The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-27 00:00:00

Dockyard Accommodation,

The second and final report from the select com-
mittee upon dockyard accommodation was made on
the 15th inst., and has been printed as a Palle.
mentary paper.

As to Devonport and Reyham, the committee are
of opinion that a third basin at Devonport equal in
extent to the present north basin, and at least two
additional first-class docks are among the works
which are required; and that it is desirable that
the entrance to the basin and docks be so constructed
as to admit ships at all times of the tide.
As to Cork the committee advise the immediate
construction of a first-class dock in some convenient
site in the harbour ; and also an arrangement, if
practicable, to deepen one of the existing private
docks for occasional naval requirements.
As to Malta the committee are decidedly in
favour cf a dock at French Creek, and hope that
the difficulties, owing to the interpretation placed
by the Imperial and Colonial Governments as to the
agreement for a dock at Mersa, will be overcome.
In the event of French Creek being placed at the
disposal of Government, the committee recommend
that this country should offer to construct a deck at
Marsa for the use of merchant ships.

In regard to foreign stations, the committee are
of opinion that a G3vernment dock at Bermuda,
suitable for the accommodation of first-class ships,
is required. They have also taken evidence as to
the accommodation required at various colonial sta-
tions, and think that the plan adopted at Hong
Kong might be followed• with advantage, viz., ad-
vancing a reasonable sum to private parties con•
strutting a dock, provided it be constructed of suf-
ficient dimensions otherwise, and be at all times at

the disposal of her Majesty's ships when required;
the sum advanced being in proportion to every foot
of depth attained bey and 20 feet up to 24 feet.
The committee are also of opinion that similar
arrangements could be made with private firms in
this country for the construction of first•class
graving docks, or the enlargement and deepening
of existing docks ; it is desirable this should be
done.

The committee, although not recommending ex-
tensive alterations beyond what is immediately
pressing, consider the whole question of foreign
dock accommodation as of great importance, and
that much expenditure will be required to preserve
the naval position of this country. Steam vessels
must have their bottoms cleaned frequently, and
great loss is caused by their absence from their sta-
tions, and the wear and tear of sending them home
and bringing them back. The committee, in re-
commending large expenditure, suggest as worthy
of consideration whether Deptford, Woolwich, and
Pembroke Dockyards might not be suppressed
altogether and disposed of, and the business now
carried on in them transferred to the yards to
which such important and costly additions are in
progress or in prospect. In all probability the
money realised by the sale of these valuable sites
would provide a considerable sum towards meeting
the capital expenditure which must be incurred in
improving the larger dockyards of the United
Kingdom and the colonies.
The committee also direct attention to the evi-

deuce of Mr M'Lean and Mr Coode, two eminent

civil engineers, who think that the saving by con-
vict labour is counterbalanced by the loss caused by
the increased length of time the works are in pro-
gress, and they recommend the completion, as
speedily as possible, of every work undertaken.

MISS MARGARET ADDIE'S CASE.—A correspon-
dent of the Daily News writes :—During the present
session a bill was brought into the House of Lords proposing
that the punishment of flogging should be added to im-
prisonment in cases where a man had outraged a woman,
and the bill was carried in that house. In the House of
Commons it was lost by a small majority. One of the ob-
jeetions made was that it would degrade the man. Query—
Can a man guilty of this horrible crime be degraded ? and
if he can, why should not he who has degraded a virtuous
woman be degraded himself ? Surely this is only the barest
justice. Had the wife or daughter of one of the majority in
the House of Commons met with the same fate as that unfor •
tunate Miss Addie, would the bill have been lost ? I think
not. Indifferent as Englishmen appear to be to the honour
and safety of their women, such an outrage on the daugh-
ter of one of the members would have aroused a different
and a better feeling. The injury inflicted on this unhappy
girl is worse than death, and the best hopo her parents can
have is that she may die. Dishonoured, deprived of all
hope of happiness during her life, what can she pray for
but death ? And what punishment will be thought mf l.
dent for this monstrous criminal ? A few years' impri-
sonment with hard labour, and then, in all probability,
turned out upon society to repeat his crimes. Our laws
are merciful indeed to criminals, but how unmerciful to
the innocent I .

TII E OUTRAGE IN GOVAN.—We regret to state
that on Sunday night the unfortunate victim of this atro-
cious assault was considered by her medical attendants to
be in a dangerous condition.—Glasgow Eerald.
SIGNOR VERDI AND M. DUMAS.—Two new
operas have been ordered by the Grand Opera in Paris of
Verdi, to one of which Dumas the elder is to write the
libretto.
MADAME TUSSAUD.S.—One of the best executed
figures recently udded to Madame Tussaud's
Exhibition is a 'ife-sizs portrait model, in the costume of
the period, of the youthful Edward v., who with his infant
brother, the Duke of York, was foully murdered, by order
of his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester, afterwards Richard
111., in the Tower of Loud,rn.