CAB9-1_PT1 — Page 29

Mis Ryder

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. March 1888.

CONFIDENTIAL.

10 76 R.

Amended Report of Local Committee.

MAURITIUS.

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Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have considered the amended Report prepared by the Local Defence Committee of Mauritius. This Report is more satisfactory in all respects than that previously rendered, and from the opening paragraph it appears that the Local Committee are now thoroughly aware of the nature of their functions.

The Colonial Defence Committee desire to draw attention to the following points, viz. :-

1. The total strength of the garrison, including staff and departments and native submarine miners, is 398. In their Memorandum No. 31 of the 6th deer, 1887, the Colonial Defence Committee have already pointed out the extreme inadequacy of the garrison of Mauritius in view of the isolated position of the island and the large French force in Réunion and Madagascar. In the event of the obstruction of the Suez Canal, Mauritius would at once become a most important coaling station on the alternative route to India and China. This consideration alone would fully justify a determined attempt to capture the island at the outbreak of war, especially since a brief occupation would suffice for the destruction of the defences and coal stores. Under these circumstances, the Committee again urge that the garrison of Mauritius should be raised to a safe strength without delay.

2. It is pointed out by the Local Committee that, exclusive of the arms in possession of the small body of troops, there is a reserve in the island of 245 stand only, and of these 102 are of Snider and Lancaster pattern. Thus, even if time was available to train a local force sufficiently to aid in the defence of the earthworks proposed to be constructed on the land front of Port Louis, or to drill a portion of existing police force for this purpose, there would be no means of arming such a force. The Colonial Defence Committee recom- mend that 300 stand of Martini-Henry rifles should be sent out to the station at once, and that the reserve of small-arm ammunition should be increased to 300,000 rounds.

3. The Committee allude to the possibility of employing two local steamers to aid in laying out the submarine mine defence. All the necessary arrangements for this purpose should be worked out in detail, so that these steamers might be made available at short notice. The estimated time required for laying down the mines--sixteen days-which appears to the Colonial Defence Committee to be too long, might thus be materially reduced. 4. The Local Committee should lay down the number of look-out stations along the coast which it would be necessary to occupy, and should state the arrangements made to insure their efficient use.

5. The important question of the food supply of the Colony should be thoroughly worked out by the Local Committee, who should state precisely

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