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(Separate.) My Lord,

501

Inclosure 1 in No. 3.

Governor Sir W. Jervois to the Earl of Kimberley.

Government House, Adelaide, March 31, 1882. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith a copy (in print) of a letter received by me yesterday from Colonel Scratchley, together with a Report from that officer showing progress made in regard to Australian defences since the 30th September, 1881.

2. Your Lordship has probably been informed of the panic which took possession of a large portion of the public in Victoria, owing to statements made by an impostor, calling himself Mr. Bryant, respecting alleged Russian designs upon these Colonies, of which he said he had knowledge owing to his having been in confidential communication with Admiral Aslanbegoff, the officer commanding the Russian squadron recently on a visit to Australia. It has transpired that the real name of 'Mr. Bryant" is Henri de Beaumont, and that he is a Frenchman who, having served a lengthy term of imprisonment in New Caledonia, came to Victoria in 1880, where he was convicted of a fraud for which he was sentenced to a year's imprisonment in Melbourne Gaol. He was only discharged from custody on the 18th January last.

3. The fears arising from the friendly visit of the Russian squadron and from the alleged disclosures of "Mr. Bryant" have had the effect of drawing fresh attention to the question of the defences of Port Phillip, with the result that the Government of Victoria has determined on substan- tially completing the scheme which was proposed by me in 1877, but which has as yet only been partially carried out.

4. It so happened also that, before I was aware of there being a panic in Victoria respecting alleged Russian designs, I had written to Colonel Scratchley the semi-official letter to which he refers (and of which I inclose a copy*), drawing attention to the necessity for the completion of the defences of Port Phillip. This letter had, I believe, a considerable effect in regard to the course of action which has been determined upon by the Victorian Ministers.

5. The visit of the Russian squadron has also had the effect of drawing the attention of my Government to the question of defences in South Australia. Of two permanent defence works proposed by me, only one has as yet been carried into execution; the construction of the second battery has just been ordered; and my Ministers, acting upon my suggestions, are taking steps with a view of procuring a vessel of war to aid in the defence of this Colony.

I have, &c. (Signed)

WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

Sir,

Inclosure 2 in No. 3.

Colonel Scratchley to Governor Sir W. Jervois.

Melbourne, March 25, 1882.

I HAVE the honour to forward an Intermediate Progress Report on Australian defences, showing the further progress made in the several Colonies since the 30th September, 1881, the date of my last

statement.

The only Colony which requires special notice is that of Victoria. In consequence of the occur- rence of a war scare, resulting from the visit of a Russian squadron under Admiral Aslanbegoff, I have been able to bring home to the Government the danger of allowing any further delay in completing the scheme of defence, I have also pointed out that there is no defined defence policy in Victoria, and that all the arrangements for defence are of a haphazard and hand-to-mouth character.

Your Excellency's semi-official communication (23rd February, 1882*) respecting the defences was

of great service, and I lost no time in submitting it to Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, the Premier.

I am glad to be able to report that my representations have been very favourably received, and that the Government of Victoria has expressed its intention of completing the scheme of land defences, making due provision for this expense by an Act of Parliament.

I was compelled to make concessions and not to oppose the purchase of gun-boats and torpedo- boats, and ultimately I agreed to modify the design for the South Channel Fort, in order to reduce its cost. All these points were left open for consideration in your semi-official communication.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

P. H. SCRATCHLEY.

* Inclosure 4.

[1103!

6 M

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267

Appendix No. 7.

AUSTRALIA,

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