CAB11-57-8 — Page 29

06)

8/1900. 1201) F.O. 714.

HARRISON A SONG, LITH, SI MARTING LANE.W.C.

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CHAPTER II (C).

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Victoria to the Peak runs up the steep hill-side to Victoria Gap, throwing off about one-third of the way up the hill a path with a gentler gradient to Magazine Gap.

Two other hill roads connect the north with the south side of the island: one, starting from the east end of the Happy Valley, runs up to Wong-nei-Cheong Gap; here it bifurcates, one branch falling by an easy gradient joins the circular road a mile west of Deep Water Bay, while the other, passing the side of the New Reservoir, mounts to Reservoir Gap, thence falling by generally an easy gradient by Tytam Reservoir to Tytam Tuk; the second road runs up the valley from Quarry Bay about 5 miles east of Victoria to the gap above Tytam Reservoir, there joining the road from Wong-nei- Cheong. These roads and hill paths are well kept up with good bridges, and are from 6 to 9 feet wide. In no place would the destruction of a bridge stop the passage of infantry or that of light field-guns.

The great need of a link on the south side of Mount Cameron to connect Wanchai with Wong-nei-Cheong Gap has partially been met by the cutting of a road trace practicable for infantry and a good road is shortly to be constructed; the excellent Bowen Road and Aqueduct runs at a height about one-third of the way up the hill from the Happy Valley, Wong-nei-Cheong Road to the main Peak Road, but is of little tactical importance for lateral movement in the event of a landing on the south shore.

Recently a catchment channel to lead the water falling on the southern slopes into Tytam Reservoir has been run round Mount Parker; a path on its banks gives communication between the Tytam Reservoir and the Sai-ki-Wan-Tytam Gap Road. A similar catchment channel has, on the west side of the Tytam Reservoir, been run round the hill mass projecting southward from the Wong-nei-Cheong-Tytam Reservoir Road, leading the water into this reservoir on the east, and on the west into the new reservoir constructed under Wong-nei-Cheong Gap; the path on its bank is convenient for patrols observing Repulse and West Bays.

(2.) Communication of Orders and Intelligence.

The Commanding Royal Engineer is responsible for the immediate completion of the telephonic system in accordance with the diagram opposite, the work being carried out under the superintendence of the Officer Commanding Submarine Mining, assisted by a staff of 1 sergeant and 1 corporal of the Supernumerary Staff, 5 sapper linesmen from the Fortress Company, and 2 civilian Chinese permanently employed, telephone operators, orderlies and messengers being supplied as detailed in Table C (ii).

The peace stations (excluding the administrative lines) are in Stonecutters West guard-room, Whitfield Barracks at Kowloon, and Lyemun Barracks guard-room; the Exchange is in the Head-quarter Offices. During mobilization the telephone would be moved from the guard-room at Stonecutters West to a position in the battery. Head- quarter House, the Commodore's Office, and the Central Police Exchange are also permanently connected to the Exchange in the Head-quarter Offices. The lines from the Exchange to Head-quarter House and the Commodore's Office are both administra- tive and command lines.

On receipt of the order for mobilization additional offices are to be opened at Plunkett's Gap (Head-quarters of No. III Section); Mountain Lodge; the Sanitarium; and near Middle Gap in connection with this Section; at Sandy Bay Gap; Mount Davis; howitzer position above Sandy Bay; and at the Fire Commander's position at Belchers; at Wong-nei Cheong Gap; at Danger Flag Hill; at No. 12 Hill, Kowloon; and at the Infantry camp at Stonecutters (on the local R.A. circuit); the lines being permanently erected to these places. Lines are also approved, and will shortly be erected from Lyemun Barracks to Tytam Gap, with a loop into Sywan Redoubt; and from Wong-nei Cheong Gap to Tytam Reservoir.

The Officer Commanding Royal Artillery is responsible for fitting up of the tele- phones for the R. A. chain of command. The lines for these telephones are permanently erected, and the instruments are kept in the various stores in the forts. They are frequently used by the R. A. at drill, and the lines are inspected at intervals by the R.E. linesmen. For telephones not in permanent buildings temporary shelters are provided in the forts.

For Sandy Bay Gap, Mount Davis, howitzer position above Sandy Bay, Mountain Lodge, Mount Gough, and Wong-nei Cheong Gap the telephone operators are at present accommodated in tents, the officers commanding the Sections concerned being responsible

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