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3. I am also to transmit to you a copy of a paraphrase of a secret telegram received from the Governor as to the force required for the defence of the Colony, together with a copy of the despatch* therein referred to, in which be states that he strongly advises that at least forty-five men be sent to the island in addition to the present force of Coast-guard.
4. I am further to transmit to you a copy of the correspondence noted in the margint which took place in 1875-7 on the subject of the defence of Heligoland.
No. 38.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
(Confidential.)
Sir,
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
Admiralty, April 12, 1878.
WITH reference to your letter of the 10th instant‡ stating that there is at present in Singapore about 70,000 tons of coal undefended, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that Her Majesty's ships "Shannon," "Ruby," and "Diamond" have been ordered to join the squadron under the command of Vice-Admiral Hillyar, the Commander- in-chief on the China station, and that his attention has been called to the necessity of making provision for the safety of the coal at Singapore.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
No. 39.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, April 12, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and with reference to the letter from this Department of the 3rd instant, a copy of the promised despatch§ from the Governor of Heligoland on the subject of the defence of that island in the event of war, and calling attention to the fact that if, as the result of the reserves being called out, the Coast-guard officers and men at present in Heligoland are told off to different stations, the island would be deprived of its sole defensive force, and strongly advising that on the out- break of war at least forty-five men be sent to the island in addition to the present force of Coast-guard.
2. I am to state, for their Lordships' information, that a copy of the inclosed despatch, and of the whole of the correspondence relating to the defence of Heligoland, has been referred to the Colonial Defence Committee.
I am,
(Signed)
&c.
R. H. MEADE.
* No. 32.
† Foreign Office, June 21; Governor, Confidential, December ; to Admiralty, Confidential, July 7; to War Office, Confidential, July 7; Admiralty, Confidential, July 20; War Office, Confidential, October 26; to Governor, Confidential, November 4, 1875; Governor, Confidential, February 19; to Admiralty, Confidential, March 8; to War Office, Confidential, March 8; Admiralty, April 17; War Office, May 6; to War Office, May 22; War Office, May 24; War Office, June 14; to War Office, June 29; to Governor, June 29; Governor, Confidential, October 10; to Admiralty, November 11; Admiralty, November 24; to Admiralty, December 1, 1876; Admiralty, February 5; to Admiralty, February 16; to Governor, February 16; Governor, No. 7, February 21, 1877.
‡ No. 35.
No. 32.
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