CO885(3-4) — Page 283

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TITICO. 885

4PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

J

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

64

No. 136.

Colonial Office to War Office.

Downing Street, May 29, 1878. IN their report on Newfoundland inclosed in the letter from this Office of the 30th ultimo, the Colonial Defence Committee recommended, in addition to supposed existing means of defence, two 7-ton guns, costing 2,000, and works costing 1,2001. They also recommended the enrolment of a local force and the loan of a few officers for the purpose of organizing it. In reply to the inquiry whether the Colonial Government was prepared to undertake the expense of the additional batteries and armament, and to provide the local force recommended by the Committee, the Governor has stated that on the withdrawal of the Imperial garrison the fortifications were dismantled and all the He adds guns removed with the exception of two unserviceable 32-pounder guns. that the Colonial Government will be prepared to raise a force of 1,000 infantry and 100 artillery, and he inquires whether Her Majesty's Government will grant three heavy, three light, and six mounted guns, 1,000 stand of arms, 100 Sniders, and a nucleus of gunners. He adds that there are six 64-pounder guns at Halifax ready to be shipped subject to the sanction of the Secretary of State for War. I am to inclose copies of the Governor's telegrams.+

2. In a further report, of which I am to inclose a copy, the Colonial Defence Committee express the opinion that the six mounted guns are unnecessary; but in view of the removal of the old guns, of which they were not aware when their previous report was drawn up, they now recommend that three 7-tor and three 64-pounder guns should be provided, instead of only two 7-ton guns, as at first proposed. They also advise the loan of the six 64-pounders guns from Halifax until the other guns can be provided.

3. I am accordingly to request that you will move the Secretary of State for War to give immediate directions for the shipment of the six 64 pounder guns, complete with the necessary ammunition, from Halifax, unless they are required for the defence of that place, and to consider the necessary steps for providing the small arms and accoutrements, amounting in number to 1,100, and the nucleus of gunners asked for by the Governor, together with the organizing officers recommended by the Committee.

4. With regard to the permanent armament now recommended by the Committee, I am to point out that their original recommendation rested upon the assumption that there were already in the Colony one 13-inch mortar, seven 68-pounder, and fourteen 32-pounder guns, all which might have been available for defence. Sir Michael Hicks Beach understands that on the withdrawal of the Imperial troops, the guns in Canada were made over as a free gift to the local Government; but, as on the like occasion the guns in Newfoundland were taken away, and as their value would, it is presumed, exceed that of the three 7-ton and three 64-pounder guns now recommended by the Committee, he is of opinion that it would only be fair that the last-named guns, with the small arms and accoutrements, should be presented to the Colony; and I am to add that if the Secretary of State for War concurs in this proposal, Sir M. Hicks Beach, on learning the total cost to be incurred, will be prepared to recommend it to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.

I am, &c. (Signed) R. H. MEADE.

No. 137.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to the Governors of Hong Kong, Ceylon, Straits Settlement, and Mauritius. (Secret.). Sir,

Downing Street, May 29, 1878. A COMMITTEE, consisting of Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, General Sir Lintor Simmons, and Sir Henry Barkly, having been appointed to consider the measures desirable for the defence for the Colonies in the event of war, I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of their Report on Hong Kong [Ceylon: Straits Settlements: Mauritius,§ together with a copy of a correspondence, from which you will learn the steps which are being taken to give effect to their recommendations. A further communication will be made to you as to the proportion of the expenditure to be borne by the Colony.

I have, &c. (Signed) M. E. HICKS BEACH.

• Ko. 61.

+ No. 80 and 81.

‡ No. 119.

S Miscellaneous, No. 35.

(Secret and Confidential.)

Sir,

65

No. 138.

Colonial Office to Admiralty.

Downing Street, May 31, 1878. I AM directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to state that, understanding that twenty- five out of fifty Whitehead torpedoes ordered by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for the Colonies were on their way to England, he inquired of the Colonial Defence Committee to what Colonies they would recommend that they should be sent, and I am

to inclose a copy of their reply."

2. I am to request that you will move the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to give the necessary directions for the dispatch of these instruments to the four stations indicated, viz., Esquimalt, Capetown, Hong Kong and Singapore; but as their custody and manipulation will be attended with considerable difficulty and risk, and as their Lordships will doubtless always have officers and men at those stations, I am to suggest for their consideration that the Admiralty should undertake their entire control and management, sending, if necessary, a special staff of officers and men for the purpose.

3. I am to remind their Lordships that not only do these weapons require the constant attention of skilled persons to maintain them in a tropical climate in proper working order, but if their custody is entrusted to the respective Colonial Governments, it may be difficult to secure any sufficient guarantee that they will be protected from those who may desire access to them for improper purposes.

4. I am to request that Sir Michael Hicks Beach may be furnished with a statement of the probable whole expense, with a view to the consideration of the proportion to be refunded by the Colonies, a matter which will be separately dealt with. In the meantime I am to request that their Lordships will make whatever provision may be immediately necessary on Naval Votes, in accordance with the wishes of the Board of Treasury, as expressed in their letters of the 22nd instant,† copies of which are inclosed in the letter from this Department of this day's date.‡

5. With regard to the remaining twenty-five torpedoes which the Colonial Defence Committee recommend should be offered to the Australasian Colonies, I am to state that, looking to the expense and to the difficulty of making and maintaining the necessary arrangements for their custody and manipulation, Sir Michael Hicks Beach does not unticipate that these Colonies would be able to afford the necessary establishments, and as the Admiralty will doubtless be able to utilize them in case of need, I am to suggest that they should be retained by that Department for naval use.

(Secret and Confidential.)

Sir,

No. 139.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

Colonial Office to Admiralty.

Downing Street, May 31, 1878. WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 8th May, transmitting a copy of a telegram from the Governor-General of Canada dated the 4th May,§ submitting that a fleet of fast armed cruizers would be necessary for the protection of the Atlantic shipping if war should be declared, I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to transmit to you the accompanying copy of the Minute of the Canadian Council, upon which that telegram was founded, together with copy of a despatch from the Governor-General, inclosing a letter from Lieutenant-General Sir Selby Smyth, recommending that the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy should be occupied by a squadron of swift and lightly- armed steamers for the purpose of coping with any similar vessels which may be purchased by the enemy from various American ports.

I am to request that you will draw the particular attention of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Sir Selby Smyth's letter, and that Sir M. Hicks Beach may be informed whether their Lordships have made any provision of the kind recommended against- the operations of hostile cruizers of this description, or what steps they propose to take for the protection of the Atlantic trade in the event of war.

.1 am, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

• No. 116.

+ No. 125 and 126.

‡ No. 140.

§ No. 72.