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Answer of Governor Pope Hennessy.

As this is one of the points on which I shall have to write to Sir Michael Hicks Beach, after I have had an opportunity of considering the Report of the Committee and the views of his Excellency the General on the report, it would be perhaps somewhat premature for me to deal with it at this stage of the inquiry; but I may at once say that I cannot entirely admit the assumption that the twenty-six guns in the positions enumerated will be the permanent artillery defence of this Colony.

Some points of importance appear to be omitted: for instance, the defence of British Kowloon from a shore attack, such a defence as might be rendered necessary in the event of a war in which China and a European Power, or China alone, might be against us. Again, the scheme omits all reference to the defence of the dock at Aberdeen, the reservoir at Pokfoolum, and the hill passes of the island.

To make this Colony what I think it should be made, the chief British stronghold in the East, and to provide an effective defence in time of war, the total strength of the garrison, including the regular troops and auxiliary forces of all kinds, must no doubt be considerably increased, and we must endeavour to do this without counting on any addition to the number of Her Majesty's white troops now in Hong Kong.

December 16, 1879.

(Signed) J. POPE HENNESSY.

No. 108.

Colonial Office to War Office.

Sir,

Downing Street, January 22, 1880. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 31st December last, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for War, a copy of a letter from the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, respecting the telegraphic corre- spondence which has passed between the Governor of the Cape and Sir Garnet Wolseley, respecting the formation of a local Committee to consider the defences of the Table Mountain Peninsula, and I am to request that you will move Colonel Stanley to send instructions by telegraph to the General Officer commanding the troops in South Africa to render all necessary assistance to the Governor of the Cape in the formation of the Committee if it has not yet been constituted.

I am to express Sir M. Hicks Beach's regret that through an inadvertence the War Office was not informed of the action which was taken upon your letter of the 2nd August, and I am now to inclose, for Colonel Stanley's information, a copy of a letter in which the correspondence up to that date was communicated to the Defence Commission, together with copy of the reply§ of the Commission, and of the despatch which was addressed to the Governor of the Cape on the subject on the 22nd October last. ||

I am, &c.

87

on the subject of Mr. Huggins' suggestions, and I am to state that the Governor's Report will be forwarded to the Royal Commissioners as soon as it is received.

No. 110.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

JOHN BRAMSTON.

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

Sir,

Downing Street, January 26, 1880. IN a letter dated the 26th November last addressed to this Departinent Mr. Hastings C. Huggins offered to give evidence before the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, respecting the defence of British Guiana. The Royal Commissioners to whom the letter of Mr. Huggins was referred replied stating that they would be happy to consider any suggestions which Mr. Huggins' long experience of the Colony might enable him to offer if he would have the goodness to put them in writing, and that the Commissioners would then be in a position to decide whether it would be desirable to call Mr. Huggins as a witness.

2. I have now the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter from Mr. Huggins, submitting his observations and suggesting that the inhabitants of Portuguese descent in British Guiana should be called upon to assist in the defence of the Colony in person.

3. You are aware that under the Treaty between this country and Portugal of the 3rd July, 1842, Portuguese subjects are exempt from compulsory military service in any part of Her Majesty's dominions, but there is nothing, so far as I am aware, to prevent them from serving in the militia (of the Colony, if, as Mr. Huggins supposes, they are ready and willing to do so.

4. I have to request that you will furnish me, at your earliest convenience, with any observations which you may have to offer on Mr. Huggins' letter, and I should wish you to consider at the same time whether, having regard to the position which the Portuguese have obtained in the Colony, and the fact that resident aliens would appear to enjoy almost all the privileges of British subjects, some change is not desirable in the law, with the view either of promoting the naturalization of aliens who may make the Colony their permanent home, or of making it their interest to forego their Treaty privilege of exemption from military service in its defence.

5. A copy of Mr. Huggins' letter and of this despatch has been transmitted to the Royal Defence Commission, to whom your Report, when received, will also be com- municated.

I have, &c. (Signed)

No. 111.

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

Sir,

No. 109.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

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

کجو

Downing Street, January 26, 1880. WITH reference to your letter of the 23rd December, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, the accompanying copy of a letter** from Mr. Hastings C. Huggins submitting his observations respecting the defence of British Guiana, together with a copy of a lettert+ which has been addressed to him acknow- ledging the receipt of his cornmunication. I am also to transmit to you a copy of a despatch‡‡ which Sir Michael Hicks Beach has addressed to the Governor of British Guiana

Nos. 26 and 34. || No. 46.

* Not printed.

+ No. 106.

# No. 9.

¶ No. 79.

* No. 88.

++ No. 111.

No. 110.

Sir,

Colonial Office to Hastings C. Huggins, Esq.

Downing Street, January 26, 1880.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant,t submitting your views respecting the defence of British Guiana, and I am to inform you that a copy of your letter has been transmitted to the Royal Commission on

the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.

I am to inform you that Portuguese subjects are at present exempted by Treaty from compulsory military service in any part of Her Majesty's dominions, but so far as Sir Michael Hicks Beach is aware there appears to be no legal hindrance to their serving in the Georgetown militia if they do not claim exemption.

I am, &c.

ر

• No. 63.

(Signed)

JOHN BRAMSTON.

+ No. 88.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PILTICO. 885

4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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