H.—l3

6

Return showing Distribution of Ordnance in New Zealand on the 13th May, 1886.

Eemaeks. —The L, M, N, and 0 Batteries have no field guns on issue to them. The Wanganui, Napier, Westport, and Peninsula Naval Artillery have no ordnance on issue to them.—S.C.A.

Major Boddam to Colonel the Hon. Sir G. S. Whitmoee, K.C.M.G. Sib,— Wellington, 12th May, 188 G. I have the honour to submit the following report on the progress which has been made in the defence of the colony since I took over charge of the works in June last. State of Defences, June, 1885. —At the date above mentioned the several muzzle-loading guns (7-inch and 641b.) which were in the colony had — with the exception of two, one at Dunedin and one at Lyttelton —been placed in position; in some cases timber magazines had been constructed or partially so, and a great deal of preliminary work in the way of roads, tramways, &c, had been carried out. In the case of the batteries at Point Eesolution, and St. Clair, Dunedin, the general plan of the work had been decided and to a- considerable extent carried out. In all other cases no regular designs had been worked out, and the work had been set out and decided upon as it actually progressed. Designs. —There were designs for several large works in the office, but, owing to the sudden change in the proposed armaments for the works, and the mounting of the guns in different positions from those previously determined on, these could not be made use of ; and, as no working drawings or suitable details were to hand, I have had to re-design the whole of the works; and the necessity for fitting the additional guns on to works already in progress has necessitated the preparation of many more plans, and also much more labour in their preparation, than if the works had been commenced de novo. Old Works. — The 7 - inch and 641b. guns were mounted on sliding - carriages, and were arranged for firing en barbette, the larger guns being loaded from a loading-stage, and the others by depressing to a great angle and using jointed or flexible side-arms. Both systems expose the detachment considerably, and, as the greatly - increased effect given to a ship's fire by the introduction of rapid-firing and machine guns has now to be taken into consideration, it was considered advisable to provide for side under-coyer loading. I have consequently designed pits and altered the fittings of the guns to effect this purpose. These have, I consider, added immensely to the protection given to the detachments, and also to the accuracy and rapidity of laying the guns. With the exception of those at Point Halswell, one at Lyttelton, and one at Dunedin (both in progress), these are all completed. The magazines for all these guns have also now been completed and properly fitted. The timber work has been well

Field Guns. Garrison Guns. i ° o o 1.B.L, % o B.M.L. Smooth-boro. Kew Zealand Eosiinont Artillery. I o ■a a o a CD | O ! |1 [Si S d | I •S® 9 6 o > o a go o n no SO Eg 91 H-C 4. Battery, Auckland .. B „ Dunedin 3 „ Timaru D „ Wellington.. G „ Cliristcliurch.. P „ Napier 2r „ Invercargill K „ Nelson [ „ Oamaru 7 „ Gisborne .. L „ Port Chalmers M „ Queenstown N „ Lyttelton .. 3 „ Auckland Now being landed from ship "Oamaru," to bo issued immediately a i l 2 2 8 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 'a i G Naval Artillery. —Guns temporarily issued — Auckland rhames Wellington Petone Nelson Lyttelton Eimaru Darnaru Port Chalmers Dunedin Bluff Bawera Bines 1 *2 l i 3 2 2 1 2 1 l 2 '2 1 Garrison Permanent Artillery. Wellington Auckland Dunedin Lyttelton [n store 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 5 1 9