176.
chargeable to local revenues as a portion of the share which will eventually have to be borne by the Colony on account of this service.
I have, &c.
Sir,
(Signed)
No. 181.
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
Colonial Office to War Office and Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
*
Downing Street, March 10, 1880.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the information of the Secretary of State for War [Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad], a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong, inclosing a copy of a correspondence with reference to the advance of 2201. from the Colonial Treasury for the purpose of completing the batteries at that station. I am also to inclose a copy of a despatcht which Sir Michael Hicks Beach has addressed to Governor Hennessy in reply.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
No. 182.
Governor the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks
Beach, Bart-(Received March 19.) (Telegraphic.)
DELEGATE to Defence Commission. Mr. Sargood will be deputed by my Govern- ment to give evidence.
177
officers concerning the importance of Mauritius to the Empire even in time of peace. Of course, that importance would be greatly increased in the event of war with a maritime Power, especially if the electric telegraph is extended to this island, as has been strongly recommended alike on Imperial and on Colonial grounds, and for which object the Legislature of this Colony has already voted an annual subsidy.
4. I would suggest, in conclusion, that this despatch, together with those referred to above, might be referred to the Royal Commission on Colonial Defence.
No. 185.
I have, &c. (Signed) G. F. BOWEN.
The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bartt, to Governor-General the Marquis of
Lorne, K.T.
(General.) My Lord,
UPON the receipt of your despatch No. 360 of the 12th December, reporting the
Downing Street, March 23, 1880, steps proposed to be taken by your Government for rendering available for coast defence some of the smooth-bore guns now in Canada, by converting them on the Palliser principle into 64-pounder rifled guns, I caused copies of it to be transmitted for the information of 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.
I have now the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, copies of a correspondencet with the War Department in regard to an application which I have received from Captain E. Palliser for permission to visit the Arsenal at Woolwich, and procure the necessary drawings of wrought-iron carriages and slides for the guns ordered by your Government.
You will perceive that Captain Palliser has, on my recommendation, been granted the facilities for which he has asked; but I have to request that you will point out to your Ministers that much delay has been occasioned by my not being acquainted with their views and wishes in the matter; and that it will be desirable that if they should on any future occasion employ the services of Captain Palliser, or any other gentleman, to obtain information from Her Majesty's Government, that he should be duly accredited to this Department.
I have, &c.
(Signed) M. E. HICKS BEACH.
Gentlemen,
No. 183.
Colonial Office to Messrs. Siemens Brothers.
Downing Street, March 20, 1880.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, offering your services in connection with any scheme which may be contemplated by Her Majesty's Government for extending telegraphic communication to Bermuda, and I am to inform you that your letter will be borne in mind in the event of Her Majesty's Government taking any action in the matter.
No. 184.
(Signed)
I am, &c.
JOHN BRAMSTON.
Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.- (Received March 23.) (No. 98.) Sir,
Government House, Mauritius, February 24, 1880. IN continuation of my despatches noted§ respecting the naval and military defence of Mauritius, I have the honour to report that Her Majesty's ship "Dragon," Commander Hawkins, R.N., having sustained some damage by touching a reef near the Island of Johanna, in the Mozambique Channel, has been sent by the Admiral commanding on the East India Station to be docked and repaired at Mauritius. The "Dragon" is now in one of the three graving docks at Port Louis.
2. I may take this opportunity of further reporting that during the last four months five of Her Majesty's transports, conveying troops, from South Africa to India, have stopped at Mauritius to procure coal and fresh provisions.
2. These facts alone go far to support the general opinion of naval and military
Inclosures 2, 4 and 5 in No. 126.
* No. 132.
† No. 180.
‡ No. 168.
No. 186.
War Office to Colonial Office.
Surveyor-General's Department, War Office,
March 24, 1880.
Sir,
WITH further reference to your letter of the 24th February‡ on the subject of facilities being afforded to Captain Palliser for obtaining information in the Royal Arsenal with respect to wrought-iron carriages, &c., in connection with ordnance being made in Canada-
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the informa- tion of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that Colonel Stanley fully concurs in Sir Michael Hicks Beach's proposal to send to the Governor-General of Canada copies of the correspondence on the subject in question, and to point out the desirability of keeping Her Majesty's Government fully informed of the action which the Government of the Dominion may take in such matters.
I am at the same time to call attention to a statement in Captain Palliser's letter of the 12th February§ (copy of which was forwarded in your communication above referred to), to the effect that the manufacturers having applied to him for in- formation how to make the projectiles, he had furnished them with copies of the "Treatise on Ammunition," and that consequently the projectiles used would be the same as those made at Woolwich; and I am to observe that as the Treatises and Text Books prepared in the Manufacturing Departments under this Office are only intended for general informar
+ Nos. 105, 123, 138, and 169.
§ No. 124.
* No. 89.
[1093]
↑ No. 138.
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