74
African cable, in order to report to Sir George Bowen the present exact position of the question, and the considerations and difficulties which surround it.
It has occurred to me that the Commissioners on Colonial Defence might think it. worth while to hear some evidence from me on the subject. The constant presence of a large fleet of British shipping at Mauritius, and the close neighbourhood of Réunion, where the French Government are expending large sums in harbour works, are points which, among others, I would urge in favour of the Imperial Government contributing to the cost of a cable. The Colony, as you are aware, has offered 100,000 rupees, a-year.
I have, &c.
Sir,
(Signed) F. NAPIER BROOME.
No. 93.
Colonial Office to the Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
•
Downing Street, January 10, 1880. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the information of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy in print of a despatch, with its inclosures, from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, containing an expression of opinion on the part of Sir B. Frere, and of his Military Secretary, Major Parr, as to the nature of the defensive organization which is required by the South African Colonies.
I am also to inclose, for the information of the Commission, an extract from a lettert in which Sir B. Frere's despatch has been communicated to the War Department.
I am, &c.
No. 94.
(Signed) R. H. MEADE.
The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Sir H. Robinson, G.C.M.G. <Secret.)
Sir,
Downing Street, January 10, 1880.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches, Coufidential, of the 27th August and 2nd September last, inclosing a copy of telegrams which had passed, between you and Sir W. Jervois on the subject of the defences of New Zealand.
2. The Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, to whom a copy of the telegrams was referred, have reported that they are informed that the guns, gun-carriages, and ammunition recommended by the late Colonial Defence Committee in 1878 have been dispatched to the Colony; and they desire to draw attention to the fact that, in the absence of fortifications and of an adequately trained force, these valuable stores are not only useless, but presumably in a defenceless state.
3. I have thought it right to bring under the notice of your Government the obser- vations of the Royal Commissioners, and if no steps have been taken in the matter, your Ministers may probably desire to consult Colonel Scratchley, who, I understand, is about to visit New Zealand, with the view of securing, as soon as possible, the proper protection of the armaments in question.
I have, &c. (Signed) M. E. HICKS BEACH.
No. 95.
The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 14.) Sir,
Downing Street, January 13, 1880.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 421 of the 8th ultimos on the subject of the extension of the telegraph to Mauritius by way of the East African line, which has just been completed.
have caused your despatches No. 222 of the 17th August last and No. 358 of the 6th November to be referred to the War Office for the opinion of the Royal Commission
No. 301 of "African No. 204."
Inclosure 4 in No. 150.
75
on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, and I have, at the same time, requested the opinion of the Secretary of State for War on the question of the extension of the telegraph to Mauritius on military grounds.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
No. 96.
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
Colonial Office to War Office, Admiralty, and Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Sir,
Downing Street, January 13, 1880. WITH reference to the correspondence which took place last year respecting the appointment by the Secretary of State for War of an officer of the Royal Engineers to report upon the defence of Vancouver Island, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the
Secretary of State for War,
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, three copies, in print, of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada inclosing a copy of a letter from the Department of Militia and Defence covering a Report by Lieutenant-Colonel T. Bland Strange, R.A., the officer associated by the Canadian Govern- ment with Colonel Loveil, R.E., in the mission.
I am to add that the despatch has also been communicated to the- Admiralty and Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad,
War Office and ditto, ditto, ditto, War Office and Admiralty,
[and that the plan, of which there is only one copy, has been sent to the Royal Com. missiont.]
[I am also to inclose the plan which accompanied the Report, and I am to request that it may be returned to this Department when done with.]
I am, &c.
(Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
No. 97.
Governor Major-General Sir W. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received January 15, 1880.)
(Separate.)
(Report on Colonial Defences.)
Sir,
Government House, Adelaide, November 29, 1879. IN accordance with the instructions conveyed to me in your telegram of the 22nd August last, I now have the honour to forward Reports received from the Governors of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania, upon the existing condition of the defences in each of those Colonies, and the future course contemplated with reference thereto. I also forward a Report of a similar nature respecting the defences of South Australia.
2. The general principle on which the defence of these provinces is based is that, General principle whilst the Imperial navy undertakes the protection of the British mercantile marine relating to Austra generally, and of the highways of communication between the several parts of the Empire, lian Defences. the Australian Colonies themselves provide, at their own cost, the local forces, forts, batteries, and other appliances requisite for the protection of their principal ports. Each harbour so protected will become a focus of refuge and action, when required, for British men-of-war, and at the same tighe will be secured against the attacks of such cruisers as may not have been intercepted by Her Majesty's ships.
↑ To Royal Defence Commission only.
+ Not printed.
Nos. 51 and 52.
• No. 69.
Inclosure in No. 127.
+ To War Office and Admiralty.
§ No. 16.
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