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French, it may be afforded the means of protecting Nova Scotia, and particularly the valuable collieries with which the port is now connected.

The Right Honourable

Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Part.

No. 113.

I have, &c. (Signed)

D. J. KENNELLY.

Governor Sir J. H. Glover, K.C.M.G., to the Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks

(Telegraphic.)

Beach, Bart.

Newfoundland, May 18, 1878. THE guns referred to in your telegram of 18th have been returned to England. The only guns now in the Colony are two unserviceable 32-pounders. There are six 64-pounders at Halifax ready to be shipped awaiting sanction.

Six 11-pounder mounted steel guns are required to oppose land forces, and in order to clear the streets of Fenians. With the guns a detachment should be sent.

No. 114.

Governor Sir J. Longden, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart. -(Received May 18.)

(Secret.) Sir,

Newera Eliya, Ceylon, April 23, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your despatch of the 20th ultimo,* marked Secret, relative to the defence of the Colony.

2. The three ports of this Colony which especially require protection, on account of the large interests in them, are Colombo, Galle, and Trincomalee. At Colombo, which has a population of 100,000 souls, there are the public Treasury, the banks, and the stores, shops, and varied merchandize which might be expected to be found in a city which is at once the capital of the island and its chief commercial port. There are almost always numbers of ships in the roadstead, and there are large stores of coal for steamer and railway uses on shore. At Galle, which has a population of 50,000, there are large stocks of coal belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, and for steamer use generally. There are usually several steamers and other vessels in the harbour. Trincomalee, which has now a population of between 9,000 and 10,000, there is a naval dockyard and store.

At

3. There is very frequently a vessel of war at Trincomalee, but at present it is without that defence. The fort there is garrisoned by artillery and armed with sufficient guns to protect the naval stores from being laid under contribution by any privateer or small

cruizer.

4. With respect to the protection of Colombo and Galle I have been in communica- tion with the Lieutenant-General commanding in Ceylon, who has anxiously considered. what means would be most effectual for the protection of these ports and of the shipping in them. There are detachments of Her Majesty's 57th Regiment in garrison at both places, and General Street proposes to place such guns as are at his disposal in position to protect the harbours and shipping against attacks of the kind described in your despatch under reply. I inclose a memorandum I have received from the General on the subject, and in regard to the last paragraph I would beg to state that the guns which it is intended to place in position at Colombo will be taken round from Trincomalee in the "Serendib" in a few days. It is proposed to mount these guns, or some of them, on an earthwork or sandbag battery, to be thrown up on Mutwal Point for the protection of the harbour, but regarding this I shall make a further communication as soon as a final decision is taken.

I have, &c.

(Signed) J. R. LONGDEN, Governor.

[593]

* No. 15.

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