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necessity for a scheme of defence for the protection of a frontier line, and rendering it unnecessary for the guns allotted for coast defence to bear on the mainland. Further, the original scheme did not appear to recognise the necessity for any provision against long-range bombardment, or for covering with gun fire the approaches to the port and harbour.

Recent experience has very clearly demonstrated the necessity for this.

5. After a careful inspection of the whole of the existing defences and the proposals of the Owen Committee, I am convinced that the latter are generally adequate and should be given effect to. But I do not think existing defences should be tampered with (except those that are obviously useless) until the new works are completed and the guns sited. There is, however, one point in the proposed scheme which is not altogether satisfactory, and that is the defence. of the western or main entrance to the harbour. The channel here is some 3,600 yards in width, and at night is difficult to illuminate.

I think it will be found an advantage to make provision for two 6-inch Mark VII. guns in Upper Belcher Fort instead of one. The Owen Committee recommend that the electric fighting lights at Lower Belchers and Stonecutters West be of the most powerful description, I most thoroughly support this.

6. The Governor, Sir Matthew Nathan, is very strongly of opinion that half a battalion of British Infantry is not sufficient for the defence of so im- portant a place as Hong Kong. I entirely agree with him. Also, I am of opinion that the British battalions in these seas should be on the Indian establishment--not Colonial--and be kept practically mobilized and ready for war. In connection with this I would point out that the extent of the peri- meter for defence is very large, and that a railway is in process of construction between Kowloon and Canton which, as far as the frontier, will need some protection in war time.

I am aware that the half battalion now at North China is a temporary arrangement, and that on paper it is destined for Hong Kong; but this temporary arrangement has now gone on for a considerable period, and there seems no immediate prospect of its coming to an end. I most certainly consider that one strong British battalion at least should be at Hong Kong.

So long as our alliance with Japan lasts it may be considered that Hong Kong is perfectly safe, and that there need be no apprehension as regards its garrison; but if there is a necessity for a garrison at all, I maintain it should be an adequate one. For these reasons I agree with the views of the Governor.

7. On Thursday, 7th February, I inspected the units of the command. The 3rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, at Murray Barracks, paraded 346 (all ranks) strong. In North China, at Pekin, there is a detachment 209 strong, and at Tientsin another detachment 227 strong.

The battalion is under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Scott-Moncrieff. This battalion is armed with the old long Lee-Metford rifle, but I was informed that they are shortly to be armed with the new short rifle. I consider that troops stationed far away from home should all be armed with the newest pattern weapons.

Equipment, helmets, and greatcoats were of all patterns. This makes it hard for a battalion to turn out smart. Otherwise the men were well turned out and clean.

I was not impressed with the little drill I saw them carry out, neither was I favourably impressed with their physique. I was informed that the detachments in North China comprised most of the youngest soldiers, and that they were expressly ordered there, in which case they must be very young, if one is to judge by what was left in Hong Kong; but the Colonel assured me that the detachments, though young, comprised the best of the battalion

8. The barracks were very good, and the rooms clean and well kept. Each soldier was supplied with mosquito curtains and sleeping suits, a boon they greatly appreciate.

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