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3. On this part of the subject I shall address you again at a later date, but I do not doubt that the Colony will be prepared to make due provision for its fair share of the cost of the works, and other measures of defence, which are shown to be necessary.

4. In the meantime I request that you will report to me on the practicability of raising a local force, as suggested by the Committee, in aid of the regular troops.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

No. 63.

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, April 30, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of the Report, as regards Newfoundland, of a Committee consisting of Sir Alexander Milne, Sir Lintorn Simmons, and Sir Henry Barkly, appointed to consider the temporary measures desirable for the defence of the more important Colonial ports in the event of war.

*

The Committee recommend, with a view to the defence of St. John's, that two 7-ton rifled guns should be sent out, to be mounted either at Frederick's Battery or at Chain Rock. The cost of these gun would be 2,000l., and of the necessary works, 1,2001.

I request that you will inform me, with the least possible delay, whether your Government will be prepared to undertake the expense of these works and armament, and whether it will be possible to raise a local force, consisting principally of artillery, for the purpose of manning the batteries.

I have, &c. (Signed)

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

No. 64.

(Secret and Confidential.)

Sir,

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

Admiralty, April 30, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 17th instant,† inclosing three letters from the Colonial Defence Committee, and the Report which they have made on the temporary defences of the Cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Ceylon, Singapore, and Hong Kong, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, with regard to the suggestion that the Admiralty should temporarily lend the 7-inch and 64-pounder guns now at Hong Kong in reserve pending their replacement by the destined armament, that while my Lords think it very objectionable to appropriate the reserve guns and stores which have been sent out especially to meet casualties in Her Majesty's ships in time of war, they will withdraw this objection on the understanding that a supply to replace what is thus diverted is at

once sent out.

My Lords fear it will not be possible to furnish the gun-boats asked for, but they will communicate again with you respecting them.

I am, &c.

ROBERT HALL.

(Secret and Confidential.)

(Signed)

No. 65.

Colonial Office to Admiralty.

Sir,

Downing Street, May 1, 1878.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo,‡ relative to the defence of the naval station of Esquimalt and the town and harbour of Victoria.

2. As this matter is properly treated as an Imperial question with which this Department is not primarily concerned, Sir Michael Hicks Beach presumes that the Lords.

* Miscellaneous, No. 35c.

+ No. 44.

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‡ No. 50.

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