The Express.
London, England, 1868-09-19 00:00:00

NAVAL AND MILITARY.

AnurnArrr, SEPT. 18.—Arrourniarrre.—Sub-
Lieutenant John Durntord, to the Northumberland ; and
Navigating Sub-Lieutenant Berkley St. J. Deane, to the
Northumberland.
The Army and Navy Gazette gives the following
rumours It is rumoured at the dub that, when
Rear-Admiral Warden is superseded from the command of
the Channel Squadron, he will be succeeded by a vice-
admiral, and it is not unlikely that his successor will be
found at Whitehall. It is now believed that Lord
Clarence Paget will retain the command of the Mediter-
ranean Fleet until his time expires in April next, and
that he has given up his original intention of returning to
England during the approaching elections. Vice-Ad-
miral Sir Alexander Milne is expected to return to the
Admiralty at Whitehall, from but brief leave of absence,
on Monday or Tuesday next."
TUN REFORMS IN TIIII WAR DIII`ARTSINNT.—In
spite of natural difficultiea, and the obstructions created
within the War-office itself against a project notoriously
calculated to sweep away existing abuses, the control
scheme, under Sir Henry Storks, makes slow but steady
propels. Commissary-General Drake, C. 8., the acting
Comptroller in Ireland, will introduce the system in that
command from October 1 next, from which date Lord
Shathnairn will convey his orders to and receive reports
from the various supply departments, including barrack
masters', through thus officer. No other comptrollers have
yet been appointed to assist Mr. Drake, and it is proba-
ble that, for some MOllOlll to come, at any rate, the existing
departmental officers on the spot will be available for
carrying out the duties on the new principle. Very con-
siderable reductions will, it is believed, be effected in the
various establishments by means of an amalgamation of
duties, and a better division of labour, as well as by a
much-needed concentration of the scattered store reserves
and depots. It is understood that the control scheme
will, before long, be introduced at several of the foreign
statiens.—Army and Nary Casette.
Tin BERMUDA, Duce.—After mature considera-
tion, says the Arose and Nary Geseffe, it has been
decided by the Acinsiralty that the great Bermuda
Dock &all winter at Sheerness, and not proceed
to Portland until the spring of next year. Messrs.
Campbell, Johnstone, and Co. have eighty skilled artisans
employed at present in completing the work which was
left unfinished at the time of launching. We find that
during the gales which prevailed last week the dock
dragged her anchors about three quarters of a mile, and
this curumstance naturally caused groat anxiety to
Captain Superintendent W. K. Hall, who felt that he
was answerable to the public for the safety of property
representing something like a quarter of a million
sterling.

It Is stated (aaya the Army and Navy (lrrzelte)
that Captain Doys, of her Malady's ship Warrior. is to
be tried by court-martial at Devonport, for having run his
ship into the Royal Oak, causing a damage which has been
only repaired at a cost of several thousand pounds of the
public money. It is further said that the Commander-in-
Chief at Devonport, Sir W. F. Martin, will bo the presi-
dent of the court.

TIIE RIFLED OF THE VOLI'NTRERS.—The Army
apd Nary Ca.:etie has an article on the question how the
volunteers should be aimed. After remarking that the
regular army is now well supplied with Sliders, it urges
on the authorities the fact that the volunteers are, at pre-
sent, armed with a weapon which, for all practical
purposes. is simply useless, and says we should not
dare to allow the volunteers to take the field with
the muzzle-loading Enfield, adding that if we did
so their blood would be upon our heeds.
" A more popular measure," remarks our contemporary,
" could hardly be taken—to put it on low grounds—than
to give breech-loaders to the volunteers. And the deci-
sion may be conic to with an easy confidence that neither
party will hereafter venture to attack the expenditure to
which it might give rise."

WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.)