The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-06 00:00:00

inquired why so small a sum as only £22,000 was asked for
the construction of the basin at Chatham.

Mr. WHITE noticed an item of £9,160 for a new esta-
biim„,:flat at Kowloon, on the coast of China, and asked
with what object the works at that place were being under-
takeri.
Mr. CHILDERS desired to know whether the sums in
the estimates were all that were to be expended for works
at Bermuda and Gibraltar.
Lord C. PAGET said the Government were making con'
siderable progress in the construction of docks, and at the
end of the year we should have four docks capable of re-
ceiving ships of tha Warrior class. The reason why 0°
small a sum was taken for Chatham was that it was all that
could be expended during the year, The necessary pre-
liminary works were now being pushed on with all despatch,
and next year the Government would no doubt be able to
ask for and to spend a much larger sum. When the work
was completed the basin at Chatham would be the largest is
existence, and would have an extent of 82 acres. The Go-
vernment had found it more economical to manufacture
their own gas, and they adopted that course at all places
where they could not obtain it from public companies at
reasonable prices. The Government asked this year for no
further vote for works at Bermuda, but if the war itt
America continued, and we had to keep a large squadron
there, it would be absolutely necessary to construct a dock.
(Hear, hear.) Alt that it was at present proposed to do at
Gibraltar was to carry out the superstructure of the mole
to the present length of the foundations, about 600 feet'
Many persons thought that it would ba desirable to extend -
it to a length of 1,000 feet, in order that very long vessels
might lie alongside it to coal, but upon that subject he was
not at present prepared to express any opinion. The esta-
blishment at Kowloon was intended for a coaling station,
The situation was, owing to the depth of water, admirably
adapted for that purpose. Admiral Sir James Hope, wbo
had lately returned from his glorious campaign in China,
had very strongly pressed upon the Government that the
completion of this work ought not to be delayed.
Colonel SYKES asked for an explanation of an item of
£8,0.0 for the breakwater at Plymouth,
Lord C. I'AGET replied that during the last few Yea"
this breakwater had given way, and it had been necessary
to undertake very considerable works for "towing" it.
Mr. A ODIN GTON asked whether the dockyard at Malta
was capable of admitting vessels of the Warrior class.

Lord H. LENNOX said he could take it upon him to 80
that the hon. gentleman might with safety vote the aura
proposed for the dockyard. Up to the present time Malta
possessed no dock capable of containing any ship but one of
the smallest class, but means had since been devised for the
construction of a dock which would admit ten vessels as
large as the Warrior, and be of the utmost use as a reader
vous for the Mediterranean fleet in the event of war.

Captain TALBOT said that he had heard that the dock
was two miles from the dockyard. He was glad, however,
that a large dock was being constructed at Malta, because
he had heard that the French were building at Marseilles
one of a very extensive character, capable of taking in the
largest ships in all states of the tide.
Lord C. PAGET observed that the colonial Government
had just agreed to give up for the accommodation of men-of •
war a part of the island called the French Creek, which WO
surrounded with houses, and that in order to construct
dock there it would be necessary to purchase those houses,
at considerable expense, while the creek itself was so shal-
low that itwould require to be deepened considerably before
a man-of-war could enter it. It was, however, convenient
to the dockyard, and a dock made there would be very con'
venient for the purposes of the navy. The construction of
such a dock would at the same time, for the reasons which
he had just indicated, occasion great delay and expense, end
the Government of Malta had under these circumstances
pr ;posed to contribute a certain sum towards the construe'
tion of a dock, capable of containing vessels of the War-
rior class, at the head of the grand harbour, which was tt°t
two miles, but only a half mile, from the dockyard, but
which undoubtedly was not quite so convenient as the PO
he had just mentioned. It had, therefore, been deemed the
wiser course to proceed with the building of a dock at the
head of the grand harbour, but hereafter the French Creel
would no doubt be found available for the purpose, if it
were deemed expedient to make it so. There would be n°
difficulty, he might add, in rendering the site at present
chosen capable of admitting ships of the largest class.
Captain TALBOT wished to know whether the amount
of the sum contributed by the Maltese Government was t°
be made contingent on the site selected; also what would
be the depth of water in the new dock when built,
Lord C. PAGET said the Maltese Government would 10
contribute unless the particular site in question were chosen.
There would, he was happy to say, be ample water in the
dock, the depth being some 27 feet or 28 feet over the sill'
_ _ _

Sir G. BOWYER asked how it was that the Maltese Cie'
vernment had agreed to contribute to the construction of a
dock which could not in the slightest degree tend to the
advantage of the commerce of the island P If he were told
that the Maltese Council had consented to disburse a ce"
tain sum for the purpose he would simply observe that the
elected members of the Council were in a minority, the
majority being composed of official persons.
Mr. LAIRD thought it would be well that it should be
ascertained beforehand that the dock would possess the
necessary depth of water.

Lord C. PAGET said there was every reason to be safe
fled such would be the case. It was quite true that the
Maltese Government was to contribute a portion of the cost
of the new harbour works, but these works would be a greet
benefit not merely to the navy but to the general trade of
the port, which he was glad to say was increasing 01°11
day. (Hear, hear.)
Lord H. LENNOX said the Maltese Government agreed
to pay a portion of the expense in order to induce the Irar
rial Government to undertake the dredging of the new an,
chorage ground, which was very much wanted.
Mr. BENTINCK thought the people of Malta had made
a very good bargain, as the improvements in the harbour
wonld bring them a great deal of business.
Mr. LINDSAY suggested that, instead of housing
naval reserves in barracks, they should be placed on Wu.'
of some of the wooden ships which were lying idle, and that
a number of the officers, tor whom there was such difficult/
in finding employment, should be attached to these vessels'
The vote was agreed to, as were also the following
£66,000 for medicines and medical stores; £99,370 for nii°-
cellaneous services; £719,341 for half-pay, reserved half.
pay, and retired pay to officers of the navy and royal Wl'
rives; £183,10 for military pensions and allowances'
£194,93, for civil p, nsions and allowances; £270,160 for
rhe army department (conveyance of troops).
The whole of the navy estimates having been passed the
house resumed amid some cheering.

TOBACCO DUTIES BILL.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved
that the house should go into committee pro forma for the
purpose t f introducing certain resolutions as to drawback 6
and he also gave notice that to-morrow he should ask t°
set up a committee to consider a resolution that in future
the duty on unmanufactured tobacco imported into Great
Britain and Ireland, and containing less than 10 per Cen'4'
of moisture, should pay a duty of 3s. instead of 3s. Bud w
per cent.