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and that the cost of the whole, with ammunition (say 100 rounds per gun), would be about. 5,0001.

I have, &c. (Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL.

P.S. Since writing this letter, yours of the 12th instant has been received, covering demands for the guns in question, and as it is presumed the 'supply is to proceed, the necessary orders will be given forthwith.

F. A. C.

129

McCallum through the Colonial Secretary for such things as he may require to carry on

his work; for example, a steam-launch, plans, stationery, &c.

I have, &c. (Signed)

G. W. DONOVAN, Major-General,

Commanding in China and Straits Settlements. His Excellency Sir William C. F. Robinson, K.C.M.G.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

Sir,

No. 242.

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

Admiralty, July 19, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 11th instant, representing the importance of keeping one of Her Majesty's ships stationed at the Bahamas, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will represent to the Under- Secretary of State for the Colonies that the Bahamas, like other British islands and Colonial possessions, are (under ordinary circumstances such as at present exist) periodically visited by Her Majesty's ships.

2. My Lords request you will point out to Sir Michael Hicks Beach that, during the civil war in Cuba, it was a matter of importance to prevent the numerous cays being inade a rendezvous for filibusters, who were thus enabled to make descents on Cuba, which, in the absence of a man-of-war, could not be prevented, and a remonstrance against this state of things having been made by the Spanish Government, orders were given to keep a vessel at the Bahamas. But the civil war in Cuba having come to an end, it appears to their Lordships that the necessity of stationing a man-of-war at Nassau no longer exists, and that it may be sufficient that the Bahamas should be visited by Her Majesty's ships, in turn, like other places on the West India Station, according as the Commander-in-chief is able to make arrangements.

I am, &c.

No. 243.

(Signed)

THOS. WOLLEY.

Governor Sir W. C. F. Robinson, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart. (Registered July 22.) (Confidential.) Sir,

Government House, Singapore, June 8, 1878. IN continuation of my Confidential despatch of the 23rd May,† I have the honour to submit copies of further correspondence on the subject of the defences of this Colony.

2. Major-General Donovan was obliged to leave for Hong Kong without having answered my letter of the 28th May, but I expect to hear from him by the next mail from China on the subject of the defences of Penang, and meanwhile I have suggested to him the propriety of adopting Lieutenant McCallum's suggestion under the head of "Defence by rifled artillery."

I have, &c. (Signed)

WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.'

Sir,

Inclosure 2 in No. 243.

Government House, Singapore, May 29, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th instant, informing me that the Imperial Government having authorized an expenditure of 17,6001. upon works of defence for Singapore, Lieutenant McCallum, Royal Engineers, has been appointed to execute the work, and, in reply, to inform you that I shall be happy to assist Lieutenant McCallum in the manner you request in carrying out the duty which has been entrusted to him.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

Major-General Donovan,

&c.

&c.

&c.

Sir,

WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.

Inclosure 3 in No. 243.

Government House, Singapore, May 28, 1878. WITH reference to our conversation of yesterday, at which you were so good as to acquaint me with the nature of the steps which you propose to take for the defences of Singapore and for placing in position the guns which Her Majesty's Government are now sending out, I shall be obliged if you will advise me whether, in your opinion, it would be desirable that I should continue to carry out the measures for the provisional defence of this place, which, as you are aware from the correspondence which I sent to you to Penang, I initiated some weeks ago, or whether in view of the circumstance that the only guns at present available are 68-pounders, and that the arrangement now being made by the Colony for setting them up will be of no ultimate use when the guns which you are expecting arrive, it would not be better to abandon those measures at once than to spend any more money on works which will be of little immediate use and of no value hereafter in connection with permanent defences.

I have this morning telegraphed to the Secretary of State to inquire when the new guns are likely to arrive, but I am afraid I can hardly expect to receive an answer before Friday.

I shall also be obliged if you will advise me what steps, if any, it would be proper for the Colony to take, under the authority of the Secretary of State's Circular of the 20th March, for the defence of the Island of Penang, which is not, I understand, included in the instructions with which you have been furnished from the War Office, but where there are several banking establishments and generally a supply of coal for the use of passing steamers.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.

Major-General Donovan,

&c.

&c.

&c.

(Confidential.) Sir,

Inclosure 1 in No. 243.

Singapore, May 28, 1878. I HAVE the honour to inform you that the Imperial Government having authorized an expenditure of 17,6001. upon works of defence for Singapore, Lieutenant McCallum, Royal Engineers, has been appointed to execute the work.

Having learnt from the conversation I had with you yesterday that the Government of the Straits Settlements would be willing to assist in the matter, I shall feel much obliged your Excellency would be good enough to accede to any application made by Lieutenant

+ No. 224.

if

• No. 233.

Inclosure 4 in No. 243.

Singapore, May 29, 1878.

AT a Meeting of the Defence Committee, held at Government House this day;

Present:

Hon. Colonel Dickins, 28th Regiment, Commandant;

Hon. Major McNair, R.A., Colonial Engineer, Straits Settlements. CAPTAIN HOTHAM, R.N., having proceeded on duty to Hong Kong,

His Excellency the Governor informed the Committee of the measures ordered by the mperial Government to be taken for the defence of Singapore, and asked their advice as

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