The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-28 00:00:00

BOYS.

All boys under the age of 18, who hereafter enter the
navy, are to be required to enter into an engagement, ac-
cording to the accompanying form, No. 95, to serve her
Majesty for a period of ten years' continuous and general
service from the age of 18, in addition to whatever periods
may be necessary till they attain that age. If above the
age of 18 when entered, they are to be required to engage
for ten years' continuous and general service from the date
of first entry.
No boy is under any circumstance to be entered under
the age of 14, or below the following standard of height:—
Ages between 14 and 15 not less than 4ft. Bin. stature.
/I If 15 and 16 4ft. 10in. „
Pl 16 and. 17 PI sft. Oin.
PI 17 and 18 PP sft. 2in. „
After 18 sft. 4in. „
Weight, though dispensed will; as a qualification, is to
be inserted, for information, in the reports of survey.
All officers entrusted with the important duty of en-
tering boys are strictly enjoined to see the greatest care
and circumspection in ascertaining that they are in all
respects fit for her Majesty's service before they are en-
tered. Previous to such entry being confirmed, a survey
is to be held on them by two captains, or commanders, or
one of each rank, and two medical officers, who are to cer-
tify, according to the accompanying form No. 95, to the
boys being of perfectly sound and healthy constitutions,
free from any physical malformation or other defect, and
to their being in all respects fit for the service.
A similar course of proceeding, as far as circumstances
admit, is to be followed the case of boys entered on
foreign stations.

Outfit.
The sum of 405., which is now required as an outfit for
boys on their first entry, is, for the future, to be dispensed
with.

Employment as Servants.
All boys of the 2d class, including boys from the school-
ships and from the Greenwich schools, may be employed as
servants, when required, according to the usage of the ser-
vice ; but all officers in command are to take care that the
employment of boys in this capacity does not, on any ac-
count, interfere with their systematic schooling, instruc-
tion in gunnery, exercise aloft, and other branches of a
seaman's duty ; or in useful trades of which they may pos-
sess a knowledge.
Promotion to Ist Class.
If a boy should be more than ordinarily active and well-
conducted, he may, at the discretion of his captain, be
promoted to the Ist class at the age of 16, provided he shall
have been at least one year at sea.

Entry of Ist Class Boys.
Although it is desirable that all boys who are entered in
the Ist class should have been at sea, or accustomed to
boats, such qualification is not to be considered indispen-
sable, in the caso of promising lads who are found in all
other respects fit for her Majesty's service. The existing
regulation for the instruction and training of Ist class
boys, to qualify them for seamen, is to be strictly
enforced.

Promotion.
Boys who produce proof of having been at least two
years at sea, may, in special cases of good conduct and
ability, be rated 2d class ordinary, or ordinary seamen,
according to their qualifications, after the ago of 18. No
person is to be retained in the rating of boy after the age
of 20. •

Discharge by Purchase.
All boys of good character and conduct, whether entered
for continuous service or otherwise, may be permitted to
purchase their discharge according to the following scale,
the amount being graduated accordinr, to their length of
service, and the consequent expense that has been incur-
red on their education and training :
Under three years' service £ 8
After three years and under five years
After five years' service l2
Discharge of ineligible Boys.
When a ship is inspected or paid off, the captain or
commanding officer is to report the names of such boys as he
may consider, from inferior stature, want of physical
strength, or other valid cause, to be unfit to be retained in
the service, in order that, after a special survey, they may
be discharged.
Advantages of continuous Service.
All the advantages granted for continuous and general
service, as hereafter shown, are to be fully explained to the
boys now serving, the option being left to them of accept-
ing such advantages, or otherwise.
Increase of Pay.
Boys who have entered for continuous and general ser-
vice are, when advanced to any of the undermentioned
ratings, to be allowed the following rates of pay, in addi-
tion to the present pay of the Royal Navy:—
Per calendar month
of 31 days. Per ann.
s. d. £ s. d.
2d class ordinary seamen - -2 7 110 5
Ordinary seamen - - - - 5 2 3 010
Petty officers leading and able seamen 7 9 411 3
They will also bo eligible to be granted pensions after
shorter terms of service than at present, as hereinafter
specified.