ties concerned—has been prepared, but awaits a final settlement of the details before it is carried into effect. As regards floating defences, Victoria possesses the “Cerberus,” a two-turreted ironclad monitor; the frigate “Nelson;” two fine gunboats; and three torpedo-vessels—one, the “Childers,” a specially powerful craft. Guns will also be mounted in vessels belonging to the Harbour Department of Melbourne. At Port Jackson forts and batteries have been constructed and armed, and a casemated battery, with iron shields, is now in course of completion. Torpedo defences have also been provided there. In connection with the defence of Sydney a fort has also been erected at Botany Bay. The defence of the important coaling station at Newcastle has been provided for by a fort and by torpedoes. The Government of New South Wales also possesses the “Wolverene,” as a man-of-war training-ship, besides torpedo-vessels. South Australia has provided a fine vessel of war—the “Protector”—for the defence of her sea-board, in addition to land batteries at Port Adelaide. The Government of Queensland has constructed a work to command the approach to Brisbane, besides providing two gunboats and two torpedo-vessels, which will soon leave England for that colony. In Tasmania, batteries and torpedoes, besides a torpedo-vessel, have been provided for the defence of Hobart. In the Australian Colonies, moreover, military and naval forces have been organized or are in course of organization, and the services of officers of the Imperial Navy and Army have been obtained as desired by respective Governments. Now, it will be observed that, in proportion as Australia is defended and New Zealand is left defenceless, this colony is all the more open to attack. Moreover, owing to the position—to which I have before referred—that New Zealand occupies as an advanced shield to the principal parts of Australia, an enemy coming from the eastward would most probably first direct his attack upon her. Scarcely any steps have been taken however for placing this colony in a state to resist external aggression. Defence of New Zealand from a local point of view. Four torpedo-vessels have been recently provided, and a few years ago some guns with ammunition and other appliances were ordered by the Government of the day, but as yet no arrangements have been made for placing them in position at the several ports for the protection of which they were intended. Before these armaments could be properly turned to account, it was necessary that definite plans should be prepared of the works