HARBOUR DEFENCE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1849, 26 January 1880, Page 2

HARBOUR DEFENCE.

Colonel Scratchley left on Saturday for Dunedin. During his stay here he devoted several days to examining Lyttelton harbor. The Lyttelton Harbor Board’s steamer was placed at his disposal, and every assistance afforded him by the officers and staff of the Board. Two sites for batteries were chosen by him for the four heavy guns now in the shed at port, and it is said a recommendation will be made to the Government to have four more fort guns placed upon the western point of Camp Bay, on the southern shore. The sites for ths guns that aio here are the point just to the eastward of the Gladstone Pier, known as Sticking Point, and the next point to it to the eastward. They are about a mile distant from Lyttelton, appoached by the Sumner road, and two guns will be placed upon each. Colonel Scratchley one day last week took a run out in one of the small steam launches plying in the harbor to judge of their adaptability for torpedo service, and it is probable the Government will be asked to obtain five or six small vessels for torpedo boats. In reference to the sites for the guns the surveying of them and construction of the batteries will be pushed ahead at once, and the guns placed in position, after which it is probable a naval brigade will be organised to work them. Colonel Scratchley expects to return from Dunedin before the end of the week.