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Appendix No. 7.

AUSTRALIA.

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Inclosure 3 in No. 3.

1882.-AUSTRALIAN DEFENCES.

Intermediate Progress Report, to March 24, 1882, for New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania, with Notes respecting South Australia and New Zealand; by Colonel P. H. Scratchley, C.M.G., R.E.

Memorandum to accompany Progress Report.

1. THE accompanying Reports will show the progress made to date in carrying out Sir W. Jervois' schemes of defence, which, with the exception of the recommendations relating to naval defences, have been adopted by the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania. Modifications have from time to time suggested themselves to me, and have been approved of by Sir W. Jervois.

2. In New South Wales the defence works should be nearly completed during next year. The necessary funds have been raised by loan.

A Royal Commission, of which I was Vice-President, has recently reported upon the military defence organization of the Colony, with a view to insuring increased efficiency and economy. Commo- dore Wilson, R.N., commanding the Australian Squadron, was examined by the Commission, and sub- mitted suggestions regarding the naval defences of New South Wales. Those relating to harbour defence were embodied in the recommendations of the Commission, which are now under the conside- ration of the Government.

There is nothing to call for special notice in New South Wales, excepting that this Colony has been most energetic and is the most advanced in its defence preparations. These defences, when com- pleted, will place Port Jackson in the position of a fortified naval arsenal and depôt, in which a squadron could be refitted in time of war, provided the necessary supplies of warlike stores are kept there. The plans for the defence works, not yet commenced at Middle and George's Heads, are ready for contract. The armament for the new battery at Middle Head has been ordered.

3. In Victoria the progress has been very slow, but I believe it is the intention of the Government to provide by annual votes for the completion of a portion of the scheme--the defence of the West Channel and Port Phillip Heads.

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With respect to the South Channel, the fort for its defence will involve a very large expenditure, and I have suggested that the cost of construction should be met by a special loan. At the present date, the only step taken towards commencing the fort has been the formation of a circular breakwater of rubble stone, round the site selected, at cost of 10,000l. It is necessary to remark that, until this fort is completed, access to the inner waters of Port Phillip, and consequently to Melbourne and Cerberus" turret- Geelong, is open to an enemy, the only protection at present available being the ship and the wooden frigate "Nelson," which has been recently cut down and refitted.

The defence of the three western ports-Warrnambool, Belfast, and Portland-has not been taken into consideration by the Government, although volunteer artillery corps are maintained at these places. There are sufficient guns in the Colony for the armament of the batteries at these places, which have been proposed by Sir W. Jervois.

The military organization of the Colony is likely to be soon inquired into, and I am preparing a Report upon the subject for the consideration of the Government.

4. In Queensland those portions of Sir W. Jervois' scheme which relate to the land defences are well advanced, their cost having been included in a loan. Nothing, however, has been done with regard to the floating defences at Brisbane, Maryborough, and Rockhampton. It is my intention to invite the attention of the Government to the subject at an early date.

5. In Tasmania considerable progress has been made with the defence preparations, although it has been found necessary to stop the works of Kangaroo Bluff battery at Hobart, in consequence of the vote for the construction of the batteries having proved insufficient.

The defence of Launceston and the River Tamar, by a battery on Pig Island, as recommended by Sir W. Jervois, has been deferred for the present. A proposal is now before the Government to purchase two heavy field guns and the necessary torpedo stores, in order to provide for the defence of the river at a point nearer to Launceston. As there is good reason to believe that the northern districts of Tasmania, of which Launceston is the natural inlet, are likely to increase in importance, it is con- sidered desirable to defer the construction of defence works in the River Tamar for the present, as it may, in the future, be found desirable to place these works close to the entrance.

6. In New Zealand the defence question is still under consideration. On the 1st March, 1880, at the request of the Government, I submitted a general Report upon the defences, which was accepted by it. Since that date I have furnished designs for the batteries recommended by me for the protection of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttleton (Christchurch), Dunedin, and Port Chalmers. These designs are now being considered and the necessary armaments have been provided. A large force of volunteers is maintained by the Colony, and I have suggested reforms in its organisation. Should nothing intervene to prevent me, I propose visiting New Zealand early next year, in order to inquire more fully into the matter. At the present time the harbours of the Colony are practically defenceless against the attack of hostile vessels.

7. In South Australia-where my duties have been restricted to the preparation of designs for the two batteries recommended by Sir W. Jervois, for the protection of Adelaide—a battery armed with two 10-inch (chambered) muzzle-loading rifled guns of 20 tons, and two 64-pounder muzzle-loading rifled guns, has been completed. I have just returned from a visit to the Colony, and am now con- sidering, after consultation with Sir W. Jervois, a modification of the design for the second battery, in

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