I do not propose now to give any general account of what I have seen during my journeying. As, however, one of the objects of this Institute is to take note of anything that may be of permanent importance to this country, I think it will not be out of place this evening if, as one result of my tours by sea and land, I make some remarks on the protection of the principal ports of the colony, and on the general defence of New Zealand. Of course, however, it will not be possible for me, in the course of an evening's address, to do more than give a general view of the principal points of the question. The defence of New Zealand should be regarded from an Imperial and an Australasian, as well as from a local point of view.Defence of New Zealand from an Imperial point of view. The first line of defence of this, as of every other part of the British Empire, is on the lines of maritime communication. If the steamers and sailing-vessels that carry our exports and imports to and fro along the ocean highways were liable to be captured or destroyed by hostile ships, our commerce would be stopped. The result to the colonies would be disastrous. To Great Britain, it would be starvation. The commerce of New Zealand alone is upwards of fifteen millions sterling per annum, whilst that of Australasia amounts to upwards of one hundred millions, about equal to that of the whole of South America and Mexico combined. Naval squadrons are maintained by Great Britain in the British Channel, in the Mediterranean, in the North American and West Indian Command, in the Pacific, in China, on the East Indian Station, at the Cape of Good Hope, and last, not least, in Australasia. These are charged with the defence of British interests and of the lines of British commerce throughout the world, and in case of war would be largely supplemented by ships of the mercantile marine which are capable of carrying guns, and are otherwise adapted for warfare. Bases for the naval defence of the empire are maintained and fortified by Great Britain, not only at Portsmouth, Plymouth, Chatham, Sheerness, Pembroke, Portland, Cork, and other places in the United Kingdom, but also at numerous places throughout the world, in positions advantageous for coaling, victualling, and refitting the vessels of war charged with the defence of our commerce. Along the line from England to New Zealand by the Cape of Good Hope are the Islands of Ascension and St. Helena; at the Cape, Table Bay and Simon's Bay. On the route by the Suez Canal are Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Perim, and Ceylon; then going between