THE DEFENCES OF THE COLONY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3281, 2 April 1885, Page 2

THE DEFENCES OF THE COLONY.

(By Telegeaph.) Wellington, April 1. Captain Bodhatn, of Tasmania, who has been elected by the Government to take charge of the artillery and also the shore batteries, hns, for some time past, been engaged m superintending the fortifications of Tasmania. He is spoken of as a gentleman of high abilities, and was recommended by His Excellency the Governor. He is expeoted to arrive m New Zealand m a few days. Lieutenant Douglas, of Rangitikei, an officer of the Boyal Navy, has been appointed to take charge of all port defences. Lieutenant Douglas, who will enter his new duties almost immediately, has had large experience m naval warfare and the use of torpedo boats. In connection with the appointment of commander to tho whole of the Volunteers m New Zealand the Government are m communication with an English officer at present m Canada, and have offered him the appointment. As no answer has yet been received to the cable sent him, his name is withheld. It is, however, understood that he is an**-^--officer of high ■ rank, and that he also has been recommended by Sir Wm. Jerrois. The appointment of Captain Bodham, Lieutenant Douglas, and tho commander of Volunteers will be of a permanent nature. Major Cautley leaves Wellington for Lyttelton on Friday, to arrange for placing the guns m position there. After spending two or three days at Lyttelton he proceeds to Dunedin for a similar purpose. Mr Bell, Major Cautley's assistant, will leave for Auckland to-morrow, and it is expected that work m connection with the defences will be commenced next Monday. The armed cruiser which Government are endeavoring to arrange for is to. be of tho Eemerelda typo, steaming about nineteen knots an hour. Government are willing to pay interest on the total cost, and two-thirds of the amount required for maintenance conditionally on her being available at all times for training purposes. It is understood that the Admiralty have several vessels of the class required on the stocks, nud the Government intend that each naval corps m tho colony will be supplemented by a torpedo section, and consist of ten experienced men. It has been decided that twenty-fire men of the Armed Conatabulary shall be stationed at each of the four centres, and will form the nucleus of a permanent artillorv, the number to bo raised to 100 m the event" of war breaking out. The additional members will be drafted from the Volunteers. Government have also decided to have m Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington a permanent torpedo service, consisting of five men m each place, the numbers to be raised to 12, should hostilities occur, by drafting men from sections of the Naval Brigades. A movement is on foot to form a special torpedo corps, consisting of yachting and boating men. A meeting has been called by the ex-Commodore of the Kegatta Committee the Vico-President of the Yachting Club, and the Captain of the Boating Club for Thursday afternoon, to consider the question. The Government have cabled an order for Whitehead torpedoes to the extent of £50 OOOi Launching goar for torpedo boats haa also been ordered, so that the boats may be taken up and launched from any ordinary ooaitri T«istl ■when required.