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Inclosure 1 in No. 189.

War Office, June 6, 1878.

Sir,

IN reference to the Commanding Royal Engineer's letters of the 16th and 30th April, 1878, on the subject of the defence of Table Bay, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to inform you that the instructions for the erection of temporary works sent to you on the 23rd May, 1878, will have fully informed you of the views, with reference to Table Bay, of the Committee appointed, at the instance of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to report on the measures to be taken for the temporary defence of the more important Colonial ports, and that the armament therein proposed, which has been sanc- tioned by the Secretary of State for War, is based upon the supplies that are available, or can be most readily procured at the present moment.

I am to observe that it is desirable that the works to be erected for mounting these guns should be on the sites best suited for permanent defence, to which they might hereafter be adapted; but for the present heavier guns (18 to 38 tons), such as the Com- mittee presided over by Mr. Sprigg have recommended, are not available, and as their manufacture is not only very costly, but would cause great delay, the question of their provision, as well as the permanent defences of the port, must be reserved for future consideration.

I have, &c. (For J. G. F.), (Signed)

C. H. NUGENT.

The General Officer Commanding, Cape of Good Hope.

Inclosure 2 in No. 189.

Sir,

Chief Resident Engineer's Office, Cape Town, April 16, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to forward herewith, for your information, copy of a correspon- dence which has recently taken place respecting the provision of defences for Table Bay.

I have, &c.

(Signed) F. C. HASSARD, Colonel,

Commanding Royal Engineer, South Africa.

The Inspector-General of Fortifications,

War Office, London.

Inclosure 3 in No. 189.

Cape Town.—Table Bay Defences.

THERE has been a great amount of correspondence on the defences seaward of Simon's Bay and Table Bay, the result of which has been that plans were prepared for Simon's Bay, and are now in the War Office. No plans have, I believe, been prepared for Table Bay.

Something was done last year to throw up temporary batteries at Simon's Bay; one of these, I believe, is now completed and armed, and another in progress.

Ministers are very anxious on the subject of Table Bay. I shall be very glad if General Thesiger should see fit to put the Commander Royal Engineer in communication with the Ministers (represented at present by the Honourable Mr. Miller, Treasurer- General), and any other officers he thinks proper, and the Commodore, and to let us

know-

1. What can be done to throw up temporary works on or near the sites selected in Table Bay, as has been done in Simon's Bay?

2. What will each work cost?

3. How can it be executed ?

4. How armed?

5. How manned, in our present dearth of Royal Artillerymen, by Volunteer Artillery? On this latter point, Colonel Dean Pitt and the Honourable Mr. Southey will probably

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