Page 158
Page 158
173
publications with respect to torpedoes; and I am to forward to you, confidentially, one copy of the Admiralty Torpedo Committee's Report, and one copy of the Report of the "Oberon " Committee, to enable the Secretary of State for the Colonies to comply with the request, so far as the publications by this Department are concerned.
2. I am to request an acknowledgment of their receipt.
I am,
&c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
No. 308.
Governor Hennessy, C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received
(Secret.)
Sir,
August 26.)
Government House, Hong Kong, July 15, 1878.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 29th May,* transmitting to me a copy of a Report on Hong Kong, by Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, General Sir Lintorn Simmons, and Sir Henry Barkly, together with a copy of some confidential correspondence (Miscellaneous No. 35 E) respecting Colonial defence.
2. I have already reported that, before General Sir Francis Colborne left the Colony (about twelve months ago), and since then, I have been in frequent communication with the military and naval authorities on the spot, and that I have had the advantage, in concert with them, of considering the various details relating to our defence. If the information so obtained, and whatever practical knowledge I may have of the localities and resources of the Colony, as well as the responsibilities of my official position, in any way justify me in presuming to express an opinion on the Report of the Committee, I would venture to say that the project of temporary defence they have recommended is precisely that which is best suited to the circumstances of Hong Kong.
3. With every recommendation in the Report of the Committee I entirely concur, and I need hardly add that the military and naval authorities may rely on my most cordial co-operation in carrying out the views of Her Majesty's Government.
(Signed)
I have, &c.
J. POPE HENNESSY.
No. 309.
Governor Hennessy, C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received
August 26.)
(Confidential.) Sir,
Government House, Hong Kong, July 16, 1878. WHILST I have ventured in another despatch to express my concurrence with every recommendation Sir Alexander Milnes' Committee have made respecting the temporary defence of Hong Kong, I take the liberty of suggesting that the batteries they have indicated should be constituted permanent works, and that this remote but important station should be fortified and garrisoned as the chief British stronghold in the East.
2. In connection with the question of permanent defence there are some points on which I presume to say a few words. There is no Colony in the Empire, I believe, where the construction of solid and enduring works may be undertaken with greater facilities. Commissary-General Moore, who recently employed and personally superintended the labourers in making the temporary batteries and in dragging heavy guns, tells me he never met in any part of the world with better or more willing hands. Mr. Price, the Surveyor-General, gives me the same account of the Chinese employed by the various contractors under his Department. And both these officers have observed that this supply of thoroughly efficient labour seems in this Colony to be practically unlimited. An elastic labour market, where employers have nothing to fear from drunkenness or strikes, seems to be an element not unworthy of notice in considering the cost and feasibility of extensive works.
3. As to adequately garrisoning such works, I believe this Colony also offers exceptional advantages. In the four last paragraphs of my despatch No. 23 of the 27th February, 1878, I have referred to the possibility of converting a portion of our Chinese police into an armed and semi-military force, available for general defensive purposes; and in my Confidential despatches of the 24th May and 13th June,† I have
[793]
* No. 137.
Nos. 235 and 257.
2 F
Page 158
Page 158
Page 158