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No. 4.

Governor the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received May 13.)

(No. 34.) Sir,

Government House, Melbourne, April 1, 1880. I HAVE the honour to inclose a copy of a memorandum which I have received from my Government, and of which I have approved, appointing the Honourable Major Sargood to represent this Colony before the Imperial Defence Commission, holding its sittings in England.

Inclosure in No. 4.

I have, &c. (Signed)

NORMANBY.

Memorandum for his Excellency the Governor.

WITH reference to his Excellency's memorandum of the 6th instant, Mr. Service has the honour to submit, for his Excellency's approval, the appointment of the Honourable Major Sargood, Volunteer Artillery, as the Delegate of the Government of Victoria to give evidence as representing the Colony before the Imperial Defence Commission holding its sittings in England, and to request that the Right Honourable the Secretary of State may be informed of Major Sargood's appointment accordingly.

JAMES SERVICE, Premier.

Approved.

(Signed) April 1, 1880.

NORMANBY.

(Signed)

No. 5.

Governor the Right Hon. Lord A. Loftus, G.C.B., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received May 13.)

PARAPHRASE of a recorder of a telegram reported to have been sent from New South Wales, March 16, 1880. (Recorder received in General Department, May 11):-

"Delegate to Defence Commission.

"March 16, 1880. "This Government will probably charge Acting Agent-General with this duty. What has Victoria decided in regard to matter?

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3. I have already suggested that the proposed rifle company should be formed in connection with the existing Mauritius Rifle Association, the members of which are all of European, almost entirely of English birth or descent, and connected with the Civil Service, and with the professional, mercantile, and planting communities. I have lately attended the periodical meetings for practice of the Rifle Association, and I find that it contains many excellent marksinen. It will be recollected that the Major-General commanding and the other military authorities agree with the Executive Council in believing that a volunteer company formed chiefly of the members of this Association would be a valuable addition in case of need to our present weak garrison of less than 400 officers and men of all arms.

4. Moreover, I have already pointed out that, in the Colonies as in England, there are undoubtedly practical advantages in the volunteer system, in addition to the primary object of defence against foreign aggression, for that system fosters a general spirit of loyalty and patriotism, as well as of mutual good-feeling and comradeship among men of different religious creeds, political parties, and social classes.

5. Again, Mauritius appears to be the only British Colony of importance in which no volunteer corps has as yet been formed. Such corps have existed for some years past, not only in the great Anglo-Saxon Colonies of Australasia and of North America, but also in the mixed community of South Africa; in several of the Crown Colonies, such as Singapore, British Guiana, and Trinidad; and in several even of the smaller West Indian Islands, such as Antigua, Tobago, and St. Christopher.

6. Under these circumstances, I beg once more to recommend that I be authorized to accept the services of the proposed company of rifle volunteers of Mauritius, and to take the necessary measures for its organization on the conditions submitted in my despatch No. 431 of 1879.*

No. 7.

I have, &c. (Signed)

G. F. BOWEN.

Sir A. E. Kennedy, K.C.M.G., C.B., to Colonial Office.

Colonial

My Lord,

Junior United Service Club, Charles Street, May 20, 1880. I HAVE the honour to inclose a copy of a telegram received from the Secretary of Queensland, and to request your Lordship's instructions thereon.

I have, &c. (Signed) A. E. KENNEDY.

Inclosure in No. 7.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

19 TLCO 885

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NÓT TO

No. 6.

Governor Sir G. Bowen, G. C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart,— (Received May 14.)

(No. 157.) Sir,

Government House, Mauritius, March 31, 1880.

I HAD the honour to receive by the last mail your despatch, marked General, of the 14th February ultimo,* informing me that my despatch No. 431 of the 19th December ultimo,† respecting the proposed formation of a company of rifle volunteers at Mauritius, had been referred for the consideration of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, together with my other despatches respecting the defences of this island.

2. In my despatch No. 431 of 1879,† I reported that about 100 gentlemen, for the most part belonging to the Civil Service of this Colony, had applied to be incorporated as a volunteer rifle company, and that I had informed them that I was unable to accept their services without your previous sanction. This application has recently been renewed, and I recommend that I be authorized to grant it, with the limitations and on the conditions stated in my last-mentioned despatch. I fear that, if a favourable reply be not ere long received from you, the applicants may feel discouraged, and the present public-spirited movement may die out.

• No. 128 of " Miscellaneous No. 39."

Inclosure 4 in No. 126 of "Miscellaneous No. 39,"

Telegram for Governor Kennedy.

April 21, 1880.

OUR agreement to be represented by Sir William Jervois is off. Other Colonies deciding to be separately represented. Will you represent us before Defence Commission!

Leiter posted. All well.

PALMER,

Sir,

No. 8.

(Signed)

Colonial Secretary of Queensland.

Colonial Office to General Post Office.

Downing Street, May 21, 1880.

I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you a copy of a despatch from the Governor of New South Wales,† transmitting a copy of a cypher telegram which his Lordship addressed to the Secretary of State on the 16th March,‡ and I am to request that you state to the Postmaster-General that the telegram in question does not appear to have been received at the Colonial Office, and that Lord Kimberley will be glad if Mr. Fawcett

• Inclosure 4 in No. 126 of " Miscellaneous No. 39."

[508]

+ Not printed.

‡ No. 5. C

•

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have already suggested that the proposed rifle company should be formed in n with the existing Mauritius Rifle Association, the members of which are all of almost entirely of English birth or descent, and connected with the Civil nd with the professional, mercantile, and planting communities. I have lately the periodical meetings for practice of the Rifle Association, and I find that it many excellent marksmen. It will be recollected that the Major-General ing and the other military authorities agree with the Executive Council in that a volunteer company formed chiefly of the members of this Association a valuable addition in case of need to our present weak garrison of less than 400 d men of all arms.

oreover, I have already pointed out that, in the Colonies as in England, there are lly practical advantages in the volunteer system, in addition to the primary defence against foreign aggression, for that system fosters a general spirit of d patriotism, as well as of mutual good-feeling and comradeship among men of eligious creeds, political parties, and social classes.

gain, Mauritius appears to be the only British Colony of importance in which no corps has as yet been formed. Such corps have existed for some years past, 1 the great Anglo-Saxon Colonies of Australasia and of North America, but also ted community of South Africa; in several of the Crown Colonies, such as British Guiana, and Trinidad; and in several even of the smaller West Indian ch as Antigua, Tobago, and St. Christopher.

ider these circumstances, I beg once more to recommend that I be authorized he services of the proposed company of rifle volunteers of Mauritius, and to cessary measures for its organization on the conditions submitted in my despatch 1879.*

I have, &c.

(Signed)

G. F. BOWEN.

No. 7.

Sir A. E. Kennedy, K.C.M.G., C.B., to Colonial Office.

Junior United Service Club, Charles Street, May 20, 1880.

VE the honour to inclose a copy of a telegram received from the Colonial f Queensland, and to request your Lordship's instructions thereon.

I have, &c. (Signed)

A. E. KENNEDY,

Inclosure in No. 7.

Telegram for Governor Kennedy.

April 21, 1880.

agreement to be represented by Sir William Jervois is off. Other Colonies

be separately represented. Will you represent us before Defence Commission ? posted. All well.

(Signed)

PALMER, Colonial Secretary of Queensland.

No. 8.

Colonial Office to General Post Office.

Downing Street, May 21, 1880.

irected by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you a copy of a despatch from r of New South Wales,† transmitting a copy of a cypher telegram which his Iressed to the Secretary of State on the 16th March,‡ and I am to request that the Postmaster-General that the telegram in question does not appear to have d at the Colonial Office, and that Lord Kimberley will be glad if Mr. Fawcett re 4 in No. 126 of " Miscellaneous No. 39."

+ Not printed.

+ No. 5. C

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

C.O. 885/

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