182
absence of any means of communication except by boat between Green island and Hong Kong.
2. As it was manifestly desirable to obviate this objection if possible, I requested Mr. Price to ascertain if a small submarine cable could be laid in connection with our general telegraphic system.
3. I have the honour to lay before you copies of the subsequent Minutes on the subject, from which you will see that this important point in the western defences of the harbour has now been brought into direct communication with the telegraphic system of Hong Kong.
4. The Members of the Legislative Council have unanimously given me the sum necessary (1,275 dollars) for this work; but, under the circumstances, I venture to ask you to get one-half of it (637 dol. 50 c.) charged to the Imperial Vote for the defences of this Colony.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
J. POPE HENNESSY.
183
Minute by Acting Colonial Secretary.
The cost of shallow-sea cable is 3501. per mile, being much more expensive than deep-sea gable, which is not exposed to chafing. From Green Island to the opposite shore of Lapsapwan we shall require, including beads, half-a-mile of cable, costing about 875 dollars; the outlay of laying cable will be 400 dollars; total, 1,275 dollars. Half share of Colonial Government expense, 637 dollars.
(Signed) J. M. PRICE, Acting Colonial Secretary.
July 18, 1878.
Minute by the Acting Colonial Secretary,
The laying of a submarine cable to Green Island, at a cost of 1,275 dollars, for light- house service and defensive purposes, submitted for the consideration of Honourable Members of Legislative Council.
By comninnd, (Signed)
J. M. PRICE, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Minutes of Members of the Legislative Council.
Inclosure in No. 326.
Minute by his Brcellency the Governor.
AT a meeting of the Defence Committee in April, I pointed out the necessity for fortifying Green Island, and asked Mr. Price whether it would not be possible to lay a cable across the Sulphur Channel.
2. Mr. Price thought it practicable, and that such a cable would be most useful, not only for the project of defence, but also for our ordinary lighthouse work, as there is some- times an unfortunate delay and difficulty in communicating with the Green Island lightkeeper.
3. If the Members of the Legislative Council will support me in passing a vote for this proposed outlay, I will undertake to do my best to move Her Majesty's Government to get one-half of the cost charged to the Imperial Vote now being taken for the defence of Hong Kong.
Sir,
July 18, 1878.
(Signed) J. POPE HENNESSY.
Letter from Great Northern Telegraph Company, dated Hong Kong, July 18, 1878.
IN regard to the proposed laying of a cable from the Island of Hong Kong to Green Island, I beg to inform you that the Company is willing to cede to Her Majesty's Govern- ment the necessary length of cable for that purpose, and to retain its repairing steamer "H. C. Orsted" for one day in order to lay the above-named cable, on following conditions :-
1. The Company to cede the necessary length of cable of 64 tons of weight per statute mile, and the Government to pay for same at the rate of 3501. for one statute mile.
2. The Company to lay down the cable across the Channel between the above-named two islands by help of its repairing steamer, and to pay all necessary expenses connected with the work, such as cargo-boats, coolie-hire, &c.; and the Government to pay for the detention and the use of the steamer, and for the laying of the cable, the sum of 400 dollars per day; the Company undertaking to have the work executed in one day, provided that no accident to the ship or her machinery, or other cases of force majeure, prevent her from carrying out the work.
If the above conditions be agreed to by Her Majesty's Government, the repairing steamer, now in dock at Aberdeen, will probably be ready to execute the work on Saturday, beginning at daylight; and the Government would have to depute an officer to be present at the proceedings, and to take over the cable when landed and found in working order.
Expecting an early answer to the above proposals, I have, &c.
(Signed) C. F. SCHULTZ,
Secretary and Acting Superintendent.
The Hon. J. M. Price, Acting Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong.
I approve.
(Signed)
I approve.
I
approve.
(Signed)
I concur in approval.
W. KESWICK.
(Signed)
G. PHILLIPPS.
July 19, 1878.
P. RYRIE.
I
approve.
(Signed)
J. M. PRICE.
(Signed)
H. LOWCOCK.
I
I
approve.
approve.
(Signed)
F. SNOWDEN.
(Signed)
C. MAY.
July 20, 1878.
(Signed)
CECIL C. SMITH.
July 19, 1878.
I approve.
Minute by Acting Colonial Secretary.
}
July 20, 1878. The cable was satisfactorily laid in my presence this morning. The operation begun
at 5 A.M. and ended at 10:30.
(Signed)
J. M. PRICE, Acting Colonial Secretary.
No. 327.
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
(Confidential) Sir,
Admiralty, September 6, 1878. WITH reference to previous correspondence relative to the defence of the harbour of Esquimalt, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a Report on this subject from Rear-Admiral de Horsey, Commander-in-chief on the Pacific Station.
2. My Lords have, on more than one occasion, expressed their opinion as to the great. importance, in an Imperial point of view, of the harbour of Esquimalt being permanently fortified against attack, and their Lordships concur in the Rear-Admiral's suggestion that a force of artillery (whether Royal Artillery or Royal Marine Artillery remains to be decided) should be stationed there.
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3. The position of Esquimalt is such that, in the event of war either with the United States or Russia, a serious attack upon it must be expected; and should the proposed construction of a dock be carried into effect, the defence of the harbour would become all
I am, (Signed)
the more imperative.
&c.
ROBERT HALL.
T
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
EPELT CO. 885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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