DEFENCE OF THE COLONY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1320, 28 March 1885, Page 3

DEFENCE OF THE COLONY.

On last Wednesday evening a very large meeting was held in Timaru to take into consideration the defence of the Town. His Worship the Mayor presided. Mr WooUcombe moved—“ That it is necessary that measures be taken to project the port of Tim urn against the attacks of cruisers and privateers of any nation at war with Great Britain,” In moving this rosolulion he ridiculed the idea that civilised powers would not attack undefended ports, also sending the bullion away. If a hostile cruiser came she would shell the town if they did not “ shell out.” What they wanted was long-range guns and wellrdyilled men that could put a shell into a vessel and stop her amusement. If one vessel left here with £IO,OOO they would have any number of them coming afterwards, Mr James Bruce seconded the motion and it was carried.

Mr J. W. White moved—That a Com

mittee consisting of Captain Wbollcbmbe, Messrs Moody, J, Jackson, and the mover be appointed to draw up a report showing approximately the value of the property to be protected ; the present defenceless position of the port; and the probable cost that would bo incurred in placing the city in a slate of defence.” Mr White said they had gathered from an interview with Sir Julius Vogel that Timaru was so insignificant a place that no hostile cruiser would take any notice of it, and all the bullion could be taken away to another place. This would not do. The enemy would say “ we give you 12 hours to fiod the bullion, and if you don’t find it wo shall shell the town.” A boat’s ernw might bo sent ashore that would take a few of the leading citizens, and when they were on board the cruiser they would be asked, “ Where is the bullion 1” and if it were not forlhcoming the leading citizens would “be strung up.” The few volunteers they had with the means at their disposal might as well stay at home for all they could do to prevent a landing party from coming ashore. The Government were going to import £IOO,OOO worth of war materials and the twenty-fith part of this would be required for Timaru. A 7-inch gun would cost £420, carriage and platform £SOO, masonry and concrete for bed £l5O, earthwork for protection for those working the gun £2OO, and, say, 300 rounds of amunition £IOOO,— expenditure for one gun £2270, or say cost of the two guns required £4500. They would all agree that this was not too much to ask. The 7-inch gun would, he had been infoitned, penetrate a six-inch armor plated vessel at a range of Hires miles.—Mr Kelt seconded the motion and it was carried.

On tlie motion of Mr Moody, seconded by Mr Rutherford it was resolved to forward the report to Government and to ask the Members for the district to use their influence in getting the Government to carry out the wishes of the meeting. It was also resolved that the Committee and the Members for the district should interview Sir Julius Vogel on his return from Dunedin. The meeting terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.

A Wellington telegram says ;--rho question of Defence is still under the serious consideration of the Government, The Defence Minister will take an early opportunity of conferring with the Governor after the latter’s arrival here, and Mr Ballance will be strongly guided by His Excellency’s opinion. The necessary surveys in connection with Defence, and the instruction of the Armed Con-' stabulary in, big gun drill is being carried on with vigour. The war material ordered from Home will be constructed under the supervision of the Imperial War Department, and it is not expected the first shipment will be here much under twelve months, , The question-of appointing an officer of rank to command the volunteers of the colony will be settled in a day or two. The Minister of Defence will confer with the Governor as to the selection.