NEW ZEALAND DEFENCES.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5082, 29 April 1885, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCES.

(Pbe Pbess Association).

Wellington, Yesterday.

The allocation of officers who_ are to take permanent charge of the marine and land forces should hostilities occur will probably be decided to-morrow. , Gover»ment hare received information that a large .quantity of war material, i including that required for torpedo defence, will be shipped from Sydney in a day or two; Captain Medley will probably have charge of the marine defence, and leaves for Auckland in a day or two. Major Cautley and Lieutenant Douglas returned to Wellington this .afternoon, from Auckland. Doubt is expressed as to the vessel seen off Whakapuaku being the Espiegle, as no further information about her has been received. It was probably the W,akatipu passing from Sydney. * . A number of persons desiring commissions in the Militia waited on Capt.'Hume to-day. Tho only condition stipulated is that those who desire appointments should undergo a. Course of drill instructions be-fore-they are definitely accepted. It is not expected that the Eirst-class Militia will be called our. until war is actually declared, but the Defence Department is anxious to have a body of competent officers to select from whenever it is found necessary to call upon the Militia to serve. - Captain Badham, who is to take charge of the Artillery, is on his way to New Zealand. Dunedin", Yesterday. Information has been received that the Defence Minister has accepted the services of the recently formed corps at Island Bay. , , Major Goring and 32 of tho A.C. Force have arrived.