AUSTRALASIA'S NAVAL DEFENCE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10202, 16 January 1896, Page 2

AUSTRALASIA'S NAVAL DEFENCE.

Should Great Britain be plunged into I war with any Power possessing a formid- I able navy these colonies would have to take a certain amount of risk from predatory cruisers, and would have to depend for protection largely upon naval defence. Tbe fear of an organised invasion to take possession ot the colonies may he set aside ao groundless, Bat a good deal of damage could be instated on the seaboard, especially in towns like Napier, which conld be Bhellod from an open roadstead, and which havo no forts or heavy ordnance to keep hostile vessels at a respectful distance, and such places must rely absolutely on the power of the fleet in Australian waters for protection. It is, therefore, natural at a critical juncture like the present, that we should ask ourselves how we are situated in the matter of naval defence. The following is a list of the ships on the Australian station, aa supplied by a con» trlbutor to the New Zealand Herald :— Orlando, flagship, 12 guns, twin screw steel armoured cruiser. Milduro, 8 guns, twin screw steel cruiser, KiDgarooma, 8 guns, twin screw steel cruiser, Katoomba, 8 guns, twin screw steel crnieer. Wallaroo, 8 ganp, twin screw steel cruiser. Royalist, 12 guos, screw corvette, composite. Penguin, 8 guns, screw surveying, composite. Pylades, 14 guns, screw corvette, composite. Rapid, 12 g_ns, screw corvette, composite. Dart, 2 guns, screw surveying yacht, composite. Ringdovo, 6 guns, sorew ganboab, composite. Karrakatta, 2 guns, screw steel torpedo. Goldfinch, 6 guns, screw sloop, composite. Lizard, 6 guns, sorew gunboat. Taurauga, 6 guns, twin screw steel cruiser. Boomerang, 2 guns, screw steel torpedo. Water witch, no guns, yacht screw surveying. In addition there is the Caps squadron of eighteen vessels, which would be partially available for the defenoe of t_e Australian colonies, and part of the fleet ln Eastern waters could also be spared, for any descent on the oolonies would be from foreign vessels in those waters, which wonld undoubtedly be V shepherded "by British vessels. Then for port defence, in addition to land forts and batteries, the different colonies bave the following :— New South Wales: Aoheron and Avernus, torpedo steam launches. Queensland : Gaynndah, donble sorew steel ship, _ guns, 360 tons ; Otter, gunboat, 1 gan, 220 tons ; Palaraa, 2 guns, 300 tons ; with several small biats. South Australia : Protector, cruiser, 6 guns. Victoria: Cerberus, double screw armour - nlated turret sbip ; Nelson (frijjate), Victoria and Albert, with gunboits Countess of Hopetoun, Childers, Nepean, and Lonßdale. There are blbo four torpedo boats. Western Australia : Meda, schooner. Tasmania : Ooe torpedo boat. i New Zealand : Four torpedo boats aud ! four steam torpedo launches. Altogether there woald be a very considerable naval force available, quite sufficient to cope with any foreign naval attack, provided the vessels are so distributed as to meet every emergency. Tbe real danger lies there, The warships might not be sufficiently near the partlcalar points attacked to give protection, Bat they could, in conjunction with the land forces, prevent oven a temporary occupation ot any colony with a view of e-tortitig ransom, and it woald hardly pay an enemy to send a squadron merely to shell on isolated seaport here and there.

Oa the fourth page will be found a letter to the editor, a report of the meeting of the Napier Borough Council last night, sporting newß, and onr Hastings correspondent's communication. The following cup fixtures have been arranged, to bsgin on tbe 25 >h instant :— Walapu v. Connty at Firndno, Uolted Tradesmen v. Junior Club at Reoreation Ground. A two-innings cricket match, Napier Tradesmen v. Hastings Tradesmen, was played on the Heretaunga school ground yesterday and resulted iu a victory for the Napleiites by Bix wickets. Mr W. A. Robinson, lately one of the principals of the Heretaunga private sobool, was entertained by the members of the Hastings Club last night, and the heartiest good wishes were expressed for bis welfare In the new sphere of life upon which he is about to enter. It appears that Mr Morland's pony must have been injured ln some other manner than by getting his legs in the Taradale bridge at the railway crossing. Mr Tracey, the road overseer, informs us that a stick could not be gat through any opening on the floor of tbe bridge. A most enjoyable picnio took place on Mr Bee's Pakowhal property yesterday, The Sunday-sohool children attending St. Thomas's Churoh, Meanee, together with a number of juveniles from Awatoto took part in the outing, which was superintended by the Rev. Mr Clarke and the Sunday-school teachers. Several complaints bave reached ns of late anent the short stay made by the express at Te Aute. Yesterday passengers both np and down the line had to leave their refreshments almost nntouohed or lose the brai_. The department should endeavor to alter this state of aff.irs, and give the neoeseary time allowed by the time-table.

Several of our oonntry residents are now beginning to complain londly of the heavy drought. The country right through shows a very parched appearance, and mnoh loss of stock will be reported unless rain oomes quickly, One old resident sheepfarmer Informed us yesterday that our present summer is the driest experienced during the last SO years.

1 Great heat was experienced in Napier yesterday morning, but towards afternoon a cooling wind sprang np, and life became more endurable. The following thermometer readings were posted at tbe iooal telegroph office at 9 o'clock : -Gisborne 8n degrees, Napier 76, Russell and Nelson 75, Christohnroh 71, Auckland 70, Wancanui .69, Wellington 68, Dunedin and Balelotba 57.

With the view of giving instruction to the orchardists of the colony in frnit evaporation, three of the experts of the Agricultural Department are to go on tour, with evaporators, giving experlmental lessons, says the Post. Mr B, M Gubb wilt tour the Auckland district, Mr Blaokmore will do the South Island, and a i_*'-..WPWt (not yet fixed on) will visit various portions ..' *he provincial district. ,

It Jc eald that Messrs Wilkie Brothers, contractors, well-known |ri New Zealand, will clear _ieo,&§o' put oi the. Southern Cross- Coolgaidi_"„ne. They took the co_tr_ot to constraot the' line at a very low prioe on condition that they were allowed to keep i all the trafflo receipts until tbe last sleeper was laid. Directly the obntraot was signed the work . was proceeded with atan e_ormpji6 pace and almost completed twelve months before Jfee oontrpotljwß, \. , :-;^; r ; ! ,> •

At a meeting. of. the commltsee of the Napier Rowing .Club on Tuesday evening the rules and' bye-laws were revised and will be brought before a general meeting of members on the 4th February for approval. Thefollowlngcrews have been drawn lor the club's junior pairs, to bs drawn oh the 15th February :— U. Niehoiland A. G, Saxby, M. Welsman and F. Jago, S. E. Harrop and H. Jaoobi, C. I Smith and T. Roulston, J. Jensen and A. E, Jaokson, J. S. Thompson and T. Ringland.

Waipukurau hod a narrow escape from a big blsze yesterday afternoon. Abont 3 o'clock an alarm was given that the premises known as tbe " old bank " were on fire. Before many minutes a number of willing hands were on the scene and soon began to strip off tbe burning shingles from the roof and apply water, ln less than ten minutes all danger was over, whioh was fortunate, as a strong wind was blowing at the time. The premises were occupied by Mr Thomas Williams, bootmaker. The origin of the fire was supposed to be a spark from the chimney.

Oar Waipawa correspondent Informs us that very heavy fires are raging in the bush between Takapau and Daneviike. This side of Kopna many residents are leaving their homeß, while the males are busily engaged combating the flames. The height of the fire is in tbe Waikoplro block, the flames advancing through the bush with intense fury. The wind blow? ing is quickly bringing the fire towards Takapnn. When the express train passed Nelson's siding beyond Waipawa yesterday afternoon all the bußh on the left hand side of the line was on. fire. It Is feared that should the present windooni tlnue the fire will reach the Takapau homestead.

The Poit say. :— lt has been decided to replace three of tbe large wooden viaducts on the Palmerston-Napler seotion of railway with lion structures. The viaducts, which are the largest of their kind in the colony, are built aoross tbe gorges through which flow the head waters of the Manawatu river. And with the object of improving the line, and making- the viaducts of a moro permanent nature, the proposed structures will not be erected on the sites of thoße at present doing service, bnt in more suitable positions. In order to distribute the cost, one viaduct will be erected ln each of the nest three years, The first is to replace the one at Kopna, the nest station to Ormondvllle, for which three tenders have been received, and are now under consideration.

Now that training is ln full swing for tbe approaobing Caledonian sports, the oricketers might show a little more consideration than they do to the numerous innners and 'oyolists who frequent the track on the Recreation Ground. Avoiding to the rules of the Recreation Gronnd Company the crioketers are allowed till 6 p.m. to practice, after whioh time the athletes can train. This is reasonable eoongh, but lately tbe cricketers have continued playing till long after 6 and almost up to 7 o'olock, so that 'oyolists and runners have to race on tbe traok with innumerable cricket balls whizzing abont their ears. On several occasions very severe acoldents, endangering actual loss of life, have been narrowly averted. Cricketers are hereby requested to take a friendly hint,

The passengers by the express train from Napier had a few moments' mild excitement yesterday morning after leaving the Waipawa railway-station. After going abont a quarter of a mile the train was brought suddenly to a standstill, and several of the inmates of the carriages lushed to the doors, while others put their heads out of tbe windows to ascertain what had ooenrred. The trouble was caused by the heavy gale experienced, which had blown down several branohes off the poplar trees standing alongside the. lines. These tell across the rails, ana consequently bad to be cleared by the driver and guard before the train conld proceed on her joainey. It might be as well if the authorities caused these trees to be cat down, as they are situated in a bad angle, and should any branches fall late in the evening withont being observed n nasty accident might be the result.

The Wellington District Volunteer Eifla Association (whioh embraces corps ln tha sub-districts of Wangauul, Taranaki, and Napier) has been presented by its first president Colonel Fox, with a sliver salver to be competed for normally by all corps and companies in the district. In his letter accompanying the gift Colonel Fox writes :— " I would like, with the object of encouraging the shooting of tbe various 'corps and companies in the district, to give to the association a silver salver, to be tbe property of the association, and to ba competed tor 'annually by all corps aud companies, and to be held by the corps or oompany making the best figure of merit at volley and independent fiting combined under tbe conditions which may exist from time to time as laid down by the Defence Department. I herewith send you tbe salver in the hopethat it may be accepted bj> the aseool-^ tion, provided,' of conrse, that yon es " officer commanding the dlstriot approve, and that Id may be tbe object ot some bard and exoltiog battles." Lieut.. Colonel Newall, the officer commanding the district, has replied on bshalf of the district volunteers, thanking Colonel Fox for his gift.

Tha matter of street waterlog occupied tbe attention of the Borough Connoil for Rome time lost night. Cr. ' M'Vay broached the subject by moving the suspension of the standing orders, and there belog_ no objection he moved "That specifications be prepared for the construction of a new water cart, to be submitted to the next Publio Wotks Committee's meeting ; and tbat authority be given for the procuration of a street watering hydrant." He pointed out that the present system of street watering was quite inadequate ; there were too few carts for a large area; great damage was being done to the storekeepers ; and the benefit which would be derived would more than compensate for the expenditure requisite. — Cr. Cohen pointed out that water oarts were obsolete in Sydney and Melbourne, where improved hydrants were in nse. With such an apparatus the whole of tha maio street of Napier could be operated on by one man.— Cr. Faulknor corroborated Mr Cohen's statement— Cr. Welsman was glad to see that his tecom--nidations of three yews before were row about to bear fruit. Be graphically desoribed the modus operandi of Btrepl). watering by means of hydrants in Auob> lend.-— Cr. Cranby having uttered a moat smphatlo protest against Bny farther expenditure on water oarts, the motion was carried. We hear that the fire brlg_de intends ** to seriously consider the advlsableness of sending ln its resignation to the Council. the latter body having by a majority of Bix refused to permit tbe brigade to ereot a practice platform on the Marine parade. There is no doubt that the Connoil should have met the brigade half way in this matter, bat having come to the conoinsion that the brigade Intended to force their hands the majority of the Council allowed bias to outrun discretion, and will now have themselves to thank if the brigadesmen turn "rusty." We have been glad to notice of late the keen Interest evinced by outsiders io the operations of the firemen training for the Christchurch competitions; if the praotice platform had been ereoted in Mr Waterworks or Mr Kennedy's or in Hers'chel-Street as flag, gested, the pnblio would have been able to have witnessed even more interesting displays, and our men would have been able to go South In. the best of trim and with same confidence of viotory, The Council contented itself by advising tha brigade to hold its praotlces in the remote vicinity of the waterworks, and refusing to either put down a fire ping in Hernohel«street or allow the brigade to ereot a platform opposite the Parade, claiming that the one wonld be tbo exSensive and the other too unsightly. ' We ope tbe brigade will overlook the mistake whioh the Council has allowed itself to fall iota of placing dignity before, ex- »' pedieqoy, and not punish the townspeople - out of revenge towards the City Fathers. The London correspondent of tbe _**„_'. Times writes as follows with reference to tbe marriage of tbe daughter of a late) well-known Hawke's Bay reside.!, Mr H. W. P. Sml,_, of Glrig :-0_ Wednee. day week last a very fashionable AngloNew Zealand marriage was solemnised in St. Colnmba- Ohureb, Nairn, N.B. / The contracting parties were Miss Wllbemiira Mary, only daughter of the late H. W. P. and Mr Charles James Roy Fraser, of Merlewoodj Inverness. Tho chureh was lavishly deoorated with white chrysanthemums and evergreens intermixed, and Jong before the time appointed for the _" l _ 1 _ 0, .__ h _ **»-'"• tf-wh 'wee erowded with therm of the district. Th„ bride arrived at 1,30 leaning on the aim of \ her brother, Mr James Smith, towhom - was entrusted tho task of "glv naawav » " She wort a white bioob. satin dress with ' long train, tulle veil and orange blo-s 0 "s and a. diamond -ee_ia_e,: B _d earrisd l « magnificent bouquet. Her L h r |j. a a maids 'were three of Sim d™.«/ 6 . 8 " whltesatin, eream flehus aM pftasheS ' • ' and (three wore, taMei ' of »fiK_ - .. orepon with similar 'sashes '_ r -' * * large black velvet U*wiiP'n*£ >& feathers and' pink rosM £a _."_*_ ' eWer>B.oi th? l 9 teMajo7chwlMF,«J_l* ' * his bestUmanr-TbeideremanFw-i Mr! : J l 3F&JW #«^whp was «B'UM_._y V«r ; # The l*U^\mjm-: yesterdaysslfs Jft3p^^Sa-a_w«:fffl

week's curative treatment for alcoholism , at Napier gaol. He was discharged and ordered to pay £1 Os Id for costs and expenses' or ln default one month at Napier; order suspended till Ist February. He was farther charged with being an idle and disorderly person, but the Benoh decided to adjourn that oharge till sth February, to Bee how he behaved in the meantime, and aocepted bis own recognisance at £10. Bertram Carrie was charged with being drnnk and disorderly. The evidence went to show that defendant and two other men went to a house in Waverley-streeb and tried to get in, to the annqyanoe of tbe resident and neighbors. Mr A. E. Jail was aronsed by the disturbance, and he got up and collared defendant, and was on the way to the police office with him when he met tbe sergeant on bis way to the scene, who relieved him of his oharge and locked defendant up. Fined 10s with 4s costs or In default fourteen days in Napier gaol, The Bench said that had it been proved tbat the men made, immoral proposals they would hate Increased the penalty considerably. The defendant wished to Infer that they mistook the house for the Exchange Hotel.— A resident in this neighborhood who is going- in for jam making on a large scale tried to purahase fruit locally, bat the price asked for apricots was 91 per lb. He offered 2d, but the vendorwonld not budge a penny, consequently the woald-be buyer went to Napier, V where he bought at Id per lb. What will become of the local article 1 don't know, aB the hot winds again prevailing today are . stripping the trees entirely.— The Waipukurau Road Board have commenced tarring the footpaths in the main street.