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We earnestly request that the Colonial Government will give every assistance in their power to Appendix No. 4. enable Messrs. Donald Currie and Co. to maintain the line between Mauritius and South Africa.

Port Louis, Mauritius, October 10, 1879.

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Inclosure 6 in No. 33.

We have, &c. (Here follow the signatures.)

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Sir G. Bowen to Sir M. Hicks Beach.

Sir,

Government House, Mauritius, September 8, 1879. I HAVE the honour to report that I lost no time in laying before the Council of Government your despatch of the 26th June ultimo, with its inclosures, respecting telegraphic communication.

2. This question was referred for the consideration of the Finance Committee, and I now inclose a copy of its Report, which was adopted by the Council with only one dissentient voice, and with which I entirely concur.

3. It will be seen that the Legislature venture to express the hope that the Right Honourable "the Secretary of State will seize the earliest opportunity of reconsidering this matter, so that Mauritius may not remain relegated amongst the few British possessions which are now deprived of the benefits of direct telegraphic communication."

I have, &c.

1.

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(Signed)

G. F. BOWEN.

Inclosure 7 in No. 33.

Appendix No. to Minutes of Council No. 21, of 1879.

Report of the Finance Committee on his Excellency the Governor's Minute No. 14, of 1879.

Present:

The Honourable the Acting Receiver-General, Chairman.

The Honourable the Acting Auditor-General.

The Honourable the Protector of Immigrants.

The Honourable R. Stein.

The Honourable E. Ducray.

Read His Excellency's Minute No. 14, dated the 15th instant, laying before the Council of Government a despatch from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the 26th June last, and a Treasury Minute dated the 4th May, 1879, explaining the measures adopted by the Home Government for the establishment of telegraphic communication between England and South Africa.

2. The Committee regret that the Home authorities have not been able to secure, for the present, the connection of Mauritius with the line between Aden and Natal; but they venture to express the hope that the Right Honourable the Secretary of State will seize the earliest opportunity of recon- sidering this matter, so that the Mauritius may not remain relegated amongst the few British posses- sions which are now deprived of the benefits of direct telegraphic communication.

(Signed) A. CHASTEAUNEUF, Chairman.

Chambers, August 26, 1879.

No. 34.

War Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.

Sir,

War Office, March 16, 1880. IN forwarding to you, with a view to its being laid before the Royal Commission on Colonial Defence, the inclosed correspondence which has been received from the Governor of Mauritius respecting the garrison and military defences of that Colony,* I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to request that the Commissioners on Colonial Defence will give the subject their consideration, and favour the Secretary of State with their views upon it.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

RALPH THOMPSON.

P.S.-The Commissioners are already in possession of papers upon this subject.

* Despatch of November 6, 1879. (See Inclosure 3 in No. 32.).

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R. T.

MAURITIUS.

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