The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-10 00:00:00

THE BOARD OF ADMIRALTY.

Mr. DALGLISH, in moving that a select committee be
appointed to inquire into the constitution of the Board of
Admiralty, and the different departments under its con-
trol, reminded the house that the defect in its manage-
ment was no new subject, and that it had as yet made
little progress towards improvement. The report of the
committee which sat in 1861 showed that no progress had
been made in improving the system of the Admi-
ralty. He might go further, and say that in the year
1863 nothing had been done in the way of improvement.
The hon. member referred to the blue book of the com-
mittee, and to various documents, to prove the necessity of
altering the constitution of the Admiralty. But it was not
the Admiralty alone that required alteration, but the entire
system of their dockyards and shipbuilding establishments.
Mr. JACKSON seconded the motion.

Mr. SCOURFIELD opposed it.
Mr. BENTINCK thought the hon. gentleman who
moved for the committee was over sanguine with regard to
the benefit to be anticipated from its labours.
Sir P. O'BRIEN supported the motion.
Lord C. PAGET said there was no disposition whatever
on the part of the Government to evade full inquiry, but he
thought the proposed committee would be too official in its
character to effect muc:i good. If there was a case against
the Admiralty let them leave it out, and he would be pre-
pared to meet it. The First Lord, of the Admiralty was
wholly and entirely responsible to the Government of the
day, and there was a complete and effectual check on the
improper use of the patronage. The want of responsibility
in the dockyard at the time of the Royal commission with
reference to the ship-building department had since been
altered, and it has now been placed on the Surveyor of the
Navy, who had to account to the Admiralty. There was
now an effectual check on the expenditure of the dockyards.
It was neecessary to have naval men for controllers and in-
spectors of the navy, as none but naval men could under-
stand the duties to be performed. The noble lord also
referred to many other of the recommendations of the Royal
commissioners, most of which had been adopted or were
under consideration, and he assured the house that the Ad-
miralty were using their best exertions for the benefit and
efficiency of the navy, and to make such alterations and
improvements as would tend to the economy of that branch
oi the service. The Admiralty did not intend to give up
the building of iron ships in private yards.
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY moved the adjournment of the
debate.

Mr. CONINGHAM wished to know when the noble
lord the Secretary to the Admiralty would make his state-
ment on the subject of Greenwich Hospital.
Lord C. PAGET replied that he had never expressed an
intention of making any such statemont.
The debate was then adjourned without a division.
MISAPPROPRIATION BY SERVANTS.

Mr. STANILAND obtained leave to introduce a bill to
amend the law in certain cases of misaapropriation by ser-
vents of the property of their masters.

LISBURN ELECTION.

On the motion of Mr. COLLINS, the minutes of the
evidence taken before the Lisburn Election Committee were
ordered to be laid before the house.

SHEEP AND CATTLE (SCOTLAND) BILL,
This bill passed through committee.
SUPPLY. '

Mr. STANSFELD having brought up the report on
supply,

Sir J. ELPHINSTONE again objected to any further
expenditure on Alderney, and moved the adjournment of
the debate.

Tho motion. was agreed to.
VOLUNTEERS BILL.
The consideration of this bill, as amended, was fixed for
Thursday.

AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE TREATY BILL,-IN•

LAND REVENUE BILL.
These bills were then read a third time and passed.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPLEMENTAL BILL
This bill was passed through committee.
OFFICERS OF ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE BILL
This bill was read a second time.
DOCKYARDS PROTECTION ACT AMENDMENT