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11

No. 21.

Governor Sir W. C. F. Robinson, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received March 29.)

(Telegraphic.)

REFERRING to despatch No. 69 of the 31st March, 1877, I think it right to report that, in the case of war, we have 70,000 tons of coal undefended. Shall I consult naval and military officers as to defending the entrances to the harbour, and carrying out their suggestions as far as possible.

No. 22.

Governor Sir H. F. B. Maxse, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach,

(Telegraphic. Paraphrase.)

Bart.

March 31, 1878.

IF the reserves are called out it will be absolutely necessary to keep the present chief officer of Coastguard in the island. The present force is inadequate for purposes of defence, and I shall send a confidential despatch on this point through Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin.

*

No. 23.

Hon. R. H. Meade to Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B.

Dear Sir Alexander Milne,

Downing Street, April 1, 1878. SIR MICHAEL HICKS BEACH has received a letter from the First Lord of the Admiralty, copy of which I am to inclose for the information of your Committee.*

If you make any recommendation respecting the class of torpedo mentioned by Mr. Smith in the last paragraph of his note, we shall of course communicate at once with the Board of Admiralty on the subject.

As provision will have to be made for the necessary funds, it will be convenient if, as soon as you are in a position to do so, you will be good enough to specify the number and cost of each class of torpedo you may desire to recommend.

No. 24.

Believe me, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, April 1, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Defence Committee, a copy of a paraphrase of a Secret telegramt received from Sir W. C. F. Robinson, Governor of the Straits Settlements, requesting to be informed if he shall consult the naval and military officers there as to the steps to be taken, in the event of war, for defending the store of coal in the Colony, consisting of 70,000 tons.

2. I am to request to be informed at your earliest convenience what answer the Committee would propose should be telegraphed to Sir W. Robinson.

* No. 17.

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I am, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

+ No. 21.

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