XXVI. 



Neiv Zealand Institute. 



ties concerned — has been prepared, but awaits a final settlement of 

 tbe 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 

 Newcastle 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. 



The 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. 



Defence of 

 New Zealand 

 from a local 

 point of view. 



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 



