CO885-(2-3) — Page 515

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.885

Reference :-

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

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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It appears to me, however, open to reconsidera-

tion, whether, instead of removing the whole of the British Troops in 1872, in the event of the Colony failing to contribute to the extent proposed by Lord Carnarvon, the Naval Station at Simon's Bay must not be regarded as a position which Imperial interests require us to maintain, and whether, therefore, it will not be necessary to calculate on the continued presence there of one Regiment at Imperial cost.

In the West Indies, I should hope that a con- siderable reduction in the expense of the force now maintained may be found practicable, and that it

will not be necessary to keep up more than one Command in those Islands; and I would suggest, for your Lordship's consideration, that such reduc- tion may be effected with a view to the Estimates of the coming year.

I would also bring under your Lordship's atten- tion the question of the contemplated establish- ment of the wing of an European Regiment at

Galle, on which subject I should be glad to be furnished with an early expression of your Lord- ship's views.

For my own part, I am not aware of any Imperial interests which would justify this increase of the force so recently settled for Ceylou, upon a full and most careful consideration between this Department and the Colonial Office, and inquiry by Commissioners upon the spot.

The measure involves, moreover, as I am in- formed, a very large expenditure upon barracks, and otherwise, at Galle. I earnestly hope that your Lordship will be disposed to concur with me

in thinking that this arrangement may be recon- sidered.

A letter has been recently received from the Colonial Office, containing fresh proposals from Sir Harry Ord, having for their object the formation of an irregular Force, which would supersede the necessity for the maintenance of a Madras Regi- ment at the Straits Settlements.

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As I understand him, this force is considered

by the Governor to be less costly, and it would be stronger in point of numbers, than the Madras Regiment, and better suited, therefore, for the special requirements of the Settlements.

I trust that the War Department may be relieved from the necessity of keeping a Madras Regiment at that Station.

I also think that instead of dividing a Regiment between Galle and Singapore, as at present in- tended, one European Regiment might be divided between Hong Kong and Singapore.

I should hope that half a European Regiment

in addition to the Regiment of Native Infantry, and battery and a half of Artillery, would suffice for Hong Kong, and this arrangement would set free a whole Regiment from the three last- mentioned Stations. Having regard to the de- ficiency of barrack accommodation, with the great cost incurred for lodging money at Hong Kong, and the insalubrity of the climate, I attach great importance to the diminution of the European force at that station.

It must be borne in mind that a whole Regi- ment is maintained in Japan, which, together with the wing at Singapore, would be available in case of emergency for temporary service at Hong Kong.

With regard to the Australian Colonies, I find that in 1863 it was arranged by this Department, in consultation with the Field-Marshal Commanding- in-Chief (the Secretary of State for the Colonies having in the previous year suggested much dimi- nished numbers), that the force to be allotted to cach of these Colonies should be as follows :—

New South Wales

+ Companies,

Victoria

5

do.

Tasmania

3

do.

South Australia

2

do.

Queensland

1 do.