15

A.-4

it is essential to bear in mind not only that the lirst cost of the defences has to be carefully considered, but, what is even of greater importance, the annual expense of maintenance. Turning to the principal places which need local protection, I will. commence with Auckland. This town is situated on the south shore of the harbor, at about 4,000 yards from the entrance, the width of which is 2,000 yards. There are three channels by which ships can approach this entrance, but they join in two, outside the Heads, where the navigable width is reduced to 1,500 yards by a shoal, at the end of which there is a lighthouse on piles. Once past this light a ship can steer a straight course up the harbor for a distance of 4 miles, the average width being 1,000 yards with 4to 12 fathoms of water. Thus she might take up a position beyond the toAvn with the object of firing into it. If there were no defences a vessel could also lie off the entrance and bombard the town at a range of 4,000 yards. It is obvious, therefore, that the best plan, to secure the town and shipping from destruction, will be to place one or two batteries at the Heads, with submarine mines between them, in the channel, in order to prevent the enemy entering the port; but, for the reasons which have already been explained, I provide three torpedo boats in the place of the mines. The North Head is an admirable position for a battery, as-it commands the entrance at easy range, together with all the approaches and the interior of the port. Okahu Point, on the opposite shore, also affords a favorable site for guns to co-operate Avith those on the North Head. The North Head work should be armed with three 7-inch and three 64-pounder M.L.R. guns, two guns facing outside and four on the entrance, with two of the latter looking up the harbor. For the present I do not recommend the second battery, which, when provided, should be armed with three heavy guns. I propose instead to utilize an available 40-pounder B.L. gun on a travelling carriage, which should be put into thorough order. In time of war this gun should be placed in position on Resolution Point, to the east of Judge's Bay, where it would face the entrance and fire upon a ship which might be passing the batteries. It could also be moved to the west side of the town in case she attempted to go up the harbor. There is another 40-pounder B.L. gun, which was destroyed by an accident some years ago. I have arranged for its examination, and should it be practicable to have it repaired I propose that the gun should be sent to England for the purpose. Failing this it should be replaced. With the battery on North Head armed with six guns, about 50 shots could be fired at a ship—whilst passing in at a speed of 10 knots an hour—during 4,000 yards of her course, the range at no time exceeding 2,000 yards. The three torpedo boats would be ready to pounce upon the hostile vessel, and, if more than one cruiser appeared before the port, each would have to be attacked in detail. It has been proposed to place two batteries—one on each side of Judge's Bay, facing the entrance —instead of at the Heads, for the reason

Auckland. 21,772! ""