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No. 104.
Governor Sir J. H. Glover, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.
(Telegraphic.)
May 16, 1878. COLONIAL Government will provide force of volunteers to man batteries, if six guns and 100 Sniders, with stores and ammunition, be sent to Colony free of expense, with nucleus of gunners (or guns?). Six 64-pounders immediately from Halifax, with stores and ammunition, by order from War Office. Transport will be arranged by Admiral.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
No. 105.
Colonial Office to War Office.
Downing Street, May 16, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 9th April last,* and the reply of this Office of the 29th of the same month,† I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Secretary of State for War, a copy of a letter from the Colonial Defence Committee, inclosing a report embodying their views upon the proposed formation of a body of militia in the Island of Malta.‡
I am, &c.
(Signed)
No. 106.
War Office to Colonial Office.
R. H. MEADE.
(Immediate and Confidential.) Sir,
War Office, May 16, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 11th instant, § in reply to a communication from this Department of the 6th instant, inclosing a copy of despatch sent by you to the Governor-General of Canada, relative to the transfer of guns in the dockyard at Esquimalt to the Dominion Government, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that further reference having been made to the latest accounts received from Esquimalt, there would appear to be no doubt but that the 7-inch and 40-pounder breech-loading guns, to which allusion is made at page 20 of the printed Report on the Canada Militia, have since been returned to England, as stated in the letter from this Office of the 6th instant, and that there are no guns of that description now at the station.
The ordnance at present at Esquimalt consists of:-
ས་
Muzzle-loading rifled.-1 9-inch 12-ton gun;|| 1 8-inch 9-ton gun; 3 7-inch 6-ton guns; 4 64-pounders, 71 cwt. guns; 4 64-pounders, 64 cwt. guns; 2 9-pounders ;|| 1 7-pounder. Breech-loading rifled.-2 20-pounder guns;|| 1 12-pounder gun;¶ 1 9-pounder gun.¶
Of these, however, the 9-inch, 7-inch, 64-pounders, 9-pounder, 7-pounder, muzzle- loading rifled, and the 20-pounder breech-lcading guns, are specially set apart as a reserve for the navy; but the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having, by letter of the 15th instant,** notified their assent to these guns being lent to the Dominion Government until replaced from England or required by Her Majesty's ships, Colonel Stanley will not object, if Sir Michael Hicks Beach desires it, to the guns in question, as well as those at the station, in excess of the naval reserve, being utilized for the defence of Victoria and Esquimalt. Colonel Stanley will, however, be glad to be informed, as soon as possible, of the particular guns which Sir Michael Hicks Beach proposes should be thus temporarily appropriated for the defence of the Colony, with a view to immediate steps being taken for replacing them from England.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
F. A. CAMPBELL.
P.S.-As there has been some doubt as to the particular guns to be appropriated, it is deemed best, in order to avoid confusion, to await your reply to this letter before issuing any orders.
F. A. C.
* No. 33.
† No. 56.
‡ No. 95.
§ No. 91.
| Admiralty.
q War Office.
** No. 101.
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