CAB11-57-8 — Page 5

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8. The arrangements made for the defence of the dock are not so satisfactory as I could wish. The Dock Company possess a strong torpedo net to guard the caisson at Kowloon Dock, but have no floats for it yet. The designs are, however, completed, and Mr. Gillies, the Chief Manager, informs me that the floats could be constructed in three weeks.

Aberdeen Dock, which is much smaller and capable only of docking a 3rd class cruiser, has had no protection provided for it. I am, however, informed that the caisson can be submerged.

9. I propose moving the head-quarters of No. 1 Section from Stonecutters Central to Stonecutters West, the Local Defence Committee being of opinion that the latter place is the more suitable position.

10. In the event of war the harbour of Hong Kong will most probably be crowded with shipping, and at the present anchorage will mask the fire of some of the forts. I have therefore arranged, in conjunction with the Commodore, that the smaller class of ships shall, in time of war, anchor between Devil's Peak and Kowloon Rock, an anchorage suitable in every respect and affording more protection from raids than the western anchorage.

11. In War Office letter of the 30th September last, No. 57/Hong Kong/204, it was directed that certain returns of Ordnance stores should be compiled and sent home. This has been done; but it was in addition also ordered that in Chapter IV of the Defence Scheme it should be made clear what Ordnance stores would be required in each Section of the Defence, while in Chapter III these stores were to be consolidated into one table. These lists have been compiled, but they are of so bulky a nature that to put them up with the Defence Scheme would render it very unweildy for easy reference.

I am therefore inclosing them under a separate cover, and if the Colonial Defence Committee consider their insertion in the Defence Scheme to be essential they can be incorporated therewith when the Scheme is being printed. All the officers concerned are of course in possession of copies of the lists, which, whether included in the Defence Scheme or not, would be revised concurrently therewith as directed.

12. Adverting to paragraph 6 above, I inclose the remarks of the Commanding Royal Engineer on the reports referred to in that paragraph, and also a scheme for protecting more effectively the entrances to the harbour. I consider that his suggestion is worthy of attention, and I therefore forward it for your opinion.

13. I beg to call attention to the fact that the copy of the model schedule of arrangements drawn up by the War Office, referred to in paragraph 20 of the Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee on the Defence Scheme, 1898, has not been received.

I have, &c.

(Signed) W. J. GASCOIGNE, Major-General,

Commanding in China and Hong Kong.

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To his Excellency the Officer

administering the Government.

Sub-Enclosure 1.

Naval Report on Combined Operations on the Evenings of the 27th, 28th, and 29th March, 1900.

Boats employed. No. 38, Acting-Commander Green, "Phoenix;" No. 37, Lieu- tenant Bamber, "Centurion;" No. 20, Lieutenant Roper, "Aurore."

Rules. To attempt to get within the man-of-war anchorage, by either entrance, in any manner, between 7 and 9 P.M.

Sir,

I have the honour to report the proceedings of the three torpedo-boats above- mentioned under my command on the evenings of the 27th, 28th, and 29th March.

On the afternoon of the 27th March the boats assembled at Aberdeen Dock. I gave orders to Nos. 37 and 20 to attempt to get in by the mid-channel passage between Belchers Fort and Stonecutters Island, while I, in No. 38, attempted to crawl round

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