adhered to in the paragraphs quoted.
27. Page 66, Estimated Expenditure on R.E. Scheme.--The numbers given in the letterpress on these pages are not understood, as they differ from those given in the Tables which follow, as well as from those in the general estimate on pp. 30 and 31. In line 1 the number of skilled artificers (including lumbermen) should apparently be 387, and in line 11 the number of day labourers 345, instead of 732, which is the total of artificers and labourers. The cost of tools, &c., not locally available, would be 641. in accordance with the Tables referred to, instead of 6101. and the cost of materials purchased locally is 6631. according to Table F (v), and not 6261. The engineer estimates require to be carefully looked into.
28. Page 72, paragraph 1.-Attention is called to the fact that the cable from Bermuda passes through the Eastern Passage, which it is proposed to block, under certain conditions, and to mine under others, and that the other cables into Halifax pass through the main mine-field. Consideration should be given locally to the steps that should be taken to prevent interruption of cable communication by putting defensive measures into force.
29. Page 73, paragraph 4 and Table F (vi).—A slight increase in the establishment of submarine miners at Halifax to provide for additional electric lights there is now under consideration of the War Office.
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