The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-01-23 00:00:00

A SWEEP OF A NEW BROOM.

The following Circular letter haa been burned from
the Admiralty (the heading to the article is given by
The Times) :

.• Admiralty, Jan. 7, 1869.

"Sir,—The First Lord and the Imard of Admiralty, in
accepting the charge of this great Department, have under-
taken that its expenditure shall he carefully examined and
anxiously watched and controlled, with a view to a wise and
well...r.leimi reduction. . .

"'[hey believe that such a reduction in naval expenditure
pity be effected without any ileti intent to the real efficiency
of the navy, and they invite the aid of all officers, whether
civil or naval, in aaminplishing this important work.
" Economy iti administration is attained not only by
speeding no more than is necessary on the work which is
undertaken, bit "still more by in d undertaking W./1k unless
it be absolutely requisite for the public service. Moreover, .
effective control over expenditure is better secured by hold-
ing competent officers responsitde !within due limits, for
necessary work, and by enforcing the consequences of th it
responsibility, that by too minute interference by superior
authority
•• These principles, it Is the intention of the First Lord
and of the Board to carry out • and they would impress their
importance on all officers in the service of the Admiralty
" Conunanders-in-Chief and senior officers of squadrons
should regulate the movements of their ships, so that the
neeessary duties slay be performed Without waste. They
(lambi exercise such supervision if the establishments of
their Stations 011 shore as SO make sore that public property is
duly eared fin., and that the staff and labour engaged are not ,
in excess of the absolute requirements.
" Officers in command of Her M ajesty's ships mnst exercise
A S. control over the valuable Aimee intrusted to their
charge. The reports of inspection and paying id xiii enable
a correct judgment to lie formed of the inspirer in which this
part of their duties has been performed.
"Tile consumption of coal should be particularly watched
and it should be taken in as little as possible at places
where the price is high, whether it be obtained by contract '
or not.
"Superintendents of dockyards, victualling yards, and
hospitals, master shipwrights, and superior officers, will
Impress upon those under their command the necessity of
, patient and persevering economy in the use of stores and
I materials. They must see that that the duties of subordi-
nate officials and of leading men are faithfully 1 ertormed,
and that the time of the skilled artisans and labourers is
fully and profitably employed.
They should view with disfavour all proposals to expend
either stores or labour on unrenienerative work, and they
will be hell responsible for recommending reductions in
their establishments and stocks if these should appear too
large for the work really required.
"Officers in every branch of the service are enjoined to
reduce the amount of uselers writing and copying by all the
means in their power.
"The Estiinates proposed for the consideration of the
First lord and the tloard, whether in respect of the ser-
vice of the year or of any particular work, will receive close
examination, and in submitting them it is hoped that all
officers will be guided by the shove consideration.
[he First bird and the Board will not fail to observe and
appreciate the efforts of any officer, naval or civil, under
their orders who may distinguish himself by exertions to
assist thee in the task they have undertaken.

'1 am, Sir, your obedient servant,
" W. E. BAXTER."