The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-17 00:00:00

MASTERS IN THE NAVY.

Tho Earl of HARDWICKE asked the First Lord of the
Admiralty whether it was tho intention of the Government

to abolish the class of masters in the Royal Navy.
The Duke of SOMERSET said that it was the intention
of the Admiralty eventually to abolish the rank of masters
in the Royal Navy. The interests of the present masters,
700 or 800 in number, would have to be carefully consi-
dered ; and all that had at present been done was to stop
the entry of that class of cadets front which the masters
were taken. As soon as the scheme of the Admiralty was
matured he would lay it on the table, in order that their
lordships might see clearly what was intended.
The Earl of HARDWICKE expressed his ;disapproval
of the contemplated measure, contending that it was abso-
lutely requisite that there should be a separate class of men
devoted, under the orders of the captain, to the navigation
and pilotage of the ship.
The Duke of SOMERSET remarked that there would be
ample opportunity for fully discussing this subject when ho
laid on the table the Admiralty scheme for dealing with it.
The subject then dropped.
THE METALLIFEROUS MINES BILL.

Lord KINNAIRD withdrew a notice of motion whi h
he had given for the production of certain papers in regard
to the condition of mines.

Lord VIVIAN appealed to the noble lord to withdraw
the Metalliferous Mines Bill. The whole mining interest
was opposed to it, and it would be found both impracticable
and injurious.
Lord KINNAIRD could not withdraw a measure which
had already received far more support than he anticipated,
and which would, he believed, work very beneficially.
The house adjourned at a quarter before seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :--
Crieff Junction and Scottish Central Railway Companies ;
Dunblane, Doune, and Callander and Scottish Central
Railway Companies; North and South Wiltshire Junction
Railway ; Port Talbot Company ; Solway Junction Rail-
way ; Southampton Gas ; West Bromwich Improvement ;
and Wrexham, Mold, and Connah's Quay Railway (Ex-
tension).
METROPOLITAN MARKET BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. COX objected to it on the ground that it would
convert several large buildings which it was proposed to
make into model lodging houses to other purposes.
After some conversation, in which Mr. Crawford, Alder-
man Sydney, and Mr Ayrton took part,

The bill was road a second time.
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

Mr. WHALLEY brought in a bill for the better rmt
lation of the services of the Church of England with re-
spect to auricular confession.
MR. WILDE'S RESIGNATION.

Mr. FERRAND gave notice that he should move for
the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the
resignation of Mr. Wilde, the appointment of Mr. Welch,
and tho intended appointment of Mr. R._ Bothell to the
Leeds Bankruptcy Court.
ENFIELD RIFLES. . .

--- -
Mr. H. VIVIAN asked the Under Secretary of State for
War if the committee on converting the Enfield rifles into
breech-loaders had reported ; and if so, whether they had
recommended any plan for the adoption of the Govern-
ment. And whether it was true that an order had been
given, or was about to be given, for tho conversion of
GO,OOO rifles on the Mount Storm principle.
The Marquis of lIARTINGTON said the report had
been received, but it was not entirely favourable to any
System of conversion submitted for consideration. A cer-
taintrue
thatnumber of conversiona would be made, but it was not
000Enfield rifles had been converted to Mount
Storm's principle. PrinciPle. When the report was complete he
would state its purport

Mr. MITCHELL SINGAPORE.
asked the Secretary of State for India
whether, in the event of the transfer of Singapore from his
department to that of the Colonies, full provision would be
made for the continued employment of naval officers hold-
ing command under him in the Straits of Malacca.
Sir C. WOOD said he did not quite understand the hon.
member's question, but if he would repeat it on another
opportunity, he would make inquiries, and give him all the
information he could collect_