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419
VANCOUVER ISLAND.
No. 124.
Sir,
Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Downing Street, January 13, 1880. WITH reference to the correspondence which took place last year respecting the appointment by the Secretary of State for War of an officer of the Royal Engineers to report upon the defence of Vancouver Island, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commissioners on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, three copies in print of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada, inclosing a copy of a letter from the Department of Militia and Defence, covering a Report by Lieutenant-Colonel T. Bland Strange, R.A., the officer associated by the Canadian Government with Colonel Lovell, R.E., in the mission.
I am also to inclose the plan which accompanied the Report, and I am to request that it may be returned to this Department when done with.
I am to add that the despatch has also been communicated to the Secretary of State for War and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
I am, &c.
(Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT,
Inclosure 1 in No. 124.
Governor-General the Marquis of Lorne, K.T., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.
.
(Secret.) Sir,
Government House, Ottawa, November 25, 1879. WITH reference to the correspondence which has passed regarding the works of defence of Esquimalt and Victoria, I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a letter from the Depart- ment of Militia and Defence, covering a Report by Lieutenant-Colonel T. Bland Strange, R.A., the officer appointed by the Canadian Government to report on the above subject, accompanied by a letter from Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Selby Smyth, K.C.M.G., relative to this question.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
LORNE.
Sir,
Inclosure 2 in No. 124.
The Department of Militia and Defence to the Governor-General's Secretary.
Ottawa, November 20, 1879.
IN reply to a Secret despatch of the 3rd February last on the subject of the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria, British Columbia, I am directed by the Honourable the Minister of Militia and Defence to transmit to you herewith the statement of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Bland Strange, R.A., Dominion Inspector of Artillery, the officer detailed by the Canadian Government to report on the above subject, together with a letter from Lieutenant-General Sir E. Selby Smyth, K.C.M.G., commanding the militia, addressed to the Honourable the Minister of Militia and Defence.
I have, &c. (Signed) C. ENG. PANET,
Dy. M. of Militia and Defence.
Sir,
Inclosure 3 in No. 124.
Report on the Defence of British Columbia.
Citadel, Quebec, November 7, 1879.
I HAVE the honour to submit the following Report on the defence of British Columbia. I have treated this subject, first, on the general question of its vulnerability and the means of defence; second, categorically in reply to the letters of instruction from the Imperial Government, copies of which, (A), (B), given to me by Colonel Lovell, C.B., R.E., are attached herewith.
I have, &c. (Signed)
T. BLAND STRANGE, Lieutenant-Colonel, R.A.,
Dominion Inspector of Artillery.
The Lieutenant-General Commanding Militia of Canada.
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Appendix No. 4.
VANCOUVER
ISLAND.
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