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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office.

SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL.

Further Correspondence respecting the Defences of the Colonies.

No. 142.

Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B., to Colonial Office.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Committee Room, Whitehall, May 27, 1878.

I AM requested by the Colonial Defence Committee to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd instant,* transmitting a copy of a despatch from Sir J. R. Longden, relating to defensive measures which are being carried out by the military authorities of Ceylon, for the protection of the principal ports of the island.

The Committee understand that the subject is being dealt with at the War Office, and that instructions are being prepared to give effect to their recommendations.

They have, therefore, only to observe that the measures adopted by the General appear to them judicious, and should be approved pending the provision of the more complete armaments and works recommended by the Committee.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

ALEX. MILNE, President.

No. 143.

Sir,

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, May 28, 1878.

I AM directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated May and received on the 13th instant,† forwarding telegram from the Governor of New Zealand' relative to the Colonial Defence Committee's recommendations for the defence of the Colony; and to acquaint you in reply, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that steps will be taken without delay for providing the armament required at the cost of the Colony, as proposed.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

F. A. CAMPBELL.

No. 143 A.

Governor Sir W. C. F. Robinson, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks

(Telegraphic. Paraphrase.)

Beach, Bart.

!

DEFENCES. Reports arrival of General, and requests to know when guns may be

May 28, 1878. expected to reach the Colony.

No. 144.

(Confidential.) Sir,

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, May 29, 1878.

WITH reference to your letter marked Secret and Confidential of the 30th April last, I am desired by Secretary Colonel Stanley to inform you that instructions have been given for the provision of mantlets at St. Helena, in accordance with the recommendations of the Colonial Defence Committee; and that he is in communication with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with a view to ascertaining their Lordships' opinion as to the importance of the defences of Sierra Leone, Bridgetown, Kingston, and Port Royal;

+ No. 94 of same Paper.

No. 61 of same Paper.

[793]

• No. 122 of Miscellaneous. 35 E.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TTTTTT CO. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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