Lletttt 5
Auxiliary Corps.
7. The other officers--Lieutenants FRIEND and HANNAY--were very pleased with the men, and were of the opinion that, if formed into a muilitia, they would bo very valuable as an auxiliary corps.
Number of trained men required.
8. On the experience of this practice, I would therefore now suggest for the defence of Singapore :--
2 Officers of the Royal Engineers,
16 trained Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Royal Engineers, and 30 native boatmen.
Two Officers I consider absolutely necessary for the following reasons :---
(1.) The few number of trained men.
(2.) That one Officer should be on shore and one in
the launch when laying mines.
(3.) That each firing station should have an Officer. (4.) That in case of a casualty through fever or death, there is one left to carry on the scheme of defence.
Sixteen trained Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the Royal Engineers are the least number, I think, with which an efficient defence could be carried out. With 14 men during the practice we found ourselves continually shorthanded. If a section of the Sub- marine Mining Company could be spared, it would not be too much to ask for.
Auxiliary Corps.
9. The 30 Malay's would be formed as an Auxiliary Corps, and could be used in manning the boats and in laying out and picking up the mines. The estab- lishment of boats would be manned by Malays thus:--
༢
J
Engine-driver. Stokers. Owains, Dzok-kvanda.
2 Launches....
2
1 Torpedo Lighter,... 1
2 1
2
4
G
2 Pinnaces,
3 Gigs or Dinghies,
6
3
4
20
The pay would be as follows:---
3 Engine-drivers,..
3 Stokers,.
4 Coxwains,
20 Men,
For 4 months,
@$25 month-- $75
@ $15
--
45
وو
@ $15
*
60
19
@ $10
200
Total,...$380
$1,520
$ 150
..$1,670
Clothing for Malays @ $5 cach,..
Total cost of 30 Natives for 4 months,..
or £306.3.4 at 3/8 the dollar. To keep the men in the place, I would suggest that they report themselves on the 1st of every month to the Royal Engineers' Officer, and should receive a small sum, say a dollar, for doing
80.
E. F. RHODES, Lieut., R.E.,
Commanding Royal Engineers
and Superintending Submarine Mining, Singapore, 14th February, 1881.
20 proposes.
(
ice or Individual,
for Off:
Date.
1882-
hung 14.
t previous Paper.
Aned co
21 April
Bang Ring Nu 6729
Ν
(Subject.)
Defences.
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RECR
DOMESTIC.
C 0.
6729
REGAPF 2
Colt: Rofemains Regestion jo the Penoval
Javal & Stielitary Fast tumesh-
As To
(Minutes.)
Mr Ebden
The previous papers were sent. a short time ago to gan.
Mr Meach
8.W. I. 15 ap?
M
537
noted
WHB
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семей
(1) A committer of Colomning 15/4. Military and Naval officers was appointed as suggested Their Report has been recein 3489/8/1 and has been communicated to the B.D.C. who have been requested to burnich us with copies, when punited, for communication 7893 to The W.0. and Adevially de
(2) In the mean time the WO, sent
For
2 | 82-II & 3 1730)
5949 19
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