CAB7-1 — Page 272

Page 272

Page 272

13

for the purchase of ground. Under these circumstances I should feel obliged if (as in the case of the sites already obtained for defensive purposes) the land at Tanjong Katong required by me be obtained by the Colonial Government as early as possible, any sums paid for resumption being, if necessary, treated as a matter of adjustment hereafter.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

H. E. McCALLUM, Lieutenant,

Commanding Royal Engineers.

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Sir,

Inclosure 5 in No. 14.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Singapore, January 7, 1879.

IN reply to your letter of the 2nd instant, I am directed to state to you that his Excellency the Governor has already caused the necessary steps to be taken to place you in possession of the land you require at Tanjong Katong for defence purposes. As soon as it is known, the question of the payment of the amount required to resume this land, will be referred to Her Majesty's Government.

Lieutenant McCallum,

I have, &c.

(Signed)

Commanding Royal Engineers, Singapore.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

No. 14*.

CECIL C. SMITH,

Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements.

Colonial Office to War Office.

Downing Street, February 24, 1879. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential letter of the 16th ultimo,* inclosing a copy of a Memorandum by General Sir Lintorn Simmons, G.C.B., Inspector-General of Fortifications, on the general question of the defences of the Colonies and of the commercial ports of the United Kingdom, and suggesting that a small Committee should be appointed to consider the first of these subjects.

2. I am to request that you will state to Secretary Colonel Stanley that Sir Michael Hicks Beach concurs in the proposal to appoint a Committee for the purpose stated, but he thinks it is a matter deserving further consideration whether such a Committee should be composed, like the Committee of last spring, solely of gentlemen possessing professional or Colonial experience, in which case he would merely ask Sir H. Barkly again to give him the benefit of his services, or whether any addition should be made to the Committee, and specially whether Her Majesty's Government should be represented on it.

3. Bearing in mind all that has passed on the question, Sir Michael Hicks Beach would suggest that it might be desirable that the opinion of the Cabinet should be taken by Colonel Stanley with regard to it.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 15.

War Office to Colonial Office.

(Confidential.) Sir,

Pall Mall, March 6, 1879.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th ultimo,† and to acquaint you, in reply, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that on further consideration Colonel Stanley agrees that it may be well to associate one or more members of the Government with the Committee on Colonial Defence, &c. This measure would not, however, necessarily interfere with Sir A. Milne's presidency.

* No. 4.

I have, &c. (Signed)

RALPH THOMPSON.

+ No. 14*.

Page 272

Page 272

Page 272