THE DEFENCES OF THE COLONY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3280, 1 April 1885, Page 3

THE DEFENCES OF THE COLONY.

(By Telegraph.) Dunbdin, March 31. Sir Julius Yogel leaves for the North on Thursday morniDg. He was waited on today by a deputation from the City Council and the Chamber of Coinmercej with Volunteer officers m order to draw his attention to the defenceless state of the city. Ho took the deputation aback by saying lie was sorry to see the course they had taken. They seemed m Dunedin to enjoy the luxury of drawing attention to their defenceless position, and this seemed to him the worst of policy. It was very important that what was done should be done secretly. His colleague, Mr Stout, had telegraphed to him that the scare m Dunedin was not warranted, and that he would not delay an hour m fortifying. It ■was necessary to have plans, and Major Cautley was very busy preparing them. What the Government were going to da was to place a gun at Lawyer Head, another at St. Clair Baths, and several at Taiaroa Heads, and torpedoes across the channel inside the bar, etc. Mr -Stout pointed out that it was quite useless to put all these guns m position unless it was done properly, because if they were mounted- improperly the very first shot of the enemy would dismount them. Flans for all these places were promised, and m two days Major Cautley would leave for the South,' ; and his assistant would go to Auckland to fix the guns there, and twenty-five of the Ajrmed Cono tabulary were to *be cent to Dunedin and the same number to Christchurch, to form the nucleus of an Artillery force, and one of the Colonols would bo placed m command. MrStout had further said, " You have little idea what even our temporary works will cost. lam alarmed at the amount," and then proceeded, "we have telegraphed Home to the Admiralty to provide one or more ironclads for our coast." He (Sir Julius) hoped the deputation would pardon him for speaking plainly. He did not tbiuk any more representations should be made upon the subject, unless they were made privately, because the publication of their plans must be injurious. They were spending a vast amount of money, and m a few days the principal ports of the colony ■would be 'sufficiently protected. For • hiineelf, as he stated last night, he did not think there would be any war, and he was glad to tell them that within the last quarter of an hour he had received a telegram from the Agent-General m England saying the position seemed less ominous torday. Ihey had the best advisers possible m Major Cautley and the Governor. In reply to a question as to the shore ends of the cable, Sir J. Yogel said that the question had engaged the attention of Government weeks ago, and they had made provision for it. He thought it was not politic to say anything more on the subject. He repeated that what lie objected to was the constant reiteration of the words "our defenceless position." He was not speaking for himself, but under the highest inspiration he could receive when he said that nothing could be more undesirable than for them to allow evervono to think that the colony wa3 m a defencdoss position, for such was not the : Ohbistohtjboh, March 31. . The Defence Minister has thanked the gfa-vr and accepted the services of the

Reserve Corps on condition of each member contributing £5 towards arms and accoutrements. The following telegram was received by the Mayor from the Premier m answer to a telegram sent to the Government aftor the meeting held to consider tlio defence question, yesterday :-" Wellington, March 31st. lhe Government are having plans prepared for temporary works. When ready Major Cautley leaves here for Chriatchurch. The Government will send an officer of the Armed Constabulary with 25 artillerymen to Christchurch to form the nucleus of an Artillery Defence Force. We have communicated with the Imperial Government as to naval defence. With regard to accepting a Reserve Corps, 1 will communicate with the Minister of Defence. Our colonists must recognise, however, tnat even temporary defence works will be very costly, and that our funds are not unlimited. Wo thank you and the Christchurch Committee for the offers of assistance, and will bo glad to receive your aid and advice. (Signed) Robebt Stout." .„,... One hundred citizens have signified their willingness to join the Reserve Corps. Wellington, March 31. This afternoon the Government cabled to the Agent-Generrl, asking him to endeavor to arrange for a cruiser of the Admiralty class, and suitable for coastal defence, being sent out to New Zealand. The Government have offered to bear the whole of the expenso and pay interest on the cost. They are als» arranging for the services of Captain Bodham, of Tasmania, m connection with the erection of batteries, etc. Captain Bodham is an official of the Royal Artillery, and thoroughly experienced m such works. In connection with defence work the Post suggests that " Auckland, ■ Wellington, Cliristchurcb, and Dunedin organise a series of defence bees to aid the construction of road and earthworks required. Those abla to give manual labor might do it, and those unable to work themselves might well pay others to work for them, for three or four days." . .<; . The Government . have m store 85 rounds of shot and shell for each of the 23 big guns, and they have recently received one million rounds of Snider cartridges. A large supply of gun cotton was ordered from Home upwards of two months ago for torpedo use, and is now probably on its way out. Xhe Government are also having constructed a number of dynamite torpedoes : or mines for harbor defence. Works of. defence at the various ports are to bo commenced as soon as plans are completed, at which Major Cautley is busily engaged. A large number of men will be set to work at the Wellington fortifications tomorrow. They will be engaged m making a road for material to be sent up.