(Confidential.) Šir,
14
No. 11.
Colonial Office to War Office.
Downing Street, August 12, 1879. THE Secretary of State for War is aware that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to appoint a Royal Commission to consider the question of the defence of the most important coaling stations abroad, and of the principal ports and maritime towns in the Colonies, and to advise Her Majesty's Government as to the measures which it may be necessary to take with this view, and also as to the apportionment between this country and the Colonies of the expenditure which may be involved in carrying out the recom mendations of the Commission.
*
I am now desired by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to say that he would be glad to obtain, if Secretary Colonel Stanley has no objection, the services of Captain Herbert Jekyll, R.E., as Secretary to the Commission.
Captain Jekyll, as Colonel Stanley is aware, has acted as Secretary to the Depart- mental Committee which was appointed by Her Majesty's Government early in 1878, to advise as to the temporary measures which were necessary for the defence of the Colonies in the then existing state of apprehension of this country being involved in war, and Sir Michael Hicks Beach thinks that the experience which Captain Jekyll has thus acquired as to the wants of the Colonies could not fail to be of great value to the Royal Com- mission.
I am, &c.
(Confidential.) Šir,
(Signed)
No. 12.
War Office to Colonial Office.
R. H. MEADE.
War Office, August 14, 1879. WITH reference to your letter of the 19th ultimo,* on the subject of the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria, &c., I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that Colonel Lovell's instructions include the consideration of all that is necessary for the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria, as well as of Nanaimo, both as to works and garrisons.
(Confidential.) Sir,
I have, &c. (Signed)
RALPH THOMPSON,
No. 13.
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office, August 18, 1879.
IN reply to your letter of the 12th instant,† 1 am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that, with the concurrence of His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding-in- chief, Colonel Stanley has no objection to the employment of Captain Herbert Jekyll, R.E., as Secretary to the proposed Royal Commission to consider the question of the defence of the most important coaling stations abroad, and of the principal ports and maritime towns in the Colonies.
No. 14.
I have, &c.
(Signed) RALPH THOMPSON,
15
In reply, I am to request that you will state to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury that Sir Michael Hicks Beach will, with the view of meeting their Lordships' views, give instructions that the Colony shall at once provide the 2,7007., which can be looked upon as a contribution from Colonial funds towards the cost of the works, and which will be adjusted when the final apportionment is made. If the amount in question has been actually paid by the War Office by remitting funds for the purpose, the Crown Agents will be instructed to repay the 2,7001. to the War Office on receiving a receivable order. If, however, as probably is the case, the sum in question merely means the dis- bursement of a certain amount of dollars for which no remittance has yet been made, the Colonial Government will be desired to supply the Commanding Royal Engineer with the requisite amount.
1 am, &c.
No. 15.
(Signed) R. H. MEADE.
Memorandum by Lord Carnarvon.
ON the 14th August, at an informal and private meeting, the Commissioners had the opportunity of perusing the draft of the Commission which is about to be issued, and under which it will be their duty to act.
They think it right to draw the attention of Sir Michael Hicks Beach privately, to a few points which seem to deserve consideration.
1. They understand it to be the intention of the Secretary of State that the con- sideration of the defence of seaports and naval stations in India, and' its dependencies, should not be undertaken by them, and they would suggest, for the consideration of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that the terms of the Commission should expressly exclude those defences.
2. They observe that the terms of the Commission authorize and require them to inquire into the defences of Colonies having responsible Governments, and though aware
of the importance of in no way interfering with the independent action which some of the most important of these Colonies are now taking, they understand that the whole question is before them for consideration.
3. They understand that, looking to the very important and secret nature of much that will arise in the course of this inquiry, they have power to send in Reports of an exclusively confidential nature for the use of the Cabinet alone, independent of any other Report they may make with a view to Parliamentary publication.
4. They think it important that the present precise state of the works in Australia and New Zealand should be ascertained at the earliest date, and would suggest to Sir Michael Hicks Beach whether steps should not be taken so as to have the informatica before them, if possible, by the beginning of October.
August 18, 1879.
No. 16.
C.
The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart., to the Governor of South Australia. (Telegraphic.)
Downing Street, August 22, 1879.
VILL you request all the Governors of Australasian Colonies to be so good as to send me a detailed Report through you on the existing state of the defences, and the course which is contemplated for their completion, and also to forward a dozen copies of every print, whether old or new.
I should be glad to have your Report on all of them.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Colonial Office to Treasury.
Downing Street, August 18, 1879.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of the 17th ultimo, respecting the proposed further expenditure of 2,7001. upon the works of defence at Singapore.
• No. 7.
+ No. 11.
‡ No. 5.
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