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(c.) Telephonic communication is established between the telegraph stations and various batteries, &c., as shown in the diagram. All the lines are ready, and the instruments are kept in Royal Engineer Telegraph and Submarine Mining Stores ready to connect up by the Royal Engineer Telegraph Staff.

Six portable shelters of a special pattern are provided for telephones not in permanent buildings. They are stored in the most convenient positions near to the places where they will be required.

Personnel. The telegraphs are worked by infantry clerks, of whom there are sixteen trained, in order to double-man each station.

The telephones are worked by Royal Artillery signallers, of whom there are sixteen--one for each telephone station--trained to the work during peace- time, with a hired coolie messenger for each.

Action on Mobilization.-On mobilization the D.O. Telegraphs will hire seventeen coolie messengers: one for North Point telegraph station, and one for each telephone station.

The trained infantry telegraphists will be placed at the disposal of the Commanding Royal Engineer, and will, except those already at peace stations, report themselves at the Telegraph Office, Wellington Barracks, where they will be detailed by the D.O. of Telegraphs for the double manning of all stations.

The Royal Artillery telephone clerks will be detailed for the several telephone stations by the Officer Commanding Royal Artillery.

The instruments will be taken out by the coolies under the charge of the Royal Engineer Telegraph Staff, and the stations connected up and manned.

Forms, pencils, &c., are provided from Royal Engineer Telegraph Stores, and are sent out with the instruments.

The distribution of the Telegraph Staff, clerks, and coolies is shown in the annexed Table (Schedule XIII). After the out-stations are connected, the R.E. Telegraph Staff are held in reserve at Victoria, ready to repair lines, &c., for which materials are available in R.E. Telegraph Stores.

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SCHEDULE XIII.

TABLE of Distribution of Parties for connecting up Telegraphs and Telephones

for Mobilization.

Place.

R.E.

Coolies permanently employed.

Coolies temporarily employed.

Remarks.

Belcher's

Stonecutter's

Kowloon Lyemun North Point

Total

1

1

ज

+1250

1

2

17

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