WAR ITEMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 511, 17 May 1878, Page 2

WAR ITEMS.

The following intelligence is gleaned from English files :

Should it be found necessary to. despatch an army corps from England, all arrangements are being made for the immediate embodiment of about 24 militia regiments. All the regiments noted as first for service are being made up to an effective establishment of 822 of all ranks.

It has been decided Jto add 20 draught horses to the establisment of all cavalry regiments for transport purposes, so as not to reduce their effective fighting strength consequent upon the new system of regimental transport.' Three cavalry regiments have already been supplied with the. necessary waggons, harness, and equipments^for thifr transport craiu.

The greatest activity is being served at Laird’s yards in order that’the Iron Duke may be completed for sea, and more than £SOOO has been expended upon her ih labour'and material iu the course of a month. ; \ : The second of the Turkish ironclads purchased by the Briiiah Government a few weeks since is being completed as rapidly as possible at'the yard of Messrs Samuda Brothers, Gttbitt Town. Ihe ship, which closely, resembles the Belle Isle, bought atthekame time, was. to have been , callptjl. Zafer by the Turks. ‘ SKe “will christened when she enters the Royal navy, after one of the old : “wooden walls, the Orion. -Mr K. Bamaby, naval surveyor, is superintending' the work on behalf of tlie . Admiralty, and various modifications in. the plans have been made, but the shipbuilders aro still proceeding under .their, original conduct with the Tutkish agents, just as though; the vessel had' nbt changedhands. Amongst ''the' alterations ordered is increase of? the.ooal accommodation from i’Sjj to iSo' tons, as the ironclad will-depefid almost entirely' upon steam for, its raptiye .power, and an additional inch of armb.iir plating is to be laid upon the upper stirake of. the gun battery. Herfourl 25-ton guns ‘ ordered of Sir William Armstrong, but not yet delivered,'have bebh purchased with the ship, and the anm for 'which • the two vessels have' been acquired, something like £240,000 is considerably below the contract priced :'Thbugh comparatively small, they ‘ : are really powerful war vessels, the 12in plating ! and heavy-guns, with all round fi*e, giving them the advantage ‘in some respects of much larger ironclads. It is piobablb that arrangements will be made for the employment of at least one regiment of Household pavalry with." the field army in case of- war. 1 The prospect of a European, -war- has induced so many, general- officers to place their services at the disposal of the millitary authorities that it is said there would be the greatest difficulty in providing half of them with active commands. • t ..

General Sir Arthur Bprfcoo, the newly appointed Governor of Malta, takes but with him the fuHest instructions as to the part Malta would have to pjay la case of a European war.