A Fort on Kellets Bank has been proposed, but such a fort could only be erected at an enormous cost, and would not decrease the space to be defended by submarine Mines.
We are about to urge on the War Office the absolute necessity of blocking Hellet's Bank as shown on the attached tracing and we shall be obliged if you will forward this letter to His Excellency the Acting Governor in order that the Colonial Government may be informed of the exact circumstances of the case and of the vital importance from a defensive point of view of permanently closing a portion of the Western entrance to the Harbour.
It is proposed that the obstructions should consist of a line of piles with their tops showing above water.
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We have been shown the previous correspondence on this subject and do not think that its importance has been sufficiently impressed on the Colonial Government. We trust therefore that it may be seriously reconsidered.
(Signed) C. St. Fairfax Ellis,
Lt Col., R.A..
G. Barker,
Capt., R.E.,
(signed) W. F. Dundonald Cochrane,
Acting Assistant Military Secretary.
(True Copy)