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mittee, which reported in September 1881. It appears from this Report Evidence. Q. 2412. that the harbour is spacious, deep, and well sheltered. Its defence by Digest, p. 610. batteries would, it is estimated by the War Office, cost 140,6507., and require Third Report, pp. 197–203. a garrison of 500 men, and as no contribution in men or money could be furnished by the island, the entire expense would fall upon the Imperial Government. With a view to economy, the local Committee proposed that the whole island, including the harbour, should be defended by four gun- boats.

56. We doubt whether the latter defence would be efficient, and do not recommend its adoption; nor, indeed, are we able to recommend the defence of Victoria as a first class naval station.

Cocos or Keeling Island.

57. Cocos Island may be thought to afford facilities for the protection of Digest, p. 610.

trade in the Indian Ocean, lying as it does close to the track of the trade Third Report, pp. 203, 204. between Australia and Ceylon, and about midway between the two. An examination of the chart, however, will show that the island could never be of much value as a harbour of refuge, and as the expense of defending it would, in our judgment, be wholly disproportionate to the benefit to be derived, we think it unnecessary to consider Cocos Island further.

III. THE Route througH THE MEDITERRANEAN AND SUEZ CANAL.

58. In our first Report we referred to the importance of Gibraltar and First Report, paragraph 5. Malta as fortresses on the sea route through the Mediterranean, but we do not propose to enter into the question of their defence, in consequence of

communications received from your Majesty's Government requesting us to See Appendix No. 3. consider these places, together with Bermuda and Halifax, as outside the scope of our inquiry. We are therefore absolved from the duty of inquiring into and reporting upon these stations. We have already forwarded all the evidence we had received, and we feel confident that your Majesty's Govern- ment will, without loss of time, take every measure to satisfy themselves as to the condition of these four most important fortresses in respect of works, armaments, garrisons, and supplies.

Cyprus.

6-10.

59. Having referred to the Suez Canal in our first Report, we have First Report, paragraphs only now to consider the desirability of establishing a coaling-station in Cyprus, your Majesty's most eastern outpost in the Mediterranean. We Third Report, pp. 205–214. find that there is only one port in the island-Famagusta-which is suitable for such a purpose. We cannot, however, recommend a fortified coaling and refitting station in this case, owing to the extent of the works and the large garrison which, we are informed by the War Department, would be required.

pendix No. 2.

A secondary coaling-station may, we think, be established with advantage if, See paragraph 151, and Ap- upon examination of the locality, it be found that the suggestion with reference to secondary coaling-stations, hereafter referred to, can be applied.

IV. THE ROUTES BETWEEN SINGAPORE, THE CHINA SEA, AND AUSTRALIA.

Singapore.

60. Singapore is, as regards the whole of your Majesty's possessions in the East, a position of great military and commercial importance, guarding the southern end of the Straits of Malacca,-the main entrance to the Indian Ocean from the eastward,-and in some measure controlling the Straits of Sunda, 450 miles distant. It is a base for your Majesty's ships employed in the protection of trade, and is favourably placed for observing the French port of Saigon, distant 600 miles, and containing a garrison of 4,000 Second Report, p. 49.

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