78 A Colonial Navy. 



Cape of Good Hope, in forty-five days, and for defensive 



war 



Ten first-class- ships of 3,500 tons 



and 800 horse-power at £35 



per .ton £1,225,000 



Three second-class ships of 600 



tons and 150 horse-power at 



£35 per ton 63,000 



Armament for thirteen steam 



ships ... 

 One first-class depot 

 Two second-class depots 

 Three third-class depots 

 Two iron-cased floating batteries 



Total 



34. Note. — The above, does not include the ultimate extension of the first- 

 class depot, as this would be the gradual growth of years. In this category 

 is included about £600,000 of the above estimate (reducing the total to 

 £967,000 expenditure) if the half of the scheme only be carried out as suggested 

 in paragraph 32. The second-class ships also can be omitted, and the 

 distribution of the mails, after their receipt in Melbourne, carried out by 

 contract pro tern. 



35. It must be further noted, that the estimate includes the full sum of 

 £230,000 for warlike purposes, which is wholly unproductive in its character, 

 although, in the estimates annexed, the interest and deterioration is included 

 in the same table as the reproductive items. 



36. The batteries would be constructed wholly of iron, to avoid the rapid 

 decay and destruction contingent on those built in with sold masses of 

 timber, injuriously cased but not hermetically sealed in iron. A navy, such 

 as that now being constructed by Great Britain, will require to be replaced 

 every nine or ten years, from the decay of the timber backing to the metal 

 casing. 



30,000 











20,000 











20,000 











9,000 











200,000 











£1,567,000 











