·
156
LP
expenditure of money to purchase guns which, when mounted, will afford no real security,
J
Having so far dealt with the principles, the Committee have little to remark upon the detailed proposals of Sir E. Selby Smyth as regards the several ports. They see no reason to modify the suggestions contained in their Report, and are unable to concur with the Lieutenant-General in the changes of situation of some of the batteries which he recon- mends. Their suggestions were the result of very careful consideration of the circum- stances of each case, and were framed with every desire to keep down the cost to the lowest figure consistently with securing a real, though by no means perfect, defence. They find nothing in the papers before them to lead them to a different opinion.
They are, however, glad to observe the confidence which Sir E. Selby Smyth enter- tains in the ability of the local militia to man the proposed defences.
J. L. A. SIMMONS. HENRY BARKLY.
(Signed)
157
No. 284.
Governor Sir A. Phayre, G.C.M.G., K.C.S.I., C.B., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received August 13.)
(No. 17. Confidential.)
Government House, Mauritius, July 17, 1878.
Sir,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Secret despatch, dated the 29th May last,* transmitting a copy of a Report as to Mauritius by the Committee appointed to consider the measures desirable for the defence of the colonies in case of war. The printed copy of correspondence has also been received.
The Commanding Officer informs me that he has received intelligence that two 7-ton guns complete have been shipped for Mauritius, which will be mounted in Fort George.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. PHAYRE.
No. 281.
No. 285.
Colonial Office to Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, August 10, 1878,
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a letter from the War Office,* stating that pending a further communication from your Government no steps will be taken for the supply of the 64-pounder guns for that Colony.
The Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received August 13.) (Confidential.) Sir,
Citadel, Quebec, August 1, 1878.
I HAD the honour to send to you to-day a telegraphic message in the following figures:-
1st August, &c.
>
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
No. 282.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Colonial Office to India Office.
Downing Street, August 10, 1878. - I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to state, in reply to your letter of the 6th instant,t that the papers relating to Colonial defence are being gradually printed, as the labours of the Committee advance, and, when completed, Sir Michael Hicks Beach will be glad to allow Lord Cranbrook to see them, but that they are of a highly confidential character, dealing with the defences of many isolated Colonial ports; and, while probably not likely to be of much practical use to the Government of India, are not of a nature to permit of their being treated as public papers.
I am, &c. (Signed)
Sir,
No. 283.
+
Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G,, to Colonial Office.
R. H. MEADE.
7, Westminster Chambers, August 12, 1878.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Meade's letter of the 10th instant, inclosing a copy of a letter from the War Office, stating that, pending a further communication from my Government, no steps will be taken for the supply of the 64-pounder guns originally ordered for the Colony. I beg to state, in reply, that I am satisfied the use of the word "more," in the telegraphic despatch referred to in my letter to you of the 10th July, was an inadvertence, and that the Government adhere to their decision adopting the armament of new 7-ton and 64-pounder guns, advised by the War Office Committee, as specified in your letter of the 27th May,
Under the circumstances I trust that no delay will take place in the supply of the armament originally ordered.
• Na, 269.
I have, &c. (Signed)
↑ No. 273.
►
JULIUS VOGEL, Agent-General for New Zealand.
No. 281.
I now forward a copy of a letter and of its inclosure from the Department of the Minister of Militia, on which the above telegram was founded.
Sir,
I have, &c. (Signed) DUFFERIN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 285.
Ottawa, July 30, 1878. I HAVE the honour, by direction of the Honourable the Minister of Militia and Defence, to transmit to you, for the information of his Excellency the Governor-General, a copy of a letter from the General Officer Commanding the Militia, dated the 30th instant, on the subject of the Palliser guns recently ordered from England, and to respectfully request that the suggestion therein contained may be carried into effect.
I bave, &c. (Signed) EUG. PANET,
The Governor-General's Secretary, Ottawa.
Deputy Minister of Militia and Defence.
Inclosure 2 in No. 285.
Sir,
Ottawa, July 30, 1878. AS it is most desirable that the seventeen rifled 64-32-pounder Palliser guns recently ordered from England should be landed at Halifax and St. John, New Brunswick, respec- tively, before the 1st October, in order that they may be placed in position before the severe winter weather sets in, I have the honour to request that the War Department may be urged, by cable telegram, to hasten the shipment of these guns from Woolwich without any delay.
I have, &c.
(Signed) ED. SELBY SMYTH, Lieutenant-General. The Hon. the Minister of Militia and Defence.
[799]
• No. 137.
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