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29. Pages 44, 45, and 49 to 53. Supplies.-In Table C (iii), page 49, column 7 may be struck out and the heading of column 6 altered to read: "Total quantities to enable the station to hold out for two months (columns 4 and 5)." According to Chapter VI the food supplies for the civil population are more than sufficient for a period of two months, and it would be well to add a note in Table C (iii) to this effect.

There is little evidence on these pages to show that the complicated arrangements in regard to the purchase and storage of food supplies for the garrison have been considered in detail, and will be carried through without friction on mobilization.

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30. Pages 53, 54, and Table (D).—The chain of artillery command shows the fire commanders in direct communication with the Officer Commanding Royal Artillery as Artillery Adviser to the Fortress Commander." This is incorrect, as these officers will be under their respective section commanders. The chain of command requires amendment in several other points also, and it should be replaced by a copy of the approved chain of artillery command, dated the 22nd November, 1901 (W.O., No. 57/Hong Kong/631).

Chapter III (D) should also contain a recapitulation on Army Form A 2008 of the armament fixed and movable, except machine guns (which should be manned by infantry), and it would be convenient if some explanation were given of the methods of transport which it is proposed to adopt for the various guns of the movable armament.

31. Page 54, paragraph 12.-It is here stated that "in most cases the approaches to the positions assigned to the howitzers are very difficult, and it is desirable that the batteries should in some instances be constructed and the howitzers placed in position in time of peace; to do so would involve considerable time and great labour, and would be impossible on a sudden outbreak of war."

In accordance with King's Regulations, paragraph 168, this recommendation should not be embodied in the Defence Scheme, but should have formed the subject of a separate communication to the War Office. Some howitzer.batteries or emplace- ments have already been constructed, and the proposal to store guns of movable armament close to their tactical position conflicts with the views expressed in para- graph 3 of Major-General Gascoigne's latter, dated the 13th April, 1901, which is printed as Appendix, No. 5, to the Committee's Memorandum, No. 286 M, on the proposed mountain battery.

32. Pages 54 to 59.-Paragraphs 1 to 8 of Chapter III (E) might advantageously be re-arranged. Paragraphs 2, 7, and 8, relating to the laying of submarine mines and the enforcement of traffic regulations should be re-worded. (See paragraph 24, above.)

Matter relating to telephonic work might be transferred to a sub-section at the end of Chapter III (E) headed "(iii). Telephones."

33. Page 59, paragraph 9.-The detail of field works to be constructed on mobilization (page 114) would be more in place in this chapter. It should be stated that plans of the work to be carried out on mobilization are in the custody of specified officers.

34. Page 65.-The substance of Tables B (vi) and B (vii) on page 27 should now be embodied in Chapter III (F).

35. Page 68, paragraph 10 (b) and (c).—Arrangements appear to have been already made by the garrison orders on page 41.

36. Page 85, Table G (ii).—If it is certain that ordnance stores can be issued in accordance with this time-table, and if the supply of transport can keep pace with these issues, the mobilization of the troops may be considered very expeditious and satisfactory, and the arrangements as to time in the orders to corps in Chapter V and elsewhere in the Defence Scheme (e.g., page 54 (E), paragraph 3, and page 89, paragraph 2) might be further crystallized.

If this is not the case, it is a matter for consideration whether the issue of some of the stores which are not immediately required by the sectional troops might not be postponed.

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