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McCallum through the Colonial Secretary for such things as he may require to carry on his work; for example, a steam-launch, plans, stationery, &c.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

G. W. DONOVAN, Major-General,

Commanding in China and Straits Settlements.

His Excellency Sir William C. F. Robinson, K.C.M.G.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

Sir,

Inclosure 2 in No. 243.

Government House, Singapore, May 29, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th instant, informing me that the Imperial Government having authorized an expenditure of 17,600l. upon works of defence for Singapore, Lieutenant McCallum, Royal Engineers, has been appointed to execute the work, and, in reply, to inform you that I shall be happy to assist Lieutenant McCallum in the manner you request in carrying out the duty which has been entrusted to him.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.

Major-General Donovan,

&c.

&c.

&c.

Sir,

Inclosure 3 in No. 243.

Government House, Singapore, May 28, 1878. WITH reference to our conversation of yesterday, at which you were so good as to acquaint me with the nature of the steps which you propose to take for the defences of Singapore and for placing in position the guns which Her Majesty's Government are now sending out, I shall be obliged if you will advise me whether, in your opinion, it would be desirable that I should continue to carry out the measures for the provisional defence of this place, which, as you are aware from the correspondence which I sent to you to Penang, I initiated some weeks ago, or whether in view of the circumstance that, the only guns at present available are 68-pounders, and that the arrangement now being made by the Colony for setting them up will be of no ultimate use when the guns which you are expecting arrive, it would not be better to abandon those measures at once than to spend any more money on works which will be of little immediate use and of no value hereafter in connection with permanent defences.

I have this morning telegraphed to the Secretary of State to inquire when the new guns are likely to arrive, but I am afraid I can hardly expect to receive an answer before Friday.

I shall also be obliged if you will advise me what steps, if any, it would be proper for the Colony to take, under the authority of the Secretary of State's Circular of the 20th March, for the defence of the Island of Penang, which is not, I understand, included in the instructions with which you have been furnished from the War Office, but where there are several banking establishments and generally a supply of coal for the use of passing steamers.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.

Major-General Donovan,

&c.

&c.

&c.

Inclosure 4 in No. 243.

Singapore, May 29, 1878.

AT a Meeting of the Defence Committee, held at Government House this day;

Present:

Hon. Colonel Dickins, 28th Regiment, Commandant ;

Hon. Major McNair, R.A., Colonial Engineer, Straits Settlements.

CAPTAIN HOTHAM, R.N., having proceeded on duty to Hong Kong,

His Excellency the Governor informed the Committee of the measures ordered by the Imperial Government to be taken for the defence of Singapore, and asked their advice as

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