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[Page 10]
(4)
I have made a complete inspection of the whole of the Garrison, including the barracks, hospitals (European and Native), head quarters Native Constabulary, administrative buildings, post office, customs house, legal departments and all other places, and am gradually getting everything reduced to order. I propose to appoint Lieut.Fry, whom I attached as Adjutant to the "Kanowna" Contingent and who will return here I hope in a day or two, Treasurer under the administration, and it will be his duty to receive money, property and documents to be surrendered by the Governor on Monday next.
21st September, 1914:
I have just received information from the Admiral that an opportunity for despatching a mail by the "Murex" will occur this afternoon, so I shall complete your letter.
Yesterday I received from the Admiral your enquiry as to supplies required for the troops here, and immediately afterwards requested the Admiral to despatch the following reply to you on my behalf:-
"Recommend in addition to supplies already ordered through Admiral for population, that supplies for troops similar in quantities to those originally placed on "Berrima" be forwarded, but preserved meats substituted for frozen. Also four hundred weight Malt, and fifty-six pounds Hops, Kerosene instead of Candles.
"More clothing of lightest possible kind required, previous supply unbearable in tropics; one pair boots per man needed.
"Merchants here propose ordering goods through Justus Scharff, York Street, Sydney, who should be encouraged to supply and thus restore normal conditions. Return freights copra assured if market not seriously dislocated.
"Require also five thousand pounds for pay for troops."
I have suggested preserved meats because there are very poor facilities on shore for storing frozen meat; at present we are depending almost entirely on the Ship's refrigerating chamber, but as the "Berrima" may be ordered back at any time and we will have to depend entirely on our shore provisions, then preserved meats will be the best.
The malt and hops are required for making yeast for baking bread. I have already erected on shore bread baking plant in order to afford the garrisons a change of food from the hard biscuits. Candles are of no use whatever on account of the high temperature. Kerosene is best for lighting purposes.