Untitled

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1130, 25 August 1882, Page 2

Referring to New Zealand’s want of defence, the Army and Nary Gazette writes G In the event of war breaking out between England and Russia or Germany, or any other flrst-rato power, the Colony has not the slightest protection. Nothing would be easier than for a foreign cruiser to seize any of the Colonial ports. Germany has a fleet of warvessels in the Pacific, and as Now Zealand has the best coal aupply amongst the various Colonies that Colony offers a tempting bait to any hostile power, whoso cruisers might lie and coal there and sally forth from time to time in chase of British merchantmen. Rather more than two years ago Colonel Scratchley reported upon the (harbour defences of the Colony, und, at his suggestion, it was decided to erect batteries and mount large guns.. True, the guns wore obtained, but they lie, we arc told, rusting in the Government armoury. It is reported that the local Government (#/e) intends to take up the question of Volunteer sorvioe. It might do worse than extend its inquiry to the whole subject of the means of military and naval defence.” The Bishop of Peterborough cannot help saying good things, both in and out of the pulpit—especially out of it. One night, a rich, benevolent, but brainless millionaire was boasting after dinner that he gave awav £2.000 to the poor regularly every year, He B nid—“ I think it’s right, you know—a sort of duty in my position. I can’t say what becomes of it, but it’s given away in charity, thats all I know, and that’s all I care about. £2,000 every year !” “ What !” said the Bishop; “do you really mean to say yon pay away £2,000 to the poor every year as a religious duty ?” “I assure you, my lord that it is so, ’ replied the wealthy man with careless complacency. “ Well,” said the witty bishop, “ that's the largest insurance against fire I ever heard of.”

For continuation of news see Uh page