CO885(3-4) — Page 450

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

mmi muhim C.O. 885

4PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Dock accommoda- tion, &c., in

Australian

Colonies.

Conclusion.

82

98. In connection with the subject of naval defences, I inclose some papers relating to dock accommodation and other appliances for refitting vessels of war at Port Jackson and Port Phillip. I also annex memoranda with reference to docks at Port Adelaide and Brisbane. I need scarcely add that the abundant supplies of coal in New South Wales, combined with the exceptional advantages of the harbour of Port Jackson, render that port an admirable coaling-station for Her Majesty's ships.

39. I will not enter into further details with respect to naval defences. I have not, as yet, been able to discuss these matters with Commodore Wilson, now commanding on the Australian station, but the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty must be in possession of the views of that distinguished officer, and of his able predecessors, on questions relating to naval affairs in this portion of the world.

40. From the foregoing Report, and from the documents which accompany it, it will be seen that, in the construction of works and batteries and the providing of armaments, the Governments of the Australian Colonies are gradually, though slowly, acting upon the recommendations contained in the several Reports which I have had the honour from time to time to submit for their consideration. It will be seen, also, that military forces are maintained with a view to the fulfilment of the local duties of each Colony in the system of defence, and that Victoria has, for some years past, possessed an important naval force.

41. No action, it will be observed, has as yet been taken upon the suggestions which I made respecting the purchase and maintenance, by New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland, of vessels of war for the general defence of harbours otherwise undefended, and for the protection of local commerce. This matter is so intimately connected with the general question of the naval defence of this portion of the British Empire, that it appears to me to be desirable that Her Majesty's Government should suggest the principles which, in their opinion, should guide the Colonies in any future steps they may take with reference thereto. I have, of course, no authority to speak for the Colonies generally, but I may venture to say, as regards the dependency in which I have the honour to represent Her Majesty, that there will be every desire on the part of South Australia to facilitate, as far as in her power, whatever course Her Majesty's Government may propose to adopt.

I have, &c.

1

(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

No. 98.

Governor Major-General Sir W. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.—(Received January 12, 1880.) (Confidential.) Sir,

I HAVE the honour to inform you, with reference to your cypher telegram of the 22nd August, 1879, on the subject of defences of Australian Colonies, that I have received from the Governor of Western Australia, a letter dated the 12th September, 1879, covering an extract from a despatch, Secret and Confidential, addressed to you by him on the 28th August, 1878. The extract is from the beginning of the despatcht to paragraph 21, inclusive, ending with the words "and gold in time of war."

Government House, Adelaide, November 29, 1879.

have

2. In my Report of this date,‡ on the Defences of the Australian Colonies, made some observations respecting King George's Sound, but with this exception, it appears unnecessary that I should offer any remarks on the despatch in question.

I have, &c.

Sir,

(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

Inclosure in No. 98.

Government House, Perth, September 12, 1879. IN obedience to the instructions from the Secretary of State conveyed in your Excel- lency's telegram of the 1st September, I have the honour to forward an extract of a despatch, Secret and Confidential, of the 28th August, 1878, addressed by me to the Secretary of State, which contained the only Report I have made on the defences of this Colony.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

H. ST. GEORGE ORD.

His Excellency Major-General Sir W. D. Jervois, R.E., G.C.M.G.,

&c.

• Not printed.

&c.

&c.

+ No. 347 of " Miscellaneous, No. 35 r.”

✰ No. 97.

83

No. 99.

Governor Major-General Sir W. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B., to the Right Hon. Ser Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.—(Received January 15.)

(Telegraphic.)

MY despatch on defence, paragraph 26: Colonel Scratchley is now visiting New

January 14. Zealand.

No. 100.

The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor-General the Marquis of

Lorne, K.T. (Secret.) My Lord,

h

Downing Street, January 15, 1880.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Secret despatch of the 25th of November last† inclosing a copy of a letter from the Department of Militia and Defence, covering a Report by Lieutenant-Colonel T. Bland Strange, R.A., the officer appointed by the Dominion Government to report on the works of defence of Esquimalt and Victoria.

I have caused a copy of your Lordship's despatch, and of its inclosure, to be sent to the Secretary of State for War, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the

Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.

て

I have, &c.

(Signed) M. E. HICKS BEACH.

No. 101.

The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Hennessy, C.M.G. (Secret and Confidential.)

Sir,

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Secret and Confidential

Downing Street, January 17, 1880. despatch, dated the 8th November last, ‡ suggesting that a small armour-plated turret-ship should be provided for the defence of Hong Kong out of the balances standing to the credit of the Colony in the Treasury chest.

2. I shall refer your despatch to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, who no doubt will give the subject full consideration when they deal with the defence of Hong Kong.

3. You are, however, no doubt aware that the late Colonial Defence Committee recommended in their Report on the Defences of Hong Hong that two gun-boats, each mounting an 18-ton gun, should be provided for the defence of that station at an estimated cost of 26,0001., and, with regard to the surplus balances to which you refer as being at the disposal of the Colony, I would remind you that provision must be made for the water works, as well as for the works mentioned in your despatch, and that your Government is also liable for the Colonial share of the defence works which have already been provided, or which may be contemplated by the Royal Commission.

I have, &c.

Sir,

(Signed) M. E. HICKS BEACH.

No. 102.

Colonial Office to the Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of Britu

Possessions and Commerce Abroad.

Downing Street, January 17. 1880. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Royal Commission on the. Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a despatch‡ from the Governor of Hong Kong, recommending that a small armour-plated turret-ship should be provided for the defence of the Colony. + No. 69.

• No. 97.

No. 85

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