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occasion serious embarrassment, the Committee recommend that six 7-ton guns and six lighter guns should be sent out for the defence of the harbour. Looking also to the proximity of Victoria, and the fact that its defence is closely connected with that of Esquimalt, the Committee further consider that three 7-ton and three medium guns, 64-pounders or 80-pounders, should be provided for its defence.

The cost of these armaments and of the necessary works for mounting them would be as follows:-

For Esquimalt----

Six 7-ton guns, complete

Six 64-pounder guns, complete

Batteries, magazines, &c.

Total

For Victoria-

Three 7-ton guns, complete

Three 64-pounder guns, complete Batteries, magazines, &c.

Total

:

£

6,000

3,600

16,000

25,600

3,000

1,800

8,400

13,200

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As, however, several months must elapse before the proposed armaments could possibly arrive, and it seems most desirable that meanwhile the harbours themselves and the stores, including the guns, should not remain without protection, the Committee suggest that a communication should be addressed to the Admiralty, with a view to obtain the sanction of their Lordships for the loan of the guns, in which case instructions should be sent to the Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada to desire the Liente- nant-Governor to place himself in communication with the Naval Officer of the station, who would be authorized to place the guns at his disposal, with a view to their being mounted in position for the defence of the two harbours. The four 7-inch guns and the 9-inch 12-ton gun should be reserved for the defence of the entrance to Esquimalt, and the remainder utilized as may be found most advantageous for the defence of either harbour. It should be clearly understood that these guns will only be lent under the present emergency, until they can be replaced by others sent from England, or until required for use on board Her Majesty's ships.

The Committee are informed that there is a small force (two companies) of Rifles enrolled at Victoria, which is altogether insufficient for the defence of either harbour. As, however, there is a population of over 3,000 males in Victoria, and as several months must elapse before any troops that may be sent from England can arrive in the Colony, the Committee, in making the above recommendation as to the loan of the guns, trust that, by an appeal to the loyalty and patriotism of the inhabitants of Victoria, such a response might be elicited as would enable Her Majesty's Government with confidence to leave the defence of the naval stores and station in Esquimalt Harbour, as well as the town of Victoria, in their hands.

The number of artillery to man the batteries, and of volunteer infantry to afford adequate protection to them in the event of a landing by a hostile force, should be as large as the population will permit. It is probable that the whole male adult population capable of bearing arms will not be in excess of the possible requirements in the event of an attack upon the settlement.

(Signed)

ALEX. MILNE. HENRY BARKLY. J. L. A. SIMMONS.

I

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