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armament to be provided by the Imperial Government will be of the best and latest pattern of breech-loading Ordnance, capable of resisting attacks by the heaviest modern Ironclads.' To this I have received the following reply:-
'Referring to your telegram of the 2nd January, new guns are being provided at the cost of more than eighty thousand pounds sterling (£80,000).' It will be remembered that this is more than double the cost (viz. £37,500) of the guns originally proposed for the new Forts at Hongkong.
"With regard to the terms of the Honourable Gentleman's question, I am unable to say, if the Funds of the Colony are at present being spent upon the construction of a Fort in the Liümun Pass.' I have ascertained that the military works here are being carried out under the immediate direction of the War Office in England, and that it is not known as yet whether the cost of the battery at the Litimun Pass, which will not exceed one thousand pounds sterling, (£1,000), will be set down to Imperial Funds, or to the Colonial contribution. Of course, if it is so desired, I will forward the question of my Honourable Friend to the Secretary of State.
"With respect to the other points of the Honourable Gentleman's question, I am informed that heavy Ordnance will probably be mounted at the Liümun Pass. so soon as it can be procured; but that the primary object of the new work there. is to protect the Submarine minefield against the attack of armed boats and steam- launches; and that for this purpose lighter and rapidly-firing guns are indispensable; such as breech-loading 40-pounder guns, which the Military Authorities declare are not obsolete, or ineffective."
4. In my despatch of the 2nd instant referred to above, I drew attention to the strong feeling prevalent in this community on the subject of the armament to be provided for the new Defence Works.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
G. F. BOWEN.
The Right Honourable
THE EARL OF DERBY, K.G.,
&C.,
&C.,
&c.