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4-gun battery on McAulay's Point and a 2-gun battery on Point Victoria, with discretion as to mounting guns on Fisgard Island, all for the defence of the approaches to Victoria and Esquimalt.

But Nanaimo, the great coal depôt, still remains undefended.

There is a small battery of new artillerymen at Victoria, and two companies of infantry.

E. S. S.

Sir,

No. 169.

Colonial Office to War Office.

Downing Street, June 13, 1878.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the information of Secretary Colonel Stanley, the accompanying copy of a despatch from Sir Bartle Frere, with inclosures, giving the provisions of the Bills relating to defensive measures which his Ministers intend to introduce into the present Cape Parliamént.*

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 170.

Colonial Office to War Office.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, June 13, 1878. WITH reference to the Reports of the Colonial Defence Committee on Newfound- land, inclosed in the letters from this Department of the 30th of April and 29th ultimo,† I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for War, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of New- foundland, inclosing a report of his Private Secretary and a memorandum by Colonel Elgee, R.A., as to the best means of defending the ports of St. John's and Harbour Grace; and I am to inquire whether, in the opinion of Colonel Stanley, any modification of the scheme of the Colonial Defence Committee is necessary, or what reply should be sent to this despatch.

I am to add that Sir Michael Hicks Beach has applied to the War Office rather than to the Colonial Defence Committee in consequence of Sir L. Simmons's departure for Berlin.

I am,

&c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 171.

Colonial Office to War Office.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, June 13, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to inform you that upon the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, General No. 5,§ the desired telegram was addressed to the Governor-General of Canada, requesting him to report what had been done with reference to the defence of Esquimalt; and I am now to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for War, a paraphrase of the reply which has been received to that telegram.

I am to point out that in Sir Michael Hicks Beach's despatch of the 11th of May, communicated to the War Office on the same date, the Governor-General was informed that the question of expense would be separately considered, and this telegram, therefore, should not be understood as conveying an intention on the part of the Dominion Govern- ment to bear the whole cost of defending this Imperial station. I am also to transmit to you the accompanying extract, relating to Vancouver Island, from a report by Lieutenant- General Sir Selby Smyth, on the defences of Canada. T

I am, &c.

(Signed)

* No. 147.

§ No. 163.

Nos. 61 and 136. No. 90.

R. H. MEADE.

No. 164. Inclosure in No. 168.

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