CAB11-57-6 — Page 48

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(G.)-Action by the Chief Ordnance Officer.

1. The Chief Ordnance Officer has in his possession requisitions for the complete equipment, stores, and tools for each section of the defence, which will be issued at once without further requisitioning on the orders to mobilize being promulgated. The Officer Commanding Army Service Corps will make the necessary arrangements for their transport. The arrangements made for this service are such that all stores immediately required will reach the various posts within twenty-four hours.

2. Small-arm Ammunition.-The Chief Ordnance Officer will be prepared to make an immediate issue to Corps Commanders of the small-arm ammunition to be carried by the men whether sectional or reserve, namely

For Corps equipped with Magazine rifle..

19

Enfield 303" rifle

"

""

**

303" carbines

Rounds.

150

100

30

3. First Reserve Ammunition.

A first reserve of ammunition consisting of 100 rounds

per rifle or carbine will be thus dealt with :--

(a.) Each Sectional Commander will be supplied with the reserve for his section. This will be sent to him with the camp equipment, &c., and will be kept in a field magazine to be established in a sheltered and convenient spot near his head-quarters, and will be entirely under his control.

(b.) Commanding Officers of Corps will draw the first reserve for their troops in reserve, and will arrange for the due proportion being sent with any troops detached to reinforce a section.

4. Second Reserve Ammunition. The balance remaining will be retained by the Chief Ordnance Officer in the magazines in Victoria, and from it the small field magazines will be replenished.

The total amount of reserve ammunition, exclusive of the 20 rounds per man always in possession of the Corps, and of the practice ammunition, is as follows, namely:-

⚫303, cordite

Rounds. 770,000

This it is proposed shall be increased to 1,230,000, consequent on the re-arming of the Hong Kong Regiment with the 303 rifle just completed, and an application to this effect has been put forward.

5. Gun Ammunition.—As a rule all the gun ammunition is stored in the fort magazines ready for use, namely, 200 rounds per gun, except for the quick-firing guns, for which there are 500 rounds per gun, and the Gardner machine-guns for which there are 10,200 rounds per gun.

The Chief Ordnance Officer would have at once to issue to the Royal Artillery the 100 rounds per gun now in store for the 9-pr. guns, and ammunition for the 7-pr. as required.

6. Miscellaneous. Further action by the Chief Ordnance Officer, whose time will be much taken up by arranging for the supply of naval ammunition and stores, will be as follows :—

(a.) Purchasing locally such hospital equipment and stores as may be required for the base hospital.

(b.) Arranging with the D.A.A.G.(A) for the strengthening of guards over magazines and storehouses.

(c.) Arranging with the Navy for the provision of a guard-boat for patrol purposes round Kellet Island, the naval magazine.

(d.) Providing additional accommodation for laboratory work. This will best be provided by tents and boarded floors.

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