Defence of the Town.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 104, 12 April 1845, Page 3

Defence of the Town.

Hang out our banners on the outward walls ; The cry is still— "They come!' 1 Shakespeare. Much as has been done towards placing the barracks in a tenable state of defence, to the great credit of the Engineer department, we think that more is indispenable, anticipating an actual insurrection and attack from the Natives. r lhe western side of the Town is quite unprotected, and Queen-street and its neighbourhood might be ransacked and burnt with impunity. But the subject to which we would more particularly draw attention, is the urgent necessity of having a place within the barracks for warehousing stores and provisions by such inhabitants as choose to deposit them. In case of the inhabitants being obliged to resort to the barracks, where is the food for them and the military ? There might be above two thousand persons within the enclosure for some days, and unless timely precautionary measures are adopted, much misery and confusion would result. One or two large, .or a few smaller wooden buildings, would contain an immense quantity of provisions, and would hereafter be available to the Ordnance Department for various purposes. The Governor in Council on Thursday stated, that there was a large quantity of

provisions already in tho barracks, and that to erect a storehouse would take some time: and that as soon as lie was certain of danger, or of advance of the Natives, he should then act, and purchase provisions. But wo think it would be much more advisable to have the provisions warehoused there, free from all danger of being destroyed by lire in their present depositories. Some regulations might be adopted to appropriate to each storekeeper a certain space, rent free, provided he immediately housed a certain quantity of any description of provisions : thus, some would send flour — some salt provisions — others spirits, &c. — The certain security from plunder by the natives, and from destruction by fire, would induce 1 persons to avail themselves of tho privilege, and the inhabitants as well as tho military would be certain of food, should the worst contingency arise. — Thero is an excellent well within the barracks, with abundant water, but there should be a supply of firewood secured.

We understand our indefatigable and active tax-gatherer, Mr. Peter Dodds Hogg, is about resuming his duties at the southern settlements as Chief of the Preventivo Service — the lately new discovered elixir, alias Customs Laws, being found a certain remedy for spiritous subjects, so as to entirely supersede the sick certificate which the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, M. D., &c., &c, granted to that individual some time back, for the purpose of his being invalided to England. Lieut. Colonel Charles Waybrow Ligar, of Glen Ligar, is at once, we understand, to commence his winter campaign — the unform of this officer, we hear, is being made by the Stultx of Aucldand, and a splendid epaulette is to be placed on the scat of honor.