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made up in earth and sand-bags; the superior slope should be heightened by three feet of earth and sand-bags; an interior lining six feet thick of earth and concrete should be provided; traverses should be thrown up between the guns; existing embrasures not required filled up; shell and powder recesses built under the parapets for the service of the guns; temporary wooden racers, buried in concrete and fitted with iron sweep-plates, laid down; and the magazines and shell-filling rooms strengthened.
H. E. McCALLUM, Lieutenant, R.E.,
Superintendent, Defence Works.
May 29, 1878.
(Signed)
Minute by his Excellency the Governor.
The Governor will be glad to receive the advice of the Defence Committee on the points raised by Lieutenant McCallum, under the head of "Defence by rifled artillery," page 28 of accompanying Report.
May 30, 1878.
His Excellency the Governor,
(Signed)
WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.
The Defence Committee having carefully perused the Report of the Superintendent of Defence Works, are of opinion that on all points it would be desirable to obtain three 7-inch muzzle-loading rifled guns and two 64-pounders to be mounted in Fort Cornwallis, and that the work to be done in the fort, and recommended in the last paragraph of Lieutenant McCallum's Report, should be carried out.
The Defence Committee do not advise the transport to Penang of any smooth-bore guns either to be placed in position at Pulo Jerajah or elsewhere.
(Signed)
C. A. S. DICKINS, Colonel Commanding,
Straits Settlements.
J. F. A. MCNAIR, Colonial Engineer.
A further report will be made by Colonel Dickins on his return from Penang, to which place he is shortly leaving on inspection duty.
Inclosure 7 in No. 243.
Sir,
Government House, Singapore, June 5, 1878. REFERRING to my letter to you of the 29th May, I have now the honour to inclose, for your information, copy of a Report by Lieutenant McCallum, R.E., Superin- tendent of Defences, on the subject of the defences of Penang, together with the remarks of the Defence Committee thereon.
CE
I beg to call your attention to Lieutenant McCallum's suggestion under heading Defence by rifled artillery." That suggestion is supported by the Defence Committee, and I would suggest, for your consideration, whether it would not be advisable that instructions should be given to land at Singapore three of the 7-inch muzzle-loading rifled guns and two 64-pounders, supposed to be now on their way to Hong Kong, these guns to be transported to Penang, and there mounted in Fort Cornwallis.
Should, however, the steamer which brings these guns call at Penang I would suggest that instructions be given to have the guns landed at that port.
Major-General Donovan,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.
Commander-in-chief in China and Straits Settlements.
No. 244.
Governor Hennessy, C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.—(Received
(Telegraphic.)
July 22.)
FROM General to Secretary of State for War. Authority for 30,000l. received. In view of present political aspect, shall wait further instructions before extending existing defences and shelter.
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