DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1309, 30 May 1878, Page 3

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA.

The serious manner in which the subject of defence is taken up in Australia is indicated by tho fact that several of the journals have started a column of military intelligence, in which the progress made in the matter, both in their's and the neighboring colonies, are regularly chronicled. The following are some of the items : Lieutenant-Colonel Scratchley, who is now in Melbourne, has just completed the full plans for the forts proposed to be constructed by the South Australian Government at the Port and at the Semaphore. These plans show that the South Australian Government are fully cognisant of the fact that in order to defend their port properly they must adopt the suggestions thrown out by such experienced military engineers as Sir William Jervois and Lieutenant-Colonel Scratchley. They have at once adopted the scheme submitted to them, and the result will be that they will have two forts built according to the first principles of military engineering, at a comparatively small expense, instead of having miserable makeshift earthworks, as at Port Phillip Heads. The plans just completed by Lieutenant-Colonel Scratchley for the South Australian Government would no doubt be viewed with interest by all military men here, and it is more than probable that ere long that distinguished officer will give a lecture to the Engineer Corps, to which he will explain the whole construction of these forts, using his plans to illustrate the subject. The members of the Torpedo Corps have been stimulated to fresh exertions by tho comparative success of their few days' outing at East er, and now that they have moved a great portion of their materiel to the hulk Deborah, near the mouth of the Yarra, they have gone in for increased drill and efficiency, if such is possible. They are, however, sadly in want of a properly equipped boat for their especial work and;! if they are to do the work required of them they must have a properly fitted steam launch, with all the latest inventions to assist them in carrying out their arduous and dangerous labours. The hint contained in tho following might bo of use even to lethargic New Zealand : The colonel commandant (says the " Argus") has evidently not overlooked the possibility in the event of war breaking out of an enemy's force being landed at Western Port and marching overland to Melbourne. When Sir AVilliam Jervois was inspecting the country in that direction he laid especial stress upon the desirability of erecting a battery on the high ground close to Cheltenham, so as to command the approach to Melbourne in that direction, and also pointed out the desirability of field officers making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the ground in that locality. Some small plans of the ground in the vicinity of Cheltenham, Mordialloc, and Dandenong, were prepared for Sir William Jervois, and these have now been issued to offi-ers commanding districts, and regimental field officers. The accompanying memorandum states that " officers commanding troops, batteries, and corps of the home district, are those who should make themselves acquainted with the localities described in the sketches. It would be of advantage if all such officers would acquire an extended knowledge of the ground and routes, which connect these positions and lead to Melbourno and Western Port; but it is more particularly essential that the officers of the home district; should do so, and be guided by the principles of military reconnoitring, &0., as laid down is the manuals of their respective services."