The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-26 00:00:00

SMALL ARMS.

Mr. H. VIVIAN called the attention of the hou.e to the
report of the committee on small arms, and asked her Ma-
jesty's Government what action they proposed to take
thereon. He said that three millions had been spent on the
Enfield line, and the result had been unsatisfactory. He
maintained that the rifle we manufactured was of the worst
description, and that the fact showed a want of organiza-
tian somewhere in our departments. It was not, however,
too late to retrace our steps, and he was therefore anxious
to know what course was to be pursued in the matter.
Mr. H. BERKELEY could not agree with the hon. and
gallant member, or asstnt to the proposition that the Whit-
worth or Westley Richard rifts was perfect. He believed,
on the contrary, that for campaigning purposes the Enfield
was batter than either.

The Marquis of lIARTINGTON denied that the Go-
vernment had taken a wrong course or wasted the public
money in the expenditure which they had incurred in the
manufacture of the Enfield rifle. In the opinion of the
committee, it was superior to the arm of any other country,
and the Government did not contemplate any alteration
until they had tested, by the most thorough and practical
trial, the superiority of the Whitworth. With that view,
1,500 such rifles would be served out to the Rifle Brigade
and 60th Rifles, while 2,000 Westley Richards would be
supplied to soldiers of the line serving in every quarter of
the globe. In this manner their merits would be fully
tested, and the weapon which was proved superior would
of course, be adopted.
THE ROYAL ENGINEERS CORPS.

Col. DUNNE called the attention of the house to the
sum granted for the retirement of the officers of the Royal
Engineers corps, and complained of its application. He
hoped the subject would be taken into consideration, and
that the £16,000 now allowed for the purpose of enabling
the officers of the corps in question to retire, in order that
promotion might be facilitated, would really be devoted to
that object.

Mr. F. PE EL was proceeding to reply to the hon. and
gallant member, when

The SPEAKER interfered, and ruled that the hon. gen-
tleman could not do so, he having alrealy spoken.
Capt. JERVIS hoped that the matter would be consi-
dered, and the sum mentioned by his hon. and gallant friend
bona fide devoted to the object for which it was voted.

THE COURT-MARTIAL ON PAYMASTER T.

SHALES.

Mr. CO.NI.NGHAM, who had given notice of his inten-
tion to move a resolution on the subject of the court-
martial at Mhow on Paymaster T. Smales, said he thought,
after the discussion which had taken place, that he
should best consult the wishes of the nouse by postpon-
ing his motion until after the evidence had been printed.
He should hare abstained from making any observation,
had it not been for the remarks which fell from the hon.
and gallant member (Colonel Duane), and which was e
t
cal-
culated to damage Captain Smales in the estimation of the
public. The hon, and gallant member described Captain
Smales's letter as of an insubordinate character; but he
(eMttr. coringham) was bound to say that not only was the
letter
.wril
legal tten under very great provocation, but that there
proceedings connected with the whole trial.