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So also in regard to supply. The Return attached shows that the purchase of certain articles is contemplated on mobilization, but there is no mention of any action of this character in the Scheme. The Return and the Scheme, between them, should show the action to be taken for the purchase of supplies, for their storage, and for any other matters connected with this question.

Again, there is certain action to be taken by the Officer Commanding Royal Artillery under the Scheme, such as the redistribution of the personnel and material under his orders. This, as well as any other steps which he may have to take, should be recorded separately for the special guidance of this officer.

Also, a considerable amount of work will devolve upon the Officer Commanding Royal Engineers, in connection with the erection of extem- porized defences and cognate matters, and all the steps which are necessary for this purpose should be recorded. As the Scheme stands, it is a matter involving a certain amount of research to ascertain what additional works are to be thrown up on going into a state of defence.

3. Pages 10-11, Tables (A) and (B), giving the distribution of troops do not agree, the total shown by Table (A) being 1,525, while that given by Table (B) is 1,633. It would be a useful addition to these Tables if the method of accommodating the troops at the various points were shown; also if a Table were given showing the distribution of troops by corps.

4. In paragraph 18, p. 5, sixty-four men from the navy are counted on as available to take part in the defence. While there can be no question that if these men were on the spot they would be so available, it must be kept in view that the probable requirements of personnel for Her Majesty's sea-going ships render it unlikely that the Commodore on the station would be able to spare these men or the crews required by the patrol boats mentioned at the head of p. 6 and at p. 24. It, therefore, is unsafe to count them as a portion of the permanent defence.

5. Paragraph 19, p. 6, Submarine Mining Defence. The time to complete is given as twelve days, and in the latest "Return of Resources" received from the Colony this has been increased to fourteen days. The Committee cannot help thinking that this time might be curtailed. The question of Submarine Mining Defence and of harbour traffic at paragraph 28, p. 7, will, however, have to be reconsidered in the light of the Guiding Instructions lately approved by the Joint Naval and Military Committee. These have been circulated to all General Officers Commanding by War Office, in letter of the 11th April, 1893, and also to all Governors of Colonies by Colonial Office in its despatch of the 12th May, 1893, and the requisite modifications should be made to bring the arrangements into accord with these latest approved principles.

6. It would appear (vide p. 14) that the officer responsible for laying the Submarine Mine Defence has been led to think that the steamer “Firefly might be available for the Submarine Mine Service. It is clear, however, from paragraph 26, p. 7, that this vessel is to be taken up for transport service. It is not quite clear from p. 15, Part V, whether there is actually sufficient cable to lay the whole defence, or whether it is only assumed that there would be sufficient. On this point it is to be remarked that all measures proposed in the Scheme of Defence should be based upon the actual existing state of affairs, and that in no case should it be assumed that stores will be forthcoming, unless they are actually at the station or procurable in the vicinity.

7. The object of the Volunteer Coast Defence Corps does not seem to have been fully grasped. The intention of the instructions issued on this head was that legislation should be passed in time of peace, which would enable the Governor in time of war to raise a corps, to assist in the Sub- marine Mine Defence, with a combatant status, instead of employing civilians, who would have no belligerent rights, as is proposed in the Scheme.

8. The medical arrangements given on pp. 25-26, are suitable so far as they go, but they can be only regarded as a general outline of the system to be followed. The detailed steps to be taken, consequent upon the adoption of this general system of arrangement, should be worked out and form part of the Scheme. For example, it is stated that a general central halting station

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