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19

No. 40.

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Committee Room, Whitehall, April 15, 1878.

I AM requested by the Colonial Defence Committee to inform you that, since their Report of the 4th instant,* relating to Hong Kong, was sent in, they have become aware of the existence of the undermentioned guns in the Ordnance Stores at that station, kept in reserve for the use of Her Majesty's ships :-

9-in. guns, with carriages and slides

8-in. ditto

7-in. ditto

ditto

ditto

7-in. ditto, without ditto

64-pr. ditto, with ditto

64-pr. ditto, without ditto

5

5

7

7

As the armament which is about to be provided for the temporary defence of the harbour cannot arrive at Hong Kong for several months, the Committee suggest that immediate steps should be taken to obtain the consent of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to the temporary loan of the 7-inch and 64-pounder guns, pending their replacement by the destined armament, or until required for use on board any of Her Majesty's ships.

The Committee would further suggest, should their Lordships assent to the proposed loan of the guns, that the Secretary of State for War should be informed thereof, in order that he may take such action as he may consider necessary for mounting them.

The Committee have at the same time been informed that there are two 7-inch guns and one 64-pounder, in the Naval Reserve Stores at Trincomalee, and the Committee would suggest that a similar course should be followed with respect to these.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

ALEX. MILNE, President.-.-

No. 41.

Colonial Office to War Office.

(Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, April 17, 1878. WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 10th instant,† in which it was stated that a further communication would be made to you with regard to the payment for the proposed defences of Singapore, I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to state that, if Colonel Stanley sees no objection, he proposes to inform the Governor of the Straits Settlements that Her Majesty's Government adhere to the recommendations of the Report inclosed in your letter of the 2nd October, 1871, viz., that the Colonial Govern- ment should contribute the sum of 30,000l., to be spread over a term of years, for works and armaments; but that, in order that the charge may be made to press upon the Colony as lightly as possible, they are willing that it should be spread over a term of six years in equal annual instalments, instead of three or four years, as at first proposed, the value of the Colonial convict labour which may be employed on the works to be treated as a set-off against the Colonial contribution.

Sir Michael Hicks Beach proposes to add that, on their part, Her Majesty's Govern- ment will be prepared to construct and arm the works, whether temporary, as recommended for the present by the Colonial Defence Committee, or permanent, as designed by Sir W. Jervois, upon the understanding that if, on the expiration of five years, it should be decided to maintain the temporary works, instead of converting them into works of a more permanent and efficient character, they shall have the option of requiring the Colonial Government to undertake their maintenance for the future on such terms as may be decided to be equitable, the works being first placed in a condition of complete repair and efficiency.

I am to inclose a printed copy of the recommendations of the Defence Committee as regards Singapore, which should be treated as most confidential.

* Vide Miscellaneous, No. 35.

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I am, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

+ No 34.

G

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