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Sir,

175

No. 311.

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, August 26, 1878.

IN reply to your letter of the 16th instant* respecting the armament demanded for the Colony of New Zealand, I am directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that this matter is now quite understood, and that the original order is proceeding, and will be completed and ready for shipment towards the end of October next.

The guns and a portion of the stores could go a little earlier if wished.

It is suggested that the Agent-General for New Zealand should communicate direct with the Commissary-General, Woolwich, as to shipment.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

W. H. GOODENOUGH.

No. 312.

Colonial Defence Committee to Colonial Office.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

War Office, August 26, 1878. I AM requested by the Colonial Defence Committee to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd August,† transmitting correspondence relating to the defence of Singapore and the proposed defence of Penang.

The latter is a question of considerable importance, and one upon which, in the absence of Sir Alexander Milne, the Committee do not feel themselves able to pronounce with confidence.

As there is no longer any immediate apprehension of an outbreak of war, the Committee would prefer to defer the consideration of this question until they are all assembled.

In the meanwhile they would recommend that no departure from the arrangements already sanctioned should be permitted, and that none of the guns destined for Hong Kong should be diverted for other purposes.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

I have, &c.

(Signed)

No. 312A.

HENRY BARKLY, Acting President.

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.

Downing Street, August 26, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Salisbury, copies of despatches from the Governor of Hong Kong, with reference to the possibility of utilizing that Colony as a recruiting ground for raising Chinese regiments for the Queen's service in India or in any part of the world. I also inclose copies of the correspondence upon this subject which has taken place between this Department and the Colonial Defence Committee, consisting of Admiral Sir A. Milne, G.C.B., Sir H. Barkly, G.C.M.G., and General Sir Lintorn Simmons, G.C.B.

2. The proposition made by Governor Hennessy is one of great importance, and much weight, as Lord Salisbury will see, must attach to the military opinion expressed on it by the Colonial Defence Committee. It will, however, be seen that Mr. Hennessy contemplates the enlistment in Hong Kong of many Chinese subjects who pass through the Colony, or who may resort to it for that purpose, and I am therefore to request that his Lordship will favour Sir Michael Hicks Beach with his opinion as to the suggested extensive recruiting of Chinese subjects, having regard to the requirements of international law.

As Sir Thomas Wade is still in this country, Sir Michael Hicks Beach would be much obliged if Lord Salisbury would also be good enough to cause these papers to be referred to him, so that he may have the benefit of that gentleman's great experience in Chinese matters upon the general question of Chinese enlistment.

* No. 293.

↑ No. 305.

I am, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

‡ Nos. 235, 257, 240, 258, 264, and 157.

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