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H2 and H 3 it would only be possible to lay two platforms for each, owing to the large amount of blasting which would be required for the third.

Field magazines for the howitzers will have to be constructed with the other field defences, as hereafter described.

Field magazines will also be constructed in Kowloon West Battery, to store the gun ammunition for which the magazines of that fort are insufficient, unless the proper magazine accommodation is previously built, which is very desirable.

Field Works of First Line.-The first line of field works consists, as shown on the map, of gun epaulments and of entrenchments for the protection of the infantry of each section and reinforcements that may be sent to them, when disposed within musketry range of the bays practicable for landing, to oppose the landing of a small force.

As a rule, the sites for these works are so rocky that the works must consist largely of stone, supplemented by sand-bags, to be filled by earth collected from the surface near at hand. In many cases the sites have already been marked by loose stone walling, which is not likely to be removed for any purpose, and which will eventually form part of the work.

Field Works of Second Line.-The second line of field works consists generally of the block-houses, howitzer batteries, and entrenchments for infantry, and movable guns-more or less out of reach of the fire of ships-to which the troops of a section attacked by an overwhelming ship's fire may retire, and where large concentrations of reinforcements can be made to support them in preventing the advance of a landed force.

All these works are indicated in the map.

Construction of First Line.-The first line of works will be constructed by the sectional troops, who will also construct the howitzer batteries, and maga- zines and block-houses if not previously constructed (except B 2, B3, B4, and B 5, which will be completed by contract labour). They will also improve old, and open new, communications as required in each section.

An estimate of the work to be done each day, the number of men to be employed, and the method of employment, and the number of tools required will be found in the instructions for each section in Chapter IV.

The tools will be issued from the Ordnance Stores with the sectional camp equipment as detailed in Schedule XVIII. They will be stacked by the guard tent, in charge of the guard, until a mat-shed is provided, when they will be stored in it.

When the works are completed, any tools which the Officer Commanding the section deems it unnecessary to retain should be returned to Ordnance Store.

Construction of Second Line.-The second line of works, with the exceptions above shown, must, for want of military labour, be made by hired contract labour so far as available. They should be constructed under the superin- tendence of the Officer of the Royal Engineer district, and the men of the Royal Engineers belonging to the section in which the works are to be placed.

They will be commenced as soon as the contract labourers arrive on the ground, but the contractor will probably require at least a day to collect them, and the Royal Engineer officers and men, having started the first line, will then be available to commence supervision of the second.

The necessary profiling and pickets will be supplied by the contractor, bamboo being used for both, and tracing-tapes, mallets, and field levels will be available from the first line, but a proportion of sand-bags is provided for them in the list of tools, &c.

On completion of the first line and other works assigned to them, the troops might be available to assist in the remaining works of the second line, but it would be desirable to arrange for contract labour, so that both may be completed simultaneously if possible.

Estimates of cost of construction of works are given in Schedule VIII (a), (b). They are calculated on the assumption that the troops will not be available for constructing the whole of them.

Mat-shed Accommodation.-Tents being very conspicuous, and in many seasons unsuitable, it will be necessary to replace them by mat-sheds as soon

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