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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. April 21, 1888.

CONFIDENTIAL.

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Report of Local Defence Committee.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Remarks by Colonial Defence Committee.

THE Colonial Defence Committee have carefully considered the Report drawn up by the local Committee dealing with the defence of Fremantle.

They concur with the local Committee that no present danger exists of any hostile attempt being made in force against any part of the Colony, more especially since the strength of the Australasian squadron is about to be largely increased. The requirements of defence are, therefore, limited to securing protection against one or two unarmoured cruizers who might make a sudden descent upon the port with a view to demand coals or other supplies. The probability of such an attempt is perhaps enhanced by the long seaboard of Western Australia, which presents practically only two ports at which such requisitions could be made.

In the opinion of the Colonial Defence Committee, moderate measures will suffice for all the present needs of the Colony; but it is essential that these measures should be carefully worked out in time of peace, so that their efficient application may be counted upon at short notice.

Dealing first with those general recommendations of the local Committee in which the action of the Colonial Government is required, the Colonial Defence Committee desire to offer the following remarks:-

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1. They observe that according to the latest Returns the total number of volunteers at Perth and Fremantle is only 326 (or 465 including those from Guildford), although the local Committee speak of 637 as "the probable force that will be available for the defence of Fremantle. The Colonial Defence Committee consider that the latter number should be regarded as the minimum necessary for security, and they would urge that the desirability of increasing the available force accordingly should be impressed upon the Colonial Government.

2. The Imperial Government having now undertaken, in compliance with the wishes of the Delegates at the recent Conference, to provide an armament for the defence of Princess Royal Harbour, King George's Sound, including three new-type guns; any further expenditure should be borne by the Colony.

3. The Colonial Defence Committee consider, however, that the two 7-inch guns and ammunition, together with the field guns which were promised in Lord Derby's despatch of the 12th June, 1885, for the defence of Fremantle, should be presented to the Colony on the understanding that the volunteer force is increased to the strength above stated and maintained in a state of readiness and efficiency. The 7-inch guns, if mounted so as to admit of under- cover loading and long-range fire, will suffice to deter an enemy's cruizers from undertaking a bombardment. They concur with the local Committee that, if practicable, these guns should be mounted on the disappearing principle; and they are informed that a new system of counterpoise mounting will shortly be tried at Shoeburyness, which, if successful, would meet the requirements of Fremantle. They recommend that the Colonial Government should be informed accordingly, and that the dispatch of the guns should be delayed till the trials are carried out. Meanwhile, it should be stated that the cost of the improved mounting will be about 5001. per gun, and the Colonial Government should be asked whether, in the event of the trials proving successful, they would be willing to incur this expenditure.

The sketch plan of the proposed battery for these guns has not been forwarded; but assistance would be given in preparing the final design as has been done in other cases.

4. The Colonial Defence Committee concur in the recommendation to

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