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He will arrange with the Colonial authorities for the notifications being sent to Consuls of neighbouring ports with reference to the special Harbour Regulations being put in force.

He will see to the necessary action being taken to call out the Volunteers for actual military service, and to increase their numbers up to the authorized establishment if not already full.

(C.)-Action by D.A.A.G. (B).

On the outbreak of hostilities this officer will immediately take steps to

ensure :-

(a.) The accumulation of the supplies enumerated in the annexed Schedule VI.

(b.) The provision of storage accommodation for those supplies, and efficient protection for them.

(c.) The organization, maintenance, and housing of a Coolie Corps. (d.) The provision of all transport required.

He will be in possession of all the information necessary for him to proceed to a due performance of the above duties, the main heads of which are indicated in the sub-heads of this Chapter, headed "Transport and Supplies.'

(i.) TRANSPORT.

*

The transport requirements for the conveyance of troops, supplies, and stores to the outlying forts and posts would consist of coolies by land, steam- launches and cargo-boats by water. It is anticipated that little difficulty would be experienced in obtaining what is required for this purpose.

It will be necessary to form a Coolie Corps consisting of twelve Headmen and 200 coolies. These should be supervised by two Transport Superintendents, who would be best obtained from the Sikh population of the Colony. The twelve Headmen should, if possible, be English-speaking Chinamen. These numbers would vary

from time to time according to circumstances.

The head-quarters of the Coolie Corps would be in buildings temporarily hired in Victoria, where they would be more under the control of the Officer Commanding Army Service Corps than if they remained with the sections to which they are told off. Each particular batch of coolies would be employed on the same journey daily, with a view to ensure greater regularity and dispatch, as well as to minimize the errors made by illiterate Chinese in the delivery of stores, &c., at wrong places.

The Officer Commanding Army Service Corps is in charge of all army transport, and all requisitions for transport will be addressed to and dealt with by him.

Schedules V and V (a) show the detail of transport permanently required for the delivery of rations, the supply of ammunition stores and matériel, the removal of sick and wounded, and all transport services, together with the detail of land and water transport required for a day or two for the distri- bution of the garrison for the defence of the various sections.

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