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5. Mine-Field and Friendly Channel.-When the Colonial Defence Com- mittee, in a Memorandum dated the 5th May, 1885, originally recommended submarine mines for the entrance to Princess Royal Harbour, they proposed fifteen engineers as the minimum detachment for working them. Taking into consideration that practically no trained force of submarine miners now exists at Albany, and that, in order that the utility of the port in war-time should not be interfered with, any submarine mining defence provided for it should be capable of being rapidly laid at the moment only when competent naval authority considers the immediate attack of the port to have become possible, and that such rapid laying would require a personnel maintained in a thoroughly efficient state by a considerable annual expenditure, the Colonial Defence Committee concur in the opinions of the Naval Com- mander-in-chief and of the Commandant Local Forces, that, under present conditions, it would be better to dispense altogether with the submarine mines.

6. Defence against Torpedo Craft Attack.-The opinion of the Naval Commander-in-chief that defence against attack by "carried" torpedo-boats is sufficiently provided against by the existing defences of the port, with an addition of two 6-pr. Q.-F. and two machine-guns, is concurred in, especially in view of the improbable nature of such attack. It is not quite clear from the Report whether the Hotchkiss Q.-F. guns that have been ordered aro on cones or on travelling carriages, though it would appear that they are on the latter and less desirable mountings. They should be placed near the point marked A on the chart accompanying the Report of the Local Committee rather than at C, as proposed in that Report, the narrowest part of the Channel being abreast of A, which is 600 yards from the opposite shore.

7. Electric Lights.-To secure the full efficiency of the Q.-F. guns against "carried" torpedo-boats attempting to enter the harbour on a dark night one or two dispersed electric light beams covering the water at the harbour entrance from some position between A and C on the chart would be necessary. The position C proposed by the Local Committee is too far retired, as from it the beam would be directed in the face of ships wishing to enter the harbour, and would increase the difficulties in their navigation of the narrow channel. The Local Committee, it is noted, put this down as one of the advantages to be derived from the employment of the electric light, but this view is not consistent with the general principle which has been laid down by the Joint Naval and Military Committee on Defence that no action should be taken for defence purposes which would endanger the safety of friendly vessels.

The Colonial Defence Committee would call attention to the considerable expenditure which would be involved by the provision of an electric light installation at Albany. The initial cost would be about 3,000l., and, in addition to the subsequent cost of maintaining machinery and buildings, it will be necessary to provide for the careful training in peace and constant employment in war of a staff of ten engine-drivers and electricians. The Colonial Defence Committee doubt whether the present condition of the artillery and infantry personnel and their equipment is sufficiently satisfactory to justify a considerable expenditure on a less important branch of the defence, and they observe that the Naval Commander-in-chief holds a similar view.

8. Modification of Armament.-With reference to the field-guns detailed under this heading, the Colonial Defence Committee desire to call attention to paragraph 6 of their Memorandum No. 65 on Field Artillery in the Australasian Colonies.

9. Signal Stations.-The positions proposed for these stations appear suitable, and Grove Hill should at once be connected by telegraph or telephone with Princess Royal Battery, and through it on to the town of Albany. This was recommended by the Australian Committee of Officers who reported on the defence of Albany on the 1st December, 1890. The Report now under consideration states that the connection could easily be made.

10. Defence of Middleton Beach. This defence should be conducted by infantry, assisted by the field- and machine-guns available; 6-pr. Q.F. guns are not suitable for such work, and should be kept for use against

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