e
→
t
1
1
S
e
f
›f
L-
e
Page 125
97
65
If Lord Kimberley concurs in these arrangements, the necessary orders will at once be given Appendix No. 4. to carry them out.
I have, &c
(Signed)
RALPH THOMPSON.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
No. 31.
Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Sir,
Downing Street, January 25, 1882. I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commis- sion on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, inclosing a copy of a letter from the Assistant Military Secretary to the Lieutenant-General commanding the Imperial troops, forwarding a Preliminary Report of the local Committee on the defences of the Cape Peninsula.
When the Royal Commissioners have caused the accompanying despatch and its inclosures to be printed, I am to state Lord Kimberley will be glad to be furnished with twelve copies for the use of this Department, and for transmission to the War Office and Admiralty.
Inclosure 1 in No. 31.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
it
n
→ od k
y
(Secret.) My Lord,
Governor Sir H. Robinson to the Earl of Kimberley.
Government House, Cape Town, December 23, 1881. IN continuation of my despatch, marked Secret, of the 5th September, 1881, I have the honour to inclose, for your Lordship's information, a copy of a letter received by my Military Secretary from the Assistant Military Secretary to the Lieutenant-General commanding the Imperial troops, forwarding a Preliminary Report which has been agreed to by the Committee appointed to consider the subject of the defences necessary for the Cape Peninsula, under the conditions laid down in your Lordship's Circular despatch, marked Secret, of the 8th June, 1881.*
>
al
*
or
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HERCULES ROBINSON.
Inclosure 2 in No. 31.
Major Boyle to the Military Secretary.
at
in
as
ed
LS,
of
ed
ca,
Iy
ce
as
ry
Sir,
Assistant Military Secretary's Office, the Castle, Cape Town, December 1881.
>
I AM directed by the Lieutenant-General Commanding to forward to you, for submission to his Excellency the Governor, the Report which has been agreed to by the Committee appointed to consider the subject of the defences necessary for the Cape Peninsula, under the conditions laid down in the Circular letter of the Secretary of State, marked Secret, dated the 8th June, 1881.*
2. In so doing, the Committee would wish to explain that they have not entered upon the subject of the cost that would be incurred in the alterations of existing, and erection of new, works proposed by them after due deliberation, since to do so, and to prepare necessary plans and estimates in detail, would occupy so much time as to necessarily occasion a very considerable delay in the rendering of their Report. They consider that the object intended would best be attained by deferring the preparation of such plans and estimates until the extent to which it may be desirable to carry out their recommenda- tions has been decided upon in England, especially as the question of the works of defence to be kept up must be very materially influenced by the number of the troops that will hereafter be available to occupy them, and the Lieutenant-General Commanding has recently been given to understand that the regular forces in the Cape Peninsula is in future to be limited to one battalion of infantry (less a company at St. Helena), one battery of garrison artillery, and one company of Royal Engineers.
3. The Lieutenant-General Commanding wishes to submit, for his Excellency's consideration, that Colonel Hassard, C.B., R.E, who proceeded last month to England, would, from his having been a member of the Committee, and from his great local knowledge and experience, be well qualified to afford any information desired concerning its proceedings to the military authorities at home.
4. In explanation of the Report not being signed by an officer of the Royal Navy, the Lieutenant- General Commanding has desired me to observe that Captain Domville, of Her Majesty's ship "Dido," who was originally a member of the Committee, has quitted the station for the West Indies; and that Captain Kennedy, of Her Majesty's ship "Briton," who succeeded him, is now on the West Coast of Africa; but that, in compilation of the Report, due attention has been paid to the views expressed, and suggestions made, by those officers. Further, the Lieutenant-General would wish to quote the * No. 10 in Appendix No. 1, First Report.
[1103]
2 C
Page 125
Page 125
Page 125
Page 125Page 126