WAR PREPARATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1987, 2 April 1885, Page 2

WAR PREPARATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND.

[BY TfcLFCIRU'H. — OWN COKHhSPONDV NT.] Wi:i,LiN(i ro\, Wednesd iy. Ir is understood that the Government .up hiivmg a revision made of the officers of the Militia, and that *,hi« step is taken vyith a view to ascertaining which officers wish to retain their commissions. It js believed that a firm in town is charging, on behalf of the Government, .\ number of oil drums with dynamite, which will be nunk at tho entrance to the ports, and exploded by electricity from slimo should there be an attack by a hostile cruiser. Leiut. Douglas, of Rangitikei, an officei of tho Royal Navy, has been appointed to t.ike chaigo of all forts and defences. He has had large experience in naval warfaie, and the use of torpedoes. In connection with the appointment of commander to the whole of tho volunteeib in New Zealand, the Government are in communication with an English officer at present in Canada, and have offered him the appointment. Sir Win. Jervois' appointments (by recommendation), of Captain Badham, Lieutenant Douglas, and the commander of volunteci s aie to be of a permanent nature. Major Cimtley loaves Wellington foi Lyttelton on Friday, to arrange fm placing the guns in position there. After spending two or three days at Lyttelton, he will proceed to Dunedin for a similar purpose. Mr Bell (Major Cautley's assistant) li a av es for Auckland to-morrow. It is expected that the work in connection with the defences) will be commenced next Monday. The armed cruiser which the Government is endeavouring to arrange for will be of the E.Miiei\dd.i type, steaming' about 10 knots. The Government is willing to pay the cost of maintenance of this vessel. The Government intends each naval corps in the colony to be supplemented by <i torpedo section, to consist of ten cxpolienccd men, and have cabled an older for Whitehead torpedoes to the extent of £.->O,OOO. Capt. Badham, of Tasmania, who has been selected by the Government to take charge of the Artillery and also the shoie battery, has fur uotne time been engaged in superintending the fortifications of Tasmania. He is spoken of as a gentleman of high ability, and w.is iccoinmended by His Excellency the Governor. He is expected to arrive in New Zeal.md in a few days. In connection with the appointment of a commander to the whole of the volunteers in Now Zealand, tho Gov eminent are in communication with an English officer, at present in Canada, and have offered hm the appointment. As no answer has yet been sent to him his n.uno is withheld. It is however underst ■<»■! that he is an otiicer of high rank, ami th it he also has been recommended by Sir William Jervois. It that the Admiralty have several vessels of the class required by Government in stock. It has been decided that 25 men of the A.C. shall be stationed.it each of the four centres, and will form the nucleus of a permanent artillery, the number to be raised to one huudied in the event of war breaking out. The additional members will be drafted from tho volunteers. The Government has also decided to have in Auckland, Dunedin, Chnstchuich, and Wellington a permanent torpedo service, consisting of five men in each place, the number to be raised to twelve (should hostilities occur) by drafting men from the torpedo section of the Naval Brigades. A movement is on foot to form a special toipedo corps consisting of yachting and boating men. A meeting is called by the e\-commodore of tho Regatta Committee, the \ice-piesidont of tho Yicliting Club, and the captain of the Boating Club for Thursday afteinoon, to consider the question,