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and that the cost of the whole, with ammunition (say 100 rounds per gun), would be about 5,0001.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
F. A. CAMPBELL.
P.S. Since writing this letter, yours of the 12th instant has been received, covering demands for the guns in question, and as it is presumed the supply is to proceed, the- necessary orders will be given forthwith.
F. A. C.
No. 242.
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
Sir,
Admiralty, July 19, 1878.
WITH reference to your letter of the 11th instant,* representing the importance of keeping one of Her Majesty's ships stationed at the Bahamas, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will represent to the Under- Secretary of State for the Colonies that the Bahamas, like other British islands and Colonial possessions, are (under ordinary circumstances such as at present exist). periodically visited by Her Majesty's ships.
2. My Lords request you will point out to Sir Michael Hicks Beach that, during the civil war in Cuba, it was a matter of importance to prevent the numerous cays being inade a rendezvous for filibusters, who were thus enabled to make descents on Cuba, which, in the absence of a man-of-war, could not be prevented, and a remonstrance against this state of things having been made by the Spanish Government, orders were given to keep a vessel at the Bahamas. But the civil war in Cuba having come to an end, it appears to their Lordships that the necessity of stationing a man-of-war at Nassau no longer exists, and that it may be sufficient that the Bahamas should be visited by Her Majesty's ships, in turn, like other places on the West India Station, according as the Commander-in-chief is able to make arrangements.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
THOS. WOLLEY.
No. 243.
.
Governor Sir W. C. F. Robinson, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Registered July 22.)
(Confidential.) Sir,
Government House, Singapore, June 8, 1878. IN continuation of my Confidential despatch of the 23rd May,† I have the honour to submit copies of further correspondence on the subject of the defences of this Colony.
2. Major-General Donovan was obliged to leave for Hong Kong without having answered my letter of the 28th May, but I expect to hear from him by the next mail from China on the subject of the defences of Penang, and meanwhile I have suggested to him the propriety of adopting Lieutenant McCallum's suggestion under the head of "Defence by rifled artillery."
I have, &c. (Signed)
WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.
Inclosure 1 in No. 243.
Singapore, May 28, 1878.
(Confidential.) Sir,
I HAVE the honour to inform you that the Imperial Government having authorized an expenditure of 17,6001. upon works of defence for Singapore, Lieutenant McCallum, Royal Engineers, has been appointed to execute the work.
Having learnt from the conversation I had with you yesterday that the Government of the Straits Settlements would be willing to assist in the matter, I shall feel much obliged if your Excellency would be good enough to accede to any application made by Lieutenant
* No. 233.
+ No. 224.
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