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hill, and there is a steep slope from 30 to 40 feet high around the platform forming the quay (4772-4774). The heavier part of the material excavated has been stacked in anticipation of an extension of the break- water, which has been sanctioned by the Colonial Government. 100,000/. has been voted as the first instalment, the estimate being 286,000l., which pro- vides for extending the existing breakwater for a length of 1,800 feet. The first portion of 800 feet will run in continuation of the part already con- structed; the remaining 1,000 feet will run a little towards the south-east (4775-4779). The depth at the end will be 7 to 8 fathoms, and the extension will probably take about eight years to complete (4811-4814).

The existing south jetty at the entrance of the docks is not what it ought to be. It is a source of danger and ought to be removed, but it cannot be dispensed with until the breakwater is sufficiently extended to shelter the entrance. Looking to the rapid growth of the trade of the port and the size of the steamers, Sir John Coode suggested the formation of an outer harbour, building a quay wall on the northern face of the southern arm, and a rubble bank on the south face, and filling up the space between the two with small material. This project, which will give an additional basin of 44 acres, with a depth varying from 21 to 32 feet, has been received with universal favour in the Colony, and the Harbour Commis- sioners have asked the Government to vote an addi- tional 100,000, but the work cannot be begun till the breakwater is well advanced (4780-4786). If carried out, it would afford facilities for coaling Her Majesty's ships at any time (4873, 4874).

The inner basin is nearly a square of 600 feet, giving an area of about 81 acres, and it is large enough to allow the largest ships to turn round (4788-4794). The depth is 27 feet. The Orient ships draw less than 20 feet, which is as deep as any ships of war that are likely to visit the Cape Colony (4869). The Orient steamers now come alongside the new jetty, though at times the agitation is great (4795, 4796). With a north wind the shelter will continue to be in- sufficient until the breakwater has been extended (4803). The breakwater rises about 15 feet above high water (4797). With a south-easterly wind there is no sea. The breakwater would at such a time be no obstacle to a ship getting out of the harbour (4798-4803). There have been heavy storms since 1870, when the breakwater was carried to the present length, but no damage occurred to shipping till the almost unprecedented storm of 1880, when several vessels that had anchored too far out drifted and went ashore (4804).

The

Shipping in the basin sustained no damage, and the breakwater was not injured, though the slope was flattened a little (4805, 4806, 4809, 4810, 4818, 4819). There will be no greater risk of injury when the breakwater is extended into deeper water. power of the sea to act upon a slope of that kind terminates from 12 to 15 feet below low-water mark, and the permanent slopes can be foretold with great exactness (4835, 4836). The end of the breakwater is temporarily protected with blocks of artificial stone weighing 80 tons each (4841).

Ships are not allowed to lay in the passage leading to the basin, and must either anchor well to the southward or close under the lee of the break- water. They hesitate to take the latter position for fear of being driven on to it, but heavy moorings have recently been sent out, and it is contemplated that in future ships should lie close to the breakwater (4807).

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Taking the breakwater alone the first extension is estimated to cost 286,000, an addition to which of 64,0007. will provide a first-class dock. If further accommodation is required, the inner basin, described as for the second extension, will be excavated, and the breakwater further extended at a cost of 90,000, and a third extension may subsequently be made at a cost of 104,000%. The two last sums include the

cost of walls and fendering for the docks (4824– 4826).

It is not in contemplation to provide accommodation for ships of war, and there is no space available for the purpose. It would be possible to extend the works over the site of the Amsterdam battery, and there is a large suitable area near the battery be- longing to the Municipality that could be taken if the Admiralty desired to have an establishment there (4844-4849, 4860). The extent of the Government property, which has a frontage to the sea of 800 to 1,000 feet, is about 15 acres, which is probably sufficient for a naval establishment (4850-4855). It is bounded on two sides by the Municipality, on the third by the Colonial Government, and on the fourth by the sea (4867).

Port Elizabeth is the largest trading port in South Africa. Of the total imports of the Cape Colony for the last ten years, one-half have entered at Port Elizabeth; and of the exports, five-sevenths have been shipped there. The staple product is wool, of which, out of a total export of 484,000,000 pounds, 386,000,000 pounds has been shipped at Port Eliza- beth during the last ten years. The whole of the merchandize is taken on and off in boats and on the backs of Kaffirs, at an annual cost of 100,000l. to 120,0001. Sir John Coode recommended certain har- bour works, to which objections were raised, chiefly on the part of the boating companies, and the im- provements are now likely to be carried out (4876– 4879). Coal is taken off in boats, but the port could never be of the same use to the Queen's ships as Table Bay (4877, 4878).

May 19, 1881. Lieutenant-Colonel E. R. DRURY, commanding the Queensland Artillery.

Permanent Artillery.—There is as yet no permanent artillery force in Queensland, but as soon as the fort at Lytton is completed a small force will probably be organized (4980, 4981).

Volunteers.-The volunteer forces, as stated in the "Queensland Gazette," number 1,175 of all ranks, and comprise artillery, engineers, and infantry. There is no difficulty in keeping up the force. The effective strength is somewhat in excess of the authorized numbers for which capitation allowance is granted, commanding officers being allowed to enrol 25 per cent. in addition (4888-4890, 4973, 4974). The exist- ing organization is not satisfactory for war, but, under the present system, cannot be much improved in time of peace (4891). If war broke out, men would present themselves in large numbers. Besides, in the event of war, the Governor may call out the whole of the local forces, when they come under the Army Discipline Act, and are obliged to serve until The difficulty dismissed by proclamation (4894). would be to arm and officer them (4893). There is every reason to be satisfied with the men; they are zealous, and will come long distances to attend drill. They remain on an average three years in the force (4897, 4959–4961). There is difficulty in getting them together for daylight drill; the only thoroughly good daylight drill they get is in camp; other drills are by moonlight and gaslight (4957, 4958). The artillery have an instructor, a non-commissioned officer, sent out from England, and the infantry have paid drill instructors, generally old soldiers. The instruction given is in strict accordance with the drill-book, and is hardly suitable to the peculiar conditions of Australia. The volunteers learn something when they go under canvas, which they do for six days every year, and at field-days; they then divide into two forces and work over the ground on which they would have to operate in time of war (4919, 4920).

Officers. Many of the officers are full of zeal, but they have very little training, and are imperfectly acquainted with their duties. The class from which they come might be improved; but as those who devote their time to military duties have to give up almost all their leisure, it is difficult to get good

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