8
4
Armament.
The proposed armament for the two batteries has already been mentioned, and, in addition, a movable armament of four 9-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns has been authorized for the Durban Volunteer Artillery. These guns are to be supplied and sent out at the expense of the Imperial Government.
Intrenchments.
The construction of intrenchinents would not be necessary, as in the very improbable event of any landing by boats being attempted at the port, or being successfully made elsewhere on the coast, the broken nature of the surrounding country, and the numerous hillocks among the sand-dunes would afford ample cover for both field-guns and infantry.
A good road runs parallel with the coast between Durban and the shore end of the cable at the Umgeni mouth, and again from the latter to the Isipingo, rendering a speedy concentration of troops easy.
Management of Civil Population.
All necessary arrangements for the management of the civil population would, as far as possible, be left in the hands of the municipal authorities, for whose consideration the suggestions contained in Appendix (B) have been prepared.
The municipal authorities to be furnished with a copy of these sugges. tions, in order that everything may be in readiness should the necessity arise for putting such in force.
(For the Committee),
(Signed) H. SPARKE STABB,
Members of the Committee:-
Colonel on the Staff, President.
Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel HIME, C.M.G.,
Colonial Engineer.
Colonel DARTNOLL, C.M.G.,
Commandant, Colonial Forces.
Lieutenant-Colonel WYNNE, C.R.E. (absent on leave). Major RATHBORNE, R.E. (acting for above).
Captain ESCOMBE, M.L.C.,
Commanding Naval Volunteers.
Natal, Pietermaritzburg, May 28, 1887.
Half-battalion infantry.
1 company mounted infantry.
5
Elshowe.
Rorke's Drift.
Detachment mounted infantry (from Etshowe).
In the event of war with a Maritime Power, and the possibility of danger to be appre- hended to the Colony; if no troops were already quartered in Durban it would be gar- risoned from Pietermaritzburg, accommodation being found by a standing camp in a convenient spot on the War Office ground.
This garrison to consist probably of a battalion of infantry, a company of mounted infantry, a.squadron of cavalry, and a battery of artillery.
The army head-quarters to be removed to Durban.
The Imperial troops would be held in reserve at the disposition of the Officer in command.
N.B. Specified stations have been appointed for the various Volunteer Corps (vide next section).
Volunteers.
The following is the present strength and distribution of the Volunteer Force.- Natal:-
Pietermaritzburg.
Natal Carbineers (mounted) Maritzburg Rifles (infantry)
Durban.
Coast Defence Corps-
Natal Naval Volunteers Durban Volunteer Artillery.. Durban Mounted Rifer Royal Durban Rifies (infentry)
Pinetown.
::
::::
::
::::
Officers.
Men. {Total.
14
244
258
9
249
258
94
98
69
74
124
132
115
119
2
32
14
45
49
New Germany Rifles (infantry)
Greytown.
Natal Hussars (mounted)
6
93
99
•
Verulam
Victoria Mounted Rifles
J
Stanger.
Stanger Mounted Rifles
Umsinto.
Alexander Mounted Rifles
36
40
Lower Umsim-Zulu, Umsim-Kulu Mounted Rides ..
Natal Mounted Police
**
**
6
99
105
..
**
8
170
178
39
43
APPENDIX (A).
The Personnel available in the Colony.
Her Majesty's Forces.
IT is in contemplation to erect barracks in or near Durban, but for the present time the scheme is abandoned, owing to the failure of negotiations for the purchase, by the town, of lands belonging to the War Department, from the sale of which funds were to be found for the purpose.
Should the barracks be eventually erected it is proposed that they should be capable of containing a half-battalion of infantry. Probably, under these circumstances, a battalion would be divided between Durban and Etahowe.
The present distribution of the Imperial troops in the Natal district is as follows:-
District head-quarters :---
1 regiment cavalry.
1 battalion infantry,
Pietermaritzburg.
1 company mounted infantry.
1 battery mounted artillery.
This force is now distributed as a police-force, and could only be centralized as a military force upon sufficient notice.
The primary dispositions of the Volunteers, for the defence of Durban, will rest with the Commandant of Volunteers, who will act in concert with the Officer commanding Her Majesty's Forces.
It is considered that the Coast Defence Corps will be ample to furnish sufficient men to man the batteries and find the necessary reliefs, as well as to provide for the immediate safety of the port.
For this purpose specific stations are assigned to each corps (see Appendix (A. 1)). On the alarm the various corps will assemble at their respective head-quarter stations to receive instructions, or to be moved at once to the alarm-posts, as may be directed.
N.B.-All troops (Volunteers and Regulars) would be under the orders of the Senior Combatant Officer of Her Majesty's Forces, supposing him to be not under the rank of Colonel in the Army (see Appendices (A 2) and (A 3)).
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