34
No. 74.
Colonial Office to Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, May 8, 1878.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Colonial Defence Committee, the substance of a telegram from the Governor-General of Canada,* stating that a fleet of armed cruizers would be necessary for the protection of the Atlantic seaboard of the Dominion in the event of war being declared with Russia.
A copy of this telegram has been communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
No. 75.
Colonial Office to Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, May 8, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Colonial Defence Committee, a copy of a despatch which has been received from the Governor of Heligoland+ in reply to one inclosing so much of the Committee's third Report as related to that island, urging a reconsideration of the question of defence and suggesting that an officer of Engineers should be sent out to report. I am also to inclose a copy of another despatch, in which the Governor makes a similar suggestion.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
No. 76.
The Governor of New Zealand to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart — (Received May 9, 1878.) (Confidential.)
(Telegraphic. Paraphrase.)
Armament and
STATES in reply to telegram that his Government will undertake expenditure of the proposed defence of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. ammunition should be sent out immediately.
No. 77.
The Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor-General the Earl of Dufferin
Downing Street, May 9, 1878. (Telegraphic.)
ADMIRAL SIR ALEXANDER MILNE, General Sir Lintorn Simmons, and Sir Henry Barkly have been constituted a Committee to consider what steps should be immediately taken for the defence of Colonial ports in case of war breaking out.
Recommendations have been made as regards Esquimalt and Victoria, and these are now under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, and the Committee has been desired to take into consideration the steps that are necessary with regard to the Atlantic ports of Canada, and when they have reported your Ministers can decide as to incurring the expense they may, recommend.
35
No. 78.
The Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Hennessey, C.M.G.
(Telegraphic.)
Downing Street, May 9, 1878. ŠEVEN-INCH and 64-pounder guns. Tell officer in command of troops that he may take these guns from the Naval Reserves for the new works when they are ready. The Admiralty concur in this.
No. 79.
The Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor the Right Honourable Sir H. B. E. Frere, Bart., G.C.B., G.C.S.I. (Secret.)
Sir,
Downing Street, May 9, 1878.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the accompanying Secret and Confidential Report, as regards the Cape of Good Hope,* of a Committee, consisting of Sir Alexander Milne, Sir Lintorn Simmons, and Sir Heury Barkly, appointed to consider the temporary measures desirable for the defence of the more important Colonial ports in the event
of war.
2. I request that you will inform me, with the least possible delay, whether your Government will be prepared to undertake the expense of the works and armaments recommended by the Committee for Port Elizabeth, and whether it will be possible to raise a local force for the purposes indicated in their Report.
I'am, &c.
(Signed)
No. 80.
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
Governor Sir J. Glover, G.C.M.G., to the Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.— (Received May 9.) (Telegraphic. Paraphrase.) (Secret and Confidential.)
REPORTS proposal to arm forts, to place torpedoes, and to organize volunteer corps of 1,000 men and 100 artillery, and that his Government will pay force. Requests to be informed by telegram if Her Majesty's Government will grant 3 heavy, 3 light, and 6 mounted guns, and 1,000 stand of arms. Is sending his Private Secretary to Halifax to make arrangements with the naval and military authorities for the supply of arms, &c.
No. 81.
Governor Sir J. Glover, G.C.M.G., to the Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.— (Received May 9.) (Telegraphic. Paraphrase.) (Confidential.)
ACKNOWLEDGES receipt of Confidential despatch of the 30th April, and states that the fortifications mentioned in the Report which accompanied the despatch were dismantled on the withdrawal of the garrison, and that there are no cannon except a signal gun at entrance of harbour.
Reports arrival in the United States of a German steamer with 63 Russian officers and 600 sailors. States that Admiral Inglefield leaves Newfoundland that day (9th May).
⚫ No. 72.
• Miscellaneous, No. 35,
† No. 68.
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