xxxiv. 



New Zealand Institute. 



pass up the harbour aud appear before Port Chalmers in order to 

 capture or destroy the shipping there, or he might take up a 

 position off the Ocean Beach, from which he could, if not prevented, 

 throw shells into Dunedin, and thus enforce submission to a demand 

 for a contribution. 



As regards defence against the first mode of attack, the entrance 

 to the port being under 600 yards wide, and the conditions being other- 

 wise favourable, the channel can easily be barred by submarine mines 

 covered by artillery fire from Taiaroa Head. This feature can be 

 readily rendered secure against assault, and, within the enclosure so 

 formed, guns should be placed in the most suitable positions for com- 

 manding the approach and the entrance. 



For the defence of Dunedin against bombardment from the sea, 

 batteries should be established, as has already been proposed, at 

 Lawyer's Head and at Forbury Knoll, about 4,000 yards to westward of 

 it. Torpedo-vessels might also aid in preventing hostile ships taking 

 up a position whence he could throw shells into the city. 



A field force would oppose any attempt of an enemy to land at 

 Waikouaiti or other part of the coast outside the harbour in the 

 neighbourhood . 



THE BLUFF. 



The importance of the Bluff Harbour (see Plate V.), which, 

 though not very capacious, is of sufficient depth and size for large 

 ships, is due, not only to its being the first port of entry and the last 

 of departure in the south of New Zealand, but also to the circum- 

 stance that it is admirably situated as a centre whence vessels of war 

 may issue for the prevention of the hostile occupation of adjacent 

 harbours, or for general naval action. 



The obvious plan for the defence of this harbour is to occupy 

 the peninsula east of the harbour, and on its highest point construct 

 a fort which will deny the anchorage to an enemy, and command the 

 approaches to it. 



Submarine ground mines may be placed in the channel, which at 

 its narrowest part is only 600 yards wide. 



To prevent the landing of a small force at any point to westward 

 6f the entrance not commanded by the fort, and where he might pos- 

 sibly attempt to throw a force on shore, earthworks may be improvised, 

 and a field force from Invercargill, eighteen miles distant, and con- 

 nected with the Bluff by railway, would co-operate in the defence. 



Locomotive In reference to other harbours for the defence of which no special 



torpedo- " provision is proposed, I will first briefly refer to locomotive torpedoes 



vessels. x i 



and torpedo-vessels. 



