CAB7-4 — Page 224

Page 224

Appendix No. 4.

M

SEYCHELLES.

Page 224

Page 224

196

SEYCHELLES.

No. 65.

Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad,

Downing Street, November 14, 1881.

(Confidential.) Sir,

I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commis- sion on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, forwarding a copy of despatch from Rear-Admiral Gore Jones, the Commander-in-chief, East India Station, forwarding the Report of the Committee appointed by him to inquire into the defences of Mahé, Seychelles.

I am to add that the Report on the defence of the Seychelles which the Governor of Mauritius was requested to make has not yet been received.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

JOHN BRAMSTON.

Inclosure 1 in No. 65.

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

(Confidential.) Sir,

Admiralty, November 3, 1881. WITH reference to my letter of the 18th April,* in reply to your letters of the 14th March and 11th April, respecting the steps proposed to be taken for procuring information as to the capabilities for defence of certain ports used as coaling and refitting stations by ships of the Royal or merchant navy, or as harbours of refuge, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for the perusal of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, copy of a despatch, dated the 19th September, which has been received from Rear-Admiral Gore Jones, Commander-in-chief, East India Station, forwarding the Report of a Committee appointed by him to inquire into the defences of Mahé, Seychelles.

2. My Lords desire me to request you will state to Lord Kimberley that they do not concur in the alternative scheme for providing for the defence of the Seychelles out of Naval Votes, and that they cannot undertake to maintain the naval force recommended for its defence during war, as officers, men, and gun-boats would be required for offensive operations in other quarters.

3. A similar communication, inclosing a copy of the Report of the Committee, has been addressed to the War Office.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

ROBERT HALL.

(Confidential.) Sir,

Inclosure 2 in No. 65.

Rear-Admiral Gore Jones to Admiralty.

Euryalus,” at Sea, Lat. 2° 56′ S., Long. 59° 20′ E., September 19, 1881.

IN pursuance of intimation received from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty by cypher telegram and letter dated the 2nd June last, I appointed, on my arrival at Seychelles, a Committee to assist Colonel Gordon, Royal Engineers, who met the ship at Seychelles, to inquire into and report upon the defence of Mahé.

The Committee consisted of—

Colonel C. G. Gordon, C.B., Royal Engineers, President ; Captain Richard Duckworth King, Royal Navy ;

Lieutenant Reginald W. S. Rogers, Torpedo Officer, Her Majesty's ship "Euryalus;"

and I now beg to forward the Report of these officers, dated the 13th instant.†

They give the alternative of either a naval or military system of defence as they did at Mauritius, recommending, both for efficiency and economy, the naval system.

The Seychelles are unable to defray any portion of the expenses incurred in the defence of the islands.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

WM. GORE JONES.

* Inclosure 1 in No. 8, Appendix No. 1, First Report.

+ See Inclosure 1 in No. 66.

Page 224

Page 224