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I am also to inclose, for the information of the Royal Commissioners, a copy of a despatch* which Sir Michael Hicks Beach has addressed to Governor Hennessy in reply.

1 am, &c.

(Signed)

ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.

85

necessary assistance to the Governor in the formation of the Committee, in case it has not yet been constituted.

I am further to suggest that, as it is important in this matter to lose no time, the War Office should be moved to telegraph at once to the General to this effect.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

H. JEKYLL.

,

No. 103.

Colonial Office to the Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad,

Sir,

Downing Street, January 19, 1880. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the -information of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a lettert from Mr. Napier Broome, Colonial Secretary of. Mauritius, stating his desire to give certain evidence before the Royal Commission.

Sir,

I am, &c. (Signed) R. H. MEADE.

No. 104.

Colonial Office to F. Napier Broome, Esq.

Downing Street, January 19, 1880.

I AM directed by the Secretary for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant,† and to inform you that a copy of it has been transmitted to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.

With regard to your desire to obtain information on the subject of the South African telegraph, I'am to state that if you will call at this Office the papers on the subject will be placed at your disposal.

&c.

Sir,

I am,

(Signed)

No. 105.

Colonial Office to War Office.

R. H. MEADE.

Downing Street, January 19, 1880. WITH reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of Secretary Colonel Stanley, a copy of a letter from Captain Edward Palliser, requesting permission to visit the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, and to procure the necessary drawings of wrought iron carriages and slides for the guns ordered by the Canadian Government.

No. 107.

Governor Hennessy, C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.- (Received January 22, 1880.)

(Secret and Confidential.)

Sir,

Government House, Hong Kong, December 16, 1879. WITH reference to my despatch of the 22nd ultimo, I have the honour to report that having consulted General Donovan, and with his sanction, I appointed Commissary General Moore Secretary to the Local Committee on Auxiliary Forces.

2. I inclose for your information a copy of some questions the Chairman of the Committee sent to me and (I understand) to about a dozen military officers; together with a copy of my reply.

3. I did not feel justified at this stage of the inquiry in venturing to discuss in detail the strength of the garrison that would be needed to provide an effective defence for Hong Kong in time of war. I confined myself to indicating generally the scheme of defence thought necessary, and expressing the opinion that it would require a considerable increase in the present garrison.

4. Though by no means competent to form any definite opinion on the question at this moment, yet if pressed to do so I should be disposed to say that, including auxiliary forces, the present garrison ought to be increased five-fold, to provide an adequate defence for Hong Kong in such a contingency as a war in which China and a European Power might be united against us.

I have, &c. (Signed)

Inclosure in No. 107.

J. POPE HENNESSY.

Questions addressed to his Excellency the Governor and the principal Military Officers of the Hong Kong Garrison by the Local Confidential Committee on Auxiliary Forces. ON the assumption that the artillery defence of Hong Kong will soon be about as follows, viz :-

North Point Kowloon, East

Kowloon, Weat

Kellet's Island

Belcher

Green Island

Stone Cutter's Island

Guns.

4 5

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 106.

The Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad to Colonial Office.

Sir,

13, Delahay Street, Westminster, January 20, 1880. WITH reference to your letter of the 31st December, 1879,§ I am directed by the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, to inform you that it would appear that concurrent instructions were not sent to the General Officer commanding at the Cape at the same time that the despatch of the 22nd October|| was addressed to the Governor, desiring him to take measures for the formation of a local Committee to consider the defences of the Table Mountain Peninsula.

The Commission think it desirable that the War Office should be requested to send instructions without delay, with a view to the General Officer commanding rendering all

|| No. 46.

• No. 101.·

+ No. 92.

‡ No. 89.

§ Not printed.

Total..

.. 26

Please state, as far as you can, what you consider should be the strength of the garrison:

Engineers

:::

:::::

Peace.

War.

Infantry Artillery

Volunteers

Auxiliaries, local

Carriers or transport—

European Native

2. Kindly make any explanatory remarks on the above subject that may occur to

you.

[1093]

• No. 84.

2 A

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

4

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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