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The Committee consider that the service is of such a nature that in each port to which these torpedoes are sent the Colonial Government will require to place the service under an intelligent and careful officer, to whose duty it would fall to provide proper storage, to supply the necessary boats and crews, to see that their fitments were properly carried out according to the instructions to be sent to him, and generally be responsible for the organization and application of this means of defence.
In reply to your request to be informed whether the remaining twenty-five torpedoes can be advantageously employed in the defence of Colonial ports, the Committee are of opinion that, considering the importance of the chief ports of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, they should be offered to those Colonies, provided they are willing to form the necessary establishments, and incur the heavy expense which will be seen by the fore- going statement is involved in this mode of defence, considering that, under present circumstances of manufacture, the number of these torpedoes must be very limited.
(Signed)
ALEX. MILNE. HENRY BARKLY. J. L. A. SIMMONS.
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No. 117.
Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., to Colonial Office.
Sir,
7, Westminster Chambers, London, May 20, 1878. I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have received a telegram from my Govern- ment, of which I inclose an extract, instructing me to inform myself, through the War Office, in reference to certain directions conveyed in a telegram of his Excellency the Governor, concerning the defences of the Colony. As I am directed to provide shipping for the prompt dispatch of the armament required for the various ports, I have to ask that you will move the War Office to furnish me with a copy of his Excellency's telegram, as well as with any further information as to the amount and proposed distribution of the armament ordered, and as to the time at which it may be ready for dispatch to the Colony, that may be calculated to aid me in making the necessary arrangements for shipping.
As this is a matter which may involve considerable correspondence, and which is, in its nature, urgent, I will also ask you to place me in direct communication with the War Office.
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I have, &c. (Signed)
JULIUS VOGEL.
Extract from Telegram.
Ask War Office show Governor's telegram about defences. Ship armament various ports promptly.
No. 118.
War Office to Colonial Office.
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Sir,
War Office, May 20, 1878. WITH reference to your communication of the 1st instant,* inclosing copy of a letter from your Department to the Admiralty, respecting the temporary loan of certain guns Hong Kong, together with a copy of their Lordships' reply thereto, I am directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that the necessary orders have been given in regard to the guns referred to, a telegram having been dispatched to the General Officer Commanding at Hong Kong on the 3rd instant, conveying authority for the 7-inch and 64 pounder guns at Hong Kong to be taken from the Naval Reserves at that station for the new works when ready.
* No. 66.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
L. A. CAMPBELL.
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