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Committee about to be appointed by Her Majesty's Government to consider and report on questions connected with the defence of Colonial ports.

In reply I beg that Sir Michael Hicks Beach may be made aware that it will give me much pleasure to serve on such a Committee, and that I purpose attending at the Colonial Office on Monday afternoon, in order to receive instructions as to the precise object and scope of the proposed inquiry.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

No. 7.

Colonial Office to War Office.

HENRY BARKLY.

(Confidential.)

Sir,

Downing Street, March 9, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 19th ultimo,* I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to request that you will move Mr. Secretary Hardy, if he sees no objection, to instruct Mr. H. Jekyll, R.E., to act as Secretary to the Departmental Committee on the Defences of the Colonies.

&c.

I am,

(Signed)

ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.

No. 8.

Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B., to Colonial Office.

(Strictly Confidential.) Sir,

Committee Room, Horse Guards, March 12, 1878. I HAVE been requested, as the President of the Committee appointed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies "to inquire and report as to the defences of the more important Colonial ports," to acquaint you, for the information of the Right Honourable Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that the Committee met on the 5th, 8th, 9th, and 12th instant, and after taking a general view of the probable armament, &c., which would be required. for the more important Colonial ports, had inquiry made from the War Department what number of guns were disposable, as also torpedoes, for Colonial service.

At the same time a letter was addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty, requesting that the Committee might be informed if the Admiralty could furnish torpedo boats or launches for Colonial requirements, but no answer has as yet been received.

On the 9th instant, Major-General Campbell, C.B., Director of Artillery and Stores, attended the meeting of the Committee, and stated that the only spare guns in store and available for the defences of the Colonial ports are from 35 to 40 guns of 6 tons, mounted on naval carriages and slides; and that there are no spare guns of 9, 12, 18, or 25 tons weight, and none in store; and that all 7-inch breech-loading guns, ten of which are in position in two of the Colonies, are appropriated for the land defences of our existing fortifications. These also, being only shell guns, are only suitable for use against unarmoured ships of war.

The Committee are further informed that there are no submarine mining or torpedo stores at present available for Colonial service; but that a supply is in course of being procured under the vote of credit, from which it is proposed to allot sufficient for three stations abroad, the remainder being reserved for home defences, which are very inade- quately supplied; also that the existing supply of gun-cotton is insufficient for any additional submarine mining defences which may be approved.

The Committee are also informed that there are no Whitehead torpedoes available, and even that, at their present rate of production, a year will elapse before the present demands can be supplied for the use of Her Majesty's fleet.

Major-General Campbell also stated that the Royal Gun Factory would require a year to make 1006 or 7-ton guns, at an expense of 6001. each; that the carriages for these guns would have to be supplied by contract (the Royal Carriage Factory being unable to supply them), at a cost of about 2501, each; and that 100 rounds of ammunition would cost 1701.; making the total cost for 100 7-ton guns 102,000.

Similarly, the cost of an 18-ton gun, with its carriage complete and 100 rounds of ammunition, would be 2,219%.

[593]

* No. 2.

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