18
3. I am also to transmit to you a copy of a paraphrase of a secret telegram received from the Governor as to the force required for the defence of the Colony, together with a copy of the despatch* therein referred to, in which he states that he strongly advises that at least forty-five men be sent to the island in addition to the present force of Coast-guard.
4. I am further to transmit to you a copy of the correspondence noted in the margint which took place in 1875-7 on the subject of the defence of Heligoland. I am, &c.
No. 38.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE,
19
No. 40.
Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bari., G.C.B., to Colonial Office.
(Secret and Confidential.)
Sir,
•
Committee Room, Whitehall, April 15, 1878.
I AM requested by the Colonial Defence Committee to inform you that, since their Report of the 4th instant, relating to Hong Kong, was sent in, they have become aware of the existence of the undermentioned guns in the Ordnance Stores at that station, kept in reserve for the use of Her Majesty's ships
9-in. guns, with carriages and slides
8-in. ditto
7-in, ditto
ditto
ditio
7-in, ditto, without ditto
64-pr. ditto, with ditto 64-pr. ditto, without ditto
!
2
1
5
7
(Confidential.)
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
Sir,
Admiralty, April 12, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 10th instant stating that there is at present in Singapore about 70,000 tons of coal undefended, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that Her Majesty's ships "Shannon," "Ruby," and "Diamond" have been ordered to join the squadron under the command of Vice-Admiral Hillyar, the Commander- in-chief on the China station, and that his attention has been called to the necessity of making provision for the safety of the coal at Singapore.
I am, &c,
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
As the armament which is about to be provided for the temporary defence of the harbour cannot arrive at Hong Kong for several months, the Committee suggest that immediate steps should be taken to obtain the consent of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to the temporary loan of the 7-inch and 64-pounder guns, pending their replacement by the destined armament, or until required for use on board any of Her Majesty's ships.
The Committee would further suggest, should their Lordships assent to the proposed loan of the guns, that the Secretary of State for War should be informed thereof, in order that he may take such action as he may consider necessary for mounting them.
The Committee have at the same time been informed that there are two 7-inch guns and one 64-pounder, in the Naval Reserve Stores at Trincomalee, and the Committee would suggest that a similar course should be followed with respect to these.
J
No. 39.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
ALEX. MILNE, President.
No. 41.
(Secret and Confidential.)
Sir,
Downing Street, April 12, 1878,
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and with reference to the letter from this Department of the 3rd instant, a copy of the promised despatch§ from the Governor of Heligoland on the subject of the defence of that island in the event of war, and calling attention to the fact that if, as the result of the reserves being called out, the Coast-guard officers and men at present in Heligoland are told off to different stations, the island would be deprived of its sole defensive force, and strongly advising that on the out- break of war at least forty-five men be sent to the island in addition to the present force of Coast-guard.
2. I am to state, for their Lordships' information, that a copy of the inclosed despatch, and of the whole of the correspondence relating to the defence of Heligoland, has been referred to the Colonial Defence Committee.
• No. 32.
IBM,
(Signed)
&c.
R. H. MEADE.
† Foreign Office, June 21; Governor, Confidential, December 1; to Admiralty, Confidential, July 7: to War Office, Confidential, July 7: Admiralty, Confidential, July 20; War Office, Confidential, October 26; to Governor, Confidential, November 4, 1875 Governor, Confidential, February 19; to Admiralty, Confidential, March 8 to War Office, Confidential, March 8; Admiralty, April 17; War Office, May 6; to War Office. May 22; War Office, May 24; War Office, June 14; to War Office, June 29; to Governor, June 29: Governor. Confidential, October 10; to Admiralty, November 11; Admiralty, November 24; to Admiralty, December 1, 1876; Admiralty, February 5; to Admiralty, February 16; to Governor, February 16; Governor, No. 7, February 21, 1877.
No. 35.
No. 32.
(Confidential.) Sir,
Colonial Office to War Office.
Downing Street, April 17, 1878. WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 10th instant,t in which it was stated that a further communication would be made to you with regard to the payment for the proposed defences of Singapore, I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to state that, if Colonel Stanley sees no objection, he proposes to inform the Governor of the Straits Settlements that Her Majesty's Government adhere to the recommendations of the Report inclosed in your letter of the 2nd October, 1871, viz., that the Colonial Govern- ment should contribute the sum of 30,000l., to be spread over a term of years, for works and armaments; but that, in order that the charge may be made to press upon the Colony as lightly as possible, they are willing that it should be spread over a term of six years in equal annual instalments, instead of three or four years, as at first proposed, the value of the Colonial convict labour which may be employed on the works to be treated as a set-off against the Colonial contribution.
Sir Michael Hicks Beach proposes to add that, on their part, Her Majesty's Govern- ment will be prepared to construct and arm the works, whether temporary, as recommended for the present by the Colonial Defence Committee, or permanent, as designed by Sir W. Jervois, upon the understanding that if, on the expiration of five years, it should be decided to maintain the temporary works, instead of converting them into works of a more permanent and efficient character, they shall have the option of requiring the Colonial Government to undertake their maintenance for the future on such terms as may be decided to be equitable, the works being first placed in a condition of complete repair and efficiency.
I am to inclose a printed copy of the recommendations of the Defence Committee as regards Singapore, which should be treated as most confidential.
* Vide Miscellaneous, No. 35.
[593]
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
+ No. 34.
G
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
4
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.