120
larger than is necessary (60 feet in length) she is very fast, handy to steer, and her engines reverse easily and effectually when she is going at full speed: She has been to the Sultan Shoal and back, twenty miles, in two hours, towing a heavy boat all the way back.
I therefore have, as instructed, arranged to buy her, and her price has been reduced to 6,000 dollars, which is certainly cheap.
She is now ready to be handed over. I may add that she will carry a couple of Gatling guns well.
121
Inclosure 20 in No. 224.
SCHEDULE of Estimates showing probable Cost of carrying out the Work recommended by the Defence Committee.
Approved,
(Signed)
(Signed)
J. DOUGLAS, Colonial Secretary.
WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.
Inclosure 17 in No. 224.
The Commandant, Straits Settlements,
Commissiarat, Straits Settlements, Singapore, May 6, 1878.
I have the honour to forward you copy of a letter from the Financial Secretary's Department of the War Office, dated 10th August, 1872, conveying the decision of the Secretary of State for War that the cost of works of defence and their armament should be borne by the Colony, in case of attack from seaward, and, in doing so, I beg to point out that I have no means whatever at my disposal for transporting heavy ordnance, being solely dependent on the ordinary bullock gharry of the country for transport. (Signed) E, C. SAUNDER, District Commissary,
The Commandant,
Sir,
Straits Settlements.
Inclosure 18 in No. 224.
Straits Settlements.
Financial Secretary's Department, War Office, August 10, 1872.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Cardwell to acquaint you that the period of five years during which the contribution of 59,3001., payable by the Colony of Straits Settle- ments to the Imperial Government in respect of the military expenditure in those Settle- ments, having expired on the 31st March last, the arrangements under which the amount of this contribution was decided upon have been reconsidered, and that from the 1st April last the amount of the contribution has been fixed at 51,5951. per annum.
I am to add that it has also been arranged that the cost of the works of defence and their armament (including torpedoes) required to resist casual attack from seaward shall be borne by the Colony, as well as that of the maintenance of its local forces and other contingent charges.
I have, &c.
The Assistant Controller,
Sir,
Straits Settlements.
(Signed)
JOHN MILTON, Accountant-General.
Inclosure 19 in No. 224.
Colonial Engineer's Office, Singapore, May 8, 1878.
I HAVE the honour to forward an estimate, amounting to 2,994 dol. 49 c., for work recommended by the Defence Committee, which has already been sanctioned by his Excellency the Governor to save time.
The Colonial Secretary,
Straits Settlements.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. F. A. Mo NAIR, Colonial Engineer,
Straits Settlements.
Dola. c.
Repairs to gua platforms and carriages of 68-pounder guns, and making
wooden compressors, also repairs to platform carriages of 8-inch guns.. Repairs to battery and buildings at Mount Palmer, and erection of small
cook-house
1,728 37
Repairs to battery, Mount Faber
1,144 95
:.
597 00
Total
Deduct repairs to 8-inch gun carriages, not immediately required, and com-
pressors for the same..
Total amount of estimate for which sanction is required
3,470 32
476 83
2,994 49
(Signed)
J. F. A. McNAIR, Colonial Engineer.
Colonial Engineer's Office, May 8, 1878.
Approved,
WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.
(Signed) May 8, 1878.
(Secret.)
My Lord,
No. 225.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to the Earl of Dufferin.
Downing Street, July 8, 1878.
I HAVE received and carefully considered your Lordship's telegram of the 4th, and your Confidential despatch of the 8th ultimo,* on the question of the provision of a fleet of fast armed cruizers for the protection of Canadian shipping. I lost no time in referring this important question to the Board of Admiralty, and I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a correspondence with that Department on the subject.t Her Majesty's Government do not, as you may infer from the third paragraph of the letter from the Admiralty, propose to take any overt action under the arrangements referred to. in the preceding paragraph, unless matters should advance so far as to preclude the hope of the maintenance of peace.
2. I need scarcely observe that should this country be unfortunately involved in war, Her Majesty's ships would, of course, use their best endeavours to protect the carrying trade of the Empire. But it is difficult to exaggerate the mischief that might be caused were only one or two hostile cruizers of the "Alabama" type to get to sea before the actual declaration of war, and if vessels were purchased in American ports it is possible that they might commence their depredations on shipping along the seaboard of the Dominion. It would be of no little service in the prompt suppression of such depredations, and perhaps might even prevent them from being undertaken on any large scale, if steps could be taken to place the Dominion Government in a position to co-operate with the Imperial Navy in coping with this danger immediately it occurs, by taking up and arming fast vessels from the mercantile marine with one or two guns of suitable calibre.
3. The naval authorities on the spot might be consulted as to the kind of gun which would be best adapted for vessels of this class, of which guns it would seem prudent to keep a few in store ready for future use.
4. I request that you will invite the careful attention of your Ministers to this subject, which appears to me to be of great importance, not only in view of the present unsettled condition of European affairs, but with reference to any contingencies which may arise in the future.
In connection with it I would suggest that they should consider the expediency of passing an Act through the Dominion Legislature, if this has not been already done, in pursuance of the third section of the "Colonial Naval Defence Act, 1865," of which I annex a copy.
• No. 165.
[793]
! (Signed)
I have, &c.
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
Nos. 139 and 166.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
19
Reference :-
CO. 885
4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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