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836
No. 258.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 17TH DECEMBER, 1879.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Commission appointing the Right Honourable the Earl of Carnarvon and others to be Commissioners to inquire into the State of the Defences, &c., of the Colonies, is published for general information.
By Command,
W. H. MARSH,
Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 17th December, 1879.
VICTORIA, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, to Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousin and Councillor HENRY HOWARD MOLYNEUX, Earl of Carnarvon; Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Councillor HUGH CULLING EARDLEY CHILDERS; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir HENRY THURSTAN HOLLAND, Baronet, Knight Commander of Our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir ALEXANDER MILNE, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Admiral in Our Navy; Our Trusty and Well- beloved Sir JOHN LINTORN ARABIN SIMMONS, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, General in Our Army, Inspector-General of Fortifications and Director of Works; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir HENRY BARKLY, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most. Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of Our Most Honour- able Order of the Bath; Our trusty and Well-beloved THOMAS BRASSEY, Esquire; and Our Trusty and Well-beloved ROBERT GEORGE CROOKSHANK HAMILTON, Esquire, Accountant-General of Our Navy and Comptroller of Navy Pay;
WHEREAS We have thought it expedient, for divers good causes and considerations, that a Commission should forthwith issue to inquire into the condition and sufficiency of the means, both naval and military, provided for the defence of the more important sea-ports within Our Colonial possessions and their dependencies, and of the stations established or required within Our said posses- sions and dependencies for coaling, refitting, or repairing the ships of Our navy, and for the protection of the commerce of Our Colonies with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with each other, and with foreign countries:
And whereas it is expedient to consider and determine in which of Our stations and ports it is desirable, on account of their strategical or commercial importance, to provide an organized system of defence, in addition to such general protection as can be afforded by Our naval forces; and whether such defence should consist of permanent works manned by garrisons of Imperial or local troops, or both combined, or of any local naval organization' or other armaments and appliances :
And whereas it is desirable to consider whether, and in what proportions, the cost of such mea- sures of defence should be divided between the Imperial Government and the Colonies to which they relate, or should be wholly defrayed by the Imperial Government or by the Colonies :
Now know ye that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your zeal, knowledge, and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint you, the said HENRY HOWARD MOLYNEUX, Earl of Carnarvon; HUGH CULLING EARDLEY CHILDERS; Sir HENRY TURSTAN HOLLAND; Sir ALEXANDER MILNE; Sir JOHN LINTORN ARABIN SIMMONS; Sir HENRY BARKLY; THOMAS BRASSEY; and ROBERT George CrookSHANK HAMILTON, to be Our Commissioners for the purpose of such inquiries as aforesaid, and that you may offer such suggestions as may seem to you ineet as to the best means (regard being had to the works completed and in progress, and to the ordinary number of Our naval and military forces voted by Parliament), of providing for the defence and protection of Our Colonial Possessions and commerce as aforesaid, special attention being given to the necessity of providing safe coaling, refitting, and repairing stations in such of Our Colonial possessions and their dependencies as you may deem best suited for the requirements of Our fleet and mercantile marine in time of war.
And for the better enabling you to carry these Our intentions into effect, We do hereby authorize and empower you, or any three or more of you, to call for, have access to, and examine, all plans and designs for all works of defence now in progress or under Our consideration, or any other plans or designs that may be laid before you for the same object.
And We do give and grant to you, or any three or more of you, full power and authority to call before you such persons in Our civil, military, or naval services, or others connected with Our Colonial Possessions, as you shall judge likely to afford you the best and fullest information upon the subject of this Our Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever.