Tempting, therefore, as is the proposal to rest the defence of Port Nicholson upon a system of torpedoes protected by artillery fire on the outer channel, this plan must be discarded in favour of one which will more surely effect the required object. It will be seen, on striking an arc of 4,000 yards radius from Hals-well Point as the centre, that the whole of the estuary within effective range of Wellington—including the entrance channel and Evans's Bay, but excepting a small portion on the southern side of the inner harbour (which, however, is well seen from Kaiwarra)—can be commanded from the Halswell Point Peninsula. It is proposed therefore that batteries shall be placed so as to command the harbour, and the approach to it, at three points on that peninsula, namely, Halswell Point, Gordon Point, and the point about midway between the two; and that a station whence these batteries will be secured in the rear shall be established on Mount Crawford. Communications should be formed between these several positions, and a road of access to the peninsula should be made along the shore on the east side of Evans's Bay. The batteries in the above-named positions, together with two or three guns on the high ground above Kaiwarra, will command every part of the harbour where an enemy's ship might take up a position, with a view of hostile action against Wellington. Torpedo-vessels would also aid in the defence. A field-force acting from the central position of the barracks and the prison would be well placed for the support of the troops occupying the works at Halswell Peninsula or at Kaiwarra, and would also be in readiness to oppose any attempt at a landing in Island Bay. This plan, whilst it will, under present circumstances, fully provide for the protection of Wellington, might in future years, if ever deemed desirable, be supplemented by defences on the outer line at Dorset Point, as also by batteries on Ward Island and Somes Island. Port Lyttelton. The defences of Port Lyttelton and Port Chalmers are not only of importance as regards the cities in their immediate neighbourhood, but also the whole east coast of the Middle Island. The entrance to Port Lyttelton (the port of Canterbury) (see Plate III.), upwards of 2,000 yards wide—the depth being between 8 and 9 fathoms—is between two precipitous heads about 400 feet high, and it would be out of the question to defend it by submarine mines supported by batteries on the heads. Moreover, the shore on the main land on either side of the harbour is so steep as not to present sites suitable for works for the defence of the approach to