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order to reduce its cost.
It is intended to mount two 9-inch (service pattern) and two 80-pounder Appendix No. 7. muzzle-loading rifled guns, which are now in the Colony, and postpone the inclosure and other parts of the work for the present.
8. By direction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies I have visited King George Sound (Western Australia) in order to report upon its defence. I have had the advantage of consulting with Sir W. Jervois on the subject, and my Report will be forwarded to London in a few days. Early in October I proceed on a similar mission to Thursday Island, in Torres Straits.
9. The necessity for fortifying these two places, as suitable coal depôts in time of war, suggests the desirability of considering the question of naval defence for the Australian Colonies. Now that the fortifications of the principal harbours along their shores is approaching completion-thus affording places of refuge and coal depôts for the Imperial Navy-the present time would appear to be favourable for looking into the subject as a whole. So far nothing has been done locally towards providing any protection, auxiliary to that afforded by the Imperial Navy, for exposed places on the seaboard and of commerce generally.
10. Although my duties in the Australian Colonies are primarily connected with the construction of defence works, and the provision of armaments and submarine defences, I have been employed by the Governments of New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and New Zealand in connection with the organization of the local forces of these Colonies. I have acted for the last three years as Inspector of the Volunteer Forces in Queensland and Tasmania.
11. In all matters connected with the defences I have had the great advantage of being able to consult Sir W. Jervois, who, has at all times afforded me his valuable advice. I have also received very great assistance from the Inspector-General of Fortifications and his officers, at the War Office. The preparation of designs for defensive works has been conducted in the offices of the Public Works Departments of the several Colonies, draughtsmen having been placed at my disposal by the several Governments. The execution of the works has been undertaken by these Departments, acting under my general supervision. At Sydney, military working parties, furnished by the Permanent Artillery, are constructing entrenchments and improving the batteries generally under my direction.
12. My head-quarters are established in Melbourne, and since my arrival in Australia in April 1877, I have paid thirty-four visits to Sydney, seven visits to Brisbane, six visits to Tasmania, four visits to Adelaide, and one visit to New Zealand.
P. H. SCRATCHLEY, Colonel, R.E.
(Signed)
AUSTRALIA.
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