The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-04 00:00:00

SUPPLY-THE STATE OF THE DOCKYARDS.

Ott the motion for going into committee of supply,
Sir M. PET 0 rose to call the attention of the house to
the constitution and administration of the Board of Ad-
miralty, which he contended was defective in many and
most important respects. He urged that there ought to be
a regular debtor and creditor account kept of each of the
dockyards, that there should be a periodical stock taking,
and that it should be shown how the labour was expended
and applied. He complained of the great unsteadines and
uncertainty that characterised the action of the depart-
ment, and recommended the abandonment of the patronage
system and the substitution of promotion on merit alone,
and that the construction of docks, basins, and other neces-
sary works should be committed to the hands of a board of
engineers to be appointed for that purpose.
After some observations from Mr. G. P. Bentinck, Mr.
H. Robertson, and Mr. Whitbread,
Lord C. PAGET argued, in defending the Admiralty,
that the works which Sir M. Pete wished to confide to a
board of engineers and others were such as nautical mon
alone were competent to undertake. He admitted, however,
that if the department were thoroughly reorganised some
useful changes might be effected.
Sir J. PAKINGT ON remarked that the Board of Admi-
ralty was not quite what he desired to see it. Nevertheless
he was not prepared to acquiesce in the suggestions of the
hon. member for Finsbury.
Sir J. ELPHINST ONE, in the course of some criticisms
on the Board of Admiralty, referred to the administration
of the department by the late Sir James Graham, which he
declared had proved more disastrous to the British navy
than tho great war with France. Under the present sys-
tem the sailors were half-starved and driven to chow
tobacco for the purpose of mitigating the intolerable pangs
of hunger.
Observations were also offered by Mr. Seely and Sir F
Smith, and Mr. Childers (civil lord of the Admiralty) gave
explanations in reply to the speech of Sir M. Pete.

THE NAVY ESTIMATES.
On the vote for .£175,957 for officers and contingent ex-
penses of the Admiralty,
Sir 31. PET 0 wished to have a clear understanding on
the subject of the consolidation of the Government offices
at Whitehall.

Lord C. PAGET said the reason why the change had not
been carried into effect was the enormous expense incurred
in the reconstruction of the navy. Ho hoped those who
succeeded the present Government would make every en-
deavour to concentrate the offices either at Somerset House
or Whitehall. In reply to Sir J. Pakington, the noble lord
said, instead of increasing the staff of clerks, temporary em-
ployment was given to writers.
The vote was agreed to.
The next vote was £284,395 on account of the Coast-
guard Service, the Royal Naval Coast Volunteers, and the
Royal Naval Reserve.
In reply to Mr. AYRTON,

Mr. dIiILDERS pointed out that the vote for the Coast-
guard Service showed a reduction upon the vote for last
year.

The vote was agreed to.
On the vote of £70,042 for the scientific branch of tho
navy,

Mr. A. SMITH called attention to the increase of the
estimate for the school of naval architecture. Last year
the item was £2,300 ; this year the sum required amounted
to £4,000.

Mr. Alderman SALOMONS regretted that the collection
of models at South Kensington did not include such ships
as the Warrior, and expressed a hope that means would be
taken to make the school as efficient as posiible.
After a few words from Mr. AYRTON, who condemned
the establishment of a school at a point so far distant as
Kensington,
Lord C. PAGET defended the item, and mentioned that
the French Government had for several years devoted a
like sum to a similar purpose.
The vote was agreed to.

A sum of £192,415 was proposed for defraying the ex-
pense of her Majesty's naval establishments at home.
Sir J. ELPHINSTONE moved that the Chairman report
progress.

Viscount PALMERSTON hoped the hen: member
would not press the motion at that early hour (10 minutes
to 12 o'clock).

Sir J. ELPHINSTONE said the next vote was an ex-
tensive one, and it would be impossible to get through at
that late hour.
The committee divided—

For reporting progress ... ... 27
Against ... ... 51
Majority ... ... ... —24
The vote was then agreed to, as was also the sum of
£37,332 for her Majesty's establishments abroad.
The Chairman was ordered to report progress on the
vote of £1,158,797 for wages to artificers employed in her
Majesty's establishments at home.

CIVIL SERVICE ESTIMATES.
Mr. PEEL proposed a vote of £1,748,000 on account of
Civil Service Estimates.

Considerable discussion took place on tho propriety of
granting such a sum on account, inasmuch as it would
preclude the committee from taking effectual objections to
any of the votes, which it might include when proposed
seriatim on a future occasion.

Eventually on the motion of Mr: AYRTON, the Chairman
was ordered to report progress, and the House resumed.
The Prisons (Scotland) Act Amendment Bill was read
a second time.

Tho Small Benefices (Ireland) Act, 1860, Amendment
Bill was road a third time and passed.
Lord ELCIIO obtained leave to introduce a bill to pro-
vide for the maintenance of turnpike and statute labour
roads and bridges in Scotland.
Mr. FINLAY obtained leave to introduce a bill to au-
thorise the alteration of the time for holding statutory
meetings of commissioners of supply in Scotland.
The House adjourned at 25 minutes past ono.