In the New Zealand Journal of the 10th October, 1846, giving Wellington news up to the 27th May, is the following: “An address has been issued by Major Richmond stating that, in the event of any alarm, two guns will be fired. The guns at Thorndon Fort have been put in order and placed in charge of a gunner from Her Majesty's ship ‘Calliope.’ The carriages of the two guns at the head of the bay will also, by direction of Captain Stanley, be repaired by the carpenters of the ‘Calliope,’ and the guns will be rendered fit for service.”

Colonel Mundy, who was in Wellington in 1847, wrote: “On the plain of Thorndon is an old field-work called Clifford's Stockade, mounting a few guns …. and intended as a place of refuge in case of an attack. With a little repair and deepening of the ditch this trifling earthen fortalice might be made quite efficient against a coup de main; and, by a very simple contrivance, which may perhaps have never occurred to an engineer, or other defender of a fortified post, might be rendered impregnable against bare-footed savages—namely, by throwing into the ditch all the broken bottles which, in a short period, have been so lavishly emptied by the Company's colonists !”

The above writer has another entry, as follows: “January 18. Inspection of the 65th Regiment on Thorndon Flat, an excellent parade-ground, like an English village green. It is pleasant to see the truly British appearance of the troops of this country—no pale faces, no dried-up frames. Here was a corps 900 strong, including detachments, so increased individually in bulk and healthiness of aspect since I saw them a year ago at Sydney, after a long voyage from England, that it was difficult to believe them the same body of men.”

Te Aro Fort.

In Mr. Brees' illustration showing the old Wesleyan Chapel in Manners Street appears a part of the earthworks of the redoubt at Te Aro, which was situated on the north side of Manners Street, opposite the above chapel. Brees remarks, “The house occupied by the late Mr. Brewer is on the right of the road, and the large trench and mound which were formed immediately after the Wairau massacre, for inclosing certain spots as places of refuge in case of Wellington being attacked by the natives.” The illustration shows a bullock team and dray proceeding along Manners Street.

Barracks.

In the New Zealand Journal of the 15th January, 1848, giving Wellington news up to the 14th August, 1847, appears a short item from the Wellington Independent, as follows: “The mechanics and artisans employed in the erection of the new barracks lately completed at Mount Cook were on Monday evening regaled with a substantial supper by the contractor, Mr. Mills. The evening was very pleasantly spent. We have much pleasure in noticing this event, because the buildings have given great satisfaction, and reflect credit upon all engaged in their construction.”

The Thorndon Barracks were situated on the eastern side of the old Queen's Head Hotel, where Fitzherbert Terrace now is. They have long disappeared, but two of the four cottages built for the officers at the junction of Park Street and Grant Road, eastern side of Park Street, are still standing. The wood-trails on the hillside above Park Street, where the soldiers used to throw the wood down, are also still in existence.

The Thorndon Barracks witnessed a lively scene during the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Wellington in 1869, when a party of Maori performed a war-dance on the flat. They were armed with Enfields that were kept in store there