The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-06 00:00:00

COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION.

Lord STANLEY asked the Secretary of State for India
whether it was his intention to bring in a bill during the
present session for the transfer of Singapore, Malacca, and
Penang, from the Indian to the colonial administration ?
Sir C. WOOD said, as far as the Indian Government
were concerned, they were quite ready to meet the wishes
of the people of Singapore. He, however, had not yet re-
ceived the decision of the Colonial-office in the matter.

WORKHOUSES.
A. MILLS asked the President of the Poor-law
Board 'whether it was the intention of the Government
to adopt the suggestions contained in the evidence
given before the - select committee on poor relief re-
spectingurse si the employment of trained and competent
nurses in workhouses ' • whether it was intended to carry
out the recommendation embodied in the report, that
quinine and other expensive medicines
should be provided
when required by the guardians •and
whether
the articles
of the consolidatedorder now in force respecting tho volun-
tary visitation of the sick poor
presentedte any practical
h
obstacle to those who desired to visitinmates of the
union workhouses.
Mr. VILLIERS said the
a nhy had been i
in
evidence
aureferredtownt? that
given by Miss Twining,
but
. ituted
n
and he found the matter had been overstated. The poor-law
inspectors always urged on the guardians the employment
of competent persons as nurses, and he believed that
amongst the principal workhouses only eight had remained
without such assistance. In consequence of a communica-
tion from Miss Nightingale, who stated that there were
plenty of persons of the description required if tho
guardians wished to employ them, a circular
had been issued asking the guardians to avail
themselves of such assistance, but he must in-
form the hon. gentleman that it was entirely in
their discretion whether they chose to do so or not.
With respect to the medicines supplied to the in-
mates of workhouses, a circular had also been
issued urging the guardians to make new
arrangements with their medical officers. As far as visiting
was concerned, there was nothing in the rules and regula-

tions of the Poor-law Board which present obstructions to
persons visiting workhouses. It could always have been
done, under certain condition; with the consent of the
master of the establishment.
CUPOLA SHIPS.
_ _ _

Mr. LAIRD asked the Secretary to the Admiralty
whether the ironclad ship Hercules, ordered to be laid
down in her Majesty's dockyard, Chatham, was to be fitted
with two cupolas in addition to her broadside armament ;
and, if so, whether the cupolas would be constructed on
Capt. Cowper P. Colss's plan.
Lord C. PAGET said the question of arming the bow
and stern of her Majesty's ship Hercules was now.under
consideration. Various modes had been suggested, and
were now under the notice of the Admiralty, and the
matter would not be decided until the report of a com-
mittee of naval officers, now sitting on the subject, had
been made.

COMMANDERS AND MASTERS IN THE NAVY.

Sir L. •PALS asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if
he would state what measures were to be taken by the
Lords of the Admiralty to relieve the complaints of infe-
riority of pay and rank of the Staff Commanders and
Masters of her Majesty's Navy.
Lord C. PAGET said that the position, rank, and pay
of the officers referred to were under the consideration of
the Board of Admiralty, and it was premature at the present
time to make any statement on the subject.