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177

Inclosure in No. 315.

Report.

August 30, 1878. THE arrangements proposed, so far as they can be judged of in the absence of plans, appear judicious, so far as the protection of the town and shipping in the harbour are concerned, but the protection afforded to ships in the roadstead must be always imperfect, as an enemy's cruizer would be always nearer to those ships than the batteries on shore would be to the cruizer. It would therefore be most advisable in the event of war that the roadstead should be used as little as possible, but that ships should, whenever practicable, take shelter in the harbour.

As regards the site of the batteries, it does not appear clear from the Report of the local Committee where the northern battery is proposed to be erected. If it be the point marked in the Admiralty chart as "Sandy Point," it would appear more advisable-should the position be otherwise suitable-to place it some 2,000 yards to the north of the North Pier, from which point, while crossing its fire with the proposed battery on the Bluff, it would afford a better protection against the apprehended bombardment of the town.

With regard to guns, the Committee are of opinion that 18-ton guns would be preferable: 9-ton guns are now obsolete, none have been manufactured for some years, but considering the position of Natal, that it is not in the course of ships proceeding between any great centres of commerce, and therefore is only liable to attack by ships specially detached for the purpose, the Committee are of opinion that a good defence would be afforded by three 7-inch 7-ton guns in each battery.

The advantage of having three guns in each is, that in case of a gun being disabled the defence would still be capable of being sustained in a more satisfactory manner than if each battery only mounted two guns.

The cost of six 7-ton guns, with carriages and 100 rounds of ammunition, would be approximately 6,0001.

(Signed)

HENRY BARKLY. J. L. A. SIMMONS.

P.S.-The comparative cost of 18-ton and 7-ton guns is given approximately in the following table :-

Gun

Carriage and platform

Ammunition (100 rounds)

Total

18-Ten,

7-Ton.

£

£

1,400

550

300

220

500

230

2,200

1,000

Thus the total cost of four 18-ton guns would be 8,8001., or of six 7-ton guns 6,000%.

No. 316.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Sir H. F. Robinson, K.C.M.G.

(Secret.) Sir,

Downing Street, August 31, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of the Report of the Colonial Defence Committee* upon your Confidential despatches of the 23rd May and 8th June, inclosing copies of correspondence showing the steps taken for the defence of the Colony, in which the Committee 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.

2. I also inclose a copy of a letter which I have caused to be addressed to the War Office on the subject.†

* No. 312.

[793]

I have, &c.

(Signed)

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

+ No. 318.

2 G

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