The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-24 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 23.
The Duke of Wellington, 131, Commodore Martin,
C. 8., will be paid wages at Spithead on Friday, and
Rear-Admiral Corry will put to sea with the Prince
Regent, 90 (flag), Captain Hutton ; Duke of Welling-
ton ; Arrogant, 46, Captain Yelverton ; Tribune, 30,
Captain the Hon. S. T. Carnegie; Amphion, 34, Captain
Key and Cruiser, 14, Commander the lon. G. H.
Douglas. The destination is not known, but is believed
to be Lisbon, as we learn by a letter from Plymouth this
afternoon that the Imperieuse, 51, Captain Watson,
C.B. ; Valorous, 16, Captain Buckle ' and Desperate,
8, Captain Chambers, have proceeded to that station.
The St. Jean d'Acre, 101, Captain the Hon. H. Keppel,
is not expected to be ready to sail with Admiral Corry,
but will follow him. The Sidon, 22, paddle-frigate will
remain at Spithead.

Vice-Adniiral Sir Thomas and Lady Cochrane gave a
brilliant reception to-night, at the Admiralty-house, to
upwards of 250 guests, among them several members of
the nobility and the most distinguished of the united
services.

The Russian corvette Navarin, 22, left Spithead this
morning, at half-past 7 o'clock, for Kamtschatka. She
saluted the national flag with 21 guns, and the Port-
Admiral with 15, on leaving, and we never heard smarter
firing from any foreign man-of-war at this station. The
Prince Regent, flag-ship, at Spithead, acknowledged
both salutes from her heavy guns in splendid style ; the
Victory also acknowledged the compliment, and the
Platform-battery also.
Rear-Admiral Berkeley and Sir James Stirling are
to-day named, as well as those we reported yesterday,
as likely to have the appointment of Admiral-Superin-
tendent of this dockyard. Either would be a most
fitting successor to the present respected and active
occupant of the post.

Second Master Charles
F.
OTOapLraiiWlaCH,B49)7ofrov.m23th. a
APPOINTMENTS.
Atholl storeship, on the west coast of Africa station, to
the St. George, 120,1guardship of ordinary, at Devonport.
Midshipman T. W. G. D. Darner, to the Frolic, 16,
at Portsmouth.
Clerk Thomas W. W. Spear (1842) to the Horatio
screw steam-guardship.
The Poictiers (third rate), formerly carrying the pen.
dant of the Captain-Superintendent of Chatham Dock.
yard, is to be again brought forward for the service, in
the room of the Boscawen, 70, to be fitted as flagship
for the West Indies station.
The Boscawen is of 2,212 tons, and was hnilt at
Woolwich from a design by Sir Wm. Symonds, when
Surveyor of the Navy. She was launched in 1844, and
has never been employed at sea.

SOUTHERN WHALE FISHERY COMPANY.—A meeting
of this company took place yesterday, when a report
from Mr. Preston, in his capacity of special commis-
sioner,
an„tin eing that all the accounts of the late esta-
blishment at the Auckland Islands and in the Austra-
lian colonies have been closed, was received, a committee
at the same time being appointed to confer with the
directors as to a plan of future operations. With re-
gard to outstanding liabilities, it was stated they amount
to about 18,820., while, taking the estimated value of
thepany's fleet, the assets would approach 16,2004.,
independentlycm of the oil that may be on board the
Samuel Enderby, a ship now out at sea. If it were de-
termined to prosecute whaling from this side until affairs
in the colonies shall have become more settled, it would,
it was calculated, take about 10,000/. to fit out the four
vessels now at home, and the money would have to be
raised for that purpose. Inefficient managemenistautrbthede
Auckland Islands had, in the first instance, interferedt
with the success of the enterprise, and the d
position g
of Australia through the gold discoveriesanhia-
uequ
sae
bs ently thwarted all endeavours tore
re-organise
operations.
operations. In answer to questions,t the chairman (Mr.
eevt
ao
nf
yt hseu
bscompanytantial
Jwinpd
nPgonwpi,est)bsetraetewdasthanto, in h
prospect
return to the shareholders. With
reeonsfpect to the exer-
tions of Mr. Dundas and Mr. Preston as the Veda
commissioners delegated to proceed to the -Auckland
plslands,roved
explainedsiutccweasssful
in that, although they had not
com-
pany, they had been eminently restoring the.
serviceable position
in curtailing
of ie
further expenditure and diminishing loss. A special
veoonitepolifintheannt
undas), on n
atb
thanks to Mr. Preston was then passed (a similar
previouse occasion having been paid to
Mr,
d resolution for the appointment of
a committee to confer with the directors was agreed to.
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.—
The ventilating shaft is to be raised 12 feet higher. It
now presents a light and ornamental appearance, quite
in keeping with the general features of the elegant
octagonal tower adjoining, which, as well as the central
and clock towers, is proceeding with great rapidity. On
the area called the Star-chamber Court, which is adjacent
to the octagonal tower, considerable progress has been
made with the ornamental carvings, and the laying down
upon a surface of concrete the patent elastic pavement,
as in use in other courts and areas of this edifice. The
Lords' front appears to keep pace with the restof the
works, and will very shortly be visible above the hoard.
ing from the west side of Abingdon-street. At the end
of this front, and adjoining the Victoria Tower, the
Peers' entrance is being constructed, and will be ready
for the use of their Lordships at the commencement of
the ensuing omission of Parliament.