RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 125, 1 May 1885, Page 3

RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

DEFENCE OPERATIONS.

(united press association.)'

Wellington, April 30.

The Government propose, with the co-operation of the medical protoasioa, to. organise nn effective ambulance corps at each chief centre of population, aud it is to bo hoped that ladies will coop^rnto and form a Red Cross Society. Submarine iniues for defence purposes will arrive iot he colony m a day or two ; these are intended to be laid at the principal ports aud also at coal harbours. The Hinutnoa loaves for Auckland lomorrow with 6 miles of cables to be used m connection with New Zealand defences. Captain Medley., of the Royal Naval Reserve, has been temporarily engaged to assist Lieutenant Douglas m matters connected with luatine defence. His Excellency the Governor has cabled to the Secretary of War requesting that a supply «>f one million cartridges for small arms be scut without delay. Inquiries are being made throughout Now Zealand as to facilities} for manufacturing cartridges m the colony. With respect to tho navagation of Port Phillip, the Victorian Government have received information similar to that cabled, and farther that arrangements will be made for piloting vessels j between sunset aud sunrise. Electric ! lights may be exhibited from Queen's cliff and Point Nepean for defence purposes.' Such lights must not be taken as guiding lights. It has been decided that no more conir missions are to be issued to officers of the militia and volunteers up to and including the rank of captain, except pro-' visionally, and then these will lapse unless a satisfactory examination is passed ay the officers within threo months. The examination to be undergone is that prescribed m the volunteer regulations. It is intended to organize a school of instruction here, which will be available for all officers provisionally appointed. The attendance at such will not be compulsory, but will be recommended to officers. Arrangements ai*e to be made at each principal town for holding examinations of officers. Officers of militia, whose commissions were recently revoked, will be invited to elect between being placed on the retired list with the former rank and seniority, or re-entering \ the militia for active service. Those who desire the latter will have to apply through the ofiicor commanding the district, and present a certificate of physical fitness, and should he pass the necessary examination within three months, will he placed on the active list with the former rank.