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For the protection of the roadstead with the native harbour and the Works portion of the town and suburbs north of the Singapore River, 195,8651.

These estimates are exclusive of 100,000l. for gun and torpedo boats,* which are recommended to prevent a landing on the southern shore of the Johore Straits, and to aid in the defence of the harbour. The total estimate for the complete defence of the Inner Harbour alone is 304,3407., or of the Inner Harbour and the roadstead 500,2057.†

Armaments Submarine mines

66. With regard to the garrison, if the harbour only be defended, the number required, according to Colonel Crossman, will be 2,600 men of all Third Report, p. 267. arms, viz.:

Infantry-

1 European battalion

1 native battalion

Cavalry-

Sikh police (local)

Artillery-

2 garrison batteries (European)

3 companies (Indian)

Engineers (European)..

Total

Men,

1,000

1,000

100

208

255

$5

2,600

If the roadstead also be protected, an addition to the above will be required of 250 artillery and 100 infantry, making a total of say 3,000 men, exclusive of Malays, and coolies for pioneer and transport services.

If

67. The Imperial troops now in the Straits Settlements comprise one com- War Office Returns. plete battalion of infantry 928 strong and a battery of artillery, all stationed in Singapore, except two companies of infantry detached to Penang. the latter were withdrawn to Singapore, the required number of European troops would be made up by the addition of one battery of Royal Artillery, with a complement of officers for the native auxiliaries.

68. With regard to local levies, Colonel Crossman-whose opinion, how. Third Report, p. 267. ever, upon this point is not shared by the late Governor, Sir W. Robinson- Digest, p. 597. reports that it would not be difficult to raise from among the Malays a regiment similar to the late Ceylon Rifles. He also believes that it would be possible to supplement the Royal Artillery with Indian gunners recruited in Singapore who might be organized like the company of gun lascars lately formed at Hong Kong, and would be useful in saving the health of the European troops. Colonel Crossman, however, points out that here, as at Hong Kong, it would be of little use to enrol Indians for artillery service, unless officers possessing a knowledge of Hindustani were sent to instruct them. The European adult population is so small that it would be difficult to raise or maintain a local European corps.

69. For the immediate interests of your Majesty's ships it would suffice, as we have already stated, that the Inner Harbour be well protected. But the prosperity and wealth of the Colony are so dependent upon the security of the port, native town, and roadstead, that in our opinion, which agrees with that of the present Governor, Sir F. Weld, the larger scheme for the Third Report, p. 280. defence of the harbour and roadstead should be carried out, and we think that the Colony may well be called upon to contribute substantially to the first cost and maintenance of the works, and also to the garrison. If the Colony provide all land required for the works, and land within the harbour for a depôt for the Royal Navy, bearing in addition half the cost of all works, including barracks, we think the Imperial Government should undertake the other half, and provide the armament and the gun and torpedo boats. It is desirable that steps for obtaining the land should be taken at once.

70. The Colony now pays an annual military contribution of 50,0001. to the Imperial Government. We think that the whole cost of maintaining the proposed garrison, and the gun and torpedo boats, should be equally divided between the Imperial and Colonial Governments.

71. We have only to add that the full strength of the garrison should be maintained at all times.

* 3 gun-boats, 8 torpedo-boats, and fittings for 8 more.

+ If Mount Palmer Battery be modified and retained instead of the proposed Panjong Paggar Dock Wall Battery, this estimate will be reduced by 86,5857.; and the total cost of the defences will be for the Inner Harbour alone 261,3407., for the Inner Harbour and roadstead 413,6207.

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£ 152,000 43,365 500

195,865

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