12
draw up specification for the same, so that immediately I am put in possession of the land I call for tenders. The distance of Tanjong Katong from the other batteries is so far
may that I would not have had the opportunity nor time to construct this battery at measured rates, in the same way as the other batteries are being carried out.
I anticipated, more- over, that by properly framing the terms of contract, I will make far greater progress before the 31st March, under a lump sum contract than by measured rates, and thus carry out the spirit of the instructions conveyed in your letter. Until I receive the ten lers I cannot estimate what sum should be reprovided next year, but I will telegraph to you on the subject as early as possible.
Hoping that the arrangements I am making will give satisfaction, I have, &c.
H. E. McCALLUM, Lieutenant,
(Signed)
The Inspector-General of Fortifications.
13
for the purchase of ground. Under these circumstances I should feel obliged if (as in the case of the sites already obtained for defensive purposes) the land at Tanjong Katong required by me be obtained by the Colonial Government as early as possible, any sums paid for resumption being, if necessary, treated as a matter of adjustment hereafter.
I have, &c. (Signed) H. E. MCCALLUM, Lieutenant,
Commanding Royal Engineers.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.
Commanding Royal Engineers.
Sir,
Inclosure 5 in No. 14.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
885
4
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
1
Sir,
Inclosure 2 in No. 14.
Defence Office, Singapore, December 19, 1878.
I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, that an additional sum of 4,2001. has been voted for the construction of a battery at Tanjong Katong, and that I have received instructions to complete this battery before the close of the financial
year.
Upon receipt of this information I proceeded to the reserve site at Tanjong Katong, which I find to be a mangrove swamp, quite unsuited for the construction of a battery, though capable of reclamation. and of becoming a valuable site for boat building, &c., such as that now occupied in the immediate vicinity towards Tanjong Rhoo.
I have, therefore, the honour to request that the Colonial Government be good enough to take steps to secure for me a piece of ground in the cocoanut plantation nearer the Obelisk (as shown in the accompanying tracing), so that I may immediately commence operations according to instructions.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
Sir,
the
Straits Settlements.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
H. E. McCALLUM, Lieutenant,
Commanding Royal Engineers.
Inclosure 3 in No. 14.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Singapore, December 30, 1878.
WITH reference to your application for a certain plot of land at Tanjong Katong for purpose of the military defences, I have the honour to inform you that the Govern- ment will at once take the necessary steps to place you in possession of the land you require.
I am to state, however, that the Colonial Engineer estimates the cost of resumption at about 4,400 dollars, and the Governor desires me to add that it is expected that whatever the cost may be, it will be defrayed in the first instance out of Imperial funds. The instructions which have been received by his Excellency indicate that the expenses of both works and armaments will at the outset be borne by the 'Imperial Government, the question of apportionments of the total cost between the two Governments being left to future adjustment.
Lieutenant McCallum,
Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed) CECIL C. SMITH, Colonial Secretary.
Commanding Royal Engineers, Singapore.
Inclosure 4 in No. 14.
Defence Office, Singapore, January 2, 1879. WITH reference to your letter of the 30th ultimo, stating that his Excellency the Governor expected that the cost of the resumption of land at Tanjong Katong would be borne in the first instance by the Imperial Government, I have the honour to inform you the sum voted by the Imperial Government is for the construction of works only, and not
Colonial Secretary's Office, Singapore, January 7, 1879.
IN reply to your letter of the 2nd instant, I am directed to state to you that his Excellency the Governor has already caused the necessary steps to be taken to place you in possession of the land you require at Tanjong Katong for defence purposes.
As soon
as it is known, the question of the payment of the amount required to resume this land, will be referred to Her Majesty's Government.
Lieutenant McCallum,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Commanding Royal Engineers, Singapore.
(Secret and Confidential.)
Sir,
No. 14.
Colonial
CECIL C. SMITH,
Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements.
Colonial Office to War Office.
>
Downing Street, February 24, 1879. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential letter of the 16th ultimo,* inclosing a copy of a Memorandum by General Sir Lintorn Simmons, G.C.B., Inspector-General of Fortifications, on the general question of the defences of the Colonies and of the commercial ports of the United Kingdom, and suggesting that a small Committee should be appointed to consider the first of these subjects.
2. I am to request that you will state to Secretary Colonel Stanley that Sir Michael Hicks Beach concurs in the proposal to appoint a Committee for the purpose stated, but he thinks it is a matter deserving further consideration whether such a Committee should be composed, like the Committee of last spring, solely of gentlemen possessing professional or Colonial experience, in which case he would merely ask Sir H. Barkly again to give him the benefit of his services, or whether any addition should be made to the Committee, and specially whether Her Majesty's Government should be represented on it.
3. Bearing in mind all that has passed on the question, Sir Michael Hicks Beach would suggest that it might be desirable that the opinion of the Cabinet should be taken by Colonel Stanley with regard to it.
(Confidential.)
Sir,
R. H. MEADE.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
No. 15.
War Office to Colonial Office.
Pall Mall, March 6, 1879. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th ultimo,† and to acquaint you, in reply, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that on further consideration Colonel Stanley agrees that it may be well to associate one or more members of the Government with the Committee on Colonial Defence, &c. This measure would not, however, necessarily interfere with Sir A. Milne's presidency.
• No. 4.
I have, &c. (Signed) RALPH THOMPSON.
+ No. 14*.