NEW ZEALAND DEFENCES.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5079, 25 April 1885, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCES.

(Per PiiEss Association).

Wellington, Yesterday. The Marine Underwriters Association have received a cable message from London, stating, in effect, that diplomatic relations between Bussia and England had been broken off, and that it was therefore necessary to charge war risk.—The Militia will probably be called out in a week. The Volunteers are to be called out on Mondayafternoon, when they will be engaged in a sham fight and other field jaovemsnfs. The Defence Minister this afternoon had a long interview with Majors Eccles and Butts, Col. ltca let and Capts. Humphreys and Hume on defence matters. The result of the discussion is not yet made known. The guns for the defence of the Wellington harbour will be in a position next week. j This day. Militia to "be Called Out The Firt Class Militia is to be called out immediately. Officers are appointed, and the Mililia will include all married and single men between the ages of 17 and {JO.' The Volunteers are called out for Monday to repel a supposed landing of a hostile force, and the Government has accepted the offer of a corps, 100 strong, composed of the yachting and rowing men of Wellington. A large number of officers in the former Militia will be taken on and others will be appointed on probation, but will have to pass an examination within a certain period. -■ Dunedin, This day. Considerable enthusiasm was displayed at the meeting held last night to form an Engineer corps, when 100 volunteered and decided, to ask the Defence Minister to enrol one hundred.