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149

No. 265.

The Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.—(Received

(Telegraphic.)

August 2.)

August 1, 1878. IT is important that the guns requested in my despatch No. 170 of the 27th June, should be landed at St. John's and Halifax before October. I should be glad if you will urge the War Office to hasten their shipment.

No. 266.

Colonial Office to War Office.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, August 3, 1878. WITH reference to your letters of the 21st June, Secret and Confidential, and the 22nd July,* I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to request that you will state to Secretary Colonel Stanley that he is in communication with the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury with regard to the proposal to present certain guns and ammunition to the Government.

2. Before writing to Sir J. Glover for the information desired in your letter of the 22nd instant, Sir Michael Hicks Beach would be glad to be informed what would be, in "the opinion of the Secretary of State for War, a fair remuneration for the Government of Newfoundland to offer for the services required. And he would also be glad to be informed of the rate of remuneration for similar services performed in this country, so as to assist Sir John Glover in coming to a decision, having referred to the difference in the cost of living, &c., here and in Newfoundland.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 267.

Colonial Office to Treasury.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, August 3, 1878. WITH reference to the Secret and Confidential letter from this Department of the 30th April last,† I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, a copy of the correspondence noted in the margin, which has since taken place on the subject of the defence of Newfoundland.

2. I am to refer to the letter from this Department to the War Office dated the 29th May, proposing that certain guns, small arms, and ammunition should, for the reasons therein stated, be presented to the Government of Newfoundland, and to the War Office reply dated the 21st June, proposing that only the three 7-ton and the three 64-pounder guns, with a dne proportion of ammunition, estimated at 4,8001., should be given to the Colony on condition that it should undertake, at its own charge, to place the guns in position and maintain the necessary force for manning and defending the port, including the provision of their arms and equipment.

3. Sir Michael Hicks Beach will be glad to receive their Lordships' sanction for the presentation to the Government of Newfoundland of the guns and ammunition in question on the conditions suggested by the Secretary of State for War.

I am, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 268.

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

(Secret and Confidential.)

Sir,

Admiralty, August 3, 1878.

WITH reference to your letter of the 15th ultimo and previous correspondence respecting reserve of ammunition at Victoria, British Columbia, I am commanded by my

* No. 246.

[793]

+ No. 59.

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‡ No. 237.

Z

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