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No. 203.

The Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received June 26.)

(Secret.) Sir,

Ottawa, June 10, 1878. I HAVE submitted for the consideration of my Government a copy of your despatch of the 23rd ultimo, marked Secret, inclosing a copy of the recommendations of the Colonial Defence Committee for the defence of the principal Canadian Atlantic ports.

No. 204.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

DUFFERIN.

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Committee Room, Whitehall, June 26, 1878.

I AM requested by the Colonial Defence Committee to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st June,† inclosing copies of correspondence with the War Office respecting the additional battery at Tanjong Kutong, which the Committee recommended for the defence of the roadstead of Singapore.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

ALEX. MILNE, President.

No. 205.

Sir,

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

Admiralty, June 26, 1878.

WITH reference to my letter of yesterday's date, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that the following telegram has been received from Rear-Admiral de Horsey, dated at Esquimalt, the 25th instant.

"In consequence of telegraphic communication from the Admiralty, guns and ammuni- tion had been lent to Provincial Government; they will now be transferred to the Dominion."

I am, &c.

(Signed)

ROBERT HALL.

No. 206.

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

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

War Office Committee Room, Whitehall, June 26, 1878.

I AM requested by the Colonial Defence Committee to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant,§ transmitting a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Trinidad, dated 27th May, respecting the defence of that island, and inviting the observa- tions of the Committee on the questions raised therein.

With regard to the want of rifles alluded to by the Governor at Trinidad, as well as at other islands in the West Indies, for arming any Militia or Volunteer forces that might be raised, I am to state that the Committee would suggest the supply of a large number of rifles, but that it should be left to the military authorities to decide whether these should be Snider or Martini-Henry. The Committee would recommend the despatch of these rifles with the requisite ammunition to Barbados for distribution among the various islands in the event of necessity arising.

Looking to the want of arms, not only in the islands, but in British Guiana, the Committee consider that an average of 300 to 400 per island, making a total of between 2,000 and 3,000 in all, would not be in excess of their requirements.

ALEX. MILNE, President.

I have, &c. (Signed)

* No. 35 E.

+ No. 183.

‡ No. 199.

§ No. 193.

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