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provide three rifle-calibre machine-guns, and they suggest a Maxim gun (firing service ammunition) with a field carriage. The cost of one gun and carriage, with 20,000 rounds of ammunition, would be about 3501.

5. It appears desirable that a sufficiency of Martini-Henry rifles should be provided to arm the whole infantry force, which would probably be available. The Colonial Defence Committee consider that 300 stand of these arms should be obtained, the cost being 9001. At the same time, a reserve of small-arms anmunition should be provided, as the local Committee suggest. The Colonial Defence Committee recommend, however, that this reserve should be maintained at 200,000 rounds. The provision of water-bottles appears also to be most desirable.

6. As regards legislative changes, the Colonial Defence Committee strongly recommend that the proposal of the local Committee as to the formation of a Volunteer Reserve should be adopted. This force should be rendered legally liable to be called out in the event of emergency. At the same time powers should be taken to requisition transport of all kinds in the event of emergency. 7. The question of magazine accommodation, the importance of which the local Committee point out, should be dealt with at once.

With respect to the detailed proposals of the local Committee, the Colonial Defence Committee desire to draw attention to the following points:-

(a.) It is considered undesirable to attempt any defence of the Challenger Pass by submarine mines. The pass is more than 8 miles from Fremantle, and as the approach to Gage Roads is completely open to the north, no advantage would be gained commensurate with the difficulty and expense.

(b.) The Committee should lay down precisely which buoys would be removed, and should state who would be responsible for the duty of removing them.

(c.) If it is impracticable to connect Rottnest Island to the mainland by cable, the Committee should consider the possibility of establishing heliographic communication.

(d.) The importance of obtaining early information of an impending attack being very great, the Committee should consider the steps necessary to obtain the services of one or more of the six local steamers which could be utilized for patrolling purposes.

(e) As regards the removal of the coal hulks from Careening Bay, Garden Island, it should be stated what steps are necessary, what time would be required, and on whom the responsibility for removal would fall.

(f) The Committee should prepare the instructions to the local banks to which they allude, so that no time may be lost or confusion occur in the event of emergency.

(g.) Similarly, the necessary arrangements for accommodating, feeding, and transporting the troops should all be worked out by the Committee.

(h.) The Committee should select the sites for the earthworks suggested, and prepare the necessary designs.

(i.) Finally, a form of Proclamation to the civil population should be pre- pared, similar to that drawn up by the local Committee of Natal, and all arrangements for the carrying out of the medical service and for extinguishing fires in the town should be considered and reported upon in detail.

The Colonial Defence Committee have not referred to the question of the defence of King George's Sound, which, they are informed, is being dealt with in other papers.

As soon as measures have been taken for the defence of this port, the local Committee should consider it with a view to the preparation of a detailed scheme to be held in readiness for any emergency.

Meanwhile, the above remarks should be forwarded to the Governor, in order that the necessary measures may be brought before the Colonial Govern- ment, and the Committee should reassemble to reconsider and amplify their scheme of defence in the direction pointed out.

(Signed)

G. S. CLARKE, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

April 20, 1888.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. HARRISON,—on

- 21/4/89.

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