Colonial .Defences

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 135, 30 April 1885, Page 2

Colonial .Defences

:..■■■> ♦ [PBB UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, This Day. The Government some time baek sent Home for. several nine- pounder field guns. These aire now on the way to the colony, and they 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 the English manufactuters in supplying the > demands of the. Imperial Government. The Imperial aiishorities have, however, allowed New ""Zealand and New South Walej to participate in- their-ordors, and they c»u«equ-atly„will be supplied with a f. W torpedoes as they are completed. , It, is no* believed that the vessel sc-n off VVakapuaku oa Sunday last was an Eaglish man-of-war. It is known thad Ad in i ral Tyre'n, in charge of the Austra lian Squadron,' has received from the Admiralty secret instructions in connection with the pi-otection to be offered to colouial commerce, and it is also known that some of the vessels'' under his -flag \ are cruising in these waters under sealec orders, and it is mor. than likely thatthe vessel seen was one of thene, which justj. stood in towards the iMd/ajpd then cleared; away again. One or store of tbese may. be expected to put . iu $$„ appesranqe a! j New Zealand pbrts^ within two or three! days, where arrangements hare' been, made tor them toxoat.'' .••::■{ ■ The Government propose, with thb co- < operation of the medical profession, toj organise an effective. Ambulance Corps at each chief centre of popi*dation, and hope! that ladies will co-operate and form aj Red Crbsis Society. "•••■'"'' Subnuwine 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 harbours.. The Hinemoa leaves for Auckland "jfo-\ morrow with 9 miles of -cable, to beusedj in connection with to_pedd r defences. ' \ ' Captain Medley, Royal' Naval Reserve,; has • been : temporarily engaged to; assist ; Lieut. Douglas in matters connected with marine defence., _„..,,, ' Z-> ■ 'ZZ. '■" ;*'■•', His Excellency ihe Governor has cabled to the Secretary for War requesting that a supply of one million c_.tridges for small arms be sent without delay; " Y ;., .. Enquiries are being made throughout 'New. Zealand as to facditiet. for xofurafap- ■ , turing cartridges in the colony. . It has been decided t^at no more eom ' missions are, to be issued to officers of; melitiS atid volunteers np to and inclndisg tbe rank of Capt except provisionally, l aad then these will lapse unless a satis- ! factory examination is passed by officers witbin three 'months. The examination to be undergone is that ureseribed in the .volunteer regulations. i<' ; , < Officers of miHtia. whose; commissions' were recently revoked will be invited to elect between being placed on the retired: list with their former rank aad seniority' or re-entering thr militia Tor active service. Those who desire the latter will 1 have to apply through the officer com-ma-ding the district and present a certificate of physical fitness. -, -- % - > ■ :