WAR PREPARATIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1528, 30 April 1885, Page 2

WAR PREPARATIONS.

Per Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Captain Taylor and 18 Armed Constabulary, employed in road making at r r ■ have arrived to proceed to North mead or big gun drill. I She number of men at work on the I foiuiioations has been reduced to 200. By the end of the week the whole of the heavy guns in the batteries will be mounted. Wellington, Last Night. Government have not received any news from Home respecting Russian affairs. Dunedin, Last Night. A most enthusiastic meeting of Irishmen was held this evening, for the purpose of forming a corps to assist in defence. Before the close of the meeting, 189 names of those desirous of becoming members were handed in. Efforts are being made to form two companies, consisting principally of men who were at one time Volunteers, some of whom were the best shots in the district, and it is expected that they will offer their services, each member paying the coat of uniform, etc, and only requiring arms from the Government (By Telegraph.) Wellington, To-day.

The Government propose, with the cooperation of the medical profession, to organise an effective Ambulance Corps at each chief centre of population, and it is hoped that the ladies will co-operate and form a Red Cross Society. Submarine mines for defence purposes will arrive in the colony in a day or two. These are intended to be laid at the principal ports and also at the coal harbors. The ETinemoa leaves for Auckland tomorrow with nine miles of cable, to be used in connection with the torpedo defences, Captain Medley, of the Royal Naval Reserve, has beeu temporarily engiged to assist Lieutenant Douglas in matters connected with marine defence. His Ex :ellency the Governor has cabled to the Secretary ( for War, requesting that a supply of one million cartridges for small arms be sent without delay. Enquiries are being made throughout New Zealand as to the facilities for manufacturing cartridges in the colony. With respect to the navigation of Port Phillip the Melbourne Government has received information similar to that cabled, and further that arrangements will bo made for piloting vessels between sunset and sunrise. Electric lights may be exhibited from Qieenscliff and Point Nepean for defence purposes Such lights must not be taken as guiding lights. Government, some time back, sent Home an order for several 9-pounder field guns. These are now on the way out to the colony, and will be distributed over the various centres

The Government are experiencing great difficulty in having their orders for torpedoes fulfilled, owing to the enormous strain placed on English manufacturers in supplying the demands of the Imperial Government. The Imperial authorities have, however, allowed New Zealand and New South Wales to particip ite in their orders, and they consequently will be supplied with a few torpedoes as they are completed. It is now believed that the vessel seen off Wakapuaka on Sunday last was an English man-of-war. It is known that Admiral Tryon, in charge of the Australian Squadron, has received from the Admiralty secret instructions in connection with the protection’to be offered to colonial commerce, and it Is also known that some vessels under his flag are cruising in these waters under sealed orders, audit is more than likely that the vessel soon was one of these, which just stood in towards the land, and then cleared away again. One or m re of these vessels may bo expected to put in an appearance at New Zealand ports within two or three days when arrangements have been made for them to come.

It has been decided that no more commissions are to be issued to officers of the Militia and Volunteers up to and including the rank of Captain except provisionally, and then these will lapse unless a satisfactory examination is passed by officers within three months. The examination to be undergone is that prescribed in the Volunteer Regulations. It is intended to organise a school of instruction here, which will be available for all officers provisionally appointed. The attendance at such will not be compulsory, but will be recommended to officers. Arrangements are to be made at each principal town for holding examinations of officers of the Militia whose commissions were recently revoked will be invited to elect between being placed on the retired list with former rank and seniority or re-entering the militia for active service. Those who desire the latter will have te apply through the officer commanding his district and present a certificate of physical fitness, and should ho pass the necessary examination within three months he will be placed on the active list with former rank.