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No. 278.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Sir H. St. G. Ord, R.E., K.C.M.G., C.B.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, August 9, 1878. WITH reference to that part of your despatch marked Secret and Confidential of the 17th June* which relates to the altered state of public feeling in Western Australia and the strong desire which appears to prevail for the establishment of responsible Government, I lose no time in informing you that you should not hesitate to make known your clear understanding that Her Majesty's Government adhere to the principles laid down in the despatch addressed by Lord Carnarvon to Governor Robinson on the 18th November, 1874, and are, therefore, not at present prepared to make any change in the constitution of the Colony.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

No. 279.

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

Sir,

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, August 10, 1878.

WITH reference to your letter of the 5th ultimo,† requesting that sufficient notice may be given of the time at which it is proposed to ship the armament for Barbadoes, I am directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the guns, carriages, &c., alluded to, will be ready for shipment in October next.

I have, &c. (Signed)

W. H. GOODENOUGH.

No. 280.

Colonial Defence Committee to Colonial Office.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Committee Room, Whitehall, August 10, 1878.

I AM requested by the Colonial Defence Committee to acknowledge the receip of your letter of the 31st July, inclosing correspondence and Reports respecting the defence of the Canadian Atlantic ports.

I am bound to transmit for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies the inclosed Report which contains the views of the Committee on the questions raised in this correspondence.

The defences of Vancouver's Island which are referred to in these papers, are engaging the attention of the Committee, and they propose to address a separate commu- nication to you on this subject.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

HENRY BARKLY.

Inclosure in No. 280.

Report.

(Secret and Confidential.)

Committee Room, Whitehall, August 10, 1878. THE Report of Lieutenant-General Sir E. Selby Smyth, which has in substance been adopted by the Dominion Government, appears to the Committee to call for some remark, as the scheme of defence recommended therein is at variance with their proposals, and is in their opinion, totally inadequate to meet the defensive requirements of the Dominion.

The Committee desire to point out at the outset a misapprehension as to the degree of protection which the Atlantic seaboard of the Dominion may expect to derive from the ships of Her Majesty's fleet; a misapprehension which underlies the whole of these proposals, and has a most important bearing upon the entire question of defence.

* No. 259.

† No 222.

‡ No. 261.

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