3
by the publication in General Orders of a declaration by the Governor that this is necessary for the public service. It was to the publication of this declaration in accordance with Clause 2, Section 189, of the Army Act, that the Committee's Remark referred, and the inclusion in the Defence Scheme of the action to be taken in this matter need not await the settlement of the very important question of bringing Colonial forces under the Army Act when on active service.
10. Page 21.-Action by A.A.G.'s Branch (A.)-A précis of the arrangements for the command and distribution of the troops should appear in the General Orders which would be issued by the Lieutenant-General Commanding on mobilization, with instructions as to the equipment, ammunition, and rations which the troops are to take with them to their various posts, and as to the hours at which and the means by which they are to proceed to these posts. The order for the half battalion to proceed to Mauritius should also be given, and the arrangements for taking up the necessary transport for this purpose should be included under the action by A.A.G. branch (B).
11. Page 21, paragraph G. Here and in many other parts of the Scheme (e.g., page 34, Action by P.M.O., paragraph 2, and page 38, paragraph 2) reference is made to "indents" and "requisitions" being sent in to the Chief Ordnance Officer by Commanding Officers on mobilization. These should not be necessary if correct lists are kept by the Chief Ordnance Officer of all stores, ammunition, and equipment required by the various corps and Departments at that time.
12. Page 26, Table B (ii).-The statement in column (4) that the contractor will make his own arrangements as to accommodating transport animals in war is not very satisfactory. The 'transport will be required at certain definite places, and arrangements will have to be made for accommodating it at those places.
The six small-arm ammunition carts and one ammunition and store waggon referred to on page 71, B 4, should be inserted in column 5 of Table B (ii).
13. Page 32, paragraph 5.-This paragraph is too vague.
The " reserve fully sufficient..." either is or is not kept by the Army Ordnance Department. It should be stated what it consists of.
14. Page 37, Table F (iii).-"Stretchers, regimental," are for service in barracks. Ambulance pattern only should be used for wounded.
*
Tents, operating," should be substituted for "tents, S.C., complete," if intended for operating purposes.
15. Page 38, Action by C.O.O., paragraph 1.—It would be well to add Tables showing what reserve of stores, ammunition, and equipment are held by the Colonial Ordnance Department. Otherwise it is possible that the "demands" put forward by Officers Commanding Colonial Corps will not be met when mobilization is ordered.
16. Page 39, paragraph 5.--The words "in the absence of requisitions from the troops concerned " should be omitted.
17. Page 40, Table G (i).-The Camp Equipment proposed for South African Mobilization should be either justified or reduced in accordance with the following General Scale of Camp Equipment for Mobilization Services, viz. :---
1
{+
Axes,
I felling* band
1 per 20 N.C.Os. and men.
As in peace equipment only.
Blankets or rugs, horse
{
5
per cent. of horses (for sick animals ouly, other animals to use their saddle blankets).
Colours, camp
Hooks, bill*
Kettles, camp
Lanterns, tent
Mallets, heel-peg
Pegs, picketingt
Cheadt
Ropes, heel
picketing, 4' 9"†
Screens, latrine*
Sfield, cavalryt
Sheets,
ground
Unnecessary.
1 per 15 N.C.Os. and men.
1
per 3 officers, and 1 per 15 N.C.Os. and men.
12 per battalion, 8 per cavalry regiment.
{1 per 3 officers' horses, 1 per 8 other horses, and I per 2 or 3
2 per horse or mule.
{
1
1 per horse (forage cord for each mule instead).
and 15 per cent. spare (for unruly horses to have
2 each); 1 for 2 or 3 mules.
1 per horse.
None for field service (1 per unit for flying columns or standing
camps in peace).
1 per mounted officer, N.C.O., and driver, dismounted units;
all ranks of mounted units. Not for horses.
1 per dismounted officer, N.C.O., and man, if certified by
P.M.O. as necessary.
* In the case of these stores this scale gives more than the Cape Defence Scheme, in some instances. †This scale agrees with Table G (i).
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