THE DEFENCE QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 197, 24 September 1900, Page 3

THE DEFENCE QUESTION.

; JiOiiJBAXJCu UUSX Off DEFENCE WORKI AX PRINCIPAL POBIS. ARMING THE COLONIAL FORGES. Attached to the defence report, c lengthy summary of which appeared ir our last issue, are two schedules giving details of the cost of what is necessary to put the defences of the colony in a satisfactory state. As they are of exceptional interest we give them in full:— Schedule A.—The estimate of the approximate cost of modifying the present armament and forts at the four centres and completing mine fields at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, including the ereotion of a new fort at Dorset Point, Wellington, fortifying Westportand supplying extra ammunition for the forts so as to bring them up to war strength, but with one submarine mining boat (for Wellington) only, is as fellows: — Westport, four 6-inch breach loading guns, h.p. mountings available XI00; 6-pounders quick-firing guns, ill 000; two Maxims, parapet mountings, £900; works fot' armament, £15,032; ammunition 6 prs.,£Bßo; total, £17,812. Auckland, three b.q.f. guns and mountings, £10,500: 400 rounds ammunition per gun, £9,240; two 12 pr. q.f. guns at fort with bastin, £1,540; two 12 pr. for Fort Resolution, £1,540; ammunition for 12 prs., £1,632; alteration ef the works, £2,000; electric light bastion, £2,500; mine field complete bloeks, £2,300; total, £31,352. Wellington, one 6 inch b.l. gun, h.p. mounting available, two 6 inch q.f. guns, £7,000; ammunition, £6.160 ;„two 12 pr. q.r. guns, £1,540; ammunition, £816; works, £9,232; electric searchlight, £2,500; total, £27,252. Lyttelton, two 6 inch q.t. guns, £7000; ammunition for same,j £6,160; barbette and mountings for two 8 inch b.l. guns, £3,500; works, £16,228; .electric light, £2,500; mine t field, £2,500; total, £37,886. Dunedio, two 12 pr. q.f. guns, £1,540; ammunition for same, £816; works, etc,, £3,000; total £5296; for workshops, water supply, etc., £5000; sub-marine mining ooat, £7000; three batteries of field artillery, £30,000; ammunition for same, £10,000; harness, £972; eight Maxim guus, £3200; 30,000 rifles and carbines, £90,000; accoutrements for same, £15,000; extra ammunition for Maxims and small arms, to bring same up to war strength, £40,000; extra tents, marquees, and camp equipment, £10,000; overcoats, £15,000; waterproof sheets, £2000; rifle ranges—- ! acquiring lands conducting and maintaining ranges, butts, etc,, and targets, "£10,000; additional medical equipment, £1000; cadets, £8000; extra submarine boat, £7000; pinnaces, £ISOO, Grand total, £373,428, N.B.—Of £105,000 for rifles, carbines, and accoutrements, s»y £42,000 would be recouped .upon sale of eay 12,000 stand of arms and accoutiements to members of rifle clubs. Schedule B, —The extra annual cost proposed of additional defence expeaditute and beyond the present ordinary vote. Extra capitation £256,000 Imperial reserve personal payment to 2000 men at £5 each, the colony's share £5000; extra ammunition for field batteries £750; extra small arms ammunition, including that for rifle clubs, £7200; rifle ranges £300; headquarters stall £1500; district headquarters stalf in thefourcentres£loso; one week's training of volunteers and reserve £3000; schools for drill instruction £1000; annual interest upon £373,428, amount of capital proposed should be advanced by the Imperial Government to the colony, say 3 per cent, per annum, including sinking fund, £11,203, total £59,303.