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The colony has a sea-board extending to a length of 1,500 miles, upon which are numerous settlements and towns of increasing size and prosperity, which are exposed to attack from the sea, and which it would at present be beyond the power of the Colony to furnish with a regular system of defence. Sir William Jervois proposed that the defence of this extensive and unprotected sea-board should be provided by the Colony by naval means; and remarked that "the main defence of Adelaide and its port, as well as of the coast and commerce of the Colony generally, must be a vessel of war." The recommendation was so far entertained that in 1878 the Colonial Government "negotiated with a view to purchase an iron-clad, and proposed, in the event-of the Imperial Government bearing half the first cost of the vessel, to pay the other half, besides the annual cost of manning and maintaining her." The estimated cost of the iron-clad was 130,000. This proposal formed the subject of much correspondence, and was ultimately referred to the Commission, Sir M. Hicks Beach informing the Governor on the 23rd October, 1879, that the proposal "appeared to him to raise questions which could not be decided with reference to South Australia alone; and he therefore thought it advisable to postpone any action with regard to it until the arrangements which had been for some time past in contemplation for a general inquiry into the defences of the Colonies were completed, in order that the proposal might receive that consideration which the importance of the subject deserves." It is stated that the South Australian Government is of opinion that the time has arrived when ships for local defence should be provided, and that no doubt is entertained that the Legislature of the Colony would provide a part of the expense of such vessels. Sir Arthur Blyth says there is a strong feeling in the Colony that, following the precedent of Victoria, the Imperial Government ought to help them, and that the vessel should be for the defence of South Australia, and South Australia alone.

With regard to naval defence generally, we were informed that South Australia, recognizing as a matter of principle the duty of contributing towards the general defence of the Empire at sea, would be ready to fall in with any general understanding which the Colonies might adopt. and would be willing to bear her share of the burden. He believes that if negotiations were entered into with this object, it would be preferable to deal with the Colonies generally rather than separately, so that all should know that they were being treated alike. The adoption of such a principle would doubtless lead to much discussion all over Australia, and would be not unlikely to raise the large question of taxation in relation to representation in the Imperial Parliament.

Queensland.

In his first report, Sir William Jervois pointed out that Queensland was a less probable object of attack than the wealthier Australian Colonies, and that Brisbane, the capital, being situated some 20 miles up a river, navigable only by vessels of light draught, was more difficult of approach than either Melbourne or Sydney. He considered, therefore, that the defence of Brisbane would be sufficiently provided for by a battery and submarine defences at Lytton, near the mouth of the river, and proposed that the battery should be an earthwork mounting four guns and rendered secure against assault by a ditch and stockade. For carrying out these proposals 32,000l. was voted by the Legislature in 1878 and 1879, and more than half that suin has been expended. The money formed part of a loan for public works, and was, it is said, voted without opposition, partly, perhaps, owing to the apprehension of war with Russia which prevailed at the time. The battery at Lytton has now been constructed, and armed with two of the new G-in B.L.R. gune

and two 64-prs. Torpedoes have been procured, and a further supply is about to be obtained. Light field pieces have also been provided, to be used in opposing a landing, or in preventing an advance upon the town should an enemy succeed in throwing a small force on

shore.

There is at present no permanent force in Queensland; but it is said to be in contemplation to organize a small body of permanent artillery to take charge of the fort. The armed forces consista wholly of volunteers. They are maintained under the Volunteer Act of 1878. In case of invasion the Governor can call them out, when they come under the Army Discipline Act, aud they are obliged to serve till dismissed by Proclamation. They are allowed a capitation grant of 11. per man per annum;. arms, accoutrements, ammunition, drill sheds, and rifle ranges are supplied to the force at the public expense.

There is also a cadet corps numbering 300 boys. The expense of the forces for the year 1879-80 was estimated at 6,8957. which may be taken as about the normal amount. If an effort were made by the Imperial Government to come to an understanding with the Colony on the question of defence, with a view to secure a reasonable degree of stability and permanence, it would have a great effect. There is no difficulty in keeping up the numbers, and if war were to become probable men would come in fast.

The volunteers are under the command of a colonist who formerly held a commission in the regular army.

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The men are chiefly recruited from the labouring classes. The artillery are said to be superior to the infantry, as they have more drill, and the service is more popular in the Colony. Owing to the dearness of labour and consequent value of time, drill is for the most part carried on by moonlight or gaslight; but every year the volunteers go under canvas for six days' continuous training, and have occasional field days besides. The best instruction which they get in these camps, and the good effects are said to be apparent during the last two or three days of the annual training. There is every disposition on the part of the men to give the necessary time for perfecting themselves, and they voluntarily come long distances to attend drill. They remain, on an average, three years in the force. The expediency of forming a reserve has not been considered; but there are at all times in the Colony a large number of men who, having passed through the ranks, have learnt the use of arms. Paid instructors, who are generally old soldiers, are provided for the artillery and infantry; but they are apt to follow the drill-book so closely, that the instruction given is not always suitable to the conditions of service in Australia.

We were informed that periodical inspections by an Imperial officer of high rank would be viewed with favour in Queensland, if the expense were borne by the Imperial Government. It would be preferable, it was stated, to appoint a superior officer to reside in Australia for a term of three or five years, who should act as military adviser to the different Governments in time of peace, and take general command in time of war. If an officer of artillery or engineers, he would find occupation for some years to come in superintending the works of defence, besides inspecting the forces. In this case Queensland would willingly bear a share of the expense.

It was further stated that it would be attended with advantage, if some means could be devised of identifying the colonial with the imperial forces, so that the former might be regarded as constituting an integral portion of the troops of the Empire. The colonial forces might for instance be designated "the territorial army of Australasia." If some such recognition were accorded, colonial commanding officers would hold more defined positions, and the War Office authorities at home would be enabled to exercise some control over the military organization. The insertion of the officers' names in the Army List gives satisfaction, and the appointment of a superior officer for the whole of the Colonies would be a further step in the same direction.

In addition to the defensive measures already alluded to, Sir William Jervois proposed that the Colony should procure a swift torpedo-boat, to be used either against an enemy's ships anchored in Moreton Bay, or to assist in the defence of the river. This vessel would be useful for harbour purposes in peace time, and would serve as a pattern for any additional vessels of the same kind that might be required hereafter for civil purposes, so that these also would become available for torpedo defence in time of war. He also recommended that a gun-vessel of light. draught, carrying one 80-pr. gun, should be provided to operate in Moreton Bay and prevent a landing in the vicinity of Brisbane. The estimated cost of the gun-vessel was 10,000%, and of the torpedo-boat, 3,000. For the general protection of the coast, upon which, as before stated, there are numerous settlements, he recommended the provision, at an estimated cost of 25,0002, of a swift steamer carrying two 64-pr. guns. This steamer would be useful in ordinary times for general Government purposes. Further, to give effect to these proposals, he advocated the formation of a naval brigade of 110 officers and men, and a torpedo corps of 90 strong. "Nothing, however," Bays

Colonel Scratchley, in September, 1881, "has been done with regard to the floating defences at Brisbane, Maryborough, and Rockhampton."

It should be observed that there is a dock in Brisbane capable of taking in a vessel of 1,000 or 1,200 tons, and that works for the improvement of the navigation are in progress which wil provide a navigable channel up to Brisbane with a depth of 15 feet at lowest tide or 22 feet at high water over the bar.

With regard to the general naval defence of the Colony and its commerce, it was stated to be the opinion in Queensland and generally throughout Australia that by maintaining forces and defending ports in which the Queen's ships may find shelter and refit in security, the Colonica accomplish their share of the defence of the Empire.

Tasmania.

Sir William Jervois points out that, Tasmania being in a central position and near to all the principal Australian Colonies, an enemy occupying any of the fine harbours which it possesses would acquire a commanding position for operating against their commerce, and that the defence of these harbours against hostile occupation is a question which concerns the whole of the Australian Colonies, and should be considered in connection with their general naval defence. He considers that the only danger against which Tasmania can be expected to provide is that of attacks upon Hobart Town and Launceston, its commercial capitals, and it is to the defence of these places that his recommendations were confined,

At Hobart Town, of which the population is about 20,000, be advised that two of the old works situated close in front of the town should be abandoned; that a third work, called Queen's Battery, should be retained and strengthened, and that additional works should be erected at points known as Kangaroo Bluff and One Tree Point. He proposed to arm these batteries with two 7-inch 7-ton muzzle-loading rifled guns, two 70-pounders, and four 64-pounders, besides smooth-bores, all of these guns, except the 64-pounders, being already in the Colony; and

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