A.-4

14

Hitherto little provision of any kind lias been made for the defence of New Zealand against foreign aggression. Projects for the protection of its harbors have been brought forward at different times, and in 1871, Sir W. Jervois submitted proposals for their defence by means of batteries and torpedoes, but no action was taken in the matter. Volunteers have been enrolled throughout the country, but no attempt has been made to give them a special organization for defensive purposes. In 1878 a committee, which assembled in London to consider the defences of the colonies, made certain recommendations, which agreed with Sir W. Jervois' suggestions. Acting upon the advice of this committee, the Government has procured from England a number of 7-inch and 64-pounder rifled guns, with a complete equipment for mounting them, and the necessary supplies of ammunition. I may here observe that the 7-inch gun, when fired with a charge of 30 lbs. of powder and a Palliser projectile of 112 lbs., is capable of piercing at 500 yards 8 inches of unbacked armor plate, or 6 inches backed by 18 inches of wood, 7 inches at 1,000 yards, and 6 inches at 2,000 yards. This gun also fires a double shell with a bursting charge of 10 lbs. 12 ozs. The 64-pounder, although not an armour-piercing gun, will be nearly as effective as the 7-inch piece against unarmoured vessels. The 7-inch gun would be fired up to 4,000 yards, and the 64-pounder up to 3,500 yards. With well trained men both pieces could be loaded and fired at the rate of about one round per minute, and—assuming a vessel to be steaming past a battery at a speed of ten knots an hour — each gun, which could be directed upon her, would be able to fire six shots for every 2,000 yards of her course within range of the guns. From 12 to 15 men should be allowed for working each gun, besides men for the service of the magazines, &c. The guns have been provided with wrought-iron carriages and traversing platforms of the latest pattern, and will fire over parapets from 6to 7 feet high. Their lateral range will be from 120° to 150°, according to the position of each piece, and they can be depressed s°. Should it be decided in the future to increase the armaments—either by adding other works to, or extending, the batteries, which it is now proposed to construet —more powerful ordnance should, of course, be selected capable of coping with armoured vessels • but the guns now in the colony are sufficient for present requirements. Having thus discussed the principles upon which the defences of ' New Zealand should be established, and detailed generally the means that are available, I will proceed to enquire into the requirements of each place. I will keep in view the necessity of only recommending such measures as are well within the resources of the colony at the present time —but Avhich may be added to in the future, when funds are available and the places to be protected increase in importance—whilst, at the same time, care will be taken that complete efficiency is secured by the recommendations now brought forward,

Former profence of

Recent action taken by Government.

Power of 7-iuchand 64-pr. rifled guns now in colony.

l)6fence requirements at each place;