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Minute by Acting Colonial Secretary.
The cost of shallow-sea cable is 350l. per mile, being mach more expensive than deep-sea cable, which is not exposed to chafing. From Green Island to the opposite shore of Lapsapwan we shall require, including beads, half-a-mile of cable, costing about 875 dollars; the outlay of laying cable will be 400 dollars; total, 1,275 dollars. Half share of Colonial Government expense, 637 dollars.
J. M. PRICE, Acting Colonial Secretary.
(Signed)
July 18, 1878.
Minute by the Acting Colonial Secretary.
The laying of a submarine cable to Green Island, at a cost of 1,275 dollars, for light- house service and defensive purposes, submitted for the consideration of Honourable Members of Legislative Council.
By command, (Signed)
J. M. PRICE, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Minutes of Members of the Legislative Council.
I approve.
(Signed)
W. KESWICK.
I concur in approval. (Signed)
I approve.
(Signed)
G. PHILLIPPS. July 19, 1878.
P. RYRIE.
I approve.
I approve.
(Signed)
J. M. PRICE.
(Signed)
H. LOWCOCK.
I approve.
I approve.
(Signed)
F. SNOWDEN.
(Signed)
C. MAY.
July 20, 1878.
I approve.
(Signed)
CECIL C. SMITH.
July 19, 1878.
Minute by Acting Colonial Secretary.
The cable was satisfactorily laid in my presence this morning. The operation begun at 5 A.M. and ended at 10:30.
(Signed)
July 20, 1878.
J. M. PRICE, Acting Colonial Secretary.
No. 327.
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
Admiralty, September 6, 1878.
(Confidential.) Sir,
WITH reference to previous correspondence relative to the defence of the harbour of Esquimalt, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a Report on this subject from Rear-Admiral de Horsey, Commander-in-chief on the Pacific Station.
2. My Lords have, on more than one occasion, expressed their opinion as to the great importance, in an Imperial point of view, of the harbour of Esquimalt being permanently fortified against attack, and their Lordships concur in the Rear-Admiral's suggestion that a force of artillery (whether Royal Artillery or Royal Marine Artillery remains to be decided) should be stationed there.
3. The position of Esquimalt is such that, in the event of war either with the United States or Russia, a serious attack upon it must be expected; and should the proposed construction of a dock be carried into effect, the defence of the harbour would become all the more imperative.
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I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
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