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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 smail, 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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ton against attack by sea, and in fact the only satisfactory method of defending it is one by which ships will be prevented from entering Port Nicholson. To do this the Com- mittee recommend that a battery, or two batteries, as may be found most convenient, for three 7-ten and three 64-pounder rifled guns, should be erected on some favourable position to be selected between Lyall Bay and Steeple Rock. The most suitable place according to the chart would appear to be between Barrel Beacon and Dorset Point. It is, however, desirable that the guns should not be too close together, but that there should be ample space between them so that they may not be subject to a converging fire. defence will thus be concentrated on this position, several miles distant from the town, As the whole where the main body of the force organized for its defence will naturally be stationed, great care will have to be taken to make it secure against a coup de main, and a sufficient garrison will have to be constantly maintained there in time of war to secure this object.

As it might be possible for a ship to run past these batteries, it would add greatly to the security of Wellington and any other settlements there may be on the shores of Port Nicholson if submarine mines were placed in the channel, to bar its entrance, under the protection of the batteries; the very slight rise and fall of tide would appear to present lavourable conditions for this species of defence. Probably the most effective, and at the same time the most simple method of applying these mines would be by a combination of the systems of electro-contact and observation mines, by means of which part of the channel would be absolutely barred to the passage of all ships, friends as well as foer, while the remainder would be open to the former, but closed against the latter.

These measures entail the employment of delicate instruments, requiring skilled hands and steady cool heads for their manipulation, otherwise they may become a source of considerable risk, not only to those who use them, but to the friendly ships which should pass over them in safety. These valuable auxiliaries to defence ought not to be neglected in such a position as the entrance to Port Nicholson, and in fact the defence would be most incomplete without them. But as there appear to be no persons in New Zealand, so far as the Committee have been informed, who have made a special study of the application of submarine mines to defensive purposes, the Committee are doubtful whether their recommendation can be adopted. It would certainly seem desirable that with a view to the protection of their numerous harbours in the most effective and economical manner, the New Zealand Government should take measures to secure permanently the services of a few well instructed and thoroughly competent persons, as has been done by the Government of New South Wales, to take charge of the valuable stores and delicate electrical instruments required for this species of defence, and in the event of war to superintend their employment. If mines were laid, and the Channel protected in the manner here contemplated, it would be necessary to keep a small steamer constantly on guard outside the entrance to guide friendly vessels through the safe channel, and in time of expected attack to patrol and give warning of attempts to remove the mines.

Nelson, in the Middle Island (population, 5,662), is situated about 1 mile from the shore, near the end of Blind Bay. The outer anchorage is exposed to severe north-west gales, while the inner anchorages are all within a bar over which the depth of water at low tidé does not exceed 8 to 9 feet, while the channel leading into Nelson Haven itself is still more shallow. Ships can lie well up within the bar at a long distance from the deep water in Blind Bay; and the natural difficulties of the entrance are such that no vessel would attempt to enter without a pilot, while the town itself is I mile inland. Under these circumstances, it would not appear necessary to provide any special defence against a direct attack from the sea; though it would be desirable to organize a local force to resist any predatory expedition which might land with the intention of attacking the town.

Port Lyttelton, or Victoria, in the Middle Island, is the port of Christchurch (popula- tion, 10,297), from which it is about seven miles distant. The town of Lyttelton stands on the north side, about half-way up the harbour, which shoals towards its upper end, there being a depth of only three fathoms off the town. It is, therefore, evident, that a ship intending to threaten the town of Lyttelton, or to destroy the shipping in the road- stead, must proceed up the harbour at a slow speed, in order to come to a stop before arriving opposite the town. The width of the harbour throughout its length, from the Heads at the entrance upwards, does not exceed 2,000 yards, so that it is impossible for a ship to pass beyond the reach of guns on either side. and two 64-pounder rifled guns, about half-way between the town and the Heads, on one A battery, therefore, of two 7-ton side or the other, according as the ground may be most favourable, would effectually provide for the protection of the port. The north side would have the advantage of being more readily accessible from the town, which it is presumed would furnish the necessary force for working the guns.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

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