§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, he would beg, in the absence of his noble Friend (Viscount Sandon), to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the Defence of the Harbours of the Colonies and of India, Whether the "Cerberus" has left for Melbourne, and whether the "Abyssinia" and the "Magdala" have left for Bombay; and whether applications have been received from other Colonies for similar ships for the defence of their Harbours; and, whether such applications would be complied with, the cost of maintenance being undertaken by the Colony so applying?
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, in reply, that he had received a communication from the Colonial Office proposing the necessary arrangements for handing over the Cerberus to the Colony, but the vessel had not yet left. The Abyssinia and the Magdala had not left for Bombay. As to whether applications had been made from other Colonics for similar ships for the defence of their harbours, he had to say that the Cerberus was built at the cost of the Colony of Victoria, and that the Colonial Naval Defence Act provided for her future status and disci- 1691 pline. He was a party to the introduction of the Bill, which he thought very valuable, and Her Majesty's Government would be very glad to see other Colonies take advantage of the Act. He did not think, however, there was any application on the subject at present.