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Inclosure 3.
(Confidential.)
Sir,
Admiralty to Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, Bart., G.C.B.
Admiralty, March 14, 1878. IN reply to your letter of the 5th instant, I am commanded by my Lords Com- missioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Committee appointed to consider the question of defending Colonial ports and harbours in the event of a sudden emergency, that there are no torpedo-boats in store and available in the event of such boats being required for the defence of the Colonies.
My Lords will, however, be glad to render any assistance in procuring such boats from the firms who are engaged in manufacturing them for the navy, on the under- standing that all expenses are to be borne by the Colonies for which the boats may be required.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
Inclosure 4.
Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, Bart., G.C.B., to Admiralty.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Committee Room, Whitehall, March 15, 1878.
I AM requested by the members of the Committee on Colonial Defence to submit, for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that in giving atten- tion to the required defences of Hong Kong, the Committee would suggest the dispatch of two gun-boats of the "Comet" class, carrying 18-ton guns, to be stationed in that harbour.
It is probable that the Committee, when they come to investigate the requirements of some of the other Colonial ports, will consider it expedient to recommend similar arrangements.
Under these circumstances, I am requested by the Committee to submit their views, and to be informed whether their Lordships would be prepared to furnish and man these gun-boats as part of the system of Imperial Colonial defence, and if so, what number the Committee may count upon towards carrying out this part of the scheme of defence, as recommended by the Defence Committee.
I am further to ask whether, in the event of the employment of Whitehead torpedoes being recommended in conjunction with other means of defence, their Lordships would undertake to furnish such trained men as might be necessary.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Inclosure 5.
ALEX. MILNE, President.
(Confidential.) Sir,
Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, Bart., G.C.B., to Admiralty.
Committee Room, Whitehall, April 6, 1878. I AM requested by the Colonial Defence Committee to ask whether the Lords. Commissioners of the Admiralty will be so good as to afford the Committee any information respecting the present state of the defences of Ascension, with the number and description of guns now there; and further, whether their Lordships propose to maintain a depôt of coals and stores at the island for the use of Her Majesty's ships, or to ensure a supply to steamers calling there.
The Committee are also anxious to be informed as to the establishment which their Lordships deem it desirable to maintain at the island.
I have, &c. (Signed)
ALEX. MILNE, President.
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