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No. 74.

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, May 8, 1878.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Colonial Defence Committee, the substance of a telegram from the Governor-General of Canada,* stating that a fleet of armed cruizers would be necessary for the protection of the Atlantic seaboard of the Dominion in the event of war being declared with Russia.

A copy of this telegram has been communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.

No. 75.

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, May 8,,1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Colonial Defence Committee, a copy of a despatch which has been received from the Governor of Heligoland+ in reply to one inclosing so much of the Committee's third Report as related to that island, urging a reconsideration of the question of defence and suggesting that an officer of Engineers should be sent out to report. I am also to inclose a copy of another despatch, in which the Governor makes a similar suggestion.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.

No. 76.

The Governor of New Zealand to the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart-

(Confidential.)

(Telegraphic. Paraphrase.)

(Received May 9, 1878.)

STATES in reply to telegram that his Government will undertake expenditure of the proposed defence of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. Armament and ammunition should be sent out immediately.

No. 77.

The Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor-General the Earl of

(Telegraphic.)

Dufferin.

Downing Street, May 9, 1878. ADMIRAL SIR ALEXANDER MILNE, General Sir Lintorn Simmons, and Sir Henry Barkly have been constituted a Committee to consider what steps should be immediately taken for the defence of Colonial ports in case of war breaking out.

Recommendations have been made as regards Esquimalt and Victoria, and these are now under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, and the Committee has been desired to take into consideration the steps that are necessary with regard to the Atlantic ports of Canada, and when they have reported your Ministers can decide as to incurring the expense they may recommend.

* No. 72.

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+ No. 68.

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