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12. Page 34.-Attention is directed to paragraph 7 of the Committee's Remarks, No. 172 R, dated the 30th November, 1897. The reference to the protection of the docks against torpedo-boat attack is not very explicit, and the detailed explanation which should have been embodied in Chapter VI is not forthcoming.

13. Page 37.-The references, under the heading "Action by Commanding Royal Engineer," at pp. 37 and 40, to the procedure for enforcing the system of regulation of maritime traffic, are not in conformity with the wording of Chapter VI, and should be corrected to agree with that Chapter as amended in accordance with the remarks in paragraph 20, below.

14. Page 43.-A further revision of the sub-section on signalling and telegraphy was received too late for printing, and should be embodied in the next revision.

It is stated in the last paragraph that a signalman R.N. is to be sent to Cape d'Aguilar lighthouse. This arrangement is inadmissible, as it might compromise the neutral character of the lighthouse. The neutrality of lighthouses is so important to Great Britain, that the general principle should be strictly adhered to as a matter of policy. This is not equivalent to a rule that information must not be obtained from lighthouse-keepers, but means that lighthouses should not ostensibly, or in any recog- nizable way, be treated as elements in the defensive system. The reference in the same paragraph to launches patrolling should be expunged.

The condition of the system of electrical communications does not appear to be very satisfactory from the defence point of view. It is very undesirable that altera- tions of the system should be necessary on mobilization. When the system of telephonic command communications is completed, that system, which is being designed and laid for the express purpose of communicating orders and intelligence, will have to be depended on by the fighting troops, and must at all times be ready for use. The military administrative system will be entirely subsidiary to it, and will only be maintained for administrative convenience in offices, &c., so far as the avail- able personnel admits without drawing upon the combatant troops.

It is usually found to be more convenient to describe the system of electrical communications in Chapter II (C), under the second heading suggested in paragraph 11 of the Committee's Remarks, No. 172 R, dated the 30th November, 1897, technical details only being dealt with under the heading, "Action by Commanding Royal Engineer."

the

15. Page 47.-If, as stated on this page, arrangements are such that all stores immediately required will reach the various posts within twenty-four hours, they may be considered satisfactory, but in order that these arrangements should not be lost sight of, the Colonial Defence Committee think it desirable that they should be recorded in detail in the Defence Scheme, and that a time-table should be supplied showing the course of mobilization.

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The Committee suggest that the War Office should communicate with the General Officer Commanding, with a view to the compilation of a Return of ordnance written stores showing the number of each article of store required under the Scheme of Defence, the total quantity available from local stock, the quantity required to com-

by oh in plete, and whether such quantity could be procured locally when required, or should be sent out from England and stored as a special Defence Reserve. This Defence 57/HK/2024 Reserve should of course be reconsidered from time to time in order that the requirements of the defence may be accurately met.

It should be made clear in Chapter IV of the Defence Scheme what ordnance stores would be required in each section in connection with the defence operations, while in the portion of Chapter III describing the action of the Chief Ordnance Officer, these different quantities should be consolidated into one Table, showing the total requirements and corresponding with the above-mentioned Return.

16. Page 47, Paragraph 6 (c).-It is here stated that arrangements are to be made with the Navy for the provision of a guard-boat for patrol purposes round the naval magazine at Kellet Island. Attention is directed to paragraph 8 of the Committee's Remarks, dated the 9th July, 1895, on the Defence Scheme revised to May, 1894, in which it was laid down that it should be stated whether the naval authorities have concurred in this arrangement or its necessity.

30.9.99

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