SECRET.
No. 137 R.
Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. March 13, 1896.
Page 380
ST. HELENA.
ST. HELENA.
C.O.
No. 20. Secret.
Defence Scheme revised to September 1895.
Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.
Covering Despatch of Governor.
THE Governor strongly urges that the telegraph line at St. Helena be at once extended to the south-west of the island.
The Colonial Defence Committee concur in this recommendation, which will be for the consideration of the War Office.
Covering Letter from Officer Commanding Troops.
2. The Officer Commanding troops proposes that all previous Defence Schemes at the station may be destroyed, to prevent any possibility of an old Scheme being issued to an officer in case of war.
The Colonial Defence Committee consider that one complete set of back Schemes and of the Committee's Remarks thereon should be guarded at the station, as it may be necessary for the Local Committee to refer to these Schemes, and the rulings on the proposals they embody.
Report of Local Defence Committee.
3. Page 5, paragraph 3 (i).—The Local Committee report that "the only boat available at present as Examination Launch' is a small four-oared gig, which would certainly be useless for the purpose."
The Colonial Defence Committee recommend that the Governor should be asked by the Colonial Office for an early report as to whether a steam-launch can be hired from any private firm, and if so, under what conditions.
4. Page 6, paragraph 3 (ii).-The Local Committee report that no authority has been received to make provision in the estimates for the electric light at Munden's Point, or for the mounting of three 4.7-inch Q.F. guns in the battery there.
The Colonial Defence Committee understand that these additions to the defences will be provided by the War Office as soon as funds can be made available.
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