50
The Committee consider that the service is of such a nature that in each port to which these torpedoes are sent the Colonial Government will require to place the service under an intelligent and careful officer, to whose duty it would fall to provide proper storage, to supply the necessary boats and crews, to see that their fitments were properly carried out according to the instructions to be sent to him, and generally be responsible for the organization and application of this means of defence.
In reply to your request to be informed whether the remaining twenty-five torpedoes can be advantageously employed in the defence of Colonial ports, the Committec are of opinion that, considering the importance of the chief ports of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, they should be offered to those Colonies, provided they are willing to form the necessary catablishments, and incur the heavy expense which will be seen by the fore- going statement is involved in this mode of defence, considering that, under present circumstances of manufacture, the number of these torpedoes must be.very limited. (Signed) ALEX. MILNE.
Sir,
HENRY BARKLY,
J. L. A. SIMMONS,
No. 117.
Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., to Colonial Office.
7, Westminster Chambers, London, May 20, 1878. I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have received a telegram from my Govern- ment, of which I inclose an extract, instructing nie to inform myself, through the War Office, in reference to certain directions conveyed in a telegram of his Excellency the Governor, concerning the defences of the Colony. As I am directed to provide shipping for the prompt dispatch of the armament required for the various ports, I have to ask that you will move the War Office to furnish me with a copy of his Excellency's telegram, as well as with any further information as to the amount and proposed distribution of the armament ordered, and as to the time at which it may be ready for dispatch to the Colony, that may be calculated to aid me in making the necessary arrangements for shipping.
As this is a matter which may involve considerable correspondence, and which is, in its nature, urgent, I will also ask you to place me in direct communication with the War Office.
I have, &c. (Signed)
Extract from Telegram.
Ask War Office show Governor's telegram about defences. Ship armament various ports promptly.
JULIUS VOGEL.
51...
No. 119.
Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B., to Colonial Office.
Committee Room, Whitehall, May 20, 1878. WITH reference to the question contained in the letter of the Under Secretary of State of the 14th instant, the Committee have to state that it appears that the smooth- bored guns which were mounted at the time of the withdrawal of the Imperial garrison from St John's, Newfoundland, and which, in their report of the 17th April, they had considered as available to assist in the defence, have been since removed, and are no longer
the Colony.
Under these circumstances, the Committee are of opinion that the defence would be fully provided for by mounting three 7-ton and three 64-pounder guns in position to fire upon ships entering the harbour.
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As to the question whether there is any ground upon which it would be proper to class St. John's among the ports whose defence is in a special degree a question of Imperial 3 7-ton guns 3,000 interest, the Committee can see no reason for treating this port differently from St. John, 3 64-pudrs. 1,800 New Brunswick, or any other similar port in the Colonies, except that when the batteries and other defensive works were handed over to the Government of Newfoundland, the armaments were withdrawn; whereas, in the case of Canada, they were ceded to the Dominion Government.
If Her Majesty's Government should decide to provide guns for the defence, as there must be great delay in procuring the 7-ton guns above recommended, and the Governor reports that there are six 64-pounders at Halifax ready to be shipped, awaiting sanction, the Committee suggest that application should be made to the War Office to ascertain whether these guns can be spared from Halifax, and if so, they should be sent to St John's, with their carriages and animunition.
These guns, when mounted, would afford a very fair interim defence pending the provision of the guns of the heavier calibre.
The Committee understand from the Governor's telegram of 9th May+ that the Colony and will provide a volunteer force of 1,000 men, and 100 artillery for manning the guns, for the defence of the position, which will render it quite unnecessary to provide the six steel guns referred to in his subsequent telegram of the 18th instant, for opposing any force that may be landed.
The clearing of the streets of Fenians is rather a question for the police than for the defence of the port against external enemies.
With reference to the question raised by the Governor in his telegram forwarded in your letter of the 10th instant§ on the subject of the protection to be afforded to the télegraph cables in the event of war, the Committee are of opinion that the cables can be so easily severed at sea, even at a considerable distance from the shore, that no protection on land can afford any security against the interruption of communication by telegraph.
ALEX. MILNE. HENRY BARKLY. J. M. A. SIMMONS.
(Signed)
4,800
No. 118.
Sir,
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office, May 20, 1878. WITH reference to your communication of the 1st instant, inclosing copy of a letter from your Department to the Admiralty, respecting the temporary loan of certain guns at Hong Kong, together with a copy of their Lordships' reply thereto, I am directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to acquaint you, for the information of Sir- Michael Hicks Beach, that the necessary orders have been given in regard to the guns referred to, a telegram having been dispatched to the General Officer Commanding at Hong Kong on the 3rd instant, conveying authority for the 7-inch and 64 pounder guns at Hong Kong to be taken from the Naval Reserves at that station for the new works when ready.
I have, &c. (Signed)
L. A. CAMPBELL.
No. 120.
Colonial Office to Admiral Sir A. Milne, G.C.B.
(Secret and Confidential.)
Sir,
Downing Street, May 22, 1878. I AM directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a despatch which he has addressed to the Governors of South Australia and Western Australia, relative to the measures to be taken in the event of war for the conveyance of the Western Australian mails, and for the disposal of the coal remaining on hand at King George's Sound.
Sir M. Hicks Beach will be glad to be informed whether in any and on what it would be good policy to destroy that coal. He will also be glad if the
emergency
• No. 66.
* No 96.
[593]
+ No 80.
‡ No. 113.
§ No. 85.
P
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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