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I am in communication with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on the subject of King George's Sound.
Her Majesty's Government are much gratified to find that the measures already taken by the Colonial Governments have, in the opinion of the Committee, rendered it unneces- sary to make any further suggestions for the defence of many of the principal Australian ports.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
No. 54.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
Downing Street, April 26, 1878. I AM directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to transmit to you the accompanying copy of the Report of the Colonial Defence Committee as regards the Australasian Colonies.*
The Committee suggest that, in the event of war, arrangements should be made for the conveyance of the West Australian mails which would render it unnecessary for the steamers to call at King George's Sound unless the Admiralty should desire to keep it as a coaling station, in which case its defence would have to be provided for by naval means. I am therefore to inquire whether the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty desire that a coal dépôt should be maintained at King George's Sound, for use in the event of any of Her Majesty's ships desiring to make use of it, or whether they would be prepared to acquiesce in its being abandoned, in which latter case it will become necessary to consider the arrangements to be made for the Perth mails.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
No. 55.
R. H. MEADE.
(Secret.) Sir,
Colonial Office to H. Jekyll, Esq., R.E.
Downing Street, April 27, 1878.
I AM directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to transmit to you, for the use of the Colonial Defence Committee, the accompanying printed copies of their Reports,† and of the correspondence inclosed in their letter of the 17th instant.
I am,
&c.
(Signed)
No. 56.
R. H. MEADE.
Sir,
Colonial Office to War Office.
Downing Street, April 29, 1878.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant§ relative to the formation of a body of militia at Malta, and I am to state that Sir Michael Hicks Beach concurs in Mr. Secretary Stanley's suggestion that the question should be referred to the Colonial Defence Committee.
I am, &c. (Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
* Miscellaneous, No. 35 A.
+ Miscellaneous, Nos 35, 35 a, 35 в, 35 c, and 35 D.
‡ No. 43.
§ No. 33.
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