COASTAL DEFENCES.

Evening Star, Issue 6724, 5 October 1885, Page 2

COASTAL DEFENCES.

The trial of the guns intended for coastal defence at Taiaroa Head was made this afternoon, in presence of Major Boddam. There were only some dozen visitors present, and these included Mr Hackworth, Collector of Customs; Mr J. B. Low, of the Public Works Department (under whose supervision the fortification works have been constructed) ; and a few members of the Port Naval Artillery. From Port Chalmers the visitors were conveyed to tho Heads in the Custom House launch, and were just in time to see the Arawa cross the bar. Arrived at the Heads some time was profitably spent in examining the guns, Major Goring, who was in charge of the works, kindly entering into details as to their workings. There are three guns erected—one off Howlett Point and two at the pilot station. All are 64-pounder guns. At first several rounds of 32-pound spherical shells were discharged, and then from each gun two rounds of 64-pound common shells plugged without bursting charges. The firing was conducted by the Permanent Artillery Force, acting under the direction of Major Goring. This force is composed of Armed Constabulary. A very fine body of men they are. Their appearai c j while at work in their regulation trousers and blue shirts was very neat. The trial to-day was arranged partly to test the mounting of the guns and the serviceableness of their fitting, and also to give the artillerymen who are in charge of them some firing practice with their weapon. An empty cement barrel with a platform round it stationed at between 1,400 and 1,500 yards distant and surmounted by a large red flag did duty for a target. Although the men had never done any firing of big guns before, they sighted, loaded, and fired with commendable quickness. The 7-inch guns have yet to be mounted, and we loam from Major Goring that it is intended, before the .fortifications here are completed, to place another 6-inch gun and two Nordenfeldts at the entrance to Otago Harbor. These, however, have not yet arrived in the Colony ; but, when they are in position, the port will be efficiently protected from external attack. The 64-pounder gun is loaded with a cartridge, and appeara to be easily cleaned and worked by the nine men appointed to it. The heaviest work is turning the gun on its pivot. By an ingenious arrangement the gun only recoils a foot or two, the force of tho explosion being expended on a hydraulic tube, which, full of Rangoon oil, lies in the centre of the carriage under the gun. Notwithstanding that a strong breeze was blowing some excellent exercise was obtained, and Major Boddam declared to our representative that every shot fired would have hit a vessel stationed where the target was. Undoubtedly the most interest centred in the firing from Hayward Poiut. The second shot that was fired actually struck the rock on the opposite pointdistant 3,500 yards. At four o'clock firing was going on with spherical shell at a target 1,400 yards distant, but owing to the breeze considerable deflection had to be made. The mounting of the guns stood their test without showing any imperfection, flaw, or weakness. Mr Low may well feel gratified at the result of the afternoon's operations. With a 64-lb gun the loading was done in the middle of the pit, the loading gallery providing cover for the men during that operation in time of war, so that the only man necessarily exposed is the gunner while taking aim. The barracks for the accommodation of the men are in course of erection, and will be completed in the course of a few days. Th,e 7-in guns at Lawyer Head and Forbury will be practically tested to-morrow, in the presence of Sir G. Whitmore, Majors Boddam and Goring, and several of the Volunteer officers.