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where, as in the case of the Eastern Passage, these would obstruct ordinary fair ways used by coasters and small vessels. They do not, however, object to the closing of the North-west Arm if at the time of mobilization it is not required for naval purposes, and if the local naval authorities concur in this action being taken.

DEFENCE SCHEME.

6. Pages 11 and 12, Divisions of the Fortress.-It is for the consideration of the General Commanding whether, if a sectional organization is retained, "Northern " and Southern Sections would not be a more convenient nomenclature than Halifax" and "Southern " Sections, and whether the sub-division of the former into sub-sections might not be omitted.

The Sectional Commanders should be shown under the titles of their appointments in peace time.

7. Page 12 (a) and (b).-There is a slight discrepancy between the numbers of regular and militia infantry here given and those shown in the Table on page 13.

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8. Page 15, 2nd Table.-The Submarine Mining Company is shown here as three officers and fifty-six of other ranks. On page 12 (a) and in Table E (i) on page 52 it is given as three officers and sixty of other ranks.

9. Page 17, C (ii).-The information given on pages 61 and 62 under the heading "Existing Systems" should be transferred to Chapter II under the heading "Com- munication of Orders and Intelligence."

10. Page 21, First Day, paragraph 1.-The notification to put the Defence Scheme into force will be received by the General Commanding through the Governor-General of Canada. The Committee are informed that the special attention of the Governor- General is being directed to the vital importance of transmitting this instruction immediately it is received from Her Majesty's Government.

11. Page 22, paragraph 1.—It is not clear how articles of clothing can be “ pur- chased locally" if they are "not locally available; " presumably "not available in store" is intended.

Articles of clothing should not have to be obtained from Pimlico on mobilization. A stock should be kept of everything that cannot be purchased locally.

12. Page 22, paragraph 3.—It is difficult to reconcile the arrangements for outpost duty here given with the divisions of command and the distribution of troops laid down in Chapter II. It is apparently intended that two companies of infantry should proceed daily for night duty at Macnab's Island. If these are in addition to the two companies of the 66th battalion of Militia which, according to the Tables on pages 13 and 15, form part of the garrison of No. II Section of the defence, they must be taken from the Field Force. Again, five companies of that force are told off nightly to do outpost duty in No. I Section, and will presumably then pass under the orders of the Officer * Commanding that section. This is hardly a convenient arrangement, and the consideration of the General Officer Commanding is again invited to the final sub-paragraph of paragraph 1 of the Committee's Remarks, No. 166 R, dated the 6th August, 1896.

His attention is also called to the desirability of reducing as much as possible, consistent with safety, the number of troops of the Field Force employed on outpost duty. This duty may continue for weeks on end, and if a large number of troops are employed on it, it will impair the efficiency of the Field Force, which, it is rightly recognized, "should at all times be prepared to move at the shortest notice to any point required."

13. Page 23, paragraph 5. Page 82, paragraph 8.-The whole of the Mounted. Force should undoubtedly be armed with the same rifle, but it would be sounder to rearm the Kentville Yeomanry at once with the Lee-Metford, and to let them practice in peace time with the weapon they are to use on the outbreak of war. The

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