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The Committee consider that the armament proposed by Major-General Edwards will suffice for the requirements of Sydney, and they do not concur in the recommendation that a Brennan torpedo should be provided. Nor do they accept, as of general application, the opinion that, as compared with artillery," the Brennan torpedo is "inexpensive and much more effectual."

The necessity for preserving secrecy in regard to the position of guns and details of defence was brought before the Conference in 1887, and has at various times been impressed upon the Colonial Governments. It is earnestly to be hoped that these warnings will in future be acted upon.

The Committee do not consider that in any case the establishment of a central gun-wharf at Sydney is advisable. The distances being so great, no advantage would be gained by this centralization, or by dispatching to Sydney guns or ordnance stores intended for Adelaide or Port Phillip.

The suggested provision of camp equipment for 15,000 men appears in excess of all possible requirements, especially in such a climate as New South Wales possesses.

Victoria.

The Colonial Defence Committee have on previous papers pointed out that no further expenditure on armament is required, and have deprecated the construction of a work on the Pope's Eye Shoal. They do not consider that it is necessary to provide against the attack of "a powerful fleet," and they are unable to concur in the suggestion that "two or three powerful guns are needed at Point Lonsdale.

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They concur with Major-General Edwards in the inutility of the keep proposed for Queen's Cliff Battery.

As regards the ammunition for coast-defence guns, they consider that a total provision of 200 rounds per gun will amply suffice, and they point out that the number (300) laid down by Major-General Edwards is not provided in defences in Imperial charge.

Queensland and Thursday Island.

While agreeing with Major-General Edwards that, in a certain sense, the coast-line of Queensland "is more open to attack than any other part of Australia," the Committee regard the existence of the Barrier Reefs as affording great protection from the naval point of view. An enemy, unless in preponderating force in Australian waters, would be little likely to attempt operations inside these reefs, where he would be liable to be caught.

They are therefore unable to concur in the recommendation of the acquisition by the Colony of "three or four first class torpedo-boats." Such craft would be very costly, both in the first instance and in upkeep, and it would be difficult to render them efficient unless permanent crews were maintained.

As regards Thursday Island, the Committee have already expressed their opinion. They consider that the strength of the permanent garrison laid down by Major-General Edwards ("twenty gunners and submarine miners") is too low for a position so isolated, even if it proves practicable to obtain a "thoroughly efficient partially-paid local force." They consider that in any case it would be necessary to reinforce the garrison, in the event of war, to the total strength originally proposed, viz., 225 men. They do not regard the provision of submarine mines as necessary, even if the local conditions were favourable to their employment.

Tasmania.

The Colonial Defence Committee have already dealt with the defence of Tasmania in connection with the local scheme of defence. The distance of the Tasmanian ports from any practicable hostile base is so great that moderate measures of defence, combined with a high standard of organization for war, are alone required.

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