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VANCOUVER

The railway passing through the "fertile belt "- -a magnificent country capable of raising a food Appendix No. 4. supply sufficient for Great Britain-it would open up direct communication with the whole of British North America, China, India, Japan, and Australia, and the large supplies of Eastern produce required by Canada would go by this route and help to develop trade in a community who draw their manufac- tures in a great quantity from England, instead of, as at present, going through and helping to build up American interests.

The railway will, from Nanaimo, ultimately reach Esquimalt as its ocean terminus, and a strong naval station must consequently be maintained there in the interests of Great Britain, British Columbia, and, for the reasons I have pointed out relating to the inhabitants of that magnificent but remote province, of the Dominion.

I cannot end without saying, in justice to an excellent and very promising young officer, Lieutenant- Colonel Irwin, R.A., that the reasons which weighed in selecting Lieutenant-Colonel Strange to proceed upon this joint Commission were three :—

1. He is the senior of the two Artillery Inspectors, and an officer of acknowledged high profes- sional attainments, specially anxious to be so employed.

2. It was considered desirable that the opportunity should be given to at least a second artillery officer to understand the defences of Esquimalt and Victoria, and to report upon them.

3. Lieutenant-Colonel Irwin had no desire so soon again to undertake the long and fatiguing journey twice across the American Continent, the manner in which he faithfully and skilfully fulfilled his previous mission having already called for my strong approbation, which I expressed in transmitting his able Report for the information of this Government and of the Colonial and War Ministers in England.

ISLAND.

I have, &c. (Signed)

ED. SELBY SMYTH, Lieutenant-General.

The Hon. the. Minister of Militia and Defence.

No. 125.

Sir,

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

Downing Street, April 19, 1880. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 13th January last,* I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commissioners on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, three copies in print of the Report of Colonel Lovell, R.E., on the defences of Esquimalt and Victoria Harbours, and other points in British Columbia.

I am to add that copies of the Report have also been sent to the War Office and Admiralty.

I am, &c.

(Signed).

JOHN BRAMSTON.

Sir,

Inclosure 1 in No, 125.

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, March 18, 1880.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, the accompanying Report, dated 20th December, 1879, from Colonel Lovell, R.E., on the defences of Esquimalt and Victoria Harbours, and other points in British Columbia; and to request that this Report may be laid before the Royal Commission on the Defences of the Colonies.

The plans have been retained in this Office for reference.

I am to request that the inclosed Report may be returned to this Office.

The Under-Secretary of State,

I have, &c. (Signed)

EUSTACE CECIL.

Colonial Office.

* No. 124.

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