OUR ARMAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5339, 8 May 1878, Page 3

OUR ARMAMENT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —A good,deal has been lately said and written about its being the intention of ,the present Government to send to England for. a tew 64-pounder cast-iron converted guns for the defence of our harbors. .While all this talking and scribbling have' been going on, a committee was appointed by the Imperial Government, a short time ago, to report upon the best means of defending the colonies against the attacks of cruisers, &0., in the event of England being dragged into war with Russia. The committee very, properly and wisely advised that our principal New Zealand ports should be protected from such vessels by 7-inoh armorpiercing guns, supplemented by 64-pounders. Although the 7-inoh is the lightest armorpiercing gun in the service, it may be instructive to know that it is capable, when fired with the battering charge, of piercing armor plates 6 or 7 inches in thickness, at a distance of 1000 yards ; besides, this gun throws common and double shell, both (but especially the latter) containing very heavy bursting charges, which :are extremely destructive against wooden ships. The old cast-iron guns, converted into 64pounders, are admittedly good shooting guns, but are only fit for secondary purposes of defence, their greatest charge being little more than half the full or service charge of the 7-inoh. They would be powerless to cope with even a slow-going steamer, temporarily armored with cable chain or the like ; besides, it is even more than doubtful whether we should not be throwing away money in the. purchase of such guns. The wrought-iron 64-pounders are not very much more expensive, and are certainly more likely to remain for a far greater length of time in a sate and serviceable condition.

It would be interesting to know when and how these guns would be placed, how manned in case of necessity, and how they would be cared for. Should they ever arrive and be placed in position, it is to be hoped they may not be left to run to rust and ruin, as many of our old guns would appear to have been allowed to do. To prevent such a state of things continuing, the advisability is suggested of having all, especially those powerful and expensive guns, placed in charge of men who not only understand their use, but who should be charged ; with the responsibility of having them, and all stores connected with them, kept in a thorough state of preservation and repair, so as to be at all times fit for immediate use if needed. Wo have, or had, some tolerably good guns in the colony ; might they not be looked after and utilised iu case of need ?—I am, &c., Übiqce.