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expenditure of money to purchase guns which, when mounted, will afford no real security.

Having so far dealt with the principles, the Committee have little to remark upon the detailed proposals of Sir E. Selby Smyth as regards the several ports. They see no reason to modify the suggestions contained in their Report, and are unable to concur with the Lieutenant-General in the changes of situation of some of the batteries which he recom- mends. Their suggestions were the result of very careful consideration of the circum- stances of each case, and were framed with every desire to keep down the cost to the lowest figure consistently with securing a real, though by no means perfect, defence. They find nothing in the papers before them to lead them to a different opinion.

They are, however, glad to observe the confidence which Sir E. Selby Smyth enter- tains in the ability of the local militia to man the proposed defences.

(Signed) J. L. A. SIMMONS.

HENRY BARKLY.

No. 281.

Colonial Office to Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

*

Downing Street, August 10, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a letter from the War Office, stating that pending a further communication from your Government no steps will be taken for the supply of the 64-pounder guns for that Colony.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 282.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Colonial Office to India Office.

Downing Street, August 10, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to state, in reply to your letter of the 6th instant,† that the papers relating to Colonial defence are being gradually printed, as the labours of the Committee advance, and, when completed, Sir Michael Hicks Beach will be glad to allow Lord Cranbrook to see them, but that they are of a highly confidential character, dealing with the defences of many isolated Colonial ports; and, while probably not likely to be of much practical use to the Government of India, are not of a nature to permit of their being treated as public papers.

No. 283.

I am, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

Sir,

Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., to Colonial Office.

7, Westminster Chambers, August 12, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Meade's letter of the 10th instant, inclosing a copy of a letter from the War Office, stating that, pending a further communication from my Government, no steps will be taken for the supply of the 64-pounder guns originally ordered for the Colony. I beg to state, in reply, that I am satisfied the use of the word "more," in the telegraphic despatch referred to in my letter to you of the 10th July, was an inadvertence, and that the Government adhere to their decision adopting the armament of new 7-ton and 64-pounder guns, advised by the War Office Committee, as specified in your letter of the 27th May.

Under the circumstances I trust that no delay will take place in the supply of the armament originally ordered.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

JULIUS VOGEL, Agent-General for New Zealand.

* No. 269.

† No. 273.

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‡ No. 281.

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