Denison's criticism of scheme to fortify railway stations, alleging that it involves scattering troops; Wood's conception was for something to facilitate defence as at siege of Arrah during Mutiny.
Is sending report of Commission on position of Indian Army Officers following vote in House of Commons [cf. Wood's letter of 16 May], and Lt-Gen Sir R Vivian (member, Council of India) is sending memorandum pointing out difficulties; asks for Lawrence's views.
Emphasises that Mr Shields's plan for wharf accommodation on Hooghly is being sent privately without any implication that it has been approved by Home Govt.
[Refers to Lawrence's letters of 19 November (2) and 21 November]; organisation of Indian military high command; any important alteration in position of C-in-C, India, will agitate military men at home; difficulty of finding good men for that post; brevet rank should not have been given to retire...
Explains at length his doubts on Lawrence's policy on Oudh tenures; Canning's policy was designed 'to set up a native gentry or aristocracy in the shape of the talookdars. It was not a course of policy which had prevailed of late years in India, it is one which I believe is opposed to your own vi...
Has had long discussions with his advisers on Oudh land tenures, and a despatch is on the anvil; outlines his views at length; criticises type of enquiry into tenures established by Lawrence and the officer sent by him to conduct it – Mr (later Sir Robert) Davies ('a Punjabee trained in the level...
Norman has written to Duke of Cambridge that he finds working with Durand (about to become Military Member of Council) so difficult that he may resign his post.
Acknowledges Lawrence's letters of 30 Jan and 4 and 5 Feb; in matter of Persian Telegraph line, did not intend to free Bombay from Govt of India's control – Wood is decidedly in favour of financial control of Govt of India though he sometimes cautions against its use in small matters; will not pr...
Trevelyan gives much worse account of India's financial prospects than Wood had anticipated; suggests army and police reductions; George Lawrence not entitled to KCB; encloses mortality statistics for Indian jails some of which are very bad; clarifies his opinion in favour of abolition of perempt...
Refers to Lawrence's letter of 18 February (1); fears European planters will ruin native gentry in Coorg by taking away labourers; Wood has been horrified at planters' proceedings in Assam in seeking to compel labourers to work; contract and rent questions; hopes High Court will give collective o...