AUCKLAND DEFENCES

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 237, 28 March 1885, Page 3

AUCKLAND DEFENCES

The announcement that the Government intend spending £102,000 in Avar material has caused considerable activity and excitement amongst the Auckland rings and syndicates. It is conceeded on all sides that it is very undesirable that so much money should go out of the Colony, and the patriotism of Auckland spectators has been much exercised with an idea that they can help the Government out of the difficulty, cover themselves with immortal honour, and at the same time fill their pockets with filthy lucre. To men animated with such noble sentiments and guided with such singleness of purpose nothing 1 can be inrpossible, and in furtherance of these views a syndicate has been formed for the purchase of Byers' cattle scow, lately lengthened by Bailey, our most eminent shipbuilder ; an order has been given to Mr Fitzgerald, the eminent bottle, metal, and marine store merchant, of Parnell, to requisition all the old kerosene tins he can obtain. "With these the scow will at once be armour-plated. A special Commissioner was sent by the Eowena to the wreck of the Thomas Eussell to secure her funnel at whatever cost. It is intended to devote this to the formation of a new style of turret. An arrangement has been made with the Gas Company for a supply of wornout six-inch pipes, which will be coated with brass, at present reposing in the countenances of the syndicate. It is estimated that the most deadly weapons will be formed by these means, far exceeding the present style of ordnance. On her completion she will be offered to the Government for the low sum of £75,000.

This noble vessel, a triumph of the resources and engineering' skill of the Colony, will be called the "Deluder," and will be manned and defended by a corps of Horse Marines in charge of the fighting lawyer, and will be armed with writs not issued by the Courts. The Deluder will be under the command of the late Chairman of the Arboreal Board, who is supposed to possess sufficients, gas in himself to prevent any vessel

from sinking. It is a proud thought for the Colony that she has sons who so promptly rise to the occasion and devote their wealth and energies to provide such a formidable means of defence at such a trifling cost to the Colony. We shall with much curiosity watct the career of this noble vessel. She is to make her trial trip next week from Bailey's slip to the North Head.