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some of the dredged material is now nearly completed (5660, 5661).
Water Supply.The present water supply of Colombo is from wells, which rise and fall with the with the tide. The Government are constructing waterworks for the supply of the city (5662-5666).
Major-General T. L. J. GALLWEY, Inspector-General
of Fortifications.
St. Helena. For the protection of the coaling station at St. Helena, the maintenance of Ladder Hill Fort might suffice. The three 7-inch breech-loading guns mounted there would secure the coals from being taken away, but would not secure the place from bombardment. For this purpose it would be advisable to maintain a few guns at Munden Point, which is 100 feet above the sea, compared with 600 feet, the height of Ladder Hill. This battery would, moreover, flank the beach. The coal depôt could be commanded by musketry fire from Ladder Hill, but, owing to the height of the fort, the guns would not afford substantial defence within 500 yards of the shore. Munden Point is commanded by Ladder Hill, and Ladder Hill is commanded by High Knoll, the work upon which, if not occupied, should be dismantled and destroyed. High Knoll, however, protects the only water supply. Ladder Hill Fort could be held by a garrison of 200 men (5668-5671, 5676, 5677).
A casemated work on Munden's Point, armed with three 8-inch breech-loading guns, in addition to Ladder Hill Fort, would prevent ships from bom- barding the place, and would afford considerable pro- tection to ships in the Roads. Munden's Point could be made self-defensible, and would require a garrison of fifty men (5672-5675). The cost of this work would be about 27,0007.
If Ladder Hill alone were retained, an expenditure of 7,000l. would be required (5681, 5682).
There is accommodation at Ladder Hill for 241 men. There are also barracks in James Town for 158 men, which, though out of repair, could be made habitable for an expenditure of 2,000l. (5683–5686).
May 19, 1882. Sir Henry PARKES, K.C.M.G., Prime Minister of New South Wales.
Uniformity of Organization. It is desirable that the whole of the defences of the Australian Colonies should be, as much as possible, on one uniform prin- ciple, and that the Colonies should agree to act together. There would be little difficulty in com- bining occasionally the forces of two Colonies. The jealousies of the Colonies are less than they are supposed to be (5690–5693, 5746, 5747).
The
Relation of the Colonies to Great Britain. Colonies would have no desire to free themselves from the consequences of a war in which the Empire should be engaged, if it were such as commended itself to the patriotism of Englishmen generally. They would rally strongly to the side of England, and would adopt any means, such as intimate union, that would render their resources most effective for the purposes of defence (5694). There are differences as to the best organization for defence, but there is a general agreement in the Colonies on the broad principle of being prepared to defend themselves. Notwithstanding some little opposition, the military estimates are almost always voted in New South Wales (5695, 5696).
Military Forces. It is generally held that, in new countries like these Colonies, as little as possible of the productive element-the labour-should be sub- tracted for defence purposes, and the maintenance of a large permanent military body is not approved. It is considered preferable to train men partially, trust- ing to converting them rapidly into soldiers when the time of danger comes (5697). A small permanent force of artillery is, however, a necessity (5698,5700). The partial payment of volunteers is an open
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question. Many would prefer to serve without pay (5699). There is a strong disposition on the part of the flower of the young men to give their services to the country (5697).
General Officer-The appointment of a superior officer of the Imperial army to inspect the forces and defensive works of the Australian Colonies, and in time of war to assume supreme command, would be a good arrangement provided the officer had the neces- this principle in the case of Sir W. Jervois and sary personal qualifications. The Colonies acted on
Colonel Scratchley (5701-5704).
Military College. The establishment of a military college would be a good thing. Many of the good families would be disposed to train their sons for the military profession if there was a proper establish- ment, especially as much of the training that might be given would be applicable to civil life. Such a college could only be established for the whole of the Colonies. Co-operation on questions such as this might lead up to a general confederation. There is no reason for anticipating strong objection on the part of any of the Colonies; New South Wales would raise no narrow objection if the most suitable site were shown to be in another Colony (5705–5709).
If the
Naval Defence. As regards the defence of the Empire at large, the Colonies consider that they fulfil their share by providing for the land defence of their own ports, and that the defence of their commerce, the annual value of which is now between 90 and 100 millions, ought to be undertaken by Iler Majesty's ships, inasmuch as it is a matter of equal importance to Great Britain and to the Colonies. Public opinion is not yet ripe for doing more. time were to come when the Colonies should share the burdens of the Empire, they would claim to be taken into the Empire on equal terms in all respects (5710-5713). A suspension of trade between England and Australia would be a heavier blow to Great Britain than to the Colonies, whose resources are so great that they would be able to produce everything they require (5733-5739). Sir II. Parkes disapproves of the Resolution of the Intercolonial Conference held at Sydney in January 1881, on the ground that it is for the Queen's Government, and not for the Colonies, to determine whether they will increase the Austra- lian Squadron or not (5719-5726).
Combination for Defence.-It would be wise for the Colonies to combine for such purposes as the defence of harbours like King George's Sound, which are matters of common interest to all. Some persons would object to such expenditure, but the Colonies as a whole would be likely to agree to it (5715).
Warlike Material-Depôts of warlike material in the different Colonies would probably be preferable to a central depôt, owing to the great distances. Although the Colonies are not yet able to support manufactories of warlike material, their growth in population and importance is so rapid and certain that the time may be near at hand when it will be worth The their while to manufacture for themselves. question has been under consideration in New South Wales, and early steps are likely to be taken to estab- lish a factory, looking to the danger of trusting to importation for supplies of warlike material (5716, 5717, 5719).
Intentions of New South Wales.-New South Wales is prepared to provide for her own defence, and is alive to the benefit of doing so in the most effectual way. She has the means, and intends to have her armament in the best order, and to obtain anything that money can procure to make the defences good. within the reasonable requirements of the Colony (5718).
Railways.-The Colonies have adopted different gauges for their railways. New South Wales and South Australia have the 4 ft. 8 in. gauge, Victoria has a gauge of 5 ft., and Queensland 3 ft. 6 in. Arrangements are in progress for completing the railway communication between New South Wales. and Victoria (5727-5732).
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