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22

(Signed)

might be well to erect a battery of 4 guns on the Panmure side in anticipation of the bar being removed.

FRED. THESIGER, Lieutenant-General,

Commanding Forces in South Africa.

Cape Town, July 17, 1878.

APPENDIX (A).

Table Bay.

Neau Bloomberg, where Sir D. Baird landed in 1806.

Table Bay. All parts

Three Anchor Bay.-One boat only.

Botany Bay. One boat only.

Camp's Bay. Very difficult.

Commetje Bay.-Very difficult.

Hout's Bay. Good landing.

Chapman's Bay.-Good landing.

From thence to Cape Point fishing boats can land at a few points; but it is risky and dangerous. No landing in force can be attempted.

Simon's Bay.

False Bay, Kalk Bay, Visch Hock Bay, Elsjes Bay :-No landing in south easterly gales but in other winds possible.

No. 20.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Sir Henry Barkly, G.C.M.G., K.C.B.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, April 17, 1879.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you a copy of a Confidential letter from the War Office, inclosing a copy of a Confidential 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 questions.*

2. It affords me much pleasure to take this opportunity of expressing my sense of the valuable service you have rendered as a member of the Temporary Defence Committee, and I trust that you will be prepared to give Her Majesty's Government the benefit of your assistance as a member of that now proposed to be appointed.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

No. 21.

Sir Henry Barkly, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.

(Secret.) Sir,

1, Bina Gardens, South Kensington, April 18, 1879.

WITH reference to your letter of yesterday's date,† transmitting copy of a Confidential communication from the War Office on the subject of the defences of the Colonies, I have the honour to state that I shall be happy to serve, in accordance with the wish which you are good enough to express, on the Committee which Her Majesty's Government propose to appoint to consider and report upon this question.

* No. 4.

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I have, &c.

(Signed)

HENRY BARKLY.

+ No. 19.

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