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enemy's ship, be compelled to perform the duty, even should they be unwilling to do so.
3. A vessel lying off Belize could throw shot or shell into the town without the least difficulty, and there are no possible means available here by which such could be prevented. Some years since it was proposed to construct a tower in the harbour, to carry two heavy guns, but the idea was abandoned on the question of cost and other obvious reasons, and I do not think such a course necessary or desirable.
4. From the position in the harbour where vessels can safely lie to the town of Belize there is only one passage to the town, and that is very narrow and shallow, continually requiring the services of a dredge to keep it open even for vessels drawing 2 to 3 feet of water, and there is no other passage through which a ship's boat can reach the town.
5. The ordnance available at Belize consists of two 6-pounder field pieces and one 43-inch howitzer, and, after consulting with the military authorities, it has been thought that two of these guns can be best made available by putting them in position to command the narrow passage adverted to in the previous paragraph, and this I have ordered to be done without delay.
6. I am very glad to be able to report that a volunteer rifle corps has been started at Belize, and I have every reason to think the movement will be successful and permanent. About 120 effective men have already joined.
7. I am sanguine enough to hope that with two guns and an effective rifle corps a stout resistance to the landing of armed parties in boats may be made. To attempt more than this would in my opinion be unwise and probably useless. If by such means we can prevent the abstraction of funds from the public Treasury and other sources, we must risk the damage that may be done to the town by the shot and shell of a disappointed privateer.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
FRED. P. BARLEE.
No. 240.
Colonial Office to Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, July 17, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for any observations which the Colonial Defence Committee may have to offer, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong, calling attention to the possibility of utilizing Hong Kong as a recruiting ground for raising Chinese regiments for the Queen's service in India. or in any part of the world.
2. The question of supplementing the Hong Kong garrison by raising a battalion of Chinese was dealt with in your report on the temporary defences of the Cape of Good Hope and the Eastern Colonies, but it appeared to Sir Michael Hicks Beach doubtful whether satisfactory means existed of raising the proposed additional forces within Hong Kong and the other Colonies, and in a letter to the War Office, of which I inclose a copy, it was suggested that they might be most economically and efficiently furnished from India. It will, however, be seen from the inclosed despatch that Governor Hennessy thinks that 20,000 Chinamen of good physique might be recruited in Hong Kong for service elsewhere.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE,
No 241.
Sir,
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office, July 18, 1878. IN reply to your letter of the 11th instant,* transmitting a copy of a despatch received from the Governor-General of Canada in regard to the defence of the principal Canadian Atlantic ports, I am directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the seventeen-pounder 58-cwt. converted guns alluded to could be supplied in about three months from date of order,
* No. 281.
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