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use it for that purpose, since the introduction of compound engines; and that, if it were not for the conditions of their contract, by which they are compelled to call for the mail service of Western Australia, they could dispense with their depôt of coals at that place. The Committee find that the town of Albany, at which the coaling station is placed, is a mere village, convicts being sent there to coal the ships, and that, therefore, except as a as a protection for the depôt of coals, it would be quite unnecessary to provide any defences for it. These defences, moreover, would be very costly and extremely embar- rassing, as they would require a regular garrison, which would have to be supplied from Imperial troops.
The Committee are further informed that, since the contract for delivering the Western Australian mails at King George's Sound was entered into, telegraphic communi- cation has been established between Adelaide and Perth, the capital of Western Australia. The attention of the Committee was also called by Sir W. Jervois to the fact that, if the regular steamers, which sometimes contain very valuable freights, of which gold is an important item, are required to call at King George's Sound, it will become a point at which, in time of war, an enemy's cruizers or privateers might lay in wait for them, with a view to their capture.
Under these circumstances, as the Committee hesitate to recommend that these works should be erected, and a large garrison maintained exclusively for their defence, they would suggest for consideration whether, in the event of war, the mail steamers which serve the other Australian Colonies should not cease to call at King George's Sound, and that some other arrangement should be made for the transmission of the mails to Perth, unless the Admiralty desire to keep it as a coaling station, in which case the defence should be provided for by naval means.
NEW ZEALAND.
On examining the charts of New Zealand, numerous bays and inlets of the sea are found, which constitute fine natural harbours; but, as a general rule, the population is so small, and the trade so inconsiderable, that, in the opinion of the Committee, it will be sufficient for them, in the present condition of the Colony, to consider the measures requisite for the defence of the five principal ports, viz.: Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Lyttelton, and Otago,
The town of Auckland, in the North Island (population, 12,775), is situated on the south shore of the harbour, about three miles from the entrance, the width of which between North Head and Okahu Point is not quite 2,000 yards. It will consequently be secure against bombardment, if ships can be kept outside the entrance. The best method of effecting this object would be by establishing powerful batteries at North Head, and on the opposite shore near Okahu Point, with a system of submarine mines under their protection.
Batteries in these positions would have to be made very secure against attack by a force landed in their neighbourhood; and, in consequence of their distance from the town, from which reinforcements of local troops would have to be sent in case of attack, their garrisons, especially if the works were only of a temporary nature, would require to be constantly maintained at a considerable strength during war.
Under these circumstances,
as strong permanent garrisons would be a serious burthen on the community, the Com- mittee are of opinion that the temporary emergency might be sufficiently provided against by placing three 7-ton and three 64-pounder rifled guns in batteries to be erected in suit- able positions, if such can be found, on the points on either side of Judge's Bay. These batteries would command all the water inside the heads within a distance of 4,000 yards from the town, and would be within such easy reach that, in the event of attack, the reserves could be speedily moved to their protection.
Wellington, the seat of Government (population 10,547), likewise in the North Island, is situated on the west shore of Lambton Harbour, seven miles within the entrance of Port Nicholson. This extensive inlet is about eight miles in length and six in breadth, with deep water throughout, and is generally free from obstruction.
The protection of Wellington against the fire of an enemy's ship which had entered Port Nicholson would be attended with considerable difficulty in consequence of the breadth of the bay in front of the town. Fortunately the entrance to Port Nicholson is through a channel, which for a length of 5,000 yards is little more than 2,000 yards, and at one point only 1,300 yards wide. The best method of defence, therefore, for Welling-
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