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and instructions asked for in the letter from this Department of the 3rd ultimo* could, at the same time, be transmitted for the information of Sir John Glover.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 324.

Colonial Office to War Office.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, September 5, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to le laid before Secretary Colonel Stanley, a copy of the correspondence noted in the margin,t which has recently passed between this Department and the Colonial Defence Committee on the subject of the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria.

2. I also inclose a copy of a despatch‡ which Sir Michael Hicks Beach has addressed to Lord Dufferin, stating that pending the receipt and consideration by the Colonial Defence Committee of the information asked for, it will probably be deemed desirable that the works should as far as possible be suspended.

&c.

I am,

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 325.

(Secret.) My Lord,

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

Downing Street, September 6, 1878. I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of the letters noted in the margin, which I caused to be addressed to the Colonial Defence Committee on the subject of the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria.

2. The Committee have informed me that they find some difficulty, owing to the somewhat fragmentary nature of the Reports before them, and in the absence of plans, in arriving at any definite conclusion as to the efficiency of the works of defence now under construction.

3. I have no doubt that your Ministers will concur with me in thinking that it is desirable that they should be assisted by the best professional opinion that can be obtained on the works which were so promptly undertaken by the Dominion Government at a moment when it was of primary importance that no time should be lost in making pro- vision for the defence of the British Columbia seaboard. I therefore request that your Lordship will be good enough to furnish me, at your early convenience, with detailed statement, accompanied with plans of the works now in progress or in contemplation, together with any further information which may be necessary for their proper considera- tion by the Colonial Defence Committee, of which, I may observe, that General Sir Lintorn Simmons, Inspector-General of Fortifications, is a member.

4. Pending the receipt of your Report and its consideration by the Colonial Defence Committee, it is probable that your Ministers may deem it desirable to suspend, so far as may be possible, the further execution of the proposed works.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

No. 326.

Governor Hennessy, C.M. G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received

September 6.)

(Confidential.) Sir,

Government House, Hong Kong, July 21, 1878. WHEN, in April last, I suggested to the officer in command of the troops the advisability of placing a battery on Green Island, one of the objections he raised was the

* No. 266.

[798]

† Nos. 298, 302, and 310.

‡ No. 325.

§ Nos. 298 and 302.

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