CO885(3-4) — Page 419

23

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

4

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

The chief public endeavour of his life has been to influence home and colonial public opinion and naval and military thought to see the necessity for a Commission of Inquiry by persistently pointing out those broader principles of Imperial defence which, though now becoming popular and in some degree understood, were before lost sight of in the confusion of naval and military views and popular apathy respecting colonial developments. He feels the real strength of his claim to the favourable consideration of his desire rests on grounds other than personal, and in conclusion ventures to submit-

A. That any public service he might render to the Commission as a witness would be small indeed compared with the possible aid his varied practical experience and line of thought might be as a member of the Commission in suggesting modes of regarding, from different points of view, the various naval and military facts laid before the Commission from time to time, Witnesses may produce facts, and much more reliable sources of information than he could give will be at the disposal of the Commission, but the real difficulty may be to estimate facts of a technical character at their true relative value.

B. As he sees that upon another Royal Commission gentlemen in the position of tenant farmers sit, he thinks it no presumption on his part to think his appointment to the Commission could not be objected to on account of the subordinate rank he held when in Her Majesty's service.

C. As he has long ago retired from the public service except as a magistrate, he has no professional object to gain, and points to his writings to prove he is entirely free from professional prejudices.

38, Clarges Street.

(Secret.) Sir,

No. 21.

Colonial Office to War Office.*

Downing Street, September 13, 1879.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a Commissiont which the Queen has been pleased to issue under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, appointing the Right Honourable the Earl of Carnarvon and the gentlemen named therein to be Commissioners to inquire into the state of the defences of the more important colonial ports and coaling stations, and to consider the apportionment of the cost of such defences; and appointing Captain Herbert Jekyll, R.E., to be Secretary to the Commission.

am, &c.

I

(Signed)

No. 22.

R. H. MEADE.

The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart., to the Earl of Carnarvon. (Secret.) My Lord,

Downing Street, September 13, 1879.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the Queen's Commission appointing your Lordship and the gentlemen named therein to be, Commissioners to inquire into the state of the defences of the more important colonial ports and coaling stations, and to consider the apportionment of the cost of such defences; and appointing Captain Herbert Jekyll, R.E., to be Secretary to the Commission.

2. I also inclose twelve printed copies of the Commission.

3. I have to request that your Lordship will be good enough to cause the necessary steps to be taken for carrying into effect Her Majesty's commands contained in the inclosed Commission.

4. I have also to request that your Lordship will cause me to be furnished with an estimate of any expenses which may be likely to be incurred by the Commission for transmission to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury before the 31st October

I have, &c. (Signed)

next.

• Also to Admiralty.

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

+ Inclosure in No. 22.

بر

Inclosure in No. 22.

Commission appointing the Right Honourable the Earl of Carnarvon and others to be Commissioners to inquire into the State of the Defences, &c., of the Colonies.

(Published in the "London Gazette" of the 12th September, 1879.) Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, to Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousin and Councillor Henry Howard Molyneux, Earl of Carnarvon; Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Councillor Hugh: Culling Eardley Childers; Our Trusty and Well- beloved Sir Henry Thurstan Holland, Baronet, Knight Commander of Our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George; Our Trusty and Well- beloved Sir Alexander Milne, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Admiral in Our Navy; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, General in Our Army, Inspector-General of Fortifications and Director of Works; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Henry Barkly, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath; Our Trusty and Well- beloved Thomas Brassey, Esquire; and our Trusty and Well-beloved Robert George Crookshank Hamilton, Esquire, Accountant-General of Our Navy and Comptroller of Navy Pay;

WHEREAS We have thought it expedient, for divers good causes and considera- tions, that a Commission should forthwith issue to inquire into the condition and sufficiency of the means, both naval and military, provided for the defence of the more important sea-ports within Our Colonial possessions and their dependencies, and of the stations established or required within Our said possessions and dependencies for coaling, refitting, or repairing the ships of Our navy, and for the protection of the commerce of Our Colonies with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with each other, and with foreign countries:

And whereas it is expedient to consider and determine in which of Our stations and ports it is desirable, on account of their strategical or commercial importance, to provide an organized system of defence, in addition to such general protection as can be afforded by Our naval forces; and whether such defence should consist of permanent works manned by garrisons of Imperial or local troops, or both combined, or of any local naval organization or other armaments and appliances:

And whereas it is desirable to consider whether, and in what proportions, the cost of such measures of defence should be divided between the Imperial Government and the Colonies to which they relate, or should be wholly defrayed by the Imperial Government or by the Colonies:

Now know ye that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your zeal, knowledge, and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint you, the said Henry Howard Molyneux, Earl of Carnarvon; Hugh Culling Eardley Childers; Sir Henry Thurstan Holland; Sir Alexander Milne; Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons; Sir Henry Barkly; Thomas Brassey; and Robert George Crookshank Hamilton, to be our Commissioners for the purpose of such inquiries as aforesaid, and that you may offer such suggestions as may seem to you meet as to the best means (regard being had to the works completed and in progress, and to the ordinary number of Our naval and military forces voted by Parliament), of providing for the defence and protection of Our Colonial Possessions and commerce as aforesaid, special attention being given to the necessity of providing safe coaling, refitting, and repairing stations in such of Our Colonial possessions and their dependencies as you may deem best suited for the requirements of Our fleet and mercantile marine in time of war.

We do

And for the better enabling you to carry these Our intentions into effect, Wed hereby authorize and empower you, or any three or more of you, to call for, have access to, and examine, all glans and designs for all works of defence now in progress or under Our consideration, or any other plans or designs that may be laid before you for the same object.

full

And We do give and grant to you, or any three or more of you, power and authority to call before you such persons in Our civil, military, or naval services, or others connected with Our Colonial Possessions, as you shall judge likely to afford you the best and fullest information upon the subject of this Our Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever.

[1093]

H