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Appendix No. 4.

NORTH BORNEO.

purposes, and suggesting that if an officer is sent out to the China Sea he should be instructed to inquire into the capabilities of the harbours, and their adaptability for coaling stations or other requirements of Her Majesty's Fleet.

As Colonel Crossman will go to Labuan to report on the defences of that Colony, Lord Kimberley thinks it important that he should report on these harbours, and, if Mr. Secretary Childers concurs, I am to suggest that the necessary instructions should be sent to Colonel Crossman, to report on the harbours and bays of North Borneo, especially those of Gaya, Koudat, and Sandakan.

Inclosure 3 in No. 84.

War Office to Colonial Office.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE,

War Office, July 8, 1881.

Sir,

WITH reference to your letter of the 22nd ultimo,* inclosing a copy of a letter from the Chairman of the British North Borneo Provisional Association, calling attention to the harbours and bays of North Borneo, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, that instructions have been forwarded to Colonel Crossman to examine and report upon the harbours in question.

I am to suggest that it might be well to inform the Royal Commission on Defences what is being done in the matter.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

RALPH THOMPSON.

Sir,

Inclosure 4 in No. 84.

Colonial Office to the British North Borneo Provisional Association (Limited).

Downing Street, July 18, 1881. I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th June,† calling attention to the importance of the harbours and bays of North Borneo for defence purposes, and suggesting that if an officer is sent out to the China Sea he should be instructed to inquire into the capabilities of the harbours, and their adaptability for coaling stations or other requirements of Her Majesty's Fleet.

In reply, I am to state that an officer has been sent out to report on the means of defending various stations, and that he has been instructed to visit Borneo for the same purpose.

I am, &c.

No. 85.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

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

Downing Street, March 24, 1882.

Sir,

I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Com- mission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a letter from the War Office, forwarding a Report and inclosures from Colonel Crossman, R.E., C.M.G., relative to the harbours on the northern coasts of Borneo, and I am to request that the original documents may be returned to this Department when done with, together with the usual number of printed copies.

I am, &c. (Signed)

ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.

Sir,

Inclosure 1 in No. 85.

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, March 14, 1882.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to forward the accompanying Report and inclosures from Colonel Crossman, R.E., C.M.G., relative to the harbours on the northern coasts of Borneo, and to request that the Earl of Kimberley will be good enough to transmit the Report and accompanying documents for the information of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.

As this Report and inclosures are in original, Mr. Secretary Childers desires me to request that they may be returned to this Office when done with.

I have, &c. (Signed)

RALPH THOMPSON.

* Inclosure 2.

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Inclosure 1.

Y

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