126
6. Since the above remarks were written I have been informed that about 100 gentlemen, for the most part belonging to the Civil Service, are willing to be formed into a volunteer rifle company. I have stated that I was unable to accept their services without the previous sanction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
~
6. On consulting the Executive Council, and also the Major-General commanding Her Majesty's troops, I find that the general opinion of the civil and military authorities is in favour of the formation of a volunteer corps of this kind; for it would, in case of need, be able to give valuable assistance to the present weak garrison of only 380 officers and men of all arms. It is thought, however, that the following conditions should be imperative:-
+
(1.) That the proposed company should consist of not more than 150 volunteers, embodied under the provisions of an Ordinance analogous to the Volunteer Acts of the English Parliament, the officers to be appointed by the Governor.
(2.) That the members should be principally, if not entirely, of European birth or . descent, and belonging to the Civil Service, or to the professional, mercantile, and planting communities.
(3.) That all arms and accoutrements be supplied by the Imperial Government, on loan from the military stores of the garrison.
(4.) That the Colonial Legislature be not asked to make any contribution, beyond the payment of a capitation of 20 rupees per annum for each effective volunteer.
7. In the Colonies, as in England, there are undoubtedly practical advantages in the volunteer system, in addition to the primary object of defence against foreign aggression. That system fosters a spirit of loyalty and patriotism, as well as of mutual good feeling and comradeship among men of different religious creeds, political parties, and social classes.
8. I recommend to your early and favourable consideration the project of forming a rifle volunteer company in Mauritius, on conditions of the nature of those mentioned above. Awaiting your instructions on the whole subject, I have, &c.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., M.P.,
&c.
•
&c.
&c.
(Signed)
G. F. BOWEN,
P.S.-Perhaps this despatch, together with my previous despatch No. 358 of the 6th November ultimo, may be considered not unworthy of the attention of the recently appointed Royal Commission on Colonial Defence. I am aware that former Commissions have recommended that new and extensive fortifications should be erected, and a garrison of 5,000 regular troops should be maintained at Mauritius; but it is presumed that it is not at present likely that the Imperial Government will grant either the money or the men required to carry out such schemes.
Inclosure 5 in No. 126.
G. F. B.
(No. 441.) Sir,
IN my despatches noted,t I have submitted some remarks, for the information of yourself and of the Royal Commission, respecting the military defence of Mauritius.
Government House, Mauritius, December 28, 1879.
2. With regard to the naval defence of this Colony, my predecessors in this Govern- ment have frequently reported that Mauritius would derive much strength, both material and moral, if it were made, as a general rule, the head-quarters of one of the twelve Queen's ships that are placed at the disposal of the Admiral commanding on the East Indian Station. Formerly this island was included in the naval command of the Cape of Good Hope, and, at that period, it was often visited by English ships of war, one of which was generally either in the harbour of Port Louis, or cruizing in the neighbourhood. But of late years such visits have become rare.
8. It appears that a ship of the French navy is always stationed at the neighbouring Island of Réunion (Bourbon), and keeps up communication between that Colony and the small French Settlements on the coast of Madagascar and in Mazotte (one of the Comoro The civil and military authorities in Mauritius Islands in the Mozambique Channel).
have always been desirous that a similar arrangement should be made with regard to this island, viz., that one of the Queen's ships should be stationed at Mauritius, and should, from these head-quarters, visit periodically the Seychelles, Rodrigues, and the other islands dependent on this Colony; also occasionally visiting the English Consulates in this part of
+ Inclosures 2 and 4 in No. 126.
*Thelosure 2 in No. 128.
127
the Indian Ocean, such as those at Bourbon, at Tamatave (in Madagascar), at Zanzibar, and elsewhere on the east coast of Africa.
4. It should be recollected, in connection with this subject, that the barbour of Mauritius is the only harbour on the East Indian Station in which the crews of Her Majesty's ships can enjoy, during the greater portion of the year, a comparatively cool and healthy climate, If the ships of war on this station were sent here in turn, it would certainly contribute materially to the health and comfort of the officers and men.
5. Hoping that this despatch, like those referred to above, will be communicated to the Royal Commission on Colonial Defence,
I have, &c. (Signed) G. F. BOWEN.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., M.P.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
No. 127.
h
The Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad to the Colonial Office.
Sir,
13, Delahay Street, February 13, 1880. I AM directed by the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th January,* inclosing correspondence with respect to a contemplated line of telegraph via the Azores to the United States, and the proposal to include Bermuda in this system.
I am to state in reply that the Commission, having carefully considered the question, are of opinion that upon military and naval grounds it is most desirable to place Bermuda in telegraphic communication with this country and with Halifax, Nova Scotia.
With reference, however, to the route which should be taken for this purpose, they would remark that, as no line of cable to Bermuda could be expected to be laid without Government assistance, and as it is improbable that Her Majesty's Government would Bubsidize, or in any other way assist more than one system, it is important that the system selected should be the most advantageous for British interests. This subject has, the Royal Commission believe, received on previous occasions consideration from some of the Departments concerned, and a line connecting Bermuda with Halifax is preferred to any other cable route. In this preference the Royal Commission entirely concur.
There is on this point another consideration to which the Royal Commission desire to advert. For some time past the telegraphic system of the West India and Panama Tele- graph Company has been understood to be in an unsatisfactory condition, the cables being frequently broken, and the Company being unable, from financial weakness,. to carry out the requisite general renewal of their lines. Two deputations have recently waited on the Secretary of State, urging the grant of additional assistance to the Company, either from Imperial funds, or from the revenues of the Crown Colonies interested. The Royal Com- mission have to observe that, on military grounds, the present telegraphic communication with the West Indies (even when otherwise in a satisfactory state) is open to one grave objection. Messages between England or the Dominion of Canada and the West Indies must pass, either through the United States and Cuba, or (as soon as the com- munication between Demerara and Para is completed) through Portugal, Madeira, the Cape de Verde Islands, and Brazil. It appears to the Royal Commission that the line of telegraphic communication between the United Kingdom and the important West Indian Colonies should, if possible, be either wholly by submarine cable or via Halifax and Bermuda, and they would therefore suggest whether the present condition of the West India and Panama lines does not afford an opportunity of discussing with the Companies concerned the feasibility of establishing a line of cable connecting Halifax and Bermuda with the telegraphic stations in the West Indies; the cable from Bermuda being landed at Sombrero, Antigua, or some other of the lesser British Antilles. Such a line would be only half the length of the proposed cable from Portugal to Cape Cod via the Azores and Bermuda; and a subsidy of 10,0001, or less a-year from the Imperial Government, supplemented by subsidies from the British and French West Indies, would probably induce capitalists to embark in the undertaking.
• No. 112.
I have, &c. (Signed) H. JEKYLL.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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