DEFENCES OF SYDNEY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 160, 28 January 1854, Page 8

DEFENCES OF SYDNEY.

Tlie inarch of events is so rapid in these exciting1 times, that the plans of to-day are liable to be mocked by the necessities of to-morrow. Since we last wrote, news of the most vital importance to the safety and welfare of ilie colony have reached its shores. Tlie French nation has become our nearest neighbour, and has established a colony on the shores of New Caledonia. There is no doubt that this infant partaking1 of tlie warlike character of its sire, will spring, like Minerva, leady-armed, from the brain of Jove. The toys of young Fiance are the bayonet and the cannon. We plodding, business-like Anglo-Saxons must not remain complacent and defenceless, with such an active, and excitable friend in such close proximity. For, supposing we may be able to answer for our own good-fellowship, we must remember that contingencies may occur 16,000 miles away, which would convert these polite neighbours into inveterate foes, and our motto should now more than ever be, nunquam non paratu*. This step of the French Government, however, will probably be an additional means of security. For it cannot be supposed but that the British Government, if it should acquiesce in this assumption of territory on their part, will see tlie absolute necessity of rendering the'port of £>ydney the chief naval station in the Pacific. Thus Ur. Douglas may take hope. His waking thought and-nightly dream will now doubtless be accomplished, and that too without the great expenditure which caused such a spasm of affright in the breeches' pocket of the Council. Shall the Mediterranean have its Naples, the China sea its Hong Kong, the Atlantic its | St. Helena, all of them strongly fortified, and the Pacific ocean, with its thousands of British j subjects, and its countless wealth, be abandoned to the encroachments of our hereditary' foe? It is impossible to conceive it for a moment. To use a well-known phrase, this augiession will precipitate this port into a naval station. /* But tlie fact that Great Britain may now feel bound, for her own interest, to make this the head-quarters of a naval force, should not destroy our self-reliance. As Australians, we have other than imperial interests, and base indeed should we be did we cower with unmanly eagerness under the broad J3^is of the British flag. As an eagle stirring up its nest invites its young to try their powers', Great Britain, by her course of policy, is plainly indicating that it expects its youthful progeny to shew themselves worthy of their ancestry, 111(1 we are convinced it "would regard with proud complacency an infant colonial navy. So to our plan. All we at present aspire to is-, that the Cololial revenues should support two very strongly built screw steam-ships of about 500 tons each', tnd the greatest amount of engine power that can be applied to them with efficiency. The speed of these to be-guaranteed at not l^s than fourteen miles an hour. These vessels each to be armed wiih two of the largest swivel guns, h:\vingaranue superior to the ordinary'jniiis carried by ships of war. The bows of ihese vessels to be made so solid as to be shot proof. It is easy t<. conceive what a dangerous enemy such a ship as this must prove to a frigate or to a privateer, or even to a line of batife ship. She would keep out of range, and continually drop in shots with a most destructive effect ; or, from her power of steam, miyht stand into a vessel, only exposing her bows to the broadside and select the most.favourable point of attack But should these not b?, sufficient to stay the progress of the enemy, the steamer should be constructed wiih sufficient solidity to run into an enemy's ship, and sink her, without herself sustaining any injury. We shall be immediateJy toid she might be opposed by steamers of similar construction, and then it would be merely which vi:ssel would stand the most buni,,--. But there is an answer to this objection. The chances, i,, case of failure, would 'not be equal Supposing one colonial steamer ran down on the coast, she has her boats to take ln-r crew on shore, wnue her consort is ending ,he enemy, but it the foreigner is run down, he has only an enemy's cna«a to retreat to. Besides, the'nrobaiMlity ihat we b.ive been taught to fe.-.r is that privateer sailing vessels should nil. in «|,,1 ring the ni^hi. Tiie small steamers w..uld render a good account <>f then,. A«-ninsi -i Bqua.mni iiiese wouiil be but a smuii dv-ie-jjci-mil against a squadron wo may rdv with safety on the luipciial navy.

In JKidiiion u> tliese two steam-ships, wecoulil extend a wire-cable across tlie mouth of the harbour, capable of being elevated at pleasure to the level of the water. The harbour is only one mile and a half wide, and this might easily be done; and during- the time a vessel was occupied in breaking1 the chain, she would lie exposed to the lire of two or three heavy guns planted on the shore at the level of the water at either side of the chain. As to the fear of an enemy landing, and marching- up to Sydney, it is too degrading' to the manhood of the colony to be entertained fora moment. — Illusl. News. Sydney, December 22, 1803. —The Constitution Bill was read a third time and passed Mr. Weniworlh reviewed the whole measure at length, and Mr. Darvall made a last desperate speech, in which he predicted revolution and bloodshed as the inevitable result of the passing of the measure. Mr. Went worth answered him effectually, and the third reading- was carried amid several rounds of applause. Then came the Declaratory Resolutions, w.iich Mr. Robert Campbell protested against, but which were passed triumphantly. Finally, Mr. Macartlnir moved that the Colonial Secretary and Mr. Wentworth be requested and empowered to lend their advocacy to the bill in England. Tin's was seconded by Mr. JVi/irtin, who made a pretty speech about Wentworth; but. just as the House was in the most complimentary humour, Mr. Richardson, from Moreton Bay, interposed with his broad Scotch, and proposed to appoint Mr. S. A.Donaldson and Mr. Lamb, late members of the house, to oppose the other two ambassadors. Of course, this notable suggestion was received with a shout of laughter; but Mr. Campbell and .Mr. Turn-low actually divided the house upon Mr. Macarthur's motion, which was affirmed by every body else in the chamber. The Speaker then addressed the two honorable gentlemen, informing them of the commission with which they were charged—and this was followed by valedictory addresses from both of them, in which each set forth his long services, begged pardon for past acerbities, and returned thanks for the confidence and support of the house. Thus closed tb.9 memorable session of 1853, one of 'paramount importance to the future destinies of the colony. His Excellency the Governor-General prorogued the Council to-day at noon, with the usual ceremonies. The house was decorated on tlie occasion with festoons ot fl->wers, aud garlands of true British oak. The Judges attended in their robes. The King- of the Friendly Islands, j George the First, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Ribone, was accommodated with a seat at the bar. The attendance of ladies was small, owing probably to the depamne of the Hon. Mrs. Keith Stewart, aud the consequent want of a head of the female society of Sydney. As the troops marched off, the band struck up "We may be happy yet." Sydney Papers.