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11
No. 13.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Sir H. St. George Ord, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Secret.) Sir,
Downing Street, February 20, 1879. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Secret and Confidential despatch of the 28th August last,* with reference to the defence of Western Australia.
2. I observe with much satisfaction the attention which you have given to the subject of the defence of the Colony under your government, and I have read with con- siderable interest your views upon the question. I have, however, to state that Her Majesty's Government cannot, as you will readily understand, reopen the questions of principle with which your despatch deals.
3. You will perceive, from the accompanying copy of a letter from the Admiralty,† that the Lords Commissioners fail to see any reasons for altering their decision not to retain King George's Sound as a coaling station for Her Majesty's ships.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
No. 14.
Sir,
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office, February 21, 1879.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, the accompanying copy of correspondence from Lieutenant McCallum, R.E., at Singapore, on the subject of the land required for the temporary batteries for the defence of that colony.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
EUSTACE E. CECIL.
Inclosure 1 in No. 14.
Sir,
I
Defence Office, Singapore, January 11, 1879. I HAVE the honour to report that upon receipt of your letter dated the 30th October, 1878, apprising me that the sum of 4,2001. had been authorized for the construction of a battery for three 7-inch guns of 7 tons at Tanjong Katong, I inspected the locality, and wrote a letter (copy inclosed) to the Colonial Government, requesting to be put in possession of a piece of ground of limited area, and received a reply (copy inclosed) suggesting that the price of resumption should be paid for out of the amount authorized for works. This drew from me a rejoinder (copy inclosed), and I have now the honour to report that steps are being taken to place me in immediate possession of the land required, as stated in the closing letter (copy inclosed) of the correspondence thereon. may here state that the Colonial Government will not acknowledge their interests in the new works of defence, as they are desirous of contributing as small a sum as possible towards the cost of construction, and this, no doubt, tends to the delay which has taken place in handing me over the ground required for defence purposes. The Mount Palmer question referred to in my letter, dated the 26th November, has only just been settled sufficiently for me to design and trace the battery to be erected at this site, but I am now happy to be in a position to report that I break ground on the 14th instant, and hope to get the whole of the earthwork completed, and materials supplied, by the close of the financial year.
I will prepare a set of drawings of this battery immediately, and transmit them to the Major-General Commanding for his approval, and that of the Officer Commanding Royal Artillery, prior to their transmission to you.
I am daily expecting the plans and report of Mount Siloso Battery from Hong Kong, when I will at once transmit them to you, as requested in your letter under acknowledgment.
Those of Blakan Mati East Battery are already in your possession, and I am glad to find from your letter, dated 5th December, 1878, that they have given satisfaction. The design of the battery at Tanjong Katong is in course of preparation, and I propose to
* No. 347 of Miscellaneous, No. 35 E.
† No. 12.
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