Defence of 
New Zealand 
from a local 
point of view, 
XXVl, New Zealand Institute. 
ties concerned—has been prepared, but awaits a final settlement of 
the details before it is carried into effect. As regards floating 
defences, Victoria possesses the “ Cerberus," a two-turreted ironclad 
monitor; the frigate “Nelson ;” two fine gunboats; and three torpedo- 
vessels—one, the “ Childers,” a specially powerful craft. Guns will 
also be mounted in vessels belonging to the Harbour Department of 
Melbourne. 
At Port Jackson forts and batteries have been constructed and 
armed, and a casemated battery, with iron shields, is now in course of 
completion. Torpedo defences have also been provided there. In 
connection with the defence of Sydney a fort has also been erected 
at Botany Bay. The defence of the important -coaling station at 
Neweastle has been provided for by a fort and by torpedoes. The 
Government of New South Wales also possesses the “ Wolverene,” as 
a man-of-war training-ship, besides torpedo-vessels. 
South Australia has provided a fine vessel of war—the “ Protector ” 
—for the defence of her sea-board, in addition to land batteries at 
Port Adelaide. 
l'he Government of Queensland has constructed a work to 
command the approach to Brisbane, besides providing two gunboats 
and two torpedo-vessels, which will soon leave England for that colony. 
In Tasmania, batteries and torpedoes, besides a torpedo-vessel, 
have been provided for the defence of Hobart. _ 
In the Australian Colonies, moreover, military and naval forces 
have been organized or are in course of organization, and the services 
.of officers of the Imperial Navy and Army have been obtained as’ 
desired by respective Governments. 
Now, it will be observed that, in proportion as Australia is defended 
and New Zealand is left defenceless, this colony is all the more open 
to attack. Moreover, owing to the position—to which I have before 
referred—that New Zealand occupies as an advanced shield to the 
principal parts of Australia, an enemy coming from the eastward 
would most probably first direct his attack upon her. Scarcely any 
steps have been taken however for placing this colony in a state to 
resist external aggression. 
Four torpedo-vessels have been recently provided, and a few years 
ago some guns with ammunition and other appliances were ordered by 
the Government of the day, but as yet no arrangements have been 
made for placing them in position at the several ports for the protec- 
tion of which they were intended. 
Before these armaments could be properly turned to account, it 
was necessary that definite plans should be prepared of the works 
