36
"I have received the following telegram from Secretary of State. I am not sure whether it applies to New Zealand, but think it better to send it you.
*
*
"22nd * "Sir W. Jervois, Adelaide, 23rd."
2. I have this day forwarded to Sir William Jervois the following reply: "Cypher message apparently inapplicable to New Zealand, as nothing of the kind referred to has as yet been either commenced or determined on here."
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HERCULES ROBINSON,
No. 52.
Governor Sir H. Robinson, K. C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.— (Received November 6.) (Confidential.)
Sir,
Government House, Wellington, September 2, 1879.
IN continuation of Confidential despatch of the 27th August, I have the honour
niy to forward a copy of a further telegraphic despatch which I have this day received from the Governor of South Australia, together with a copy of my reply.
I have, &c.
(Signed) HERCULES ROBINSON.
Inclosure 1 in No. 52.
The Governor of South Australia to the Governor of New Zealand.
(Telegraphic.)
YOUR telegram 27th August.
Mr. Meade informed me when I was last in London that the Government of New Zealand had by telegraph agreed to execute the defences for the principal harbours of the Colony which had been recommended by me, at an estimated cost of 44,000l. Perhaps you may think it desirable to inquire.
Inclosure 2 in No. 52.
The Governor of New Zealand to the Governor of South Australia.
(Telegraphic.)
Wellington, September 2, 1879. NO defence scheme, I have been informed, has been commenced up to the present time by the Government of this Colony on the occasion mentioned by you. My Ministers have only determined to purchase the guns recommended by the Colonial Defence Com- mittee, and they intend to await the arrival of Colonel Scratchley before moving any further in the matter.
Sir,
No. 53.
The Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce abroad to Colonial Office.
13, Delahay Street, November 6, 1879.
I AM directed by the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce abroad to acknowledge the receipt of your letter and inclosures of the 31st October,t describing the steps which have been taken to obtain Reports on the existing state of the defences of the Australian Colonies, and transmitting Reports, in original, on the defences of Queensland.
I am desired to state, in reply, that the Commission will deal with these papers when they come to consider the defences of the Australian Colonies in detail.
† No. 48.
• No. 51.
ment.
Sir,
37
Care will be taken that the original inclosures are ultimately returned to your Depart-
No. 54.
I have, &c. (Signed)
H. JEKYLL.
War Office to Colonial Office.
Surveyor-General's Department, War Office, November 12, 1879. REFERRING to your letter of the 23rd July, 1878, in which it is requested that the manufacture of the 64-pounder guns for the Dominion Government of Canada may be delayed.
h
I am directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that it is considered that the letter above quoted suspends the whole of the order, dated the 12th July, viz., guns, ammunition, and other stores; and that as no further communication on the subject has reached this Office, the order in question will now be regarded as cancelled.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
W. H. GOODENOUGH, Aide-de-Camp.
No. 55.
Governor Major-General Sir W. F. D. Jervois, R.E., G.C.M.G., C.B., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received November 15.)
(No. 46.) Sir,
Government House, Adelaide, October 6, 1879. WITH reference to my despatch to you No. 45 of the 6th September last, t acquainting you with my intention to proceed to Sydney, to be present at the opening of the International Exhibition at that place on the 17th ultimo, and stating that I should take the opportunity of visiting the works of defence in progress in New South Wales and Victoria, I have the honour to inform you that I returned to this Colony on the 2nd instant, after an absence of rather more than three weeks.
2. I have not as yet received from any of the Colonies, except Queensland, the statements called for on the subject of defences, and shall consequently be unable to transmit before next mail the Report thereon which you have desired me to furnish.
I have, &c.
Sir,
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
No. 56.
Colonial Office to the Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce abroad.
Downing Street, November 18, 1879. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 31st ultimo, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce abroad, copies of two despatches which have now been received from the Governor of New Zealand,§ inclosing copies of a telegraphic correspondence between himself and Sir W. Jervois relative to the Reports called for by Sir Michael Hicks Beach's telegram of the 22nd August|| on the existing state of the defences of the Colony, and the course contemplated for their completion.
I am to add that the correspondence relating to the guns referred to in the Governor of New Zealand's telegram of the 2nd September will be found at pp. 23, 24, 34, 40, 50, 63, 67, 113, 123, 125, 150, 156, 160, 175, 178, 202, and 203 of the printed correspondence (Miscellaneous, No. 35 E) respecting the defences of the Colonies.
1 am, &c.
‡ No. 48.
* No. 248 of "Miscellaneous No. 85 ." § No. 51 and 52.
R. H. MEADE.
(Signed)
† No. 41.
No. 16.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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