77
8.
It is submitted that the proper place
to quarter them would be at Kowloon, for the defence of the North Western, and at Devil's Peak, for the defence of the North Eastern sections.
9.
At Kowloon the War Department already hold vacant ground where barracks for an additional Infantry Bat- talion could be constructed. And, it is thought, that in any scheme for barracks at Devil's Peak, the possibility of having to quarter a Battalion there should not be lost sight of.
10.
The provision of Rifle Ranges is a buro- ing question in this Colony. The rapid growth of Kowloon will, withoue doubt, necessitate the closing of the ranges there before many years. While the Naval Range at Stonecutters and the New Volunteer Range, though suitable for prize meetings, or the elə- mentary teaching of recruits, are quite inadequate for the practice of trained soldiers in the higher branches of musketry.
11.-
I am not aware that the War Department have control over any suitable piece of land where Troops can be trained in the construction of entrenchments.
12.
It would, therefore, appear expedient
to acquire as a Military Reserve, a piece of land in the New Ter- ritory, which would satisfy these wants and have reasonable com- munication with Victoria and Kowloon, before any portion of it has been leased or sold to the public.
13.
Such a tract of land, it is thought, exists in the vicinity of the Devil's Peak, a sketch of which is attached, and it is recommended that the tract of country shewn thereon, enclosed with a chain dotted line, be kept as a Military Reserve.
14,
The communication would be by water to the new pier to be built in Chong Lui Bay; there are many good sites for barracks on, and to the North East of the Peninsula, between Chong Lui Bay and Yau Tong Bays; the water supply is ample and good; the various Hills afford excellent sites for field firing or musketry practice up to 1,500 yards or more, as well as for practice in field works; while on the Matin-Chan Spur is a good site where companies could go into camp for training.
15.
The line has been drawn with the object
of (a) securing Hai-Man, Black Hill, and Tui-yu-tai from which the " battery is taken in reserve; (b) giving sufficient area for field firing in several directions, and (c) obtaining absolute control over the sources of the water supplies.
18.
There is a considerable village at Sui- cheong-wan, the inhabitants of which work the quarries there.
These need not be disturbed, but the few huts on the Yan Tong Peninsula, would, in the interests of the health of the Troops, require removal.
17.
As regards the alleged unhealthiness of
this