The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-29 00:00:00

NO. XXIII.-RE•SORTING HEMP.

My Lords having taken into consideration that por-
tion of the report of the committee of revision which re-
presents the inconveniences that result from the practice
of re-sorting hemp after survey, which prevails at Chat-
ham, and is sometimes resorted to at Portsmouth and
Devonport, are pleased to direct that this practice be
discontinued, and that the first test, in all cases, be made
final. • H. G. WARD.
NO. XXIV.—IMPROVED ARRANGEMENTS NOR THE RE-

CEIPT AND STOWAGE OF TIMBER.
My Lords have learned with much regret that the
arrangements for the receipt and stowage of timber in
her Maj-sty's dockyards are generally of the most un-
satisfactory character.

My Lords are aware that some excuse may be found
for the costly and slovenly practices brought under their
notice by the Committee of Revision, its the great works
that have been going on in many of the yards, and the
consequent derangement of the ordinary lines of commu-
nication. But the very first duty of each superintend.
ent, now that the yards are about to be restored to their
natural state, must be to select in each yard the largest
open space that can be found, within a reasonable dis-
tance of the landing-place, and to set it apart exclusively
for the receipt tied survey of timber.
My Lords have directed provision to be made in the
estimates of 1849-50, for opening .a communication by
tramway and travellers, with the spots selected as the
future receiving ground at Portsmouth, Chatham, and
Woolwich, and it is their intention to -provide all the
dockyards with similar facilities, - hen satisfied with the
arrangemeuts made for taking advantage of them. Th..
superintendents, in conjunction with the master ship-
wrights and the timber inspectors, are to submit a gene.
ral plan for the mare econowical mansgemenc of timber,
to the Board of Admiralty, at the next inspection of the
dockyards, when my. Lords will invea•tigate the subject
very strictly, as they see too much reason to suppo•e
that a large proportion of the labour placed by the libe-
rality of Parliament at their disposal, is wow wasted
by the want of proper method. H. G. WARD.

NO. XXV.-TIBIBER INSPECTORS.

My Lords see no reason materially to alter the duties
which it was their intention, originally, to assign to these
officers, except.as regards the timber 'accounts, which aro
to be kept, as now, by the storekeeper.
The timber inspectors are to test, ,measure, and " re-
ceive" all timber, in conjunction with the store receiver
neither being absolutely bound by the decision of the
other, and both empowered, in doubtful cases, to appeal
to the superintendent, and the master shipwright. A
fixed proportion of labour, in every yard, is to be placed
at the dispose! of the timber inspector, who is then to be
held responsible for carrying out, unds.r the sanction of
the superintendent, a general plan for .the removal of all
timber, after receipt, and for its being slacked at the pro-
per time, in proper order, so as to create no difficulties
upon the general survey.
The timber inspector is to keep a register of these
stacks, as well as of the contents of each shed where
plank or thickstuff is deposited. He is also to be respon-
sible for the conversions, in which he will be assisted by
the first and second converters; and my Lords feel satis-
fied that, if he show proper activity ire the discharge of
these duties, a great improvement will, be effected in the
present economy of the dockyards.
My Lords desire, however, to reg ulate remuneration
by work; and seeing that there is a. great difference,
both in responsibility and labour, between the larger and
the smaller yards, they are pleased to direct that while
the salary of the timber inspector continues to be 400/.
a year at Portsmouth, Woolwich, Chatham, and Devon-
port, it shall be reduced to 3501., upon. the next vacancy,
at Pembroke, and to 3001. at Sheerness and Deptford.
H. G. WARD.