DEFENCE OF THE COLONIES.

Evening Star, Issue 4238, 26 September 1876, Page 4

DEFENCE OF THE COLONIES.

On this subject the ' Argus' aays :—" The necessity for making further provision for the defences of the Colony has been under the consideration of the Government, and it .is the intention of the Treasurer, Bir James M'Culloch, to forward by the outgoing mail an application to the Imperial authorities to allow an experienced engineer officer to come to Victoria to devise a scheme for the defence of Port Philip and th« other harbors, and also to superintend the construction of the works. It is thought that it will be possible to secure the services of Colonel Scratchley, who, not only as an engineer officer of repute. but as one well acquainted with the resources of "the Colony, should be well qualified for "the position. Colonel Suratchley has for many yearß acted as a military adviser to the Colony, ansL has on more than one occasion furnished reports on the works required for (

the defence of the Heads at Hobson's Bay. KNew South Wales Government had denied to make a similar application, hut were able to secure the services of an experienced officer resident in the Colony. Concerning the new appointmont, the ' S. M. Herald' says : " Considering the part which artillery would play in case of actual defence, th.3 great importance of having not only the permanent artillery force, but the volunteer artillery also, under the immediate command of an officer who has received a special and thorough scientific training, which can be obtained only at such a place as Woolwich, and by actual service in the Imperial Artillery, has long been urged, and in appointing Major Roberts to the command of the Artillery, the Executive Council were guided, to a large extent, by some such considerations. In order to secure the services of such an officer, it was at first determined by the Government to ask his Excellency to telegraph to Lord Carnarvon. In the meantime, however, Major Roberts, who has resided in the Colony for some time, offered his services, and the original intention of telegraphing Home would appear to have been abandoned. Major Roberts was on active service in the Crimea; was twice wounded, and received the Crimean medal and clasp, and Sardinian and Turkish medals. He was also employed in India in command of artillery with the field force under Sikkim; he was mentioned under order by the Governor General for his services, and granted the brevet rank of major."