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CHAPTER II (C).

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Road, leading the water into this reservoir on the east, and on the west into the new reservoir constructed under Wong-nei-Cheong Gap; the path on its bank is convenient for patrols observing Repulse and West Bays.

5. On the mainland there are three broad metalled roads, suitable for the free movement of all arms, one running from Kowloon through Hunghom to Kowloon City, the second, known as the Frontier Road, emanating from the same starting point, runs through Yaumati over the Kowloon Hills to Tai-po-hu, while the third runs from Yaumati, through the centre of the Kowloon peninsula, and joins the Kowloon-Kowloon City Road close to the latter place. This road throws off lateral branches in the shape of pathways to east and west, of which the most noteworthy is the pathway which joins the Kowloon-Kowloon City Road at Hunghom. There are tive passes which cross the Kowloon Hills, named respectively, from east to west, the Customs Pass, the Grass Cutters Pass, the Shatin Pass, the Kowloon Pass, and the Lai-chi-kok Pass. The Frontier Road, on the west, crosses the Lai-chi-kok Pass, and the Kowloon-Kowloon City Road crosses the Customs Pass, that portion of this road beyond Kowloon City being for the most part a narrow paved Chinese road, which runs to Hebe Haven. The remaining passes are crossed by narrow pathways, suitable for the movement of infantry in file and light mountain guns capable of being carried, and are those chiefly used by grass-cutters and villagers journeying to Hong Kong from the villages on the far side of the Kowloon Hills.

Communications with the Kowloon Hills will have now both to be improved and supplemented, and this matter is now under consideration.

(ii.) Communication of Orders and Intelligence.

(a) Organization of Intelligence Office.

1. The central office for the issue of orders, and collection and distribution of intelligence is in the Headquarters Office in Fletcher Street, and works under the immediate supervision of the D.A.Q.M.G.

2. Communication of Orders.--From the Headquarters Office the chain of communication is by the military command system of telephones to section commanders' Headquarters, and from them to certain permanent telephone offices in their sections. In sections with fixed defences these offices include the posts of the Fire Commander and O.C.S.M. of the section, from which the R.A. and S.M. command systems communicate with each battery, electric light or submarine mining test room. In all sections there are certain permanent offices in the infantry outpost line, from which further communication would be by flag signalling or by orderlies. Where the telephone system is incomplete it is supplemented by flag signalling.

There is also throughout the fortress a military administrative system of telephones used in peace or war for communication between offices and for routine messages. The Headquarters Office is in communication with the Commodore's Office in the Dockyard, and also with the Central Police Exchange, and thence to all the Colonial Government Offices, the Harbour Office and the local police stations. It is also in communication with the local company's telephone system, which would often give a useful alternative means of communication.

3. Collection of Intelligence.-For the collection of information there is available :-

(i.) The military command system as described above.

(ii.) The system of ship signalling stations, which consists partly of a telegraph line to Gap Rock, and partly of telephone lines to Waglan Rocks, Cape D'Aguilar, and Green Island, and which are in communication, through the joint telegraph company's office, with the Harbour office and the Central Police Exchange.

(i.) The police system of communication with outlying stations, communicating through the Central Police Exchange.

(iv.) The telegraph lines to neighbouring countries, as described in Chapter I.

(v.) Telephone or messenger from the Commodore's Office.

4. Intelligence will be communicated :—-

(i.) By the Commodore, of the location and movement of any enemy's ships in the neighbour- hood of Hong Kong, and of the intended entrance or exit of any of His Majesty's ships to or from the harbour.

(ii.) By the Harbour-Master, of the approach of any ships conmunicating with any of the ship signalling stations, or notice of the hour of departure of any ships from the harbour. information will also be sent by the Harbour-Master to the examining vessels.

This

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