CO885-24 — Page 133

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PELL CO. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGARH NOT TO

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Manzanilla, were moved inland to Tabaquite, San Fernando, and Arima at night. This was discontinued on the 22nd December, owing to the expense involved and to the fact that conditions were not so acute as in the earlier stages of the war, when several enemy cruisers were known to be in the vicinity. It will be reverted to should conditions make it desirable.

The telephone system not being absolutely dependable, owing to frequent inter ruptions from weather and other conditions, the railway telegraph offices at all terminal stations are kept open all night, with a special censor at Port of Spain railway station, as a precaution. A telephone line has been established to Santa Cruz. For the better protection of the wireless station and masts, an armed sentry is posted there by day and two additional sentries by night, one at each mast. The stock of gunpowder and dynamite in the public magazine, near St. Joseph's Road, being more than was desirable to have in one magazine, a separate magazine has been constructed at the St. Clair range, and all the dynamite stored there, and guards are mounted on these two magazines from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Owing to the fact that the old Military Hospital and the old Isolation Hospital, in close proximity to the depôt, are now prison camps, under the charge of Captain Fraser and armed guard of warders, an extra guard is also mounted, by night, at the north end of the depôt over the gunsheds, and the main guard, at the south end, guards the military magazine and the small arms ammunition store, which my quarters immediately overlook, and there is a detachment on duty at the Staff Office, where the telephones are situated. The Staff Officer and myself also have telephones at our bed-heads. The Deputy Inspector-General sleeps every night at headquarters, and two subaltern officers, who are under training, are quartered at the depôt. The band has been brought into barracks at the depôt, and is armed and equipped, and a detachment, who, I am pleased to say, are some of the best shots in the force, have been trained to the maxim. There are two maxima at the depôt, one at headquarters, and, as already stated, one at Macqueripe, with detachments complete and ammunition belts ready filled, and every man in Port of Spain has had 100 rounds of ammunition issued to him, so that in case of concentration by day or night they are ready to move without delay.

Additional rural constables and supernumerary constables for the protection of the oilfields have been sworn in and are ready to replace the Constabulary in country districts. All stations have a box of ammunition, so that if men come in they will bring ammunition with them.

Three carts are stationed at the depôt and four at headquarters for the convey- ance of ammunition. A reserve of small arms ammunition is kept at headquarters, Water Police station, and the depôt, and a small quantity at the Drill Hall, under the immediate charge of the Instructor there.

The Volunteer Infantry will concentrate at the Drill Hall, the Volunteer Artil- lery at Constabulary headquarters, and the Mounted Infantry at the depôt. Trams, with drivers, are ready day and night to move men as may be required. The mules and drivers for moving the 16-pounder guns to Cocorite and Mucarapo are stabled at the Town Board transport stables close to St. James Barracks (the depôt), and while the acute stage lasted two teams for the Cocorite guns were kept near the gunshed. This will be reverted to if necessary. In order to hold up any enemy merchantman that might have unknowingly entered the harbour at the early stages of the war,

" Caroni and which it would have been necessary to detain, the Government tug was kept under steam with a 12-pounder on board to compel compliance with orders, the harbour being extensive and ships often anchoring two-and-a-half or three miles out. This ship was tested and found satisfactory, two or three rounds being expended in practice whilst under steam.

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Two motor lorries are stationed at Constabulary headquarters, by night, for ambulance work or such other purpose as may be necessary.

There are also two motor cars at the depôt for myself and staff. An additional Staff Officer, Major Bowen, Reserve of Officers (Local), has been appointed, and is directly responsible to me for the movements, etc., of the Volunteer Cavalry and Volunteer Infantry. Your Excellency has visited all the outposts, etc., and inspected the forces newly raised, issued Proclamations calling out the local forces and proclaiming the Declaration of War, etc., appointed Censors to post office, cable and wireless.

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appointed committees for controlling the sale of foodstuffs, positions have been explained to the Officers Commanding corps, and all officers have their orders. Owing to the fact that it is not advisable to expend any small arm ammunition until I am satisfied that it is possible to replace it, rifle practice has been suspended, but 30,000 rounds of ammunition and five Winchester rifles were purchased locally, and the ammunition is being expended in training the newly-formed corps, who will be put through a proper course as soon as 150,000 rounds of 303, now on order, is received. The practice made has been good and is more advanced than Morris tube work, which they have also done. Now that the fuzes have arrived I shall expend a small quantity of 12-pounder ammunition in practice.

I wish to record the fact that all officers, non-commissioned officers, and men have exhibited a loyal and keen spirit, and I would particularly mention Colonel Marshall, Deputy Inspector-General, and my present Staff Officer, Captain Carr, for the very great assistance they have been to me. The junior officers on detach- ment and the signallers have had a strenuous and anxious time and have shown great keenness.

Your Excellency will, no doubt, mention the services of Commander Owen, Captain Fraser, and the Heads of Departments, who have so ably assisted, the Honourable A. G. Bell, Censor, and his assistants, the Customs officers and your own staff, who have had the most strenuous time of all.

As Your Excellency is aware, the Constabulary, on whom the main duty of defending the Colony devolves, have been necessarily very much confined both by day and night.

All men not actually on duty having to be in barracks, it has been pos- sible only to give very limited leave, and the arrival of one of His Majesty's ships at Christmas has been most opportune, and has enabled me to arrange for the men in Port of Spain to have greater liberty in this respect for the time being. I attach a return of the disposition of the forces in Port of Spain and detached posts at the present moment.

G. D. SWAIN,

4th January, 1915.

13670

(No. 82.)

No. 97.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 24th March, 1915.)

Colonel.

Government House, 2nd March, 1915. SIR,

In compliance with the direction contained in your despatch No. 25, of the 12th of January,† I have the honour to forward the enclosed statement, showing the advances that had been made under the provisions of the Estates (Labourers) Eighty-four Relief Ordinance, No. 39 of 1914, to the 18th of February, 1915. applications had been received, of which seventy-seven were approved and seven refused. The certified vouchers amounted to £9,712, of which £3,746 had been repaid or cancelled.

2. Acting on the advice of my Executive Council, whom I consulted in the matter, I decided on the 18th of last month that no further advances would be made after the 27th of that month, and a notice to that effect was duly published in the Royal Gazette and the local papers.

3. With regard to the outstanding advances, the Receiver-General will be as possible after 15th March, to be instructed to make up an account, as soon delivered to each owner, asking for repayment on or before 31st March.

I have, &c.,

GEORGE R. LE HUNTE,

* Not printed.

51444 '14: not printed.

Governor.