CAB7-1 — Page 217

Page 217

Page 217

Page 217

Sir,

26

No. 57.

H. Jekyll, Esq., R.E., to Colonial Office.

War Office, April 29, 1878.

I AM desired by the Committee on Colonial Defence to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th instant,* transmitting the copies of their Reports enumerated therein, for the use of the Committee.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

H. JEKYLL.

No. 58.

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, April 30, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you, for your information, the accompanying copy of the Report, as regards Heligoland,† of a Committee appointed to consider the best measures to be taken for the temporary defence of the Colonies in the event of war, and I shall be glad to receive, at your earliest convenience, any observations which you may have to make on the inclosed Report.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

No. 59.

Colonial Office to Treasury.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, April 30, 1878. IN continuation of my letter of the 20th instant, ‡ on the subject of the measures recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee for the temporary defence of stations involving Imperial interests in the event of war, I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, the accompanying copy of the Report of the Committee as regards the Colonies noted in the margin.†

I am also to inclose a copy of a letter to the War Office and Admiralty on the subject.

Sir Michael Hicks Beach is not aware that Imperial interests are specially involved in the defence of St. John's, Newfoundland; and he therefore proposes to ascertain, before any steps are taken for carrying out the recommendations of the Committee, whether the Government of Newfoundland will bear the expense.

I am,

&c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 60.

Colonial Office to Treasury.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, April 30, 1878. WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 20th instant, on the subject of the measures recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee for the temporary defence of the Cape and Eastern Colonies in the event of war, I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to transmit to you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, the accompanying copy of the Report of that Committee as regards the Australasian Colonies, § in which they recommend works and armaments costing 44,000l., for the defence of various points in New Zealand.

I am to add that these stations, not coming under the category of those the cost of whose protection would appear properly to fall on Imperial funds, Sir Michael Hicks

* No. 55.

+ Miscellaneous, No. 35 c.” § Miscellaneous, No. 35 A.”

‡ No. 45.

Page 217

Page 217