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Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. December 23, 1895.
SECRET.
126. R
NEW ZEALAND.
No. 17862.
NEW ZEALAND.
Otago Harbour Defences.
Remarks by the Colonial Defence Committee.
THE Colonial Office has transmitted, for the information of the Colonial Defence Committee, charts received from the Governor of New Zealand, showing the arcs of fire of all guns mounted for the protection of Dunedin and Port Chalmers, in the Province of Otago.
2. In 1893, the Otago defences had the following approved armament:-
Tairoa Head-
Saddle Battery. Lighthouse Battery
Howlett
..
"
1 7-inch R.M.L.
1 6-inch B.L.
>>
Channel Summit
J
*
Ocean Beach-
St. Clair Battery
Central
Lawyer's Head Battery
1 64-pr. R.M.L.
2 64-pr. R.M.L.
1 6-pr. Q.F.
f 17-inch R.M.L.
1 6-pr. Q.F.
2 6-inch B.L.
1 7-inch R.M.L.
The electric light installation and test and firing room were at Harrington Point. The submarine mine defence consisted of two mine-fields half-a-mile apart, and the submarine mining depôt was at Deborah Bay, near Port Chalmers. The movable armament consisted of two 6-pr. Q.F. guns on field carriages. The 8-inch B.L. gun originally intended for Lawyer's Head was still in store.
3. In 1893, Colonel Fox (then Military Commandant) submitted a detailed Report, and made suggestions for modifying the gun defence, of which the following is a summary :-
Tairoa Head. The 7-inch R.M.L. gun in Saddle Battery served no useful purpose. It should be re-emplaced at Harrington Point.
The 6-inch B.L. gun at Lighthouse Battery did not sufficiently command the bar and water outside it; it should be removed, and would be available for Westport.
The work at Howlett Point should be dismantled, and the 64-pr. gun be put in reserve. A new emplacement should be constructed on a lower site near the point for the 8-inch B.L. H.P. gun in store at Lawyer's Head.
The 6 pr. Q.F. gun in Summit Work could stop as at present; also the two 64-prs. in Channel Battery.
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