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184

No. 328.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Lieutenant-Governor Sir H. Bulwer,

(Secret.)

K.C.M.G

Downing Street, September 7, 1878.

Sir,

I HAVE the honour to inform you that I referred your Secret despatch of the 22nd June* on the subject of the defence of Natal to the Colonial Defence Committee, consisting of Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, General Sir Lintorn Simmons (the Inspector- General of Fortifications), and Sir Henry Barkly, and I now transmit to you a copy of their Report.+

2. Although any immediate danger of war has happily been averted, it is very desirable that measures for the defence of Natal, which have already received such prompt con- sideration by your Government, should not be relaxed.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

Sir,

No. 329.

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, September 7, 1878. I am directed by Secretary Colonel Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mauritius, agreeably to the request

IN reference to your letter of the 16th ultimo, Stanley to acquaint you, for the information of the that the two 7-inch 6-ton guns ordered for the contained in the Colonial Office letter of the 15th March last, have been duly dispatched, with their equipment.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

W. H. GOODENOUGH.

No. 330.

Lieutenant-Governor Dundas, C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.— (Received September 12.)

Barbados, August 16, 1878.

(No. 40.) Sir,

WITH reference to your secret despatch of 20th March, I have the honour to forward a communication from the Lieutenant-Governor of Tobago, embodying a scheme of defence for the town and port of Scarborough.

2. As the finances of the Colony are in a somewhat unsatisfactory state, I have not, in view of the present peaceful aspect of European affairs, thought myself justified in ordering this scheme to be carried out.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

GEORGE DUNDAS.

Inclosure in No. 330.)

Government House, Tobago, July 1878.

(Secret.) Sir,

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's secret despatch of the 13th May last, received by me on the 1st ultimo, covering Sir Michael Hicks Beach's circular (secret) of the 20th March last.

2. With reference to the second paragraph of the Secretary of State's Circular, I have the honour to report as follows with regard to the defence of the town of Scarborough, which is the only port of this Colony which is likely to be visited by any hostile cruizer :-

3. I consulted the officer commanding Her Majesty's troops, the Colonial Civil Engineer (Superintendent of Works), and the Harbour Master in drawing up the following scheme of defence for the port and town of Scarborough.

* No. 256.

+ No. 315,

‡ No. 291.

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