xxxix 



high, explosives for mines and shells were still in the distant future. 

 There was no delay, however, in adapting the works to the changes 

 rendered necessary by these developments. The lines of defence 

 were laid out further from the dockyards to meet the increased 

 range of artillery ; arrangements were made by which the armour 

 plating of the forts could be strengthened to meet any further de- 

 velopment of artillery ; and a committee was appointed to consider 

 how submarine mines and torpedoes should be utilised to strengthen 

 the defence of ports and harbours. 



The works during and after execution were sharply criticised, and 

 they were defended with energy and success by Colonel Jervois before 

 committees and in papers read at the Royal Institution and the 

 Royal United Service Institution. Fortifications constructed from 

 twenty-five to thirty years ago must obviously need modification in 

 some points to enable them to meet later developments in the art of 

 attack. But, on the whole, it may be said that the works for which 

 Sir A V . Jervois and his associates are responsible constitute a solid 

 and enduring contribution to the defences of the country, and that 

 for many years to come they will fulfil the object for which they 

 were erected. Amongst the greatest of those works are the fortifica- 

 tions for the protection of Portsmouth, Plymouth, Portland, Pem- 

 broke, Cork, the Thames, and the Medway. 



In 1863, 1864, and 1865 Colonel Jervois went on three separate 

 missions to advise on the defence of Canada; in 1863 and 1869 he 

 was sent to inspect the works at Halifax and Bermuda, and in 1865 

 and 1866 to prepare projects for strengthening the fortifications 

 at Malta and Gibraltar. In 1871-72 he was employed by the Govern- 

 ment of India to inspect and report on the defences of Aden, Perim, 

 Bombay, and the Hiighli, and he also visited British Burma, and 

 reported on the defences of Rangun and Mulmein. 



In 1874 Sir W. Jervois, who had been made a C.B. in 1863, was 

 created K.C.M.G. in recognition of his services to Canada. In 1875 

 he left the War Office and was appointed Governor of the Straits 

 Settlements. Soon after his arrival at Singapore he found himself 

 confronted by the necessity of making war on the Malay States of 

 Perak and Sungei Ujong, to punish them for the treacherous murder 

 of Mr. Birch, the British Resident. By his promptitude in con- 

 centrating a strong force at the seat of war, the operations were 

 soon brought to a successful conclusion, and he then elaborated plans 

 for the government of the protected Malay States. In 1877 he was 

 sent to Australia to advise the Australasian Governments on matters 

 of defence, and to prepare schemes for the protection of their ports. 

 Whilst employed on this duty he was appointed Governor of South 

 Australia, and, after completing a term of six years (1877-83), was 

 made Governor of New Zealand for a like term (1883-89). In 



