DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1322, 2 April 1885, Page 2

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Wellinqtok, April I.

Captain Badbarn, of Tasmania, who has been elected by the Government to taks [ charge of the artillery and alio the shore batteriei, has, for some time past, been engaged in euperin'ending the fortifications of Tasmania. He is spoken of as a gentleman of high abilities, and was recommended by His Excellency the Governor. He is expected to arrive in New Zetland in a few days. Lieut. Douglas, of Rangitikei, an officer in the R»yal Nary, iias been appointed to take charge of all port defence*. Lieut. Douglas, who will enter upon his uew duties utmost immediately, has had large experiences in, naval warfare and the use of torpedoes In connection with the appointment of a commander of the whole of the volunteers in New Zealand, the Government are in communication with ao English officer at present in Camda, aod have offered him an appointment. As no answer has yet bc«n received to the ca,Wv sent him his n.-ime is withheld. It.-&ajj however, understood that lie is an offlcorl of high rank, and Mint he also has been recommended by Sir "Wm. Jervois. The appointments of Captuin Btdham, Lieut. Douglas, and the commander of the Volunteers, will be of a permanent nature. Mijor Cautley leaves Wellington on Friday to arrange for placing gun*, in position there. After spanning two or three dnyß at Lyttelton he proceed* "tO| Dunedin for a similar purpose. Mr Bell,! Major Cautley's assistant will leaved for Auckland to-morrow and it is expected that the work in connection with the defences will bo commenced next Moodily

The -rrned cruiser which the Government are endeavoring to airange for is to ba of the Esmeralda type, steimiug about 19 knots. The Government are willing to pay interest on the total coat and twothirds of the amount required for maintenance, conditionally on her being available at all times for training purposes. It is understood that the Admiralty have several vessels of the class required on the stocks. The Government intend that each naval corps in the colony will be supplemented by a torpedo section, and consist of ten experienced men. The Government have cabled an order for Whitehead torpedoes to the extent of £50,000. Launching gear for torpedo boats has also been ordered so that the boats, may be taken up and launched from any ordinary coastal vessel when required. It has slso been decided that twenty-five men of the Armed Constabulary shall be stationed at eaeh of the four centres and will form the nucleus of a permanent artillery ; the number to be raised to 100 in the event of war breaking out. The additional members will be drafted from the "Volunteers. Government have also decided to have in Auckland, Dunedin, Chrietchurch, and Wellington a permanent torpedo service consisting of five men in each place, the number to be raised to twelve (should hostilities occur) by drafting them from sections of Naval Brigade*. A movement is on foot to form a special torpedo corps consisting of the yatching and boating men. A meetiog has been called by the ex-Commortore of the Regatta Committee, Vite-President of the Yatching Club and Captain of the Boating Club, for Thursday afternoon to consider the question.