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be of excellent quality. The time required would certainly not exceed two months from the date of concentration being ordered, and an enterprise of this nature would appear probable.
9. Page 10, paragraph 15.-It is possible that the French concentration might take place at Mellakori, with a plan of advance similar to that discussed in this and the preceding paragraphs, but the contingency of a concentration at Farana (referred to in the despatch of the Governor, dated the 22nd September, 1896, and discussed by the Colonial Defence Committee in their Memorandum No. 81 M.) must not be lost sight of, and should be definitely contemplated in the Defence Scheme.
It would appear desirable, therefore, that a careful examination should be made of the possible lines of advance open to a force operating from Farana.
10. Page 10, paragraph 16.--An addition to this paragraph, stating the breadth and depth of the rivers, would be of value. A Report by Captain Wilson 2nd Battalion West India Regiment, dated the 9th May, 1895, now in the possession of the War Office, states that the Great Scarcies is 600 to 700 yards wide opposite Kambia, but it is fordable there at low tide, and has a rocky bottom. The same Report states that the Little Scarcies River has a width of 300 to 400 yards between Yongra and Menge, and a "considerable" depth.
In 1895 there was a frontier police post at Kambia. If this be still, the case, the fact might be recorded in the Scheme.
CHAPTER II.
11. Page 13, paragraph 22.—As it has been decided not to divide the command into sections, the heading in line 3 on this page might be altered to "(A.) Command," and the sentence in line 12 to "The troops will be organized as under." After line 15, "(d.) The outposts on the frontier" should be added."
12. Page 14, paragraph 25.—There are some slight discrepancies between the Table here and that on p. 24. The numbers of British and Native R.A. are shown on p. 14 as 2 officers and 18 men, while on p. 25 they are given (including Fire Com- mander and Staff) as 2 officers and 21 men. Page 14 gives 23 R.A. at Falconbridge, p. 24 gives 24. At King Tom, the former Table shows 1 officer and 87 men, the latter 1 officer and 83 men, including 6 boatmen.
The Frontier Police doing duty on the frontier should be added to the Table, showing the distribution of troops available for the defence of the Colony.
13. Page 14.-The measures to be taken to communicate orders and intelligence have been transferred from Chapter II, "Communications," to Chapter III, "Action by Intelligence Officer," as suggested by the Colonial Defence Committee in paragraph 9 of their Remarks, No. 150 R., dated the 10th December, 1896. It would be con- venient, however, if in the former Chapter were described the roads inside the position and the time it takes for troops to traverse them, as well as the existing telegraph and telephone systems.
14. Page 15, paragraphs 35 and 36.-The very heavy expenditure involved (61,7507.) in putting into a state of defence the position between the foot of Mount Auriol and the Merchants' l'owder Magazine, which has been selected as the line from which to oppose a hostile advance through Waterloo, would make it unadvisable to prepare the position until an attack on Freetown was actually threatened, and then time might be wanting to carry out the extensive demolitions proposed. In these circumstances, the Colonial Defence Committee recommend the careful examination of the ground to the cast of the Mount Auriol-Merchants' Powder Magazine line with a view to the selection of another position, with its flanks resting on the high ground and the river, from which a clear field of fire can be obtained to the front without the necessity of destroying valuable property.
15. Page 15. Overland Attack.-Pending the construction of works at Karene and Koinadugu, referred to in paragraph 2 of these Remarks, there would appear no impediment to arrangements being made in the Defence Scheme for the establishment
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