CO885-5 — Page 364

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O.

Reference :-

8855 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

The references

are to Admiral

Tyron's Cir-

cular, dated

24th December

1885, to Go- vernors of Colonies.

Paragraph 5 Sub-par. a.

Sub-par. b.

Sub-par. c.

Sub-par. d.

Sub-par..

Sub-par. g

Sub-par. l.

Paragraph 7.

Paragraph 7 (last sub- paragraph).

Paragraph 8.

284

NAVAL DEFences.

Proposals as agreed to.

(a.) That the purely local naval defence force, which has already been created in several Colonies at their own instance, shall remain much on the footing that has been already established.

(b.) That any sea-going vessels that may be provided, equipped, and maintained, should be manned by the Admiralty, and be placed every respect on the same status as are Her Majesty's vessels at present belonging to this station, including the condition that the officers and men should be changed from time to time, so as to secure,

both as to officers and men, that the instruction given in naval establishments at home, and also that the experience gained in the world at large, as now obtained from Her Majesty's Fleet, may be enjoyed by all.

(c.) That the vessels provided should be retained within the limits of the Australasian

seas.

(d.) That no reduction of the forces now on the station shall take place consequent on any addition which may now or hereafter be made to the force.

(f) That an increased number of cadetships shall be given to the Colonies.

(g.) That during a time of peace these vessels should be employed in the same way as are other vessels of war on this station.

(h.) That any arrangement made shall be for a period of years; ten has been suggested.

That the vessels to be provided under this arrangement be—

Five vessels of the "Archer " class, and

Two fast sea-going torpedo vessels.

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NOTE. It is understood that the "Archer is a vessel of 1,630 tons displace- ment, will steam 17 knots, and be armed with six 6-inch B.L.R. guns, and would also carry torpedoes. The recently designed fast torpedo boats have a displacement of 450 tons, steam 19 knots, and would be armed with three four three pdr. tubes for Whitehead torpedoes, with one 4-inch B.L.R. gun, quick-firing, and two machine guns.

That the crews of the vessels be changed every three years.

NOTE. The Admiral estimates that this would involve an annual charge of 3,3001, but he remarks that as probably only some of the "Archer " class vessels need be kept in commission, and the torpedo vessels would probably be kept with reduced crews and be held in reserve, in such case the cost of maintenance would be greatly decreased.

That the several Colonies will continue to arrange for local defence; and that after joint consideration and decision, as to any sea-going vessels of war they may desire to add to the squadron on the station, that such vessels should not be subject to any divided responsibility as to their movements within the Australasian waters, but that they, in common with the squadron on the station, of which indeed they would form a part, should be solely and entirely under one responsible head.

That should it not be the desire of the Colonies to renew the arrangement now made, at the end of the named period (10 years), it should then come to an end, and the vessels become the property of the Imperial Government.

That the vessels agreed upon should be provided, furnished, and manned by the Imperial Government at its cost.

That the Colonies pay all costs of maintenance during the term of the agreement. Maintenance to include such items as are mentioned in paragraph 7, and included ir revised estimate in telegram from Admiralty of 25th April 1886.

The proportional payment by each Colony to be based on population.

A special Appropriation Act to be passed in each Colony to provide for its annual contributiou,

285

ANNUAL COST OF MAINTENance.

Based on Estimate given in Telegram of 25th April 1886, from Admiralty, London,

to Admiral Tryon.

War-footing.

Maintenance expenses

of five vessels of the "Archer" class, at 25,456/. Ditto two torpedo catchers, at 11,0297. Annual cost of triennial change of crews

·

£

127,280

22,058

3,300

152,638

Peace-footing.

£

Maintenance expenses of three " Archers,” at 25,456/. Ditto one torpedo vessel Exchange of crews

76,368 11,029 1,800

89,197

APPORTIONMENT AMONGST COLONIES.

On the Basis of Estimated Population at end of Current Year (estimated by Government Statist).

Colony,

New South Wales Victoria

At 90,000l. Peace-footing.

Population.

At 158,000/. War-footing.

£

£

1,030,000

44,925

26,347

1,030,000

44,925

26,347

Queensland

344,000

15,166

8,792

South Australia

325,000

14,178

8,721

Western Australia

36,000

1,571

Tasmania

134,000

5,848

912 3,417

New Zealand

605,000

26,387

15,464

153,000

90,000

FINANCIAL STATE OF THE CASE AS PROPOSED BY VICTORIA. Contribution by Imperial Government.

To provide in the first instance the vessels referred to in

the Admiral's Memorandum

But as these vessels would belong to the Imperial Government, the real cost would be the loss by deterioration, which, if estimated at 5 per cent., would be

£

£

-

626,000

31,300 per annum.

The contribution by the Colonies.

153,000 per annum. 90,000 per annum. D. GILLIES,

Maintenance on war-footing Ditto on peace-footing

L

Premier.

S. 4