Yea I's use numbers Sneaks, it's much clearer to keep a hold on what part you're in than using something like page numbers to refer to soemthing, plus in a big document it helps keep the map in your mind when you're reading back over it all in one go.
Also for the tables, in chap 1, table 1.1, 1.2. etc; in chap 2, start with table 2.1, 2.2 etc. Also helps to keep track of where things are and what part you are in when reading it altogether. :)