Morne of the additional company of British infantry, which appears in the total garrison in the present Defence Scheme. The movable force, according to the Tables on pp. 14, 19, and 20 of the Scheme, and according to paragraph 8 (c) on p. 22, will consist of three British companies from Morne and two native companies from Vigic. The inversion of these numbers in paragraph 11 on p. 23 is probably an error. Four machine-guns, two from Toc and two from Vigie, will be attached to the morable force, now that pack transport is to be provided for them (p. 21, paragraph 4), and the G.O.C. will, no doubt, consider the advisability of allotting to it some of the 25-inch R.M.L. guns as soon as these are available at the station.
While on the subject of this movable force, it may be observed that no reference is traced in paragraph 11, on pp. 23 to 25 of the Scheme, to offensive action by it, acting as a whole. This might, in certain circumstances, be the best way of dealing with a sma hostile force landed in St. Lucia.
6. Page 1, paragraph 7.-The recommendation that a map showing look-out posts and map of Castries and surroundings should be bound up with the Defence Scheme is not understood, as this was already done in editing the 1896 revision of the Scheme.
7. Page 1, paragraph 8.-The Colonial Defence Committee adhere to the recom- mendation contained in paragraph 25 of their Remarks, No. 156 R, that the A.O. Department should issue the tools required for R.E. works on mobilization without awaiting a demand for them. This is a recommendation that the Committee have generally made with regard to Defence Schemes, and they cannot trace from the St. Lucia Scheme that there would be any special difficulties in obtaining labour, which would make it inapplicable to stores for R.E. works in that Colony.
At present, according to the Scheme, the Ordnance Officer at Toc has orders to issue all cutting and intrenching tools in store to the Division Officer, R.E., as he may require them (pp. 52 and 98). Requisitions for any tools and stores, beyond those that happen to be in their charge at the time, are to be sent in by the Subdivision Officer in charge of Vigic (p. 56), and by the O.C. detachment W.I. Fortress Company, in charge of works at Toc (p. 58), to the Store Accountant, who is apparently the Assistant Surveyor posted at the R.E. store at Castries, who is directed (p. 63) to distribute the tools he has proportionately to requisitions, and to apply to the Army Ordnance Department for the remainder. The Military Foreman of Works, Morne Subdivision, and the Supernumerary Military Foreman of Works, Ciceron, are directed (pp. 63 and 64) to send requisitions to the Division Officer R.E. for tools.
These arrangements seem somewhat complicated, and to involve the passing of many requisitions. The General Officer Commanding should consider whether they cannot be simplified.
It is noted that the requisitions on pp. 56, 58, 63, and 65 are headed by a note to the effect that they must reach the Store Accountant six clear days before the stores are required. This direction, obviously inapplicable to the conditions of mobilization, is probably reproduced in error.from a printed form in use in peace time.
8. Page 1, paragraph 9, and page 63, 1st paragraph.-The Colonial Defence Committee adhere to the recommendation contained in paragraph 27 of their Remarks, No. 156 R, on the subject of extra stores required by the C.R.E. being purchased through the A.O. Department rather than through the Assistant Surveyor.
9. Page 2, paragraph 10.-The reference to paragraph 21 of the C.D.C's. Remarks, No. 156 R, is not understood.
10. Page 2, paragraph 11.-The Colonial Defence Committee defer to the opinion of the G.O.C. that the look-out station at Mount Reddie, formerly recommended by the Division Officer, R.E., and concurred in by the Committee, is too far inland to be advantageous. Speaking generally, however, it would appear from the map at the commencement of the Scheme that the look-out stations might be reduced in number by placing them on higher ground. It does not seem necessary that they should be close to the shore as long as a good view to the sea all round is obtained.
11. Page 2, paragraph 12.-Two copies of the St. Lucia Defence Scheme printed on one side of the paper only will in future be supplied for the purpose of revision.
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