A.—2.

20

evidence which the Commission have obtained indicates conclusively that the power of heavy guns will be greatly increased by changes which are taking place in the construction of ordnance and the manufacture of gunpowder; and that these changes, though not yet completely accomplished or officially announced, are virtually accepted. They therefore think it desirable that an intimation of the impending changes should without delay be given to the larger colonies who are now engaged in providing themselves with powerful armaments, in order that they may take measures to secure supplies of ordnance of the new type, and avoid the expenditure of large sums upon guns which, although good of the type now in general use, will very shortly be surpassed in power, and unable to compete on a footing of equality with those which are in course of introduction by foreign Governments as well as by our own. The Commission would therefore recommend, with regard to artillery, that it should be suggested to the various colonial Governments that they will find it for their convenience and advantage, before proceeding to the construction or purchase of any guns, to communicate with the Home Government, so that the War Office may have an opportunity of suggesting any change of detail which may tend to bring about the desired uniformity, and at the same time secure for the colonies the most approved description of ordnance. With regard to small arms, and other kinds of warlike stores, as in the previous case, they recommend that the colonial Governments should adopt the patterns in use in the Imperial service, unless for some well-matured and decided reasons they advisedly adopt another pattern, in which case they should inform the Government of the fact, and of the reasons which have led to the selection of the exceptional pattern, so that the Home Government may, if it be an improvement, consider the advisability of adopting it, or explain the reasons which militate against its adoption, or make representations which might induce the colonies to reconsider their decision. They would also suggest that each of the colonies should be furnished with a complete set of the War Office vocabularies and priced lists of all warlike stores, together with copies of all circulars which are issued embodying approved changes therein. When these circulars have been registered for information in the colonies, which it desirable should be done by that department in each colony which is responsible for advising on these subjects, the various Governments will be in a position to order all supplies of warlike stores of the most approved patterns. Should they decide upon obtaining their supplies from the trade, for which the Commission understand there are great facilities, it would be desirable that the War Department should continue to render every assistance to insure the supply of stores of the best quality and uniform in pattern with those in use in Her Majesty's service. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Herbert Jekyll.

Enclosure 2 in No. 30. The War. Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Surveyor-General's Department, War Office, 24th July, 1878. In reply to your letter of the 16th instant, enclosing a copy of a despatch received from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, respecting the supply of Martini-Henry carbines and ammunition, and also of ammunition, &c, for Krupp and Whitworth guns for the Transvaal Government, I am directed by Secretary Colonel Stanley to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the 300 carbines and 800,000 rounds of ammunition will be ordered at once. It is observed that carbine buckets are not asked for, but, in the event of their being required, they could probably be made up on the spot, as it would not, under any circumstances, be possible at present for this department to supply them. With regard to the projectiles, &c, for the Krupp and Whitworth guns, I am to state that a communication on the subject has already been received from the colony through the Com-missary-General of Ordnance at Cape Town, to which a reply has been made, as per enclosed copy I am to add that the practice of colonies providing themselves with arms and ammunition of various patterns is not unlikely, in the opinion of the military authorities, to give rise to serious disaster in the event of colonial and Imperial forces acting together in the field. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Ralph Thompson

Enclosure 3 in No. 30. The War Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Surveyor-General's Department, War Office, 19th July, 1880. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Childers to request that you will bring to the particular notice of the Earl of Kimberley that, whilst the Home Government are at all times glad to assist the colonies as far as may be possible with officers for the instruction and organization of local