Purchase of Swift Cruisers by Russia. The Maraposa, Alameda, and Santa Rosa, Auckland, April 22.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 99, 25 April 1885, Page 3

Purchase of Swift Cruisers by Russia. The Maraposa, Alameda, and Santa Rosa, Auckland, April 22.

Ovkh a week ago Mr. Hugh Craig, who is at present staying at the Iftvthern Club, cabled to the Victorian Government information that the swift American s Learners Maiaposa and Alameda were obtainable for use as cruisers, and this morning a reply was received stating that it was "improbable Melbourne Government will require steamers." At the same time we have information that Russia has recently purchased several vessels of this class, which are pretty certain to include both the Maraposa and Alameda and also the Santa Ro*t, which are amongst the fastest vessels now afloat. We arc mdobtcd to Mr Hugh Craig for the following particulars of vessels which were obtainable in America : —The Maraposa and Alameda are each 2,000 tons register, steam 10 knots on a consumption of bO tons of coal per day, and capable of being driven up to IS knots. They are two years old, built at Philadelphia, extra strong, with hurricane- deck flush fore and aft, fitted up handsomely in every respect, lighted by the electric light, and specially adapted for use as fast cruisers. They are owned by Claus Spreckles, the Sugar King of San Francisco, and are at present running between Ttisco and Honolulu. The cost of these steamers was about 400,000 dels, each. The Santa Rosa is 2,500 tons register, 2 years old, and she also was built at Philadelphia. She is owned by the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, and runs between San Francisco and San Diegle. Her speed is equal to 20 knots, and she is said to have cost half a million dollars. All three steamers have been constructed so as to be easily converted into swift cruisers, and they are made of American iron of a very superior quality. Three other steamships also obtainable are the Columbia, Queen of the Pacific, and State of California, four years old, speed about 14 knots, and measurement from 2000 to 2500 tons each. They belong to the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, and cosfc about 400,000 dols. each. They are now running between San Francisco and the Columbia River, but a road which is now being constructed will divert the trade overland, and consequently the sfceamors aro in the market. Failing another opening, it is possible they may be placed on the colonial trade, each being iitted up in superb style, especially for the accommodation, of passen&ers-u

This morning the Customs launch conveyed the moorings for the torpedo boat to the temporary station at Calliope Dock, and later in the day the little vessel was herself taken across the harbour.

General Defence Referring to the Militia and Volunteers, Mr Ballance recently made tbe following statement to a Southern pressman: — " You know," said Mr Ballance, "we look forward fco the possibility of having to do a great deal more than merely looking after the colony itself. It is quite possible that we might be called upon to help to defend the Empire. We might like, for instance, to offer a contingent for service in India — a much more sensible destination for colonial troops, in my mind, than the Soudan. We are much hampered by the previous state of utter unpreparedness that existed. There are men enough, it is true. New Zealand, for the matter of that, is better off than almost any other of these colonies. I believe that we could concentrate 1,000 at any port that might be named with the greatest facility within a week. The success of the recent Easter encampmetlte has shown that we can move them aboLpwith the utmost ease. Our chief difficulty IreS with arming them."