The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-03 00:00:00

IRE FORTS IN PLYMOUTH SOUND.

Mr. BF, NTINCIE put a question to the Secretary of
State for War and to the Secretary to the Admiralty
on the subject of the new forts ordered to be
constructed in Plymouth Sound. He had received
information from Plymouth, to the effect that an island
was to be made in the best part of Plymouth Sound, and
that upon it a fort was to be constructed. It was well
known that Plymouth Sound was surrounded by heights
crowned with tatteries ; and being well and properly pro-
tected, there was no use whatever for the proposed erection.
He wanted, therefore, to know on what possible ground
it was proposed to erect this fort by forming this
island whet: they had within pistol-shot of it a break-
water, upon which it could be constructed at very little ex-
pense. Beides this, as the fort, if constructed, would be
most destructive to the anchorage in Plymouth Sound, he
wanted to in.ow from the Secretary to the Admiralty
whether his attention had been called to the circumstance P
Sir G. C. lEWIS replied that, on considering the matter,
it was found hat the proposed fort should be erected, not on
the Breakwater, but onthe sea not far removed from it, where
there was a wod foundation. He regretted that the ques-
tion had not leen put when the Spithead forts were under
discussion, bit he would now undertake to lay the matter
before the Defence Commission which had been ap-
pointed, whle at the same time he would not take
upon him tc stop the works now going on.
DISTRESS IN IRELAND.

Mr. MAGUIRE called the attention of the house to
the fact that several deaths from starvation had recently
occurred in Ireland, and asked whether the Govern-
ment had received official information of such cases having
occurred; and, if so, whether they had taken or were about
to take any steps in consequence ; and also whether
they had any objection to lay upon the table
all the reports, communications, and correspondence
in reference to such cases. The honourable gentle-
man read autlenticated details of individual cases of desti-
tution and deaths by exhaustion and starvation, showing,
ho observed, that there was wide-spread misery in the
country, and lE was the duty of the Government not to per-
Isiiesvte it.indenying its existence, but to take measures to re-
lieve_ _

Mr. P. DAWSON, speaking from personal experience,
denied that there was any extraordinary amount of dis-
tress, in the north of Ireland at all events. Ho believed
that much exaggeration had been resorted to in reference
to this subject, with a view to damaging the Government
in the sister country. He condemned the system of public
grants, and said that the evil effects of those which were
made during the famine period had not even yet disap-
peared.
Col. DICKSON observed that the administration of the
grants during the Irish famine was characterised by waste
and extravagance, but that was no reason why a better
system of relief should not be introduced.
After some remarks from Mr. BLAKE,
Sir R. PEEL expressed his readiness to produce the
papers asked for by Mr. Maguire, and stated that the cases
of death by destitution occurring in Ireland had not escaped
the notice of tlre Governments for it was tI.A ality of tthe„n, such death, and an inquiry
was then ordered by the Poor-law Commissioners, the re-
sult of which was communicated to the Government. The
right hon. gentleman then narrated the facts of the parti-
cular cases alluded to by Mr. Maguire, from which he con-
cluded, whilst not denying the existence of much suffering
and distress in Ireland, that there was no justification for
alleging that deaths had occurred consequent upon neglect
and disregard on the part of the Executive. He also
pointed out that in some instances Irish juries had re-
turned verdicts which were oppcsed to evidence and com-
mon sense ; and laid some stress upon the circum-
stance that during the last six months the price of
food in Ireland had been considerably less than in
the corresponding period of 1861. Unfortunately it
was the practice in Ireland to calumniate the work-
houses and the administration of the poor law, and he as-
serted that many lives had been lost through destitution, in
consequence of persons declining to receive in-door relief.
The pressure which had been felt was exceptional, and the
Government had done their duty in the emergency.
Major O'REILLY contended that great and severe dis-
tress existed in various parts of Ireland, and that it was the
duty of the Government to introduce an amendment of the
poor law, with the view of making it more consonant with
the wants and feelings of the people.
The discussion was continued by Mr, GREGORY, Sir G.
BowYER, end other.members.

Sir H. BRUCE said he did not think that distress pre-
vailed to any unusual extent, and suggested that the
isolated cases brought forward might have been more pro-
perly investigated and considered in the several districts in
which they had occurred.

Sir G. GREY believed that a certain amount of distress
did exiat,but so it did also in the west of Scotland, although
no complaints had reached the house on the subject. Ho
did no; consider, however, that it was so pressing as to call
for any extraordinary measures on the part of the Legisla-
ture or the Government, or that it might not be met by
local effort.

Tte question was then dropped.
CHINESE REBELS.

reply to Colonel SYKES,
LAYARD stated that the executions which had
followed the recent conflict with the Chinese rebels were
confined to pirates and marauders, and that the military
arrangements entered into at Shanghae with the Imperial
authorities were of purely a defensive character.