PLANTING TORPEDOES.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 101, 9 May 1885, Page 3

PLANTING TORPEDOES.

The [Submarine Defences. Tills Hineinoa has made a start at surveying the points at which if- is proposed to lay the submarine mine for the defence of the harbour It is understood that there are to be two lines of mines, one extending from Kohimarama to the North Head, for the protection of the Mototapu Passage and the other from the North Head to Rangitoto Island to defend the Rangitoto Channel. The greatest depth at which these submerged mines will be laid is four fathoms in Motutapu passage and six fathoms in the Channel. The cables brought up by the Hinemoa include about two and three-quarter miles ol the fir^t Cook Strait cable. It is a three wire cable, and coat the Government £550 per mile. This piece will probably be used for the Channel. The torpedoes are simply five q illon oil drumb with small openings in the tap secured by a water-tight door. In the centre ot this door or tiap is a pmall brass - rimmed hoio through which the electric w ire connecting the cable with the charge of gun cotton is admitted. The gun cotton on the s.s. Waihora is iu tended for the loading of these torpedos. The three wire cable will enable the laying of the torpedos in three "bunches"— about a dozen in a "bunch" — and the "bunchea" can be exploded separately or similtaneoudy, as occasion may require. The Hinemoa has on board about 50 of these converted oil drums, and several ,30 or 40 gallon beer barrels also prepared for conversion into engines of destruction. Teetotallers will doubtless hold that these barrels are only carrying out their destiny as destroyers of human life. The following diagram illustrates the method of laying submarine mines.

The question of establishing a colonial navy is, we understand, receiving consideration at the hands of the Government, and communications thereanent have been passing between the Hon. Mr Stuart, who is at present in Auckland, and the Hon. the Premier. The nature of the correspondence has not transpired, but it is understood that Mr Stuart strongly favours the establishment of a colonial navy, and that hia views, reduced to writing, are before the New Zealand Cabinet. The roll has now been completed so far as the city and suburbs are concerned, and will be posted at onca. The returns from country districts have not come to hand, but Supfc. Thomson expects to have them in the course of the week. So far the number of men liable to servo on the first-class militia is 3,871.