COLONIAL DEFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10044, 3 February 1896, Page 5

COLONIAL DEFENCE.

[by telegraph.OWN correspondent.] Wkll'inoton, Saturday. Although there is nothing like a scare, people here are very much exercieod upon a great variety of interesting topics. There is a general impression that some communication has, since my meaiage of Wed* nesday, been made by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the' Colonial Governor* in respect of the condition of colonial defences and forces. The activity manifested by the Defence Department appears to confirm this impression. The publication of "orders" for parade and drills and other military preparations keep matters very much alive indeed. You are met by the constant statement) that tho militia is to be called out. Already those things have roused a feeling of jealousy between the Corporation and the officers of the Defence Department, who have entered upon the task of laying off roads to the positions upon which the new battery is to be placed.. The site was intended for an. observatory. ' It is contended tho'i this ground could only be entered upon iy tho Government after " proclamation" id ide by the Government. No proclamatim has be?n yej) made, and vary strong phraseology was used by the Mayor, last night denouncing the action of tho Government, How- ' ever, this default is easily remedied. ; ,