The National Register.
London, England, 1823-02-24 00:00:00

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Mr. CURTEIS asked when Ike Turnpike Act Autondsormt
Bill might be expected.?
Mr. F. LEWIS rep d, that it would be ready to be pre-
sented io a fortnight.
Mr. CURTLIS presented a petition from hop-planters of
Dinitneld, S , praying a repeal of the duty.
Mr. RICARI)O inured for an seronitt of the quantity of
gold Imported into the Miut front January 1b22, to January
1623.—Ordered.

Mr. C. 11.1IUTCHINSON, in presenting a petition, said
that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in withd-aning the Silt
Drawback, &c. had considerably injured the Provision Trade
of Ireland. The petition required, that the drawbacks should
be restored. The withdrawing of auch drawback had etfected
the provision trade of Ireland, without benefitthig, any other
classes or interests. The petitioners prayed the continuance
of the Is. drawback, so long as any part of the duty existed.
Sir J. NEWPORT said, lie had similar petitions to present.
lie also observed, that while England and Scotland Led been
relieved by the alteration of the Salt Tax, Ireland had derived
uo advantage.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, that
it was hardly to be expected that so much benefit could In
given to the empire, without injuring the peculiar trade of a
particular part of Ireland. The subject merited cons.deration,
and it would give him infinite satisfaction to agree to regula-
tions restoring to the provision trade of Ireland the advantages
takes away h• the Acts of last Session. There was, however,
• dilic•lty is one of the articles of Union.
The Petition was read, and ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. CALVERT presented a petition from the inhabitants of
Southwark, complaining of heavy taxes, arid various other
grievances, and praying for the repeal of the Septennial Act of
the Assessed Taxes, and for reform generally.
Sir R. WILSON with great pleasure supported the petition.
Tile petitioners felt, that this country could only regain its
strength by means of reform, and this they deemed to be the
more aeees►ary when they beheld as daring a conspiracy as
was ever formed against public liberties.
Mr. CALVERT said he had been desired to move, that this
petition be referred to a committee of the whole house, instead
of requiring that it should tee laid oe the table, where it would
never be heard of more ; but as there was a motion eonuected
with the subject likely to be made at no distant day, he should
for the present move that it do lie on the table.
Ordered to lie on Ike table, and to be rioted.
Mr. HEATHCOTB presented • petition from Boston,
against the Insolvent Debtors' Act, which stated, that the
debts released amounted to 11,000,000!., while the dividends
were only 60,0001.—Ordered to be printed.
POSTMASTER.—Lord NORMANDY wished to know whe-
ther any 'flops had been taken, pursuant tore address of the
Louse, to reduce the office of the second Postmaster ?

Mr. PEEL replied, that one very material alteration had
taken place—no eatery had been granted since the resolution
of the house.
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.—Mr. RIME rose to bring for-
ward his motion respecting the Lieutenant-General of the
Ordnance. The military commiasiou bed been extremely well
appointed, and the reports that Board Lad made merited atten-
tion—they were made in 1811. They .examined the several
departments of the Ordnance-office, and staled, that within the
last few years the salaries of the I officers had been con-
siderably increased, in general one third and ups. Inds. The
duties of the several officers were next examined, and it was
found that many of them were neglected. The Surveyor Ge-
neral and the Clerk of the Deliveries tro longer performed the
ditties which originally belonged to them. The Commissioners
recommended that there should be a Board, as was the case at
the Admiralty, &o. They then particularly enquired as to the
duties of theLieoleuant-Veneral ; and it was found that such
officer had no duty, except attending the Board, should the
Master-General not be absent. There had been no alteration
of the offices. The opinions of the reports were clear entmb,
recommending the *oppression of the offices of lieutenant-ge-
neral and his two clerks. It was remarkable that the present
Illaster•Gatentl had been absent three or four months and that
there was so Lieutenant-General, The reports were agaiost
the continuance of the office, as forming no essential part of
the Board. His complaint was, that scarcely any of the re-
oommendations of the commission had been carried into strict,
and the qiestioo sow was, whether there should be Ave com-
missioners whes four were deemed necessary ? Were more
cot missiosers wanted here than were required for the navy
If the vote respecting the two extra Lords of the Admiralty
last Sessio• were right, his present complaint would be sup.
ported. The Navy Commissioners cost 40001. while the Ord-
nance Board cost 62501. If the Lieutenant General of the
Ordnance had been reduced, the salary of 145901 would have
been saved ; so that the difference between the expenie of the
two Boards would have been not so great. After the promises
of the King's Speech, and the recommendations of the Re-
ports, it was en insult to the Parliament and the People to
itunke this appointment within 24 hours of the meeting of that
House—.(Ciuserts.)—lf the House were in earnest in desiring
that no expeodituie should he encouraged, except what was
requisite to the dignity and service of the country, they would
support his motion.—lt was the most extravagant establish-
ment—the Irish establishments excepted, and it ought to be
cat down. Sir. Crewe, the Secretary, for inshore., bad
J 1,5001. a year, and a house that cost 1,21)01. a year. Ile did
Sot blame Mr. Crewe ; he was right in getting as much as he
meld—but they were to blame who gave it. Other abuses
were, that individuals were appointed to this Depattment, and
sent to Madrid and other places. Those were injustices to the
country ; but there was no department that required so touch
looking after as the Ordnance Department. Ile also nom-
plained of the two Establishments at Pall sMall and tlic Tower ;
they ought to be brought tinder one head ; for persons had been
paid " travelling expences" to go from one ulhoe to the other,
rand twelve or fourteen clerks to curry on a correspondence
between the two offices. ( Hear! ) There was no end of the
multiplication of expenses. The recommendations of the
Reports had been wholly neglected. It was necessary, in his
opinion, for the House to express a decided opinion on the
subject ; lie therefore moved that the appointment of Lord
Rtresford, in time of peace, was inconsistent with the recom.
mendations of the Commissioners of Enquiry, at variance with
the professit.ns of economy, and made without due regard to
the situation of the country.—( Loud cheers.)
Mr. WARD replied, contending that the hon. member had
misrepreeentrd the Report; that the Commissioners of Inquiry,
in their Het rim had misrepresented the evidence on which they
proceeded (I eon ; and that the alterations in the Board recently
had render, d further charges unnecessary. The right hon. gent.
(Mr. Ward, gave his strong and decided negative to the motion.
Mr. WI I LI A MS, of Lincoln, strongly supported the motion.
111 r. CA:' RING contended, that all the statements of the
ban. niers!. r was unfounded and erroneous. .

Mr. JA I% ES MACD IaAI.D but:gelded, that the proper
mode of r o. ceding woull be to appoint a committee to inquire
into the pr. t riety of aboliehing this office, and the hon. member
Proposed at. it as imaidiniat oche mum.