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It is not clear from the sentences which follow this remark at what places war-signal stations are to be established in accordance with the Com- mittee's recommendation.
10. Pages 7 and 8. Mobilization.-In accordance with paragraph 14 of the remarks above quoted, the mobilization is now arranged in two phases, and the dispatch of the reinforcements to Thursday Island takes place in the first phase.
Chapter III.
11. Page 8. Fixed Defences.-The armament of the defence works referred to under this heading, and given in detail in Table (E), p. 16, is not in a satisfactory condition. The two 6-inch B.L. (4-ton) guns at Magazine Island are shown as condemned, and the Military Commandant in his Report for the year 1894-95 states that they cannot, unfortunately, be chase-hooped. They must be Mark II guns, which, since the "Cordelia " accident, have become valueless. The defence of Townsville depends, therefore, on two 6-inch and two 64-pr. guns at Kissing Point and two machine-guns. At Brisbane the only two 6-inch guns appear to be Mark III, which without chase-hooping should only be fired with reduced charges. They are shown as "to be sent to England to be chase-hooped." Until this is done the Brisbane defences will only mount two 64-pr., two 6-pr. Q.F., and two machine-guns.
The Colonial Defence Committee consider that early action should be taken to make the armaments of Brisbane and Townsville efficient.
12. Page 8.-Reference is made to the artillery ammunition available in the Colony, shown in Table L on p. 19, and it is stated that the Reserve is a very small one.
This remark appears to be justified in the case of the 12-pr. B.L. and 6-pr. Q.F. guns of the land defences and in that of most of the marine defence guns.
13. Page 8. Floating Defences.-The five hopper barges have now been omitted from the scheme of floating defences. This is in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Colonial Defence Committee's Remarks of the 21st November, 1894.
It is for consideration whether four of the 5-inch B.L. guns formerly told off to the armament of these barges and now mounted on shore for drill purposes should not be inexpensively mounted, at any rate temporarily, to replace the four 6-inch guns at present unserviceable at Magazine Island, Townsville, and Lytton Fort, Brisbane.
14. Page 8.-Reference is made under the heading "Floating Defences" to spare armament shown on Table (H), p. 18, being available for arming the examination vessels shown in Table (B), p. 13, and in the latter Table it is stated that it is proposed to arm the "Advance "--one of the examination vessels-with two 6-pr. Q.F. guns.
Attention is called to paragraph 10 of the Colonial Defence Committee's Remarks dated the 21st November, 1894, where it is stated that, "To arm these examining steamers is contrary to the principles formulated by the Joint Naval and Military Committee, and accepted by the Secretary of State for War and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty," and where the reasons for this decision are given at length.
15. Page 8. Submarine Mines.-Since the last revision of the Scheme a new boiler has been erected for driving the electric-light engines, and the observation firing-room for the Brisbane River Defence has been completed. But the deficiencies in personnel to which the Colonial Defence Committee drew attention in paragraph 14 of their last remarks have only been. remedied to a very small extent.
Chapter IV.
16. Page 9. Regulations as to Harbour Traffic.-In the Regulations given under this heading the word "permit" is used. This term, implying a
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