A.-4

16

that the latter will require permanent garrisons in time of war, and also be liable to be captured by a coup de main. When considering the description and number of the forces required for the defences, proposed for the New Zealand ports, I shall explain that there need be no difficulty in providing this garrison. Moreover, the sites at Judge's Bay are altogether too retired from the entrance, and too close upon the town, to admit of an effective defence. They are also badly placed for protecting the submarine mines which may be added in the future. The liability to capture can be met by rendering the work self-defensible by its garrison, and by occupying the crown of the hill in rear. An enemy, being prevented from attacking Auckland by sea, would no doubt consider whether he could not gain his object by throwing a body of men on shore, at some convenient spot outside, where a landing could be effected. To the south the city could only be reached by a long detour; to the north, an enemy might take up a position, on the north shore of the harbor—from which to fire into the city—at ranges varying from 2,000 to 3,000 yards. Such an enterprise would have to be met by a field force, the constitution of which I will refer to hereafter, and, if the attack were from the north, the signal station on Mount Victoria would have to be occupied. The third mode of attack, viz., bombardment of the city and shipping from the sea, has already been referred to as not being practicable so long as there was a battery at the Heads. Wellington, the seat of Government, ■is situated on the west shore of Port Nicholson, at a distance of seven miles from the entrance. This extensive inlet is about eight miles long and six miles broad, with deep water throughout, and is generally free from obstruction. The entrance to Port Nicholson is through a channel, which is about 2,000 yards wide for a length of 5,000 yards. Inside the mouth of the entrance there is Barrett's Reef, which divides it into two channels —the main entrance, which is 1,300 yards across and perfectly straight, and Chaffer's Passage, which is about 500 yards at its narrowest part. Both channels have more than six fathoms of water. Owing to Chaffer's Channel taking a bend to the north of the reef, a hostile vessel could not pass along it without a pilot. The difficulties of forcing the entrance Would consequently be greatly increased if both passages could be obstructed by torpedoes —the main one against hostile and friendly Vessels, and Chaffer's Channel only against the enemy. For. the reasons, however, which have already been given, when describing the mode of apj)lying submarine mines, this proposal cannot now be entertained, as it would involve too large an expenditure at present, and require elaborate arrangements during time of war* The proposal is mentioned in order that it may be borne in mind in the future, and complete data may be obtained as to the practicability of carrying it out.

Wellington, iB°jis3? C '