RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 124, 30 April 1885, Page 3

RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

DEFENCE OEEBATIONS. (united press association.) Wellington. This Day. . The Government some tinie back sent home an order for several nine -pounder field gans. These are now on their way , to the Colopy andwi 11 . be distributed over the various centres. The Government are experiencing great difficulty m having their orders for torpedoes falfilled owinc to the enormous strain placed on the English manufacturers m supphlng the demands of the Imperial Government. The Imperial authorities have, however, allowed New Zealand and New South Wales to participate m their ordars and they consequently will be supplied with a few torpedoes as they are completed. It is now be i; eved that the vessel seen off Wakapuaka on Sunday last was an English man-of-war. It is known that Admiral Tyron m charge of the Austrlian squadron has received .from the Admiralty secret instruction m connection with the protection to^ be offered to colonial commerce, and it is also known that some of the vessels under his ;flag .Are cruising m these waters under sealed and it is more than likely that the vessel seen was one of them, which just stood m towards land and then cleared away again. One or more of these vessels may be expected to put m an appearance at New Zealand ports within two or three days where arrangements have been made for them to coal.