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Harbour-Master to act as deputy to the Naval Commander-in-chief for carrying out, at Halifax, in time of war, the Traffic Regulations now embodied in Part V (pp. 105 and 106) of the Scheme.

The Colonial Defence Committee have been informed by the Admiralty that after consultation with the War Office it has been decided that the Traffic Regulations shall be carried out by the local authorities, under the direction of a Naval Officer appointed in time of war for the purpose, and responsible to the Admiral when he is present, and to the General if the Admiral is absent.

3. Page 3, paragraph 5; pages 5 to 7, Enclosures 2 and 3, and sub-Enclosure' 1.—In paragraph 15 of their Remarks (No. 141 R), dated the 30th May, 1896, on the Halifax Defence Scheme revised to January 1896, the Colonial Defence Committee drew the attention of the Admiralty to the desirability of the question of the closing of the Eastern Passage at Halifax being specially considered and reported on by the Naval Commander-in-chief. The Admiral's proposal, concurred in by the local military authorities, is that the passage should be closed by sunken vessels abreast of Lawler Island.

The Colonial Defence Cominittee have been informed by the Admiralty that, after consultation with the War Office, it has been decided that the Eastern Passage should only be obstructed as proposed in the case of a war with the United States, when the port would be liable to attack from all classes of torpedo-boats, and that, in any other case, the passage should either remain open or be closed by suitable submarine mines, as may seem desirable at the time. In the event of war with the United States, the Navy will undertake, either by contract or with the means at the disposal of the Senior Naval Officer present, to provide and place the obstruction.

The necessary alterations should now be embodied in the Defence Scheme in accordance with the above decision. The mines in the Eastern Passage need not be laid out if an obstruction is formed further down the Passage, but they should be held in reserve, ready to be put down under the other conditions specified in the Admiralty letter above referred to. The light from Fort Clarence directed down the Eastern Passage should, it is thought, be retained and exhibited whether the obstruction is in position or not.

4. Page 3, paragraphs 6 and 7.—With regard to ordnance stores and clothing not procurable locally, the Committee understand that this subject is still under considera- tion of the War Office. They are informed that a special reserve of 300 rifles (0.303 inch) and the same number of sets of accoutrements (pattern 1882) have been authorized for the equipment of reservists in Nova Scotia. The existing reserve of 50 carbines and 250 rifles are for the replacement of damages on service, or for use with the modified sets of accoutrements referred to in paragraph 7 of the Covering Letter, for the equipment of men that may be available; from them the arms for the 75 to 100 men for mounted infantry could be issued. The Committee are also informed that 114 rifle buckets, to correspond with the number of available sets of saddlery, have been sent out. They do not consider the issue of cavalry swords for the proposed mounted force to be necessary, as this force is intended for scouting along roads.

5. Page 3, paragraph 8.--The Committee recommend for the favourable considera- tion of the War Office the proposal of the General Commanding to maintain a reserve of clothing to meet the requirements of mobilization.

6. Page 4, paragraph 9.-The Committee consider that badges for civilian auxiliaries might be made up locally, these not being articles of store.

7. Page 4, paragraph 10.—The General Commanding draws attention to the fact that the Snider rifles and ammunition hitherto held in reserve for the Dominion Militia will no longer be required for that force as soon as its armament with Martini-Metford arms has been effected.

The Colonial Defence Committee understand that the Dominion Government has provided Lee-Enfield and not Martini-Metford rifles for the rearmament of its Militia, and they suggest that that Government be asked to hasten the issue of the new small arms to the Canadian troops who will be employed with the Imperial Forces in the defence of Halifax, and also that the General Commanding be instructed to report at once to the War Office when the Snider reserve is no longer required.

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