A SUGGESTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7524, 14 April 1885, Page 6

A SUGGESTION.

TO THE EDITOR. j Sib, —I find that the Government arq making extensive preparations for the de4 fence of the Colony. I do not know ii amongst these they have made any ar-J rangement for signalling steamers along the coast. By adopting such a system timely notice could be given to any par| ticular port for which any vessel was mak-> ing. This could be easily done: say a steamer was seen coming through Cools Strait and rounding Cape Campbell anq steering south, notice could be signalled from Cape Campbell lighthouse; Kaikours could repeat if seen off that place, and af what hour. By so doing, Lyttelton woulq have timely notice of any stranger apl proaching, and could be prepared to meei any eventuality, more particularly a ; nigh| surprise. A vessel coming North could b« watched and signalled from Otago, Oa'marujj Timaru and Akaroa Heads. English raenj of-war could make known their number af any of the'se stations, or their whereabouts could be known ashore. To be preparer for a night attack a code of signals shoul<| be arranged, either by steamers showing lights in different forms or colour, or bajj their whistle. These are matters of detail! The signal should be changed daily, acj cording to the usual military system ol pardle. This change could be flashed alona the line from Wellington in cypher. —lamj &c, '.J A. HORNBROOK.Vfj