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is, as stated by the Commandant, desirable, but appears to be less urgent than the other proposed increases in personnel referred to above.
14. With regard to matériel, it is observed that the Commandant now recom- mends that the 9-pr. R.M.L. guns available in the Colony should be replaced by guns of the latest type. If two field batteries are to be kept up, the Colonial Defence Committee consider it is most important that they should be armed with the same weapon, and also that any guns which may be kept at the School of Instruction should be of the same type. This involves six 9-pr. R.M.L. being exchanged for six 12-pr. B.L. guns, unless it is decided to carry out the alterations detailed in paragraph 5 of the Committee's Memorandum No. 66 M, dated the 12th June, 1896, to the 12-pr. guns already in the Colony, in which case all the Queensland guns should be 15-prs. On the subject of the organization of the Queensland Artillery into two batteries, the Committee have had referred to them the reply of the Military Commandant, Queensland, dated the 20th May, 1897, to their Memorandum No. 92 M of the 1st February, 1897. This reply is printed as an Appendix hereto. The Committee do not think that they can usefully enter into further discussion on the subject of the Field Artillery organization, but they would emphasize the general principle that, in providing new cadres and matériel, regard should always be had to the actual and most pressing defensive requirements of the Colony.
The Committee have already, in their Remarks Nos. 149 R and 163 R, recom- mended the substitution of two 4.7-inch Q.F. for the unserviceable 6-in. B.L. guns now mounted at Magazine Island.
It is not clear whether the eight Maxim guns which, in accordance with the Commandant's Summary of Recommendations, are to be ordered, are in addition to the four which he states in his Report have been indented from England. On the subject of small-arms the Committee understand that the Colonial Office have addressed the Governor in a despatch, dated the 27th August, 1897, on the subject of the supply to the Colony, under favourable conditions, of small-arms, using the same ammunition as those carried by Imperial troops.
15. The Summary of Inspection of Corps, which forms Appendix (A) to the Commandant's Report, shows, on the whole, a good attendance on parade, though in the case of some of the infantry corps the number of men absent without leave seems to have been very high.
16. The Committee have previously had under consideration the Commandant's Report on Camps of Continuous Training, which was referred to them with the Governor's despatch, dated the 17th July, 1897, and is now included as Appendix (B) of the Annual Report. They have already expressed their opinion that the attendance and work in camp were very satisfactory.
17. Appendix (C) of the Report deals with "A" Battery of the Permanent Force, and shows what excellent material for military purposes is available in the Colony. An average age of 25 years, an average height of 5 ft. 93 in., and chest measurement of 36 inches are all excellent conditions, and the statements that there is very little crime and an increased tendency of Queensland-born men to enlist in the force are very satisfactory. It is to be hoped that the latter fact will result in a longer average length of service than now obtains.
M. NATHAN, Secretary,
(Signed)
Colonial Defence Committee.
December 8, 1897.
266
Approved by
S.S. W. in
Austral case
18.12.
12.97
12.
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