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the island. The War Office Memorandum had been transmitted to the Colony, where it was examined by a local Committee, who arrived at a different conclusion. They proposed the adoption of a naval defence, Third Report, pp. 119–122. consisting of four gun-boats, permanently stationed at Mauritius, whose duty would be to guard the whole coast-line of the island, and, with the assistance of a battery at Port Louis, to secure that harbour. The garrison, according to the Committee, might be reduced to 240 men, aided by tho police 700 strong, whom they proposed to reorganize on a more military
footing. The Lieutenant-Governor, however, strongly opposed this last Third Report, p. 118. proposal, and his views were concurred in by the Secretary of State for the Ditto, p. 117. Colonies.
23. We do not consider it necessary to provide defences for the whole island, nor does it appear to us that the protection proposed by the local Committee would be sufficient for that purpose. The Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty have expressed their opinion, with reference to this scheme, Third Report, p. 130. that "the recommendations of this Committee for the defence of Mauritius amount, in fact, to intrusting its defence to the navy, and my Lords feel it necessary to express their dissent from such a proposal. In their opinion. the Royal Navy ought not to be relied on for maintaining ships of war for the special defence of any particular place, as such an arrangement would result in Her Majesty's ships being scattered and unsupported, whereas if concentrated they would be ready to defend the Colonies from any force which might be directed against them, as well as to carry on such offensive operations as might be desirable elsewhere. It appears to my Lords that local defences should be maintained by the army or by local trained forces, and need only be sufficient to resist attacks by small squadrons or single ships, while attacks by a large force should be provided against by such general naval operations as may be best calculated to meet the particular circumstances of the case."
24. We recommend the adoption of the second scheme contained in the War Office Memorandum, which will deny the harbour of Port Louis to an enemy, fairly protect ships within it against bombardment, and secure the town against land attacks by a small force. The estimate is 186,470Z., subject to any deduction which may arise from the sale of War Department Works property; and looking to the Imperial character of the work we think that Submarine mines the whole cost of the defences should be defrayed by the Imperial Govern- Barracks.. ment.
25. The garrison required by the War Office scheme is 1,690 men; and for several reasons we consider that a large proportion of this garrison should be at all times stationed in the island. Mauritius is at a great distance from England, and in close proximity to the French possessions. Of the white population, numbering 20,000, a large proportion are of French extraction, and could not be depended upon in the event of war with France. There is, moreover, at present no postal or telegraphic communica- tion between the Colony and the mother-country.
Armament.
26. We are informed that a commencement has been made in the organi- zation of a volunteer force, to which, as we stated in our letter to the Colonial Third Report, p. 112. Office of the 18th June, 1880, we think every encouragement should be given. Should this movement prove successful, it may become unnecessary at some future time to maintain in the island so large a proportion of the regular garrison as we propose. With regard to the maintenance of the garrison, it was decided in 1869 that Mauritius should be required to pay a capitation on the actual number of Imperial troops serving in the island, at the rate of 701. per annum for each artillery or engineer officer and soldier, and 401. per annum for each infantry officer and soldier; the total amount, however, in no case to exceed 45,000l. Under this arrangement, the Colonial Office List. military contribution paid in the year 1879 amounted to 33,694. We do not suggest that the existing arrangement should be disturbed, or the maximum of 45,000l. raised. But it will be seen that a considerable increase of the garrison is recommended, and we think that the Colony may fairly be called upon to pay the maximum amount yearly.
£ 110,170
44,300
2,000
30,000
186,470
27. We forbear to enter in detail upon the question of barracks, but observe that the local Committee pointed to certain "resources at hand" Third Report, pp. 125, 126. in the shape of War Department property, the sale of which would go far
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