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26
already stated what is being done by this Colony as regards the provision of land defences and it will no doubt be admitted that it would not be possible to extend such a system of protection to the numerous ports along a coast measuring 800 nautical miles in extent. Even supposing it practicable to adopt such a system of defence for the ports themselves, fixed batteries and submarine mines would not avail for the protection of vessels at sea engaged in commerce, in which, as I have before pointed out, in my memorandum dated the 16th April last on the naval defences of Australia, Great Britain is largely interested.
5. I submit that such a man-of-war as I have referred to in my Report of the 4th December last on the defences of South Australia is an essential element for the pro- tection of that commerce, and I have no doubt but that if Her Majesty's Government see fit to provide half the cost of the vessel with her armament, the Legislature of this Colony will vote the other half, and will bear the permanent expense of manning and maintaining her.
6. From inquiries I made whilst in England I believe the vessel with her armament would cost about 130,0007, so that the contribution of the Imperial Government would be about 65,000. I trust that, when all the circumstances of the case are considered, Her Majesty's Government will approve of this contribution being made from Imperial funds for the naval defence of this portion of Australia.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., M.P.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
No. 26.
27
No. 28.
Colonial Office to the President of the Royal Defence Commission.
Downing Street, September 20, 1879.
(Secret.) My Lord,
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to your Lord- ship, for the information of the Royal Defence Commission, a copy of a despatch from the Officer administering the Government of the Straits Settlements, inclosing a copy of the Report of Lieutenant McCallum, R.E., on the military defences which have been con- structed at Singapore under the superintendence of that officer, together with a copy of the despatch which Sir Michael Hicks Beach has addressed to Lieutenant-Governor Anson in reply.*
I am, &c.
(Signed)
No. 29.
R. H. MEADE.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart. (Secret and Confidential.)
Highclere Castle, Newbury, September 22, 1879.
Sir,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Secret and Confidential letter of the 13th instant,† inclosing the Queen's Commission appointing me 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 inform you that no time shall be lost in carrying into effect Her Majesty's commands.
I will cause an estimate of the expenses likely to be incurred by the Royal Commis- sioners to be prepared and laid before you at an early date.
Colonial Office to the President of the Royal Defence Commission.
(Secret and Confidential.) My Lord,
Downing Street, September 20, 1879. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to your Lord- ship, for the consideration of the Royal Defence Commission, a copy of the accompanying correspondence between this Department and the War Office with reference to the proposal of that Department for the appointment of a local Committee at the Cape of Good Hope to consider and report on the permanent defences of that Colony.
2. Sir Michael Hicks Beach has deferred communicating with Sir Bartle Frere in order that he might refer the correspondence to your Lordship for the Report of the Royal Commission on the subject.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
No. 27.
R. H. MEADE.
No. 30.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
CARNARVON.
Colonial Office to the President of the Royal Defence Commission.
Downing Street, September 23, 1879.
(Secret.) My Lord,
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to your Lord- ship, for the consideration of the Royal Defence Commission, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Western Australia respecting the defence of that Colony, and submitting observations with regard to the defence of the Australasian Colonies generally. I am also to inclose a copy of a further despatch from Sir H. St. George Ord on the subject, together with a copy of the other correspondence noted.§
I
am, &c.
R. H. MEADE.
The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart., to Lieutenant-Governor Anson, C.M.G.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, September 20, 1879.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 242 of the 22nd July last, inclosing a copy of the Report of Lieutenant McCallum, R.E., on the military defences which have been constructed under his superintendence at Singapore.
2. I have read with much satisfaction your testimony of the energy and ability shown by Lieutenant McCallum in carrying out these works, and a copy of your despatch, and its inclosure, will be laid before the Royal Commission about to be appointed to inquire into the state of the defences of the Colonies, for their information.
3. As it is very desirable that all correspondence relating to the defences of the Colonies should, as far as possible, be kept secret, I have to request that you will cause your despatch, which was numbered, to be removed from the public records of the Colony, And that you will take care that any future correspondence on the subject may be marked "Secret and Confidential."
I am, &c. (Signed)
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
• War Office, April 18; and Nos. 19 and 39 of "Miscellaneous No. 88," to War Office, June 30; and No. 9.
↑ No. 18.
Sir,
(Signed)
No. 31.
Colonial Office to Captain J. C. R. Colomb.
Downing Street, September 25, 1879.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, requesting that your name may be added to the Royal Commission on Colonial Defence, which has recently been appointed, and submitting a memorandum of your services in support of your application; and, in reply, I am to acquaint you that the Commission has been completed, and it is not thought desirable to enlarge it; but Sir Michael Hicks Beach is well aware of the attention which you have given to the question, and will have much pleasure in suggesting to the Commissioners that you would probably be able to afford them valuable information in their consideration of it.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE,
* Nos. 18 and 27.
+ No. 22.
No. 347 of "Miscellaneous No. 33 E." No. 13 of Miscellaneous No. 38," and Nos. 17 and 19 of this Paper.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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