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by semaphore from the look-out stations, which command a wide range of vision as to ships in the offing.

Arrangements for removing the light-ship and buoys, which mark the channels. Instructions to pilots.

6. There is no Colony in the vicinity with which I could advantageously communicate. I should look to inform the Admiral of the station by communication through the mail steamer to Aden, and thence by telegrams to Bombay or Trincomalee.

7. There is a large quantity of coal in Port Louis belonging to Government and to private persons. It would not be practicable, except at a very large outlay, to remove these stores of coal out of reach of an enemy. Nor, indeed, would that measure be effective, if that enemy appeared with a force such as has been alluded to in paragraph 3 of this despatch, unless all terms had been refused and the inevitable consequences awaited. Whether these consequences should be faced is a question which can only be decided when the emergency arises, from consideration of existing circumstances.

8. I am making arrangements for the removal (or rather for warning the inhabitants of Port Louis to remove) of the citizens in case a bombardment of the town should be threatened. But there are in all about 60,000 inhabitants in the town, and it is to be feared that not more than one half of these would leave their houses and property when

I have, &c.

warned to do so.

(Signed)

No. 179.

A. P. PHAYRE,

Governor Hennessy, C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.— (Received June 19.)

(Secret.) Sir,

Government House, Hong Kong, May 11, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, marked Secret, of the 20th March, 1878, respecting the defence of the Colony.*

2. In my confidential despatch of the 21st July, 1877, I had informed Lord Carnarvon that I was in communication with General Sir Francis Colborne on the subject. Before leaving Hong Kong in July last, his Excellency was good enongh to explain his views to me very fully, and to point out the scheme of defence that he thought best, looking to the limited means at our disposal.

3. General Colborne gave me a copy of the War Office letter of the 22nd November, 1876, in which it was intimated that, in the event of war, the garrison might be reduced to a minimum. He also gave me a copy of Colonel Moggridge's report of the 18th Sep- tember, 1876.

4. The possibility of England being suddenly engaged in hostilities, owing to the threatening aspect of affairs in South Eastern Europe, was the chief motive which led to the conferences between the General and myself.

5. Subsequently I had the advantage of learning from Admiral Ryder, the late Naval Commander-in-chief, and from Admiral Hillyar, the present Naval Commander-in-chief, their views on the best means of improvising a defence for the Colony.

6. All those authorities concurred in expressing the opinion that, as contingencies may arise requiring Her Majesty's ships to leave Hong Kong and proceed to sea to meet an enemy's squadron, it was essential to improvise defences which would secure the approaches to the harbour by suitable batteries and torpedoes.

7. On the 30th March last I wrote to Colonel Bassano, the officer in command of the troops, respecting our means of defence. I suggested a conference with him, the Colonel Commanding the Engineers, and any other officer he might select, and I offered the assistance of the Local Government in any measures of precaution, such as getting guns

into position, that he might be disposed to recommend.

8. Colonel Bassano replied to this letter on the 8th April. by transmitting to me copies of two memoranda of Colonel Stuart, the Commanding Royal Engineer, and inviting my approval of the suggestions they contained.

9. On reading the very valuable suggestions of Colonel Stuart, I could not fail to observe that they appeared to omit means for endeavouring to secure the approaches of the harbour, and, especially, those means which General Colborne, Admiral' Ryder, and Admiral Hillyar (the latter within the preceding few weeks) had assured me were the first and most essential elements in our defence.

10. On the other hand, Colonel Stuart's scheme contemplated certain new batteries

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in the town of Victoria, which had formed no part of the plan General Colborne had communicated to me.

1. Accordingly, on the 10th April I drew Colonel Bassano's attention to the question of guarding the approaches of the harbour with torpedoes, and with batteries on Green Island, Stone Cutters' Island, and the Lyemoon l'ass. He and Colonel Stuart, however, adhered to the opinion that they had already expressed against batteries on Green Island, Stone Cutters' Island, and the Lyemoon Pass, and against torpedo defence.

12. On the 23rd April I received your telegram directing me to transmit a message from the Secretary of State for War to the officer commanding the troops, in the following words :-

"Proceed with improvised defences; 8,000l. authorized. Points selected here for temporary defence-Green Island, Stone Cutters' Island (two), North Point, Kowloong Dock, Kowloong, and Belchers."

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13. Subsequently I requested Colonel Bassano to arrange a conference with the principal military officers to meet the Commodore, Mr. Price, and myself to discuss the question of what assistance the Colony could give to the general project of defence. met on the 24th April and again on the 27th April.

We

14. I took the opportunity on this conference (and privately with Colonel Bassano) to raise the question as to whether it would not be better to comply with the telegram from the Secretary of State for War, and place the batteries on the points now selected by the War Office, instead of placing guns in new batteries in the town, which might (as I ventured to suggest in accordance with General Colborne's views) give an enemy a pretext for shelling the town.

15. The only change in this direction, however, that the military authorities felt themselves justified in making in their plans, was the placing of one battery on Stone Cutters' Island, to be worked by volunteers, but they declare that they had neither men nor cannons for Green Island, nor the second battery on Stone Cutters' Island.

16. Whilst it was my duty to express my views frankly to Colonel Bassano on these points, I had not the slightest hesitation in giving him all the assistance in my power to carry out his own plans and those of the Commanding Engineer. Colonel Bassano's experience and ability, apart from his official position, entitle him to my fullest confidence and most hearty co-operation. I therefore assisted in getting for him, from private owners, the new sites he wanted in the town, and, in every other way, the Local Government is cordially working with the military authorities, who have already made rapid progress with the batteries they are raising.

17. As regards torpedo defence, the Naval authorities and Mr. Price are engaged in maturing plans, which I believe will be safe and efficient.

I have, &c. (Signed)

No. 180.

J. POPE HENNESSY.

Governor-General the Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.— (Received June 19.) (Paraphrase of Telegram.)

THIS Government have been persuaded by mne to erect a third battery for the defence of Esquimalt on Fisgard Island, in addition to those now erected on McAulay's Point and Beacon Hill.

No. 181.

Governor Sir H. St. George Ord, K.C.M G., C.B., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart. (Telegraphic.)

نمبر

June 20, 1878. YOUR Secret and Corfidential despatch as to not landing mail at King George's Sound received. Have written by this mail to deprecate such an announcement at present, as it probably would precipitate the movement for responsible Government.

Resolution referred to in this despatch has since been passed.

[798]

H

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

LICO. 885

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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