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Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 684, 28 May 1859, Page 4

Tae Abmstbong GrTTN.—" There is one feature," -says the •' Times/ "in the statement just made by ■the Secretary of State for War on the introduction the Army Estimates, which will distinguish it from all expositions of a similar character. General 'Peel made a formal announcement of an improved •invention, which, eyen in the moderation of official 'language,, he described as likely to supersede the whole existing armaments of the country. This •marvellous discovery is Sir W. Armstrong's gun, a weapon screened from the gaze of the public with ■such jealous care that any authentic description of :its powers must be especially gratifying to popular curiosity. From General Peel's own mouth, then, we now learn that there is no delusion about the •efficacy of this tremendous instrument. In extent of range,destructive effect,portability 4md precision, it appears, to possess a combination of advantages truly astounding. It weighs but one-third of an ordinary cannon of corresponding calibre; it is so manageable that it can be worked by a far smaller -number of hands, and it is so durable that 1800 discharges produced not the least injury .to this -specimen:piece. The gun, then, not being'liable to •damage or wear, like the ordnance at Sebastopol or 'Sweaborg, and not clogged with the ordinary draw- • back of weight or immoveability, throws its shot with a most deadly accuracy to a distance scarcely credible. The days of the'long range' have now actually come. A 32-pounder of Sir W. Armstrong's make, will, when charged with 5 lbs. of powder, carry a ball more than five miles and •-a quarter. What is its accuracy at tins distance we do not learn, but at 3000 yards, -or nearly two -miles, its precision-is as great as that of the common gun at 1000 yards, while at 1000 yards it ;■ literally hits every time in 57 an object which a common gun in that number of discharges would -only hit once. In other words the destructiveness •of artillery has by this disovery been multi* plied more 'than fifty-fold. The calculation of power into which these data would lead us are almost pverwhelrrming. A thousand gunners would be able to work twice as many guns as for--merly, and each of these guns would be equivalent ijn its effects to 50 pieces of the old model. If all 'these conclusions are verified on a large scale—and there seems no reason why they should-not be—it is plain that the practice of arms will be as com.pletely revolutionised as it was by the discovery of gunpowder itselfl In approving, as others did also, the alacrity and decision of the Government in supplying thearmy with this new .ordnance, Mr. -Sydney Herbert-enunciated a principle to which we ;bave more than once given expression in these -columns. The idea that even Armstrong's gun *nay be -superseded by a gun still more powerful is jbo natural that nobody can be surprised at the ■.sraruinggiren by .Sir Be Lacy Evaus in the matter.

He thought that Government should be very cautiouohow they spent money on a machine frhich might presently become obsolete in its turn ; but the fact is that neither in guns nor in ships can wo afford to wait for the chances of continuous progress. We must needs have the best model for the time being, whether its day be a long one or a short one.^ These are the points on which we can admit no inferiority. We do not maintain great fortresses or a prodigious standing army. Our forces, as General Peel remarked, allow of no comparison with the forces of Continental States. But in scientific means of defence we are able and bound to make head against any pretentions in the world. The best of ships and the best of cannon ought to be ours at all moments and .under all circumstances. It is certainly possible that Sir W. Armstrong's gun may be surpassed in its turn, and when this happens wo ought to lose not a moment in adopting the superior model, but until then we should arm ourselves with the best weapon that could be had." The Queen has been pleased to appoint MajorGeneral Eobert Henry Wynyard* C. 8., to be Lieutenant-Governor of the Cape of Good Hope.