Sessional_Paper_1923 — Page 19

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The first and chief task of each committee will be the creation of this citadel. Its second task will be the disposition of the guards. They should be disposed inside the citadel only.

(j.)--Equipment.

We think that the equipment contemplated by Regulations Nos. 14 and 15 is sufficient. We would recommend that all arms other than the sporting gun should be of a standard pattern and should be requisitioned from the Police Department at scheduled prices. The duty of inspecting and testing arms should be imposed by law upon the Police Department. We consider a quarterly inspection of arms and ammuni- tion by a Police Officer to be necessary. In our opinion the supply of arms to ships under these regulations should be systematized under the Police Department. We would urge that arms and ammunition obtained from seizures or confiscations should not be made use of in this way, but that all arms and ammunition for this purpose should be pur- chased new by the Colonial Government from the Crown Agents. The Harbour Master should also under law have the duty of inspecting and testing the rockets and other portions of the marine equipment.

(k.)-Carriage of arms.

We think that the certificated officers should carry arms at all times while the ship is in a danger zone with the exception of the engineer officers who are on duty in the engine room. On assuming duty in the engine room the engineer officer should take off his arms and place them ready to hand in some convenient place in the engine room. When off duty while the ship is in a danger zone guards should remain in uniform and should continue to carry their revolvers and 25 rounds of ammunition. All arms should be carried loaded.

(1.)-Care of arms.

The duty of inspecting and testing the ship's equipment and arms should be borne by the Master as at present. (Regulations Nos. 16 and 20).

(m.)—Carriage of rockets.

We recommend that detonating rockets be kept in a safe place on the bridge ready for immediate use.

(n.)~Guards, their employment.

We think that the number of guards required by the Regulations should not be increased except that in the case of ships travelling to Macao six guards are required, and where it is expected that treasure will be carried on a ship additional guards should be obtained from the Police Department. The duty of the guards should be to protect the citadel of the ship against piratical attack and when the ship is under weigh they should have no other duties whatever. While the ship is in port the Master may allot them other duties in the nature of the prevention of smuggling of arms and as ship's guards generally as he may think fit provided that such port duties do not interfere with the proper functioning of their piracy prevention duties when the ship is at sea. When the ship is in a danger zone at least two guards and in the case of a ship required to carry six guards at least four guards shall be on duty protecting the citadel.

(o.)—Guards, their training.

We recommend that recruits for service as ship's guards shall receive a course of training with the recruits of the Police Department until passed out as fit. The training should include drill and practice with the standard arms in actual use, rifle and revolver. They should also be subject to an annual term of instruction and musketry in the Police Department, their places being filled by substitutes from among the recruits in the interval. They should also be exercised weekly by the Master in the use of their weapons as at present required by Regulation No. 27.

(p.)-Officers and the use of arms.

We understand that some difficulty has been experienced by Masters in inducing officers to comply with the Piracy Regulations in this particular. Ordinary marine discipline does not include the observance of these Regulations. We would suggest the inclusion of a clause in marine articles signed in this port by which each man undertakes