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telegraphic communication, and that in the absence of powerful batteries on Hog Island, or a British gun-boat having one or more Armstrong or Whitworth guns on board, they would, with our present resources developed to the utmost, be practically at the mercy of

an enemy.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

No. 192.

Colonial Office to Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, June 24, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 7th instant,* as to the general principles which should govern the apportionment of the expenditure on temporary defences between the Imperial Government and the several Colonies, I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to request that you will be good enough to state, as nearly as may be, what would be the cost of converting the works already recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee for the Cape of Good Hope, into works of a more permanent

character.

Sir Michael Hicks Beach thinks that it will be preferable to lay the question, so far as it regards this Colony, before the Treasury in a complete shape, and on obtaining the assent of the Lords Commissioners, he will be prepared to make the necessary communi- cation to the Colonial Government.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 193.

Colonial Office to Admiral Sir A. Milne, Bart., G.C.B.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, June 24, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for any observations which the Colonial Defence Committee may have to offer, a copy of a despatch which has been received from the Governor of Trinidadt in reply to Sir Michael Hicks Beach's Secret Circular dated the 20th March,‡ on the subject of the defence of the Colonies, a copy of which was transmitted to the Committee in the letter from this Department of the 2nd April last.§

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

No. 194.

Colonial Office to War Office.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, June 24, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 22nd April,|| I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Colonel Stanley, a copy of a despatch which has been received from the Governor of Hong Kong,¶ in reply

* No. 62

+ No. 176.

‡ No. 15.

§ No. 26.

Sir,

War Office, April 22, 1878. I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to request that you will move Sir Michael H. Beach to give instructions for the transmission to the Officer Commanding the Troops at Hong Kong of the following telegram:-

EC

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

I have, &c.

The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

(Signed)

¶ No. 179.

RALPH THOMPSON.

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