NEW ZEALAND DEFENCES.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5084, 4 May 1885, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCES.

(Pee Pbess Association).

- Wellington, This day. Tne s.s. Copticjfor "Guam." Strike of the Crew. The S.B.Coptic chartered by the Imperial Government, was to hare gone to sea yesterday under sealed orders, having taken 4000 tons of coal, ordered to be put on board by the English authorities. She cleared at the Customs on Saturday forenoon for " Guam," whither most vessels leaving under secret orders are nominally bound. On Saturday bight, however, there were signs of dissatisfaction among the crew, and yesterday morning about thirty of them refused to go to sea. On being asked what reasons they had for doing so, some stated that they merely wanted to' know where they were bound for, and being asked whether they would go if told, some claimed colonial rates of wages, others said they had been engaged under charter to Shaw, Saville and the Albion Coy., but they were wanted to serve as Government men, to which they objected. They also thought they would run a risk of being made prisoners of war, coal being contraband in time of war. The men will be brought before the Resident Magistrate this morning. ; Dunedin, Saturday. The Government has accepted the services of the Anderson's Bay Bifles. ' This day.». Owing to the defence works at the Heads, the lighthouse tower is to be taken down, and a temporary wooden one erected. The Militia returns show over 7.0C0 available; of these Dunedin suburbs supply 2,364; Port Chalmers, 280; Taieri, 430; and Oamaru, 727. ■ r