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The castern entrance to the docks could be closed permanently with little labour, and the western entrance could be well defended by-
in depths of from 7 to 12 fathoms.
8 500-lb. ground mines, and 20 100-lb. electro-contact mines,
The cables would be led into a firing and observation station near the docks, and artillery-fire would probably be supplied by a gun-boat.
Summary.
The total number of mines for these defences is-
(i.) 16 500-lb. ground mines and 56 electro-contact mines.
(ii) 16 (iii) 8
""
"
"
196
"
20
52
27
دو
making a grand total of 40 500-lb. ground mines and 272 100-lb. electro-contact mines.
The mines at present on the establishment are-
16 500-lb. ground mines, and
61 100-lb. electro-contact mines;
and the number of additional mines required would be, therefore-
24 500-lb. ground mines, and
211 100-lb. electro-contact mines,
with cables, gun-cotton, chain, wire rope, and electrical stores, &c., in the usual proportions.
The present store accommodation would have to be largely increased in every branch for this increased establishment.
The officer in charge would have to superintend both the firing and observation stations at North Point and at Belcher's Point, leaving the firing and testing station at Stonecutter's Island in charge of his most experienced tester.
L. B. FRIEND, Lieutenant, R.E.
Hong Kong, September 21, 1881.
(Signed)
Appendix No. 4.
HONG KONG
No. 100.
Sir,
Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Downing Street, April 18, 1882. I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Com- mission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong, inclosing the Report of the Local Committee on the Defence of the Colony.
I am also to inclose a copy of Sir John Pope Hennessy's Confidential despatch of the 15th January, 1881,* one of the despatches referred to by the Governor, which does not appear to have been laid before the Royal Commission.
I am to request to be furnished with the usual number of copies of the accompanying documents when printed.
I am, &c. (Signed)
EDWARD WINGFIELD.
Inclosure 1 in No. 100.
Governor Sir J. P. Hennessy to the Earl of Kimberley.
(Secret and Confidential.) My Lord,
Government House, Hong Kong, February 21, 1882. I HAVE the honour to lay before your Lordship the Report of the Local Committee on the Defence of Hong Kong that assembled when Colonel Crossman, R.E., C.M.G., was in the Colony last
autumn.
2. I have read and carefully considered the Report, but I see no reason to modify the views I ventured to express to Her Majesty's Government as to the defence of Hong Kong in my despatches of March 1880,† and the 15th January,* 13th March, and 15th June, 1881.‡
I have, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 2 in No. 100.
J. POPE HENNESSY.
REPORT OF LOCAL COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE OF HONG KONG, 1881.
* Inclosure 3.
[1103]
[See Inclosure 3 in No. 99.]
Inclosure 1 in No. 88.
Inclosure in No. 95.
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