DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1503, 1 April 1885, Page 2

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND.

The following telegram was received yesterday by the Mayor of Christchurch from the Premier in answer to the telegram sent to the Government after the meeting held to consider the d fence question on Monday Wellington, March 31. Government are having plans prepared for temporary works. When ready, Major Cautley leaves here for Ch iatchurch. Government will send on officer of Armed Constabulary with 25 artillerymen to Christchurch to form the nucleus of artillery defence. We have communicated with the Imperal Government as to naval defence. With regard to accepting the Reserve Corps, I will communicate with the Minister of Defence. Our colonists must recognise, however, that even the temporary defence works will be very costly, and that our funds are not unlimited. We thank you and the Christchurch Committee for offers of assistance, and we will be glad to receive your aid and advice.— Robert Stout.” Later in the day the Mayor received the following telegram from the Hon the Defence Minister;—‘‘Government thanks the Mayor, and will accept the services of the corps on the conditions proposed ” The Mayor also receive! a telegram from Mr Peter Cunningham in Auckland, offering his services, while in America, in procuring arms and accoutrements for the proposed force if required, and doing anything he possibly can to further the matter.

Welli gxon, Last Night. This afternoon Government sent a cable message to the Agent-General asking him to endeavor to arrange for a cruiser of the Admiralty class, and suitable for coastal defence, being sent out to New Zealand. The Government have offered to bear the whole expense and pay interest on the cost.

Government are arranging for the services of Captain Bodham, of Tasmania, in connection with the erection of batteries. etc. Captain Bodham is an officer of the Royal Artillery, and experienced in such works.

Referring to defence work tha Evening Pod suggests that “Auckland. Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin should organise a series of ‘ Defence Bees,’ to aid in the construction of the roads and earthworks required. Those able to give manual labor might do it, and those unable to work themselves might well pay others to work for them for three or four days. ”

Government have in store 85 rounds of shot and shell for each of the 23 big guns, and they have recently received one million rounds of Snider cartridges. A large supply of guu cotton w r as ordered from Home upwards of two months ago for torpedo mo, and it now probably on its way out. Government are also having constructed a number of dynamite torpedoes, or mines for harbor defence.

Wellington, To-day.

Captain Bidham, of Tasmania, who has been elected by the Government to take charge of the artillery and also the shore battorjes has, for some time past, been engaged in superintending the fortifications of Tasmania, He js spoken of as a gentleman of high abilities, and was recommended by His Excellency the Go. vern or. Ho is expected to arrive in New Zealand in a few days. Lieut. Douglas, of Rangitikei, an officer iu the Royal Navy, has been appointed to take charge of all port defences. Lieut. Douglas, who will enter upon his new duties almost immediately,' has had large experience in naval warfare and the uso of torpedoes In connection with the appointment 6* a cnnmander of the whole of the volunteers in New Zealand, the Government are in communication with an English officer at present in Canada, and have offered him an appointment. As no answer as yet been received to the cable sent bin) hU name is withheld. It is, however, understood tfyat he is an officer of high rank, and that ho also has been recommended by Sir ffm. JervoiS. !The appointments of Captain Badham, Lieut. Douglas, and the commander of the Volunteers, will be of a permanent nature. Major Cautley leaves Wellington on Friday to arrange for placing guns in position there. After spending two or three days at Lyttelton ho proceeds to Dunedin for a similar purpose. Mr Bell, Major Oautley’s assistant will leave for Auckland to-morrow and it js expected that the work in connection with the de-

’ences will be commenced next Monday

The armed cruiser which the Government are endeavoring to arrange for is to be of

the Esmeralda type, steaming about 19 knots. The Government are willing to pay interest on the total cost and twothirds of the amount required for maintenance, conditionally on her being available at all times for training purposes. It is understood that the Admiralty have several vessels of the class required on the stocks. The Government intend that each naval corps in the colony will be supplemented by a torpedo section, and consist of ton experienced men. The Government have cabled an order for Whitehead torpedoes to the extent of L 50,000. Launching gear for torpedo boats has also been ordered so that the boats may be taken up and launched from any ordinary coastal vessel when requir d. It has also been deciled that twenty-five men of the Armed Constabulary shall be stationed at each of the four centres and will form the nucleus of a permanent artillery ; the number to be raised to 100 in the event of war breaking out. The additional members will be drafted from the Volunteers. Government have also decided to have in Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington a permanent torpedo service consisting of five men in each place, the number to be raised to twelve (should hostilities occur) hy drafting men from sections of the Naval Brigades A movement is o a foot to form a special torpedo corps consisting of the yatcring and boating men. A meeting has bean called by the ex-Commodore of the Regatta Committee, Vico Pre idont of the Yalclung Club and Captain of the Boating Club, i for Thursday afternoon to consider the ; question.