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the provisions of the Scheme, a separate communication should be put forward representing the deficiency, so that steps may be taken to meet it. This inquiry and calculation should, however, precede the mobilization of the fortress, and is, in fact, one of the most important points to be attended to in the preparation of a Scheme of Defence.

21. In the same connection it may be remarked that, although the quantities of surgical material, &c., required are laid down on pp. 33, 34, it is not stated whether these articles are available. The quantities of medical comforts are also calculated, but they are so closely mixed up with the supply question, that no remarks are made upon them here.

22. It is noticed that a bearer Company is to be organized from the personnel attached to the stationary field hospitals, who are mostly volunteers. Some instructions appear necessary for the officer to be intrusted with starting this organization; the establishment of the unit, for example, is not given, and this should be considered, as it will probably not be identical with that given in field army establishments for a bearer Company in the field, which has somewhat different functions to perform.

23. It is by no means easy to ascertain how the question of the supply of the island stands; though there is a general statement at p. 7 that there is a sufficient reserve stock for the consumption both of the garrison and civil population for nearly five months. Several Tables are given, between which, however, there are so many discrepancies, that it is impossible to reconcile them. The nomenclature of articles, too, varies in many cases. The statistics

of supply in the Scheme require careful examination and revision. In esti- mating what reserve supplies are available, it is presumed that due regard has been had to the possible requirements of the navy.

24. The only portion of the Scheme which deals with the action to be taken by the (B) branch of the Staff is that on pp. 45, 46, and 48. The Tables there given are, however, drawn up with a view of presenting a concise summary of the supply and transport arrangements, and cannot be regarded by themselves as a sufficient guide to the action to be taken by the officers of this branch of the Staff. The Table on p. 48 and the various Sectional Tables of Transport are the only guides in the Scheme, as it stands, to the arrange- ments to be made for this important service. The answer to remark 2 on p. 48 does not agree with the figures in the body of the Table.

25. The instructions to Commanding Officers in Part IV are not complete or clear; para. 3, p. 51, states that information is given on a variety of points, but this is not the case. There is nothing whatever in the Scheme as to the supply of small-arm ammunition; the Tables do not show how the transport or supplies are to be obtained, and the names of officers are not given. Informa- tion as to communications and signalling seems to have been overlooked. It is important that officers in command of sections should be instructed as to these arrangements. Further attention requires to be given to the Tables attached to these instructions; they speak of a preparation period, and an attack period, but no explanation is given to the Officers Commanding as to what is meant by the terms. Reserves are also mentioned on p. 55, but it is not stated of what they consist, or where they are to be found. Staff and Departmental corps, which do not form part of the Sectional command, are included in the Sectional Tables. The Table on p. 61 shows 2,032 men in the section, for 948 of whom there is barrack accommodation, but it does not show how the remainder are put up.

26. The peculiar situation of the Western Section should be more fully explained in the instructions to its Commanding Officer than is at present the case. This section is not to be fully manned during the preparatory stage, but this fact is not clearly brought out in the instructions. The necessity for having all the details in connection with the work to be executed under para. 12, p. 66, worked out beforehand, has already been touched upon in dealing with the action of the Commanding Royal Engineer.

27. A chapter containing the orders to corps on mobilization would be a great addition to the Scheme, and it should be included in the next revision, as suggested by the Colonial Defence Committee in their Memorandum No. 46. In fact, the suggestions contained in that Memorandum as to the lines upon which the Scheme should be drawn up and developed cannot be too earefully considered in the further elaboration of this Scheme.

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