CO885-5 — Page 52

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In reply, I am to request that you will acquaint the Earl of Kimberley that Mr. Secretary Childers will be happy to supply all the information in his power to assist the Royal Commissioners in their inquiry under the heads referred to in their letter, and that the necessary directions will be issued for collecting the information accordingly.

I have, &c.

H. G. DEEDES

(Signed)

No. 71.

43

in his power to assist the Royal Commissioners in their inquiry, and that the necessary directions will be issued for collecting the information accordingly.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

No. 74.

R. H. MEADE,

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, August 31, 1880. WITH reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley

the Secretary of to transmit to you, to be laid before

{the Royal Commission on the Defene er last State fool and Commerce Abroad,} a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong

*

War,

Kong, inclosing a copy of a letter which he has received from Colonel Gordon expressing his opinion with regard to the position of affairs in China, and with respect to the enlistment of Chinese to supplement the regular forces which are maintained for the defence of Hong Kong.

I am to add that these papers have also been communicated to the Foreign Office and the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, the War Office,

and that Lord Kimberley has been informed by a telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong, dated the 31st July, that Colonel Gordon has entered the service of the Govern- ment of China.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 72.

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.

Sir,

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

Admiralty, September 15, 1880. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st July last, and, in reply, to forward you, for the informa- tion of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the inclosed design for consideration of a small steam gun-boat to be built of iron (or stecl), and with the understanding that it can be modified as may be desired in general size or proportions, rig, armament, &c., but that, to enable a fair amount of sail to be carried without ballast, the proportion of beam to draught (exclusive of keel) should not be reduced. What has been aimed at is the pro- duction of the smallest possible ship with a rig and armament efficient for training and for service as a war or police vessel, if required.

2. The vessel as designed will be 100 ft. long between perpendiculars and 19 ft. broad. The draught of water would be 5 ft. 6 in. forward and 6 ft. Gin. aft, and to this should be added about 9 in. of keel, unless local circumstances render this increase of draught undesirable; the total displacement will be about 210 tons. Provision has been made for 8 knots speed, with an indicated horse-power of 140. A brigantine rig is suggested (shown on the picture sketch)* as affording more varied exercise in managing sail.

3. The proposed armament will consist of one 64-pounder revolving gun amidships and two 25-pounder revolving guns at the bow and stern; and as it is supposed this vessel will not be long away from port, arrangements have been made for only 80 rounds of ammunition for each gun, and, for the same reason, only enough of coal stowage for two days' steaming has been reckoned on, though more could be stowed.

4. The permanent complement provided for is thirty.

5. The cost of the vessel as above described is estimated at about 8,0001., for hull, engines, masts, sails, and rigging.

6. An iron vessel is proposed, as the composite system, with iron frames and wood bottom, is heavy and expensive for so small a vessel, and it is supposed the bottom can be kept clean by hogging, docking, or beaching.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

ROBERT HALL.

No. 75.

ས

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

Reference :-

C.O. 885

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

(Confidential.) Šir,

Downing Street, August 31, 1880. WITH reference to the letters from this Department of the 20th and 31st July, I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, for the information of Earl Granville, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong, inclosing copy of a letter which he has received from Colonel Gordon expressing his opinion with regard to the position of affairs in China, and with respect to the enlistment of Chinese to supple- ment the regular forces which are maintained for the defence of Hong Kong.

Copies of these papers have also been communicated confidentially to the War Office and to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.

Sir,

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 73.

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

Downing Street, September 3, 1880. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 7th August,‡ I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, for the information of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a letter from the War Office§ stating that Mr. Secretary Childers will be happy to supply all the information

‡ No. 53.

• No. 67.

+ Not printed.

§ No. 70.

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

Sir,

13, Delahay Street, September 17, 1880.

I AM directed by the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th August,* transmit- ting a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, and a despatch from the Commodore on the Australian Station, referring to a Memorandum furnished by him to the Marquis of Normanby on the marine defence of the Colony of Victoria, and stating that it is proposed to communicate an extract from Commodore Wilson's Report to the Colonial Government. I am desired to state, in reply, that, inasmuch as the general question of Colonial defence is now under the consideration of the Royal Commission, and, so far as it has been examined, the evidence given, as well as the opinion of Sir William Jervois, is not altogether in harmony with the recommendations of the Report, it seems to the Com- mission inexpedient to communicate this Report in whole or part to the Victorian Government.

The Report was originally intended as a confidential document, and it is questionable whether, if communicated to the Government, it would be kept secret.

It opens up questions which cannot be considered satisfactorily without the further information which the Commission have received, and it invites the Victorian Government to separate action, when it is possible that some combined system may be agreed upon.

• Not printed.