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Sir,

No. 172.

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, June 14, 1878. WITH reference to Mr. Meade's letter of the 17th April,* relative to the expense for the defences of Singapore, I am directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to state that as the Colonial Defence Committee have been called on to express their views as to the distribu- tion of the expense of the works to be undertaken at Colonial ports, he would suggest, for Sir Michael Hicks Beach's consideration, that the decision in the case of the Straits Settle- ments should be postponed until the report on the general question has been received from the Committee.

I am to add that Colonel Stanley is strongly of opinion that it would greatly strengthen any claim which it may eventually be decided to make on the Colony for the proposed defences if the work at Tanjong Kutong were proceeded with at once, as without it the roadstead and town of Singapore are left defenceless, and the Colony might reasonably object, under those circumstances, to the proposed contribution.

I am, therefore, to suggest that Treasury authority should be obtained for the expenditure of 7,2007., the estimated cost of the works and armament of the fort in question.

No. 173.

I am, &c. (Signed) BURY.

Colonial Office to Admiralty.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, June 15, 1878. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of April 10,† inclosing the Report of the Colonial Defence Committee on Esquimalt and Victoria, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the accompanying extract, relating to Van- couver Island, from a report by Lieutenant-General Sir Selby Smyth, on the defences of Canada, pointing out the defenceless condition of Nanaimo.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 174.

(Secret and Confidential.)

Sir,

Colonial Office to War Office.

Downing Street, June 15, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Secretary of State for War, a copy of a despatch which has been received from the Governor of St. Helena,§ respecting the precautions which should be taken for the defence of the Island in the event of the outbreak of war, and in transmitting this despatch I am to request that you will call the attention of Colonel Stanley to the Report of the Colonial Defence Committee on this subject, which was inclosed in the letter from this Office of the 30th April last. Sir Michael Hicks Beach is of opinion that it is specially desirable that measures should be taken without delay for providing the two 9-inch guns proposed to be placed at Munden's Point, and for bringing up the battery of artillery stationed at St. Helena to its full complement of men.

I am, &c. Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

• No. 41.

+ No. 36.

Inclosure in No. 168.

§ No. 161.

No. 61.

[793]

G

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