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to my telegram of the 2nd instant. I must here remark that if Honourable Gentlemen knew, as well as I do, through my experience as Governor for above a quarter of a century, the length of time required for official correspondence between the different departments of the Imperial Administration, they would not be so sanguine in the expectation of speedy answers in matters of this nature. From the official papers which I laid before you a fortnight ago (No. 14), you will have perceived that it required nineteen days to receive a reply on the much simpler matter of the calibre of the Ordnance to be mounted on the new Forts. Now the questions treated of in the Resolution of the 1st April, viz.: (1) the provision of direct telegraphic communication between Hongkong and Singapore, and (2) the provision of “a Flotilla of Torpedo-boats, fully equipped," would require an exchange of official correspond- ence between the Colonial Office, the War Office, the Admiralty, the Directors of the Tele- graph Company, and, above all, the Imperial Treasury, the approval of which is necessary for the expenditure of public money in each and all of the public Departments. However, I yes- terday telegraphed once more, urging an early reply showing the decision of Her Majesty's Government concerning direct telegraphic communication, and a further supply of Torpedo- boats; and also asking when the heavy Ordnance for the new Forts may be expected to arrive. I will now make some further observations on each of the two matters treated of in the Resolution:-
(1.) With regard to the proposed Telegraph to Singapore, I have been in correspondence respecting it with the Manager, and find that the Eastern Extension Company would require a guarantee of £20,000 a year, for twenty years, before undertaking to lay a direct cable. You already know that the Executive Council of Hongkong, while agreeing with me and with this Council as to the importance of a direct cable, has advised that, especially in the present condition of our revenue, this Colony is wholly unable to offer any substantial aid to this project. I have already stated, moreover, that the Acting Governor of the Straits Settlements has informed me that the view of his Government is similar, and that it would not be prepared to give material assistance. It remains to be seen what will be the decision of the Imperial Government on my strong representations, afterwards supported by this Council.
(2.) I now come to the second proposal, which I, and most others who have given thought and attention to the matter, consider to be more likely to prove feasible, viz., the provision of a Flotilla of eight Torpedo-boats, which the Naval Authorities consider to be amply sufficient. As I have already informed you, Admiral Sir W. DOWELL has left the four Torpedo-boats now on this station to strengthen the Naval defence of our harbour. I have, as you know, asked that four more Torpedo-boats may be sent out; but, though I have not as yet received the decision of the Imperial Government, I learn from other sources that it is very improbable that any more Torpedo-boats can be spared for this Colony, while many of the chief ports of the United Kingdom, and of the other Colonies, remain wholly unprotected; and that, at all events, no more boats of this kind could reach us for many months to come. I am strongly of opinion that we should prefer to look to our own resources on the spot, which (as I am assured), could be made available in a few weeks, and at a very small cost. I have ascertained that two of the Steam-launches belonging to the Civil Government, and two of the Steam-launches belonging to the Military Departments, could be easily and speedily fitted for Spar and Whitehead Torpedoes. I have been in corres- pondence on this head with Commodore MORANT, who has written to me as follows: "I "have the honour to inform your Excellency that these fittings could be made and fitted to "the launches in question at a cost of about fifty-five pounds (£55) each; and that there are in store torpedoes which, with the Commander-in-Chief ( Admiral DOWELL'S) sanction, "could be supplied, should your Excellency determine to have these boats so fitted."
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I have already informed Commander RUMSEY, R.N., the Commandant of our Auxiliary Flotilla, that two of our steam-launches will be used for Torpedoes, so soon as the crews are sufficiently drilled; and I have assured the Military Authorities that the Colonial Govern- ment will be ready to pay also for the fittings of their two launches. It will thus be seen that a valuable addition to the Torpedo Flotilla can be secured at a cost to this Colony of about £250.
In conclusion, I would repeat that, on the completion of the works now in hand, and with the great "defensive.power" in Ships, Torpedoes, and Submarine Mines, permanently. attached to the harbour, one of the highest Official Military Authorities in England has recently assured me that "you (at Hongkong) should laugh to scorn the possible attacks of all the ships now in the China Seas." One word more, and I have done. I am confident that I interpret rightly the mind of every member of this Council when I say that nothing can be further from your wish and intention than to countenance any feeling of panic at the present moment. I believe that, like myself, you simply desire to see this first-class Naval and Military Station and great Mart of Commerce, placed, once for all, in a condition of practical and permanent security;-and that on the principle of the old Roman Maxim, Si vis pacem, para bellum.
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