TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8004, 17 October 1887, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(Faa United Pbess Association.)

Wellington, October 15.

A party of visitors, accompanied by Sir G. Whitmore, Colonel Bailey, Captain Messenger, aud other military gentlemen, went down the harbour to Fort Ballance yesterday afternoon to witness some experiments with torpedoes and mines. Two Whitehead torpedoes were flred between buoys representing the line of advance of a supposed enemy. 'The direction was accurate, but one of themissiles proved recalcitrant and eluded search for a long time. The other floated up at opce was easily regained. On reaching the surfape a composition of phosphorus on the snout burst into flames and guided the pursuers. After that four mines were laid and fired with complete success. Nc hitch of any kind ocourred. The visitors inspected the fort, which is now finished, nothing remaining but to clear some earth away outside the palisades. It is armed with two 7in muzzleloader*, a 6in breech-loading Armstrong mounted on a disappearing carriage, and two 6-pounder quick-firing Nordenfeldts. Everything is in readiness to go into action to-morrow if necessary. The work on Fort Halswell, nearer to Wellington, is not so advauced. An Bin Armstrong is to be mounted there in addition to other guns. There is also to be a powerful search-light at Fort Ballance, and all the stores and electric apparatus necessary for a system of floating and'contact mines; •'The submarine armament of tho colony h^s so far cost about £20,000. ' . "