WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2876, 4 May 1878, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This day. The Defences of the Colony.

Imperial Dispatch Thereon.

The contents of a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, *regarding the defences of the Colony, are very obscure, and the Government have sent for it to be repeated. The following 1s its purport as nearly as can be deciphered. The committee appointed by the [Imperial Government to report upon best means of defending the colonies in the event of England going to war have reported with reference to New Zealand that its defence by sea is impracticable, 'and"*.'should: not"'be attempted. They recommend the construction of land batteries at Wellington, Auckland, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers, by which they consider, those ports might be defended against any class of vessels likely to be despatched, by foreign powers to these waters. It is estimated that twenty-two heavy guns, eleven 7-ton guns, and eleven 64 pounders of the pattern used on board. Her Majesty's ships of war, would provide an adequate armament for the' battery. The committee estimate the total cost of the guns, including transport, erection of batteries, etc., at £44,000.i 'Ministers have, resolved to telegraph to. have the guns forwarded to New Zealand at the earliest opportunity. The Government further intend, in the event of war being declared, to telegraph immediately on the receipt of the news to Colonel Scratehley, asking him to visitNew Zealand to advise as to the distribu-

tion of guns among the four ports mentioned, and as to the method of locating and mounting them. The batteries will be manned by artillery men trained for the purpose.