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in the town of Victoria, which had formed no part of the plan General Colborne had communicated to me.

11. Accordingly, on the 10th April I drew Colonel Bassano's attention to the question of guarding the approaches of the harbour with torpedoes, and with batteries on Green Island, Stone Cutters' Island, and the Lyemoon Pass. He and Colonel Stuart, however, adhered to the opinion that they had already expressed against batteries on Green Island, Stone Cutters' Island, and the Lyemoon Pass, and against torpedo defence.

12. On the 23rd April I received your telegram directing me to transmit a message from the Secretary of State for War to the officer commanding the troops, in the following words :-

"Proceed with improvised defences; 8,000l. authorized. Points selected here for temporary defence-Green Island, Stone Cutters' Island (two), North Point, Kowloong Dock, Kowloong, and Belchers."

13. Subsequently I requested Colonel Bassano to arrange a conference with the principal military officers to meet the Commodore, Mr. Price, and myself to discuss the question of what assistance the Colony could give to the general project of defence. met on the 24th April and again on the 27th April.

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14. I took the opportunity on this conference (and privately with Colonel Bassano) to raise the question as to whether it would not be better to comply with the telegram from the Secretary of State for War, and place the batteries on the points now selected by the War Office, instead of placing guns in new batteries in the town, which might (as I ventured to suggest in accordance with General Colborne's views) give an enemy a pretext for shelling the town.

15. The only change in this direction, however, that the military authorities felt themselves justified in making in their plans, was the placing of one battery on Stone Cutters' Island, to be worked by volunteers, but they declare that they had neither men nor cannons for Green Island, nor the second battery on Stone Cutters' Island.

16. Whilst it was my duty to express my views frankly to Colonel Bassano on these points, I had not the slightest hesitation in giving him all the assistance in my power to carry out his own plans and those of the Commanding Engineer. Colonel Bassano's experience and ability, apart from his official position, entitle him to my fullest confidence and most hearty co-operation. I therefore assisted in getting for him, from private owners, the new sites he wanted in the town, and, in every other way, the Local Government is cordially working with the military authorities, who have already made rapid progress with the batteries they are raising.

17. As regards torpedo defence, the Naval authorities and Mr.. Price are engaged in maturing plans, which I believe will be safe and efficient.

I have, &c.

J. POPE HENNESSY.

(Signed)

No. 180.

Governor-General the Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.—

Received June 19.)

(Paraphrase of Telegram.)

THIS Government have been persuaded by me to erect a third battery for the defence of Esquimalt on Fisgard Island, in addition to those now erected on McAulay's Point and Beacon Hill.

No. 181.

Governor Sir H. St. George Ord, K.C.M G., C.B., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks

June 20, 1878.

(Telegraphic.)

Beach, Bart.

YOUR Secret and Confidential despatch as to not landing mail at King George's Sound received. Have written by this mail to deprecate such an announcement at present, as it probably would precipitate the movement for responsible Government.

Resolution referred to in this despatch has since been passed.

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