CAB11-57-14 — Page 29

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CHAPTER II (C).

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which, starting from Quarry Bay, ascends the valley between Mount Butler and Parker, crosses Quarry Gap, and descends to Tytam Tuk. This gap can also be reached by Messrs. Butterfield and Swire's overhead tramway from Quarry Bay.

It will be seen from the above that good lateral communication in the Central Section is secured by one continuous road at an average elevation of about 850 feet.

Ne. III (Eastern) Section.

Tytam Gap (600 feet).—The road which crosses this gap has been already described as forming part of the main circular road.

The other internal communications in this Section are-

(a.) A path from Tytam Gap viâ Pottinger Gap to Shiako and Cape d'Aguilar (port war signal station)."

(b.) A concrete road (12-ft.) connecting Lyemun and Saiwan Hill.

(c.) A path from Saiwan Hill to Cape Collinson (look-out post).

(d.) A path connecting the landing places with Pottinger and Gough Batteries on mainland.

No. IV (Northern) Section.

4. 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 (18 miles), while the third runs from Yaumati, through the centre of the Kowloon peninsula, and joins the Kowloon- Kowloon City Road at the latter place.

Six passes cross the Kowloon Hills, named respectively, from east to west-

Customs Pass (763 feet). A well-defined Chinese paved track. Grasscutters Pass (1,325 feet). A similar track, but much steeper.

Shatin Pass (963 feet). A similar track, but containing flights of rough steps. Kowloon Pass (1,036 feet). Similar to Shatin Pass.

Coolie Pass. À mere footpath between Beacon Hill and Eagle's Nest.

Lai-chi-kok Pass. Crossed by the Frontier Road, 14 feet wide, with an easy

gradient.

With the exception of Lai-chi-kok Pass, which is suitable for the passage of all arms, the above passes are narrow pathways, suitable only for the movement of infantry in file or single file, and of light mountain guns capable of being carried by coolies or on mules. They are chiefly used by grasscutters and villagers journeying to Hong Kong from the villages on the far side of the Kowloon Hills.

Roads to the different gun positions on Chin-lan-Chun, Tate's Cairn, Eagle's Nest, &c., are in course of construction, and are shown on the map. On the far side of the Kowloon Hills the native Chinese paths leading from Hebe Haven, Tide Cove, Tai-po-Hu, viâ Smugglers' Pass, Tsun Wan, &c., all emerge eventually into one or other of the passes mentioned above, and are the only avenues of approach for an enemy attacking from the mainland.

1. By Telephone :—

(ii.) By Telephone and Signalling.

(a.) Two separate military systems of telephone communication, known as the Command and Administrative systems, are provided throughout the fortress.

In the Command system the offices are arranged in groups round a central office, the central office of each group can send or receive messages to or from any of its subordinate offices, but the latter cannot communicate with each other. Details of this system are shown in the accompanying diagram. From each Fire Commander and O.C.E.L., the R.A. and R.E. Commaud systems respectively communicate with each battery, directing station, electric light emplacement, and engine-room.

In all sections, beyond the fixed telephone posts in the infantry outpost line, further communication would be by flag signalling or orderlies.

Detailed lists of all offices connected with the Command system will be found in Tables E (iv), E (v), and E (vi). Operators for these telephones will be chiefly drawn from the British infantry battalion. There is also a reserve consisting of subordinates in the Colonial Civil Departments, a list of whom is kept up for this purpose, who will as soon as possible replace a proportion of soldiers. In the Administrative system each office is connected with a central office, called the Exchange, and so arranged that a telephone clerk in the exchange can connect any two offices at will.

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