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Point Victoria, with 4-gun battery on McAulay's Point and a 2-gun battery on discretion as to mounting guns on Fisgard Island, all for the defence of the approaches to Victoria and Esquimalt.

العلم

But Nanaimo, the great coal depôt, still remains undefended. There is a small battery of new artillerymen at Victoria, and two companies of infantry.

Sir,

No. 169.

Colonial Office to War Office.

E. S. S.

Downing Street, June 18, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the information of Secretary Colonel Stanley, the accompanying copy of a despatch from Sir Bartle Frere, with inclosures, giving the provisions of the Bills relating to defensive measures which his Ministers intend to introduce into the present Cape Parliament.*

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

85.

No. 172.

War Office to Colonial Office.

Sir,

War Office, June 14, 1878. WITH reference to Mr. Meade's letter of the 17th April, relative to the expense for. the defences of Singapore, I am directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to state that as the Colonial Defence Committee have been called on to express their views as to the distribu- tion of the expense of the works to be undertaken at Colonial ports, he would suggest, for Sir Michael Hicks Beach's consideration, that the decision in the case of the Straits Settle- ments should be postponed until the report on the general question has been received from the Committee.

I am to add that Colonel Stanley is strongly of opinion that it would greatly strengthen any claim which it may eventually be decided to make on the Colony for the proposed defences if the work at Tanjong Kutong were proceeded with at once, as without it the roadstead and town of Singapore are left defenceless, and the Colony might reasonably object, under those circumstances, to the proposed contribution.

I am, therefore, to suggest that Treasury authority should be obtained for the expenditure of 7,2007, the estimated cost of the works and armament of the fort in question.

No. 170.

Colonial Office to War Office.

(Secret and Confidential.)

Downing Street, June 13, 1878. Sir,

WITH reference to the Reports of the Colonial Defence Committee on Newfound- land, inclosed in the letters from this Department of the 30th of April and 29th ultimo,† I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for War, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of New- foundland, inclosing a report of his Private Secretary and a memorandum by Colonel Elgee, R.A., as to the best means of defending the ports of St. John's and Harbour Grace;t and I am to inquire whether, in the opinion of Colonel Stanley, any modification of the scheme of the Colonial Defence Committee is necessary, or what reply should be sent to this despatch.

I am to add that Sir Michael Hicks Beach has applied to the War Office rather than to the Colonial Defence Committee in consequence of Sir L. Simmons's departure for Berlin.

&c.

I am, (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

Sir,

て

I am, &c.

(Signed)

BURY.

?

No. 173.

Colonial Office to Admiralty.

}

(Secret and Confidential.)

WITH reference to the letter from this Department of April 10,† inclosing the

Downing Street, June 15, 1878. Report of the Colonial Defence Committee on Esquimalt and Victoria, 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, the accompanying extract, relating to Van- couver Island, from a report by Lieutenant-General Sir Selby Smyth, on the defences of Canada, pointing out the defenceless condition of Nanaimo.‡

!

I

am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 174.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

HC.O. 885

4

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

No. 171.

Colonial Office to War Office.

Downing Street, June 13, 1878.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to inform you that upon the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, General No. 5,§ the desired telegram was addressed to the Governor-General of Canada, requesting him to report what had been done with reference to the defence of Esquimalt; and I am now to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for War, a paraphrase of the reply which has been received to that telegram.

I am to point out that in Sir Michael Hicks Beach's despatch of the 11th of May, communicated to the War Office on the same date, the Governor-General was informed that the question of expense would be separately considered, and this telegram, therefore, should not be understood as conveying an intention on the part of the Dominion Govern- I am also to transmit to ment to bear the whole cost of defending this Imperial station. you the accompanying extract, relating to Vancouver Island, from a report by Lieutenant- General Sir Selby Smyth, on the defences of Canada. T

(Secret and Confidential.)

Sir,

Colonial Office to War Office.

Downing Street, June 15, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Secretary of State for War, a copy of a despatch which has been received from the Governor of St. Helena,§ respecting the precautions which should be taken for the defence of the Island in the event of the outbreak of war, and in transmitting this despatch I am to request that you will call the attention of Colonel Stanley to the Report of the Colonial Defence Committee on this subject, which was inclosed in the letter from this Office of the 30th April last.|| Sir Michael Hicks Beach is of opinion that it is, specially desirable that measures should be taken without delay for providing the two 9-inch guns proposed to be placed at Munden's Point, and for bringing up the battery of artillery stationed at St. Helena to its full complement of men.

I am, &c.

Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

• No. 147.

+Nos. 61 and 136.

R. H. MEADE.

No. 164. Inclosure in No. 168.

• No. 41.

+ No. 36.

5 No. 163.

No. 90.

[798]

* Inclosure in No. 166.

No. 161.

| No. 61.

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