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No. 213 A.

Governor Hennessy, C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.

(Telegraphic. Paraphrase.)

June 28, 1878. THE General to the War Office. Batteries suited to our force have been completed. West, Stonecutters' and Green Islands have not been fortified, because the situations are isolated and the troops are insufficient. 5,000l. have been expended.

No. 214.

War Office to Colonial Office.

Sir,

War Office, June 29, 1878.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the accompanying correspondence under date 4th May, 1878,* from the officer commanding the troops at Hong Kong, detailing the measures which have been taken for the construction of the temporary batteries authorized for the defence of that place.

I am to request that the inclosures may be returned to this Office at an early date.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

No. 215.

Colonial Office to War Office.

EUSTACE G. CECIL.

(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,

Downing Street, June 30, 1878. WITH reference to previous correspondence I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acquaint you, for the information of Secretary Colonel Stanley, that a telegram has been received from the Governor of Hong Kong, of which the following is a paraphrase:-

"The General to the War Office.

"Batteries suited to our force have been completed. West, Stonecutters', and Green Islands have not been fortified because the situations are isolated and the troops are insufficient. 5,0001, have been expended."

No. 216.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

Governor Hennessy, C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-

(Secret.) Sir,

(Received July 1.)

Government House, Hong Kong, May 18, 1878. IN my despatch of the 11th instant,† I reported that the military authorities had already made rapid progress with the batteries for the defence of Hong Kong.

2. Owing, evidently, to the active personal supervision of Colonel Bassano, Colonel Stuart, and the other officers concerned, and to the fact that the labour market of this Colony was able to supply them instantly with 2,000 hard-working Chinese labourers, most of whom had been accustomed to stone quarrying and excavating, I am happy to say that the following works have now been completed, or nearly so :---

Wellington Battery, in the town of Victoria, mounting five 40-pounder breech-

loaders.

Bonham Road Battery, in the town of Victoria, to mount two 9-inch and one 8-inch gun. This battery is ready for the guns, one of which has been conveyed to it.

Another new town battery, to mount two 6-ton 7-inch guns.

complete, and the guns are on the spot ready for mounting.

This battery is

Stonecutters' Island Battery, to mount six 64-pounders. Battery ready, but guns not yet taken across.

Kowloon Battery, to mount six 7-inch breechloaders. The guns are on the spot. The battery will be ready in two days more.

Kowloon Dock Battery, to mount two 6-ton 7-inch guns, and three 64-pounders. This battery is complete, and the guns are on the spot ready for mounting.

* Not printed.

† No. 179.

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