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being coaling stations, would require to be specially cared for, but my Lords doubt if it would be practicable for them to undertake the duty of maintaining in the greater part of the mercantile ports of the Colonies a stationary naval force of armoured vessels or gun-boats, to provide for the necessary relief of crews, and to furnish supplies, &c. Such an arrangement, if practicable, would involve a very considerable addition to the naval votes, and vessels are not at present available.

5. Under the Colonial Defence Act, the Colonies have power to raise and employ naval forces for their defence, and my Lords are of opinion that while every assistance might be afforded by this Department for supervising the building of suitable vessels, aid being also given, if the Government deemed it to be necessary, from Imperial funds, for that purpose, the forces when raised should be under Colonial management.

A large number of excellent officers retired from the Royal Navy would doubtless be found ready to give their services, if required, both to man the ships and for torpedo service.

Miscellaneous.

No. 35F.

Printed solely for the use of the Colonial Office.

SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

ROBERT HALL.

Inclosure 9.

REPORT

Sir,

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

Admiralty, March 13, 1878.

I HAVE laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letters dated the 21st and the 25th February, relative to the defences of the Colony of South Australia, in which you request to be informed what assistance the Admiralty would be willing to give, by sending out one of Her Majesty's ships competent to protect South Australian waters and upon what terms.

2. In reply I am to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that my Lords have every wish to assist as far as possible in protecting our Colonies in the event of war, but they desire me to point out that to give orders to the Commodore on the Australian Station to detach one of the ships of his squadron to defend any parti cular port or harbour would only weaken the force at his disposal and prevent him from combining all the vessels on his station to resist an attack at any one point.

3. Her Majesty's naval forces are distributed all over the world in squadrons under the command of selected officers whose duty it is to be prepared, as far as the means placed at their disposal will permit, to meet the attacks of an enemy by sea wherever threatened.

4. These forces, however, are not sufficient for the complete protection of the coasts and ports of our Colonies; and it appears to my Lords that focal means of defence should be provided by the respective Colonies and that by such means, combined with the general protection afforded by squadrons, is it alone possible for the mother country to secure her widely-spread Colonies from serious attack.

With regard to the letter from his Excellency the Governor of South Australia dated 24th December last, in which he suggests that the Admiralty should be invited to give their opinion as to the precise description of vessel which they would recommend to be built for the defence of Adelaide and its port, and for the protection of the commerce of South Australia, I am to refer you to my letter of the 6th September last in reply to your communication of the 31st July, respecting the desire entertained in the Colony of New South Wales for an iron-clad vessel to be obtained for coast and harbour defence.

て

ON

DEFENCES OF THE PRINCIPAL CANADIAN

ATLANTIC PORTS.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

ROBERT HALL.

Colonial Office,

May 1878.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

11111 C.O. 885

4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO