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to whether, in view of the expected arrival of the guns from England, it would be now necessary to complete the arrangement recommended by the Defence Committee in the Report of the 17th April last.

The Governor further communicated to the Committee a letter which his Excellency had addressed to General Donovan of the 28th May (yesterday). Lientenant McCallum, R.E., being in attendance (the General having left for Hong Kong), stated that he had considered the question raised, in conjunction with General Donovan, and that the General was of opinion that the three 68-pounders should be mounted at Mount Palmer, but that the remainder of the temporary defence measures might properly be abandoned. Defence Committee concur in this opinion, but they consider that it would be advisable to leave two 56-pounders on Mount Palmer in addition to the three 68-pounders proposed to be mounted there.

The question of the defence of Penang to stand over until after the receipt of a report which his Excellency the Governor has requested Lieutenant McCallum, R.E., to furnish on this subject.

C. A. S. DICKINS, Colonel Commanding,

28th Regiment.

(Signed)

J. F. A. McNAIR, Major, R.A., Colonial Engineer and Surveyor-General, Straits Settlements.

Approved,

(Signed)

WILLIAM C. F. ROBINSON.

May 29, 1878.

Inclosure 5 in No. 243.

Sir,

Singapore, May 29, 1878.

AT his Excellency the Governor's request I have prepared a Memorandum on the defence of Penang, and I have now the honour to inclose the same.

As my time is very much occupied at present, I am compelled to present the Memorandum in somewhat a crude form, and I shall be happy to consider any point not contained therein to which his Excellency may wish me to direct my attention.

I have, &c.

(Signed) H. E. MCCALLUM, Lieutenant, R.E.,

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,

&c. &c.

&c.

Inclosure 6 in No. 243.

Superintendent, Defence Works.

Position.

Approaches.

Existing defences.

Proposed scheme of defence.

Memorandum on the Defence of Penang.

GEORGETOWN, the capital of Penang, is situated on the southern side of a projecting promontory, at the north-east corner of the island. The roadstead is a most convenient one, deep water being found close to the town. It is approached by two channels, the northern and the southern, the latter of which is seldom used by ships of heavy tonnage. The north channel is broad and deep, though the water shoals consider- ably on either side along the shores of Penang and Province Wellesley respectively. The breadth of the navigable channel immediately opposite the town is 2,400 yards, whilst at a distance of 3,000 yards due north of Fort Cornwallis (which stands at the extremity of the promontory referred to) the breadth is 4,300 yards. The south channel is very narrow, the greatest breadth navigable for vessels drawing 18 feet of water being little over 2,000 yards.

Practically nil. To the best of my recollection, Fort Cornwallis is a quadrilateral bastioned masonry work, with stone scarp and counterscarp and wet ditch. The bastions are narrow and confined, and the faces and curtains are much exposed to enfilade and reverse fire. The armament is light, and, for purposes of defence against rifled artillery, almost useless, and in its present condition I consider the fort untenable if exposed to accurate firing.

In considering what should be done to prevent an enemy's cruizer requisitioning the town, it will be desirable to discuss the subject under two heads: first, whether the available armament in the Straits Settlements can be employed with advantage for defensive purposes at Penang; and, second, what extraneous means of defence could be

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