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Government in executing such works without having first determined what share the Colonial Governments are to bear of the cost.

My Lords trust that the Secretary of State for the Colonies will not overlook this consideration, but will suspend all works which, either in the opinion of the military authorities, or from the improved prospect of peace, admit of being postponed until the financial question is settled.

I am, &c.'

(Signed)

R. R. W. LINGEN.

No. 198.

Sir,

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, June 25, 1878. IN reply to your letter of the 5th instant,* referring to the consent of the Treasury to the first cost of works recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee for the protec- tion of Barbadoes and Jamaica being provided for in Army and Navy Estimates, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to request that you will inform Sir Michael Hicks Beach that the guns required have been ordered, and that the General Officers Commanding at these stations have been instructed to proceed with the works of defence recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee, including submarine mines for Jamaica.

With regard to the last paragraph of your letter under reply, I am to state that Secretary Colonel Stanley is in communication with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty with respect thereto, and that a further communication will be made to you upon the subject.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

EUSTACE G. CECIL.

No. 199.

(Confidential.) Sir,

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

Admiralty, June 25, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 24th instant, inclosing copy of a telegram received from the Governor-General of Canada,† from which it appears that the instructions addressed to the Senior Naval Officer at Esquimalt had been misunderstood, I am com- manded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that a telegram has been sent this day to the Commander-in- chief on the Pacific station, who is now at Esquimalt, directing that the naval guns in store at that place are to be lent to the Dominion Government immediately.

I am, &c. (Signed)

ROBERT HALL.

No. 200. 202

Sir,

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

Downing Street, June 25, 1878.

WITH reference to the recommendations of the Colonial Defence Committee for the defence of Table and Simon's Bays, and for the apportionment of the Whitehead torpedoes ordered by the Admiralty for the Colonies, I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Committee, the accompanying copy of a despatch from the Governor,‡ recommending (1) four "Lightning" torpedo-boats and sixteen Whitehead torpedoes for Table and Simon's Bays; (2) ten 38-ton and two 25-ton guns for Table Bay; (3) the immediate provision of some of the heavy long-range guns and of two 'Lightning" boats, with a suitable supply of torpedoes; (4) the expenditure of 10,000l. for completion of works at Simon's Bay and commencement of those at Table Bay.

rr

I am also to inclose copy of a despatch, inclosing copy of " Gazette," containing copies of the "Defence Bills."§

I am, &c. (Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

* No. 154.

+ No. 185.

No. 18".

§ No. 147.

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