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Sir,

186

No. 332.

Colonial Office to Agent-General for South Australia,

Downing Street, September 18, 1878.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 3rd instant,* that, in compliance with a request made by the Acting Governor of South Australia to be furnished with a complete set of confidential publi- cations respecting torpedoes for the use of his Government, the War Office and Admiralty supplied certain publications, which were forwarded to the Acting Governor in a secret despatch dated the 31st ultimo.

I am, (Signed)

&c.

R. H. MEADE.

No. 333.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Hennessy, C.M.G.

(Secret.) Sir,

Downing Street, September 18, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential despatch dated. the 21st July,† reporting the laying, for defensive and lighthouse purposes, of a submarine cable between Hong Kong and Green Island, at a cost of 1,275 dollars, and to inform you that it will be brought to the notice of the Colonial Defence Committee.

2. I do not doubt that the telegraphic communication will be found very useful for communicating with the troops in charge of any guns which may be placed in the

island.

3. With regard to your suggestion, that one-half of the cost of the cable should be charged to the Imperial Government, I have to refer you to my secret despatch of the 29th May, and to observe that the cost of the proposed defensive works for Hong Kong will be defrayed by Colonial and Imperial contributions, but in what proportion is left for consideration when the Colonial Defence Committee have reported on the subject.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

No. 334.

(Secret.) Sir,

Colonial Office to Colonial Defence Committee.

Downing Street, September 18, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for any observations which the Colonial Defence Committee may have to offer, a copy of a confi- dential despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong, reporting the laying, for defensive and lighthouse purposes, of a submarine cable between the Colony and Green Island, and suggesting that the Imperial Government should bear half the cost.†

2. I also inclose a copy of a despatch which has been addressed to Governor Hennessy on the subject.‡

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 335.

Colonial Office to Colonial Defence Committee.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, September 20, 1878.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the information of the Colonial Defence Committee, a copy of a despatch which he addressed to the Governor-General of Canada,§ requesting to be furnished with the statement and

* No. 321.

+ No. 326.

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‡ No. 333.

§ No. 325.

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