DEFENCE MATTERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1335, 2 May 1885, Page 3

DEFENCE MATTERS.

It is understood the Government intend ordering a second million of small arms ammunition. Government some time back sent Horae an order for several nine-pounder field guns. These are now on their nay to the colony, and will be distributed over the various centres. The number of men at work on the fortifications at Auckland will be reduced to 200 by the end of the week, when the whole of the heavy guns in the batteries will have been mounted. Public meetings were held on Tuesday, when it was decided to form Tolunteer corps at Kaiapoi and Sefton. On Wednesday night at a meeting of Irishmen in Christchurch, convened by Mr Holmes, M, H.RI, steps were taken to establish an Irish Brigade. The Government are experiencing great difficulty in having their orders for torpedoes fulfilled, owing to the enormous strain placed on English manufacturers in supplying the demands of the imperial Government. The Imperial authorities have allowed New Zealand and New South Wales to participate in their orders, and they consequently will be supplied with a few torpedoes as they are completed. The defence works at Lyttelton are approaching completion. The practice gun at Officers Point was mounted yesterday. The 64-pounder at the middle bluff will soon be mounted, and, weather permitting, the 7-ton gun will be mounted at BatteryPoint in a few days. It is stated that the Government intend establishing two more batteries, one on JRipa Island and the other on the south-west side of Camp Bay, both to be armed with 8-inch guns. The undermentioned promotions and appointments in the New Zealand Militia are gazetted Brevet-Major Chns. Stapp to be Lieutenant-Colonel, Major Albert Pitt, of the New Zealand Volunteers, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, Captain Waller Edward Gudgeon to be Major from the 20th April, Captain Stuart Newall >o be Major from the 21st April, Captain Henry Gordon to be Major from the 21st April, Captain William Holden Webb to be Major from the 21st April. A most enthusiastic meeting of Irishmen was held at Dunedin on Thursday evening for the purpose of forming a corps to assist in defence. Before the close of the meeting 189 names of those desirous of becoming members were handed in. Efforts are being made to form two companies, consisting principally of men who were at one time Volunteers, some of whom were the best shots in the district, and it is expected they will offer their services, each member paying the cost of uniform, etc., and only requiring arms from the Government,

It is known that Admiral Tryon in charge of the Australian Squadron, has received from the Admiralty secret instructions in connection witn the protection to be offered to colonial commerce, and it is also known that some vessels under his flag are cruising in these waters under sealed orders, and it is more than likely that the vessel recently seen was one of them which stood on toward* land and then cleared away again. One or more of these vessels may be expected to put in an appearance at New Zealand ports within two or three days, when arrangments have been made. It is notified in the Gazette that Militia rolls have been prepared at Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin and are now posted. All persons liable to serve in the Militia, but whose names do not appear in the lists so posted, are informed that under the existing Militia Act it is incumbent upon them under a penalty to give in their names, ages and places of residence to the Adjutant or Commanding Officer of the Militia district, with a view to the completion of the roll, and it will be publicly notified by the Commanding Officer of each district, as soon as possible, at what hours and places such persons can comply with the Act. In order to meat the convenience of persons resident at a distance, written communications addressed to the Adjutant of the Militia district will be sufficient, provided they contain the prescribed information as to the full name, age and place of residence, also whether married or single.