The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY M9jtNlNd, j4'..'EBRUARY 27, 1847.

of defence, not for the purposes of aggrandisement. There is
not, I am sure, a person in the House who will not feel that is •
necessary to keep up the power of the country. 1 do rot '
think that the Government is asking too much, when the dig-
nity and honour of the country is taken into consideration.
What is now the actual increase in the navy estimates, exclu-
sive of the packet stations? The expense of the packet ser-
cs in the year 1830 was 27,0001., in 1831 it was 24,0001.,
and for the preen . eit 820,083/. It will be found that after
d •ducting this charge of the packet stations, and other charges,
anointing to the sum of 1,564,948/, the total expense for the
maritime defence of the country is only 5,996,0001. It must
be borne in mind that in this country there are no fortified
towns as in France, neither is there any great
military organization upon which to fall back
her
e
French navy estimates for the presen year, with
immense army and her Paris fortifications amounted to
5,639,0001., the difference between the estimates of the two
countries amounted only to 327.0001. In the year 1846 an
extraordinary credit was taken by the French Government for
a sum of 93,000,009 of f, ants to be distributed over a period
of seven years. The French navy estimates for the present
year are 114,594,591 francs, and to this sum must be added
t he seventh part of the 93,0045,000 of francs of ths extra-
ordinary credit. It was also proposed by the French Govern-
ment to increase their present number of ships from 358 to
390. It is also to be borne in mind that the French Govern-
ment have expended and are still expending large sums in the
iconstrui to cf steam basins, in order in some measure to
supply the deficiency of natural harbours, along
the coast at Dunkirk, Calais, Cherbourg, Brest,
Toulon, and numerous other places. At Cherbourg.
44,i 00,000 of francs had been expended. At Brest, a
large naval establishment was set up, in one of their smitheries
there were 127 furnaces; at Portsmouth, the largest of our
naval stations, there is a smithery which has but 43 furnaces.
These thir.gt, I am sure, ought to operate as a lesson to this
country. It is perfectly necessary that some parallel should
be kept up between this country and France. The naval esta-
blishments of this country were in a most disgraceful state ;
there is not a single station where a large vessel can put in
between Woolwich and Constantinople Bermuda, Malta, and
Devonport were all in a very bad condition. Now all this has
arisen from t'se miserable parsimony which has recently ex-
isted in this House ; you have been always for cutting down
the estimates, and now in a year of great depression, and
when there is not a shilling but could be well employed
by the Chancellor of the Exrhequer, you are called
necessarily to devote a large sum to the purpose of improving
these naval establishments, which might have been distributed
over a period of several years. The works at Bermuda will be
ssciliged to be suspended, in order to finish the works in progress
nearer to home. Now, with reference to the marines, it is
necessary to add 1,500 men to that body, and also to re•orga-
ni,e the corps of naval engineers. Nothing can be more im-
portant than the adoption of such a step. A Committee was
appointed to inquire into the subject of the naval engineers ;
they reported that in consequence of the low wages given in
her Majesty's navy to engineers, that service had become the
last resort of the igncrant and inexperienced. The pay of the
first class engineers at present in her Majesty's navy is 13/. Is.
per month. The pay to the first class engineers in the East
India Company's service, with 501. for outfit, is 15/. per month
far the first three years, 191. 4s. 6d. for the next four years, and
211. 4s. 6d. for the next four years. The pay in
the merchant service is 25/. per month for India and China,
161. per month for the Mediterranean, and 211 per month for
the West Indies. In her Majesty's service the engineer is
compelled to rank with the carpenter ; they were not treated
as gentlemen ; they did not feel themselves to be such. The
Committee proposed to divide the engineers into first, second,
and third classes. The chief inspectors of machinery afloat, of
the first class, to rank with. but after masters of the fleet ; the
chief engineer to rank with, but after the master ; the assis-
tant-engineer with, but after the second master. We propose
to give to the inspectors of machinery afloat 201. per month ;
the chief engineer, 16/. per month ; engineers, 14/. per month;
assistants in the first. clue, 121. per month ; in the second class,
:9/. ; in the third, 8/. per month. The inspector of machinery
a,loat is to have the power of reporting upon all matters con-
nected with the machinery. Now when it is considered that
these altera•ions will not exceed 8,000/., I feel assured that the
Committee will not refuse its assent to the proposition of the
Government. The total amount of the value of the machinery
,with which these officers will be intrusted, wid be at least
1,400.000 T, and the proposed additional expense will not be
more than a half per cent. en the value of the machinery. It is
proposed that a vote of 500 men for 12 months, and 1,000 men
for six months should I e taken for the marines. It is also
proposed to take a grant of 20,000. for the organisation of
the dockyard carps, this corps will be a very useful body of
men, and can be turned to very valuable account in case of
invasion. The greatest readiness had been evinced by h e
airti,ans employed in the dockyards to enlist in the corps. The
=umbers had besot

At Dvtforil 9OO
Sheerness . ..... 868
Chatham
Portsmouth
Plymouth
m broke

It would ha most et:sential to the discipline of this body of men
that they should be instructed, and have as much as possible
their condition improved, measures will be proposed for that
object. It is proposed to extend to the marines in
soms modified form, the benefit of the Bill for re..
during the period of enlistment. Of course, the
peculiarities of the nature of the service in which the marines
were engaged, should be taken into due consideration. It is
intended to bring forward some measures for the improvement
of the condition of the marines, and for placing them substan-
tially upon the same footing as the army. With respect to the
.punishment in the navy, I do not wish to go again into that
question. The order recently issued by the Board of Admiralty,
has, it appears, been received by some Han. Members favour..
ably ;by ethers not so. It is. however, proposed to introduce a
measure for the infliction of secondary punishments, while the
-vessel is in harbour. Tne Government also propose to introduce a
Bill to legalise the apprenticeship of boys in her Majesty's service.
'These two Bil s we wish to bring in, and we intend that the
system whirls at present exists, when a ship enters the dock-
yard, shall he in a great degree done away with. We pro-
pass that if any man of good character desires to remain
upon the ship's books he may do so, and six weeks' leave of
absence shall be given, to enable him to have a " run " on
shore, while his clothes, kit, &c. can be kept in the dockyard.
Now, Sir, there is another subject to which I wish to direct

-:he attention of the House, and which I ask it to provide for
4-stedcr two separate heads. I ask a total vote for salaries and
swages of 810,6641., and you will observe that this is less
than the vote which has been taken for many years past.
The vote for 1843 and 1814 was 779,396/., for 1845 and
.1816 951,808% and there is consequently a ;reduction. in the
present vote of nearly 150,000/. Now, wher the House con-
siders that the stock of each of the steam factories amounts to
more than a million of money, speaking its round numbers ;
zed that the charges for new works amounts to 526,000/., I
think that, with these facts before us, you will agree with me
that the question involving, as it does, an expenditure of three
millions, is worthy the attention of Parliament. The House,
I trust, will see the impolicy and inconvenience of leaving all
ehe affeirs of the steam factories to be conducted as now, in
cue place, and that at the least accessible point. Look at
-France, she has factories at Cherbourg, Brest, Toulon, Ro-
chelle, and other ports; while England has only Woolwich.
hear.) It is, therefore, this imperative ne-
cessity that induced the late Ministry to commence at
Portsmouth, Devonport, and Sheerness, magnificent
steam factories with all their concomitants. The House must
be aware that in these establishments the utmost vigilance and
carefulness is requisite to prevent any misapplication of the
Government stores, and to insure a necessary and wise eco-
nomy. But as economy and vigilance are virtues not easily
commanded in Government establishments, it is our intention
to make the individuals employed in these feel that their own
interests as private members are dependent on a proper and
fitting attention to the interests of the country. You cannot
have that watchfulness in her Majesty's dockyards that charac-
terise the establishments of private companies ' - you must,
therefore, trust some, and as they have to deal with a large
.amount of money, it is better that you should appeal to their prin-
ciples than vainly endeavour to coerce them into a rigid system of
reterality—(Har, hear.) You must show them that their
chances of promotion depend upon their merits, and you must
prove to them that these merits shall have fair play.—
( Cheers.) You must show them that they have a higher au-
thority than that of their own officers to appeal to. I do not
hesitate to say, that promotion for merit has hitherto been
'worse than a dead letter, nay, it has been often said, that a 101.
:freehold was better than any testimony from a superior officer.
We have seen that when a vacancy has occurred in the dockyard,
applications have reached the Board of Admiralty from every
quarter but the right one recommending a successor. The
printed regulations were no doubt excellent, but they
were a dead letter. There never hat been any-
thing corresponding to them in the practice of the Admi-
ralty.—(Hear, hear.) I shall not say for how many years it
has been the rule that meritorious exertions should go unre-
warded. Now I do not blame any particular Board for the
continuance of this system. I believe that all Beards have been
re, ghly culpable, and if I want pooof of this, I will find it in the '
face th it no Secretary of the Admiralty has dared to leave
beisind him the correspondence which has taken place on this
sublet of promotions.—( Laughter. ) Sir, I say that that
system is a most baneful and demoralising system. There are
12.000 artisans belonging to, or hoping to belong to these
.establishments, these men have no prospect beyond the dock-
yard, they look forward to becoming foremen, and from fore-
mesa to inspectors, and from inspectors, dock masters, until they
pe to reach a status which will give them perhaps 6001. per
eariutu with a free house to live in. Thus a n
w because thatpr.iperheinssula-
yicill be created, you show the artisan
.neetiou is certain, because based upon fair and intelligible
principles. By the system that prevailed, vou had no -hope
that good conduct would be noticed or bad conduct checked,
unless such exceeded what was ceded the dock-yard license.
The result was, that a sort of apathy was engendered in the
deck-yards, which no authority could check, and which there
was no ge.ting rid of. Now this was a system which the Noble
Lorti the First Lord of the Admiralty felt peculiarly annoying,
azs.cl I zaw a great deal more of its evils, because many things
ore exhibited in the Secretary's department which reaches not
higher. I must say that I think all the defects of the system
are to be attributed to the mode of distributing the patronage of
the , Admiralty. If the House will only consider the vast
?amount of power, for good or evil, which the officers in these
•c,tablis'oments possess, if you consider that every one of the
180 inseectcrs expend on an average 10,000'. a year, they
"nust concede that an improved system of promotion —a system
evhich will connect the interests of the Government with their
eeee— will be a desirable one. I shall now state the principle
,)11 which we intend to proceed. We wish to have, in the first
;lace, an improved educational test for all who desire to be
workmen. We wish to place schools on a superior footing to
what they are now, for we conceive that it is better to give
21:e boys access to the best system of education that can be
commanded, than to allow them, as by the present course, to
attain only an imperfect education from some of the officers
of the dockyard. In every application to the
dockyard, we shall require from the apprentices a
school as well as other certificates, and if considered
'qualified, they shall be admitted into the mould dock. Having
eeinducted themselves in a manner to give satisfaction, they
eye/ then be admitted as shipwrights, and they will then be in
:mune degree left to themselves. We wish also to introduce a
system of periodical returns, that is the master of a gang of
tw•sasalve men, shall make a return, over a fortnight, to a fore-
foreman make aaother return once a month, to a
master ;
Admiralty. the master once a quarter to the hoard of
be submitttd Again,
to the
when a vacancy occurs, three names shall
qualified fur the yea master, who shall strike off the one least
and the Board of Admiralty shall
choose to supply it vacancy,
'pose that the salaries of4' e two names remaining. We
thepro-
t masters shall be raised at once
:from 100/. per annum, es etroesent, to 1251. I have sub-
resided these regulations
,Egrrent (10yants. end th the governors of the
tereme satisfaction with they express their ex-
ifluSe lery shortly to the different points
intendedo
I shall now
is
wZitchhe In vote
No. I there is an increase of 31 tOO.,
expense of the addition to the marine force, aisnda
blue Wien the cost of
defray the
the corps of steam eniOneers Uer vote No. 2
the coming har-
e Government
reduction of 4,220/.
provisions at present anhd hare caictell
er e to their former
vest, when every article shall have rev ton,'
We have discontinued, ill con..
otir heart)
prices.-4
t ency of a per cent. which Govern-
aequence, the eon-Ing of taking
anent, heretofore, has
been in the habit
Varier vote No. 3 there was an increase of 7,340/. ; this in:
not now go into the minor
dawn the steam department, and comprised 2,000/. for post-
age, and 1,2001. for clerks. I will
points, but will confine myself to the principal
4 items. And for
the same reason I will pass over votes and 5. With regard to
No. 6, we propose to take 7,2911. for the increase of the sala.

ries at home, 2,785/. for other parts of the inspection and
measurement of the docks, and 3001. to Mr. Grant, at the
Clarence Dock, as an indemnity to him till he is promoted,
when the allowance will cease. I will pass over
No. 7. For No. 8 we propose to take 8,3771. for
attendance in the dockyards, and 3 2101. of that will be
for the inspection of the dockyards 2,0001. for training
in the dockyards, 2,9651. for the metal-mills at Chatham, by
which alone a saving of 6,0001. per annum will be effected in
consequence of the work being done by Government. We
propose to add 10,0001. to the wages of the steam department
at Woolwich. That item may appear large, but the great
convenience which the accommodation will give to the great
necessity which exists of having persons to execute the works
required by Government steamers justify, in our judgment,
such an outlay. We have 735 men now employed in the
factory there. I find that in 1844.45 there were 27 steamers
repaired at Woolwich ; in 1845-46 there were 36 ; and in
1846.47, during a period of nine months, 29 steamers. The
value of the work done in these periods respectively wa549,000/.,
58,000/ , and 76,000/. The value of the engines was 50/. per
horse power, and the cost of repairs 3/. per horse power per
year, and if they had been done in a private establishment, the
cost of this 41,000 horse power would be 328.001.'1. You now
pay 6:1.000/. in wages, of which 10,000/. is more than the esti-
mate of last year. Under vote 10 there was a decrease of
89,995/. There was a decrease in iron steam-boats of 78,000/.,
which consisted of contracts not yet completed. I will not go
into the question of building large steam-boats without further
trial, which has been referred to by the Hen. Baronet, but I
sincerely hope the experiments that may be made
will justify the good opinion formed of them. I have
now to come to No. 11. In this vote we propose
to have an increase of 32,719/. for new works. This will ap-
pear a large sum; but it must be recollected that in former
years turns that were placed under votes 8,9, and 10, and ap-
peared in these votes respectively, were now collected under a
generic head, and placed in vote 11. Those only which related
specially to votes 8,9, and 10, were charged to those votes. If
the House will allow me, I shall now state in order, one at a
time the other items which we propose. We have taken
167,000/. for Portsmouth, and I should think the steam basin
there will be ready in the month of May. We have •aken
10.000/. to complete the works at Woolwich, and 27,600. to
construct new marine barracks. For Plymouth we have taken
120,000/., for the basin and docks at Devon port 33,000/., and for
Haul-bow-line, near Cork, 10,000/. For Malta, where we have
a dock ready for the largest steamer, we purpose taiing
10,0001. I think I have now finished all the points to which I
intended to refer in this statement, and I can only say that
though the expenditure may be very great, I do not see,
considering all the facts to which I have adverted—seeing
what every country is now doing, and that we are now paying
for the niggardliness of former years—that we can reduce the
estimates to a smaller amount. I think that the vote for
wages in dockyards, under a system of restriction, and
having a check upon the repairs, will tend ultimately to a
saving in this department. It is possible—certainly there will
be a reduction in the expense of iron steamers of 85,0001.
i I hope that there will be some reduction in the estimates
for steam machinery in subsequent years, in consequence of the
change we ars about to make. The system will be placed on
a better footing than it now stands upon, and the probability is
that, in a few years, these extraordinary expenses will en-
tirely disappear.—(Hear, hear. ) I believe that I have stated
to the House that there are 185,000/. of excess for the year
1845 and 1846, but the responsibility will not rest with us.
That sum shall constitute the first vote.
Admiral BOWLES, who was very imperfectly heard, de-
fended the Admiralty from the charges brought against it by
Sir C. Napier. He would wish to see as large a squadron
kept up in the year 1847 as had been maintained during th.
past year, for the race of naval officers who had seen actual
war was now rapidly declining, and it was necessary that the
young naval officers should have opportunities of such exercise
as would enable them to keep up the national honour
in the event of a war. He objected also to the per-
nicious system of detaining ships at particular station,
for any length of time. Many ships had not the opportunity
of proper ,txercise in consequence of their being thus de-
tained, and the race of officers now growing up were thus
most materially injured, and hindered troth acquiring a proper
knowleslge of their profession.
Caetain PECH ELL was glad to hear the observations which
had fallen from the Gallant Admiral, and that a new system

was to spring up which would effectually hinder that jobbing in
the dockyards which had hitherto prevailed. The Hon. Gen-
tlemen in his opening statement wished to show the reasons
for the measure of the estimate. The House did not require
that knowledge, for it was obvious to every person who took
up a newspaper that the measure was necessary ; but he should
be glad to know sornethimg about the condition of the squa-
drons on the coast of Africa. Those vessels were detained there
three years, and he thought that the sy-tem as at preset pur-
sues with regard to the capture of slaves was one fraught with
the grossest jobbing, for, what with fees and
other charges made in the Vice- Admiralty Courts,
very little found its way into the Exchequer of
the admiralty for the benefit of the seamen. He thought it
absolutely necessary that the system should be reformed. Ile
was also glad to hear that the salaries of the pursers in the
navy had been raised by the Government, for, in his opinion,
they were a most deserving clays of officers ; but he was still of
opinion that the Government had not effectually carried out
the recommendation of the Commissioners with reference to
the higher class of officers. He would conclude his reference
to the masters and pursers, with the hope that the Hon Gen-
tleman be!ow (Mr. Ward) would take their case into his most
serious consideraiion. There was another point to wh:ch he
would refer. They had done great injury to the service by the
indiscriminate admission of youths into the navy, without proper
inquiry. They bad admitted a number of thieves and vagabonds
into the service. This was a matter which should be looked
into. With regard to tit* building of ships, he considered that
fair competition should be allowed, so that builders who were
competent might be induced to come forward and take a part
in this construction of the ships. They had also been promised
a reformation in the constitut,on of courts martial ; but from
recent cases which had taken place, this did not appear to have
been the case. Among these cases there was the one of the
captain of the Sphinx, which was lost off the Isle of Wight.
That officer was called on to criminate himself, and
had been degraded from his rank. All these
things showed that a revision was necessary. Now, that
they had had again another Reform Ministry in, he thought
the question of Courts-martial should be fully inquired into,
and redr .ss given. He had also to complain that the members
of the coast guard engaged on the west coast of Ireland were
not treated as they ought to be. At the present time, though
provisions in Ireland were excessively dear, and in many cases
difficult to be had for money, no advance in their pay had been
made, and no promotion was held out to them. _lle trusted
j all the matters to which he had referred would command the
serious attention of the Government with the object of effect-
ing a reformation.
Dr. BOWRING congratulated the Hon. Member (Mr.
Ward) for the improvement whieh was made in the arrange-
ment of the accounts. This would appear to have been done
in pursuance of the recommendation of the Committee of
Public Accounts, a few years ago. He said he was happy that
the principle had been adopted, partially in the public accounts,
of excludinc, all credits in aid of the departments ; and he
hoped that the column of credits would be entirely done away
with.
Mr. FITZROY wished to ask the Right Hon. Gentleman,
the Secretary for the:Admiralty, whatwas the object of taking a
vote of 17,500 men, at a time when they had 4,0L0 men
more than the complement on the books. That was an excess
which they were not accustomed to have on the books. He
did not think with many in England that the ships could be
manned and the harbours of refuge prepared all at a moment's
notice. Practical men knew that that was not so, but he did
thinkithat some of the minor details ought to be omitted. lie
thought there ought to be some means got for coaling their
steam-ships. He understood that 100 tons was all they could
put aboard a ‘'ay. Now in that case an impediment might
easily be created in a time of war, and a steam fleet without'-
coals would become mere logs. He was also glad to hear the
Hon. Gentleman's plans with regard to the dockyards; he
admired the principle of it, having had his attention specially
drawn to the dockyards while he was in the Admiralty, and
he would certainly give the measure his support when it was
brought in.

Atter a few words from Capiain BERKELEY,
Mr. WARD said he had just consulted with Lord John
Hay, under whose care a plan was being carried out for coaling
their steam vessels. He round that the construction of a Coal
Board would cost from 40,0. 0/. to 50,0001., but they had
adopted one of the old hulks, where they had put an engine on
board, and they were enabled to put 100 tons an hour oa board.
the vessels
Sir JAMES GRA -!AM said that while he held a place in
the Admiralty, he had never diminished the .naval estimates,
except so far as that could be done without diminishing
the efficienay of the nary. (Hear, hear.) but he
had risen that moment to express his regret that there
should be an increase a constant increase in the
naval estimates ; and he heard the Hon. Gentleman with
alarm state that, in his opinion, the estimates fur the present
year were not so large as they would yet require to be. But
he regretted one thing—he very much regretted one delicate
' point which had been touched upon by the Hon. Gentleman
he mem. the payment of the men. The Hon. Gentleman
said it would be necessary to raise the wages of the seamen in
the Queen's service up to those given in the merchant service,
or near to them. But he (Sir J. Graham) entirely dissented
from that prop-rsal. If they brought the Queen's service into
competition with the merchant service, the moment that some
new arrangement was made by the Government in her Ma-
jesty's service, a counter movement would be made in
the merchant service, and there could be no seeing
the end of the expence which it would entail
upon the country.—( Hear.) He thought it unhappy that
the subject had been menti..ned at all, and the subject, if con-
sidered, would naturally bring on with it the consideration of
the marines and the army. He did not propose the postpone-
ment of it to a future day, for he entirely dissented from the
principle. Under such a system there would be opened up a
plan of boundless expense on the one hand, and of boundless
expectation on the other, and he thought it could not be main-
tained even if it were to be entered upon. Ho did
hope that it would not be entered upon without the
sanction of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or, indeed,
without the sanction of the Government. He would not have
made these observations, but that it gave the Right Hon. Gen-
tleman the opportunity of making an explanation of his views.
Mr. WARD said that the Right Hon. Baronet had entirely
misunderstood what had fallen from him. The Honourable
Member for Montrose had entered fully into the matter, and he
was quite aware of the importance of the subject, and of the de-
licacy of the question which had been mooted, and he was at
the same time aware that such a step ought not to be taken
without the sanction of the Government. The Gallant Officer
had alluded to the number of the desertions, and
the object which lie ( Mr. Ward) had in view
was, to offer such inducements to the seamen, that from
the common ranks the men might rise to be petty officers,
and thus by offering the inducement of promotion so to elevate
the moral character of the men as to have the advantage of a
better class in the navy. That was the question which he had
mooted.
Sir J. GRAHAM had only spoken of the disadvantage of
confusing the positions of the petty officers and the seamen.
Mr. WARD—To that he was alluding. He hought there
would be no difficulty whatever in arranging the plan. If they
allowed the seamen to rise In rank, they would give all the
inducement that was necessary for g eting good men into the
service. That was the only question—he never contem-
plated anything further—for the House could not but be aware
that he could not carry out this design without the sanction of
the Government, and he die nut at all intend to permanently
raise the wages of the seamen.
Sir C. NAPIER was much disappointed to hear the decla-
ration which had just been made by the 'tight Hon. Gentle-
man the Secretary of the Navy, for one of his main objects in
desiring this increase in the wages of the men and the petty
officers in the navy was, to oblige the merchants to raise the
wages of the persons in their employment. Tney wanted to
keep the men in the service, and how were they to du that
unless they gave them as good remuneration for their exertions
as they could obtain elsewhere. The labourer was always
Worthy of his hire. It was said that there were 5 I,OOJ British
seamen engaged in America at the present moment, and it
was well known that the greater part of the mercantile
marinew in America was being worked by British seamen. He
~aantellttlio bring them back from America, and he thought
htiododin view,
that !_i_fm
_e..Secretary to the Admiralty would consent to a rise
them better t.ta.eent
object vitichtoh4s. in their pay, that he would effect every
would never
Mr. SIDN
alley
for he was suite sure that they
men into the service unless they paid
they at resent.
to the Admiralty esouldßinE •
that, with the exception T thought that if the Secretary
evon :nit into the matter he would find
" I i few instances, the pay of the sea-

rt as in the navy was not lower than that of men in the mer-
eiant service, and that, considering the low price at which
slnps were supplied, and all the other advantages, that at the
end of a certain period the seamen in the navy would
be in the possession of more hard money than
any one would obtain from the merchant service.
There was one thing that he thought was not prudent in the
statement of the Right Hon. Gentleman, and that was the pro-
position to reduce the estimate for the victualling department
of the navy below the ratio of former years. He proposed to
take five per cent. from the estimates of this department of the
navy. If he would take the highest point last year, he would
find it was absolutely necessary to take the estimates for a
higher number of men than those they absolutely
required at the time, and in the present year especially
it seemed to be a matter of indispensable prudence. Many
causes might arise for extending the number of men, but it
was impossible for the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs to see precisely what number of men he would require.
If they would take the experience of the laat few years, and
consider the various wants of the empire, the extent of our
colonial possessions, and all the various requisitions that have
been made upon the Admiralty, he would see that in this de-
partment at least it was not prudent to reduce the esti
mates. With respect to the dockyards, he would not
enter into any detail, but he understood that promotions were
to take place on the recommendation of the officers in the
dockyards.
Mr. WA RDexpressed his dissent. Such was not exactly
the case.
Mr. S. HERBERT had had some considerable experience,
and he believed that it would be dangerous to trust simply to
the recommendation of the officers in the dockyards. Those
officers enjoyed a position of great local importance, and they
would recommend any man either because he was a Whig or a
Tory. They had greater faith in Lord Auckland so long as he
continued at the Admiralty than in any other individual.
The only plan to render such a system available would be to
take the recommendations of the highest officers in the
several establishments.
Mr. WARD said there was to be a chain of recom-
mendations, beginning with the superintendent.
Mr. J. O'CONNELL said that he observed there was a
recommendation in the estimates for the expenditure
of 600,000/. on the coast of Ireland ; he wished it bad been
more, for he felt assured nothing would tend more to promote
the interests of his country than the establishment of large
naval arsenals on the coast.
Mr. BARING was glad to understand what was the in,
tention of Government, and not the less so because it inti-
mated a desire on their parts to maintain the whole of the
public service in a full state of efficiency. The House had
not only given its sanction to this policy, but it had abso-
lutely forced it upon the Government ; at the same time
he must add a hope that this endeavour to keep up force
and efficiency would not be confined to one department
only. Still he had listened with great attention to the able
statement of his Right Hon. Friend. and was rejoiced to find that
he had devoted so much time and attention to the important
subject of keeping up the national defences, and he must be al-
lowed to express a hope that Government would continue in
the course they had so ably begun. With regard to the subject
of promotion, he, with the Honourable Member for
Dorsetshire, trusted the Government would receive with
caution recommendations from the officers of the dockyards,
In any promotions they intended to make, they ought rather to
trust to the discretion and judgment of the Admiralty. than the
prejudiced recommendation of dockyard officials. He did not
mean to insinuate that there was anything like jobbing in the
dockyards, but still he was glad to hear the Right Hon. Gentle-
man the Secretary for the Admiralty was determined to sup-
port a system of promotion founded upon merit.—( Hear,
hear.) Perhaps he would have some difficulty in carrying
out so laudable a design, but he trusted that that prospect would
not deter hire from carrying his praiseworthy object into effect.
With regard to excess in the vote, it must be borne in mind
that it was to meet the deficiencies of the past two years, and
therefore it ought not to be objected to. The navy estimates
were not singular in these deficiencies, for they applied almost to
every branch of the service, and he, for one, was rejoiced this
system was about to receive a death-blow.—( Hear, hear.)
Ceptain BAINBRIDGE made a few remarks, the purport
of which were inaudible in the gallery.
Mr. GOULBURN explained that the excess of the expen-
diture over the estimates in the year 1845 arose from the desire
on the part of the Government, to carry out the recommenda-
tions of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the state
of the defences of the country.
Lord J. RUSSELL said that the statements nude by the
Hon. Member the late Chancellor of the Exchequer, as to the
cause of the expenditure. was perfectly satisfactory. He re-
membi red, in the year 1840, that the Government thought
;Toper to go beyond the estimates after the prorogation of Par-
liament, but upon the to -assembling of the House a vote was
passed upon the subject, indemnifying the Government. With
respect to the present expenditure of the navy, ise had stated to
the Noble Lord at the head of the Admiralty ( Lord Auckland)
that whatever sum might be voted, it would be necessary to
ensure a proper expenditure of the sums. He did not think,
when it was considered, what strides steam navigation was
taking, and the immense sums expended by France, that the
House could justly entertain any opinion on the subject of a
reduction of the expenses of the navy. It was the duty of the
executive to provide against the risk of any emergency. It
was not to ha supposed that because this country once pos-
sessed a powerful marine, that therefore it should now be
content and stand still. With respect to the abuse of rating
in the dock-yards measures would be taken by the Admiralty
to prevent as much as possible the recurrence •f the abuse.
An eminent and gallant officer, who was at present out of the
country, had stated that the labour of those persons, having
political influence, was much more inefficient than that of
hired workman, who held no such influence. He was not
prepared to say that the scheme of his Right Hon. Friend
would be in every respect successful, but as they would re-
quire to report to the House next session, the Hon. Gentle-
man opposite would have an opportunity of suggesting some
more effectual system for effecting these desirable improve-
ments.
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said that many of the appoint-
ments which the late Government I ad made, were to individuals
who held not the same views with the Admiralty. If the
Right Hon. the Secretary of the Admiralty wished to ascertain
the con ectness of every appointment, he would find that his
time would be too limited for that purpose.
The vote was then agreed to.
The sum of 1,3'25,320/. was then voted for the salaries of
seamen and marines, and another vote of 635,4521. for the
♦ictualling department was also granted.
On the motion of Mr. HUME, the Chairman reported
progress, and the Committee obtained leave to sit again on
Monday.
The House then resumed.
Captain PECHELL moved for certain returns connected
with the operation of the Poor Removal Act of last session.
Agreed to.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned.

PETITIONS ON PRIVATE BILLS.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
(Room 22, before Mr. Examiner SMITH.)
OPPOSID LIST.
LEEDS, DEWSBURY, AND MANCHESTER RAIL-
WAY (OSSETT BRANCH AND DEWSBURY AND
MOR ELY STATIONS).
Opposition withdrawn, and standing orders complied with.
KILMARNOCK AND AYR DIRECT RAILWAY
(RAILWAY FROAI KILMARNOCK TO AYR, WITH
BRANCH TO THE HARBOUR OF AYR).
This petition was resumed. It occupied the whole of
the day.
(Room 23, before Mr. Examiner MAY.)
OPPOSE-A) LIST.
:SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY EXTENSION AND
AMENDMENT.
This case was closed to-day. Standing orders not com-
plied with:
IANIXURGII AND GLASGOW RAILWAY (AMEND-
• MENT OF ACTS.)
rn (.his
cgse the standing orders were complied with.
'GREAT" SOUTHERN AND WESTERN RAILWAY
EXTEN§I9N (PO.RTARLIN'GTON TO TULLAMORE.)
Stgrunig order'S'cbmptied with.
Birmingham and Oxfor.l Junction, and Birmingham. Wolver-
hampton, and Dudlei Railways Amalgamation (proposed
Amalgamation of the Birmingham and Oxford Junction,
and Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley Railway
Companies, with power of transfer to or Amalgamation
with the reat Western Railway Company).
Standing orders complied with.
Adjourned till to-morrow (this day).

BirrnhlBham, Wolverhampton, and Stour Valley (No. 2)
AT THE PKIVATE BILL-Oh4CP
Brenehel:
I::Lilway Bills are appointed to be re.v. "
pNaoisTiel,C,EansdgvAn:,fre.; (Sale and Improvement).
The following 4
second time:—

•D AY, MARCH 1
'mot, " 1.
Junction.
ShrewsburyHerß a y and
an dC a terb
Chester.Canterbury'
East Lothian Central.
London and South •Western.
Ipswich and Bury St. Edt mind's (Branch floiu IpsAlch to
Woodbridge).
Guildford Extension, and Portsmouth and Fareharn.
Duffryn Llynvi, and Porth Caul and Llynvi Valley Rail-
ways Amalgamation.
Royston and Hitchin (Extension from Royston ta Cam-
bridge, &c.)
Royston and Hitchin (SP.le or Lease).
NvElv_iEsDAY, mAacit 3.
Eastern Counties (Sornersham to Ramsey).
Eastern Counties (Lynn and Ely, and Ely and HuntingdOZ?
and Lynn and Deretiam Railway Lease).
Eastern Counties 11'urchase of the North Woolwich Railwayl-
Eastern Counties (Maldon, Witham, and Braintree Railway
Purchase).
Newmarket Chesterford (Repeal cf Provision authorising
the Conrdany to use the Line of the Eastern Counties
Railway).
Waterford, 'Wexford, Wicklow, and Dublin.
Birmingham and Oxford Junction (Deviation of Line).
Birmingham and Oxford Junction (Warwick and Stratford
Line).

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAZLTTE.

WINDOR CASTLE, FEB. 4, 1847.
The Queen was this diy plea..ekl to cnfer the honour of
Knighttiocd upon Edwa,4 Vaughan Willi.nns. E -q., one of
the Judges of her Majes'y', Court of Conunhn Pleas.
ST. JAMES'S-PALACE, FEB. 24.
The Queen was thin day pleased to confer the honour of
Knighthood upon David DundAs, Esq., her Majesty's Soli-
citor-General.

ST. JAMES'S-PALACE, FEB 24.
The Queen was this day pleased to confer the honour of
Knighthood upon Christopher Rawlinson, E,q., Recorder of
Prince of Wales's Island, Sin; -ire, and Malacca.

a,
DOWNING-STREET, FEB. 24.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint Major William
Caine to be Colonial Secretary and Auditor General of
Accounts for the Island of Hong Kong; C. St. George
Cleverly, Eq. to be Surveyor General; and 'William I'.
Mercer, Esq. to be Chief Magistrate of Police for that island ;
and James Watson Sheriff, Esq. to be her Majesty's Solicitor
General for the island of Antigua.
Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall.
Charles Glynn Pridoaux Brune, Esq., to be Deputy-
Liitrnart ; John Tremayne, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant,
Feb. 20.
BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED.
William Illwoon, linen-draper. Staverton-row, Walworth,

BANKRUPTS.

The Birmingham and Boston Direct Railway Company,
Moorgate- street, City, to surrender March 5, at half-past two,
and April 9, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell,
official assignee; Ashurst and Son, Cheapside.
John Murray, wholesale linendraper, Gracehurch-street,
March 5, at half-past ten, and April 9, at eleven, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee; Piercy and
Hawks, Three Crown-square.
Emerson George Muddock, plumber, Clerkenwell-green,
March 5, at halt-past ten, and April 9, at eleven, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Belcher, official assignee ; Buchanan
Basingball-street.
William !Coppard Banks, builder, Lee, Kent, March 5 and
27, at half past one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett,
official assignee, Sambrook-court, Basingliall-street ; Ivimey,
Chancery- lane.
Charles Ternan and Charles Ternan, jun., builders, Poly
Ron, Somers'-town, March 9, at eleven, and March 27, at one,
at the Court of Bankruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Sam-
brook-court, Basin ghall-street ; Deaton, Gray's Inn.
John Fleck, baker, Westbourne-park, Middlesex, March
4 and April 8, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Johnson,
official assignee, Basinghall-street ; Buibidge, Hatton -
garden.
Edward Dobbins, hotel-keeper, Colchester, March 8, at
half-past eleven. and April 5, at twelve, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee, Coleman-street,
London; Wire and Child, St. Swithin's-lane ; ; Barnes,
8016 ester.
WiPiam Thomas Kitching, ship-owner, Lloyd's Coffee-
house, London, March 16, at one, and April 13, at twelve,
st the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee,
Frederick's-place, Old Jewry ; .Lawrance and Plews, Old
Jewry-chambers.
Nicholas Doran Maillard, newspaper proprietor, Fen-
church-street, March 12, and April 13, at twelve, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-
lane, Lombard-street Ashley, Old Jewry.
John and Thomas Keddy, printers, Bridlington. Yorkshire.
March 10 and 31, at ten, at the Leeds District Court. Ky-
naston. official assignee, Hull ; Hicks, Gray's Inn, London ;
Bell, Hull.
John Gillon, jun., wine merchant, Liverpool, March 12 and
April 9, at twelve, at the Liverpool District Court. Bird,
(-fficial assignee, Liverpool ; Cornthwaite and Co., Old Jewry-
chambers. London ; Pemberton Cable-street, Liverpool.
James Duncan, merchant, Liverpool, March 9, arid April
6, at twelve, at the Liverpool District Court. Cazenove,
official assignee, Liverpool; Holme and Co., New Inn, Lon-
don ; Yates, jun., Liverpool.
Robert Jenkinson, baker, Manchester, March 15, and
April 7, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Fra-
ser, official assignee, Manchester ; Bower and Son, Chan-
cery-lane, London ; Janion, Manchester.
Arthur John Cursham, scrivener, Mansfield, Nottingham-
shire, March 5 and April 1, at eleven, at the Town-hall.
Sheffield. Freeman, official assignee, Leeds; Nixon, Clif-
ford's Inn. London ; Binney, Sheffield.
John Bagnall. builder, Birmingham. March 6 and April 3,
at eleven, at the Birmingham District Court. Whitmore,
official assignee, Birmingham ; Powell, Birmingham.
PRICE OF SUGAR.
The average price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed
from the returns made in the week ending February 23,
1847, is 365. 5,4 d. per cwt.
DIVIDENDS DECLARED.
R. Mitchell, merchant, Lime-street, City—fourth div. of
3d. in the pound, on Saturday, March 6, or any subsequent
Saturday, at the office of Mr. Green, Aldermanbury.
Glass, woollen factor, Ba,ingh;ll-street—first div. of 2s.
in the pound, on any Saturday, at the office of Mr. Green,
Aldermanbury.
B. Calway. draper. Tooley-street, Southwark—final div.
of Is. 3%d. in the pound. on any Saturday, at the office of
Mr. Green, Aldermanbury.
J. Hotstead, tailor, Hampstead-road—final div. of 3s. 2d.
in the pound, on any Saturday, at the office of Mr. Green,
Aldermanbury.
R. Crow, draper, Newcastle-upon-Tyne—first div. of 6s. in
the pound. on any Saturday, at the office of Mr. Wakley,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
T. H. Spence, draper, Newcastle-upon-Tyne—first div. of
6d. in the pound, on any Saturday after Feb. 28, at the
office of Mr. Baker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
W. Cross, lead merchant, Chester—second div. of sd. in the
pound, on any Thursday, at the office of Mr. Cazenove,
Liverpool.
J. Rishworth, hat manufacturer, Pontefract—first and final
dtv. of 3s. in the pound, on any Tuesday, at the office of Mr.
Hope, Leeds-.
J. Garsed, sen., and J. Garsed, jun., flax -manufacturers,
Leeds—second div. of 3d. in the pound, and first and second
div. of 6a. 9d. in the pound on new proofs, on any Tuesday,
at the office- of Mr. Hope, Leeds..
T. Maraden, jun., mercer, Northallerton—Lfirst div. of 81/2d.
in the pound, on any Teesday, at the office of Mr. Hope,
Leeds.
T. Pool, licensed victualler, York—first and final div. of
2s. in the pound, on any Tuesday, at the office of Mr. Hope,
Leeds.

Crawshaw and Davison. soap boilers, Leeds—first div. of
Gs. in the pound. on any day after March 1, at the office of
Mr. Young, Leeds.
G. Crawshaw—first div. of 3s. 9d. in the pound. On any
day after March I, at the office of Mr. Young, Leeds.
DIVIDENDS.

At the Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall-street.
I'. L. Evil! and 'l'. Dowgla6s, cloth manufacturers, Vigo.
street, March 20, at half-past eleven— W. Austin, carpenter,
Bell-street, Edgeware-road. March 20, at eleven—R. Mac-
kenzie, commission agent, Hunter-street, Brunswick-square,
March 19, at eleven—J. Donaldson, cabinet maker, Regent-
street, March 19—W. Elliott, corn merchant, Petworth,
Essex, March 19, at two—L. and W. Fenner, merchants,
Fenchurch-street, March I9—G. M. Bidwell, grocers, Mel-
combe Regis, March 20, at two—C. Turner, grocer, Lowes-
toft, March 19, at one—G. Whitehead, printer, Fleet-street,
March 19, at twelve.

In the Country.
J. Thomas, builder, Aberdare, Glamorir,ansbire, March 25,
at eleven, at the Bristol District Court—J. R. Hayward and
W. C. Fletcher, booksellers, Manchester, March 23, at twelve,
at the Manchester District Court—T. Wright, cheese factor,
Derby, March 19, at eleven, at the Exchange-rooms, Not-
tingham.
CERTIFICATES to be granted, unless cause be shown to

the contrary, on the day herein mentioned.
J. Green, lodginghouse keeper, Greenwich, March 19—W.
G. Grossmith, brewer, Romsey Extra, Southampton,
March 22—J. T. Hoskins, boarding-house keeper, Black-
heath, Marsh 19—J. Clarkson, grocer, King's-road,
Chelsea, March 22—W. B. Perry, linendraper, Croydon,
March 19—R. Mann, chemist and druggist, Huntingdon,
March 19—A. Denbolm, linendraper, Queen-street, Stepney,
March 20—S. Garrod, surgeon, Church-street, Hackney,
March 19—E. M. Ivens, salesman, Long Itchington, War-
wici:shire, March 30—E. I'. Bradshaw, stock broker, Man-
chester, March 19—W. Lock, plumber. Henry-street East,
Portland-town, March 12—J. Hindinarsh, tailor, Liverpool,
March 19—P. Howard, wine merchant, Hingham, Norfolk,
March 19—'1'. Fidgen, boot manufacturer, Liverpool,
March 19— W. Barker, millwright, Itoyton, Lancashire,
March 19—C. Wilcockson and W. S. Barrick, stork brokers,
Hull, March 19—W. Hayes, shipwright, Liverpool, March 19
—H. Cochrane, merchant, Manchester, March 19—W. Dunn,
licensed victualler, Vine-street, Piccadilly. March 19.
PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED.
J. Clough and W. Greenhalgh, cotton waste dealers,
Westwood, Lancashire—J. Warrington and J. Mooney, corn
factors, Liverpool—J. Lamb and G. H. Bailer, drapers, New-
castle-place, Edgeware-road— 11. Foster, jun., R. M. Foster,
'
T. B. Foster, and J. Foster, grocers, Bickerstafe, Lancashire
J. Harrington and T. B. Wood, commission agents, Man-
chestar—J. Cherry and F. Probyn, patten-tie manufacturers,
Birmingham—T. and E. Wood, cheesemongers, Tunbridge
Wells—T. and W. Stoate, millers, Saint Decuman's Somer-
shire—W. H. Birks and R. Burrows, linendrapers, Man-
chester—J. Thomas and W. S. Eaton, shawl men, Jersey—
M. Philips, W. Clay, and R. Perkins, jun., coal owners,
Llanelly, Carmarthenshire—M. W. Friedlander and M.
Nathan, wine merchants, America-square, Minjries—W,
and W. H. llill, wood turners, Birmingham—J. and M.
Pedler, tailors, Ludgate street, City—J. H. Wrat hall and W.
S. B. Lee, printing-ink manufacturers. Kingsland—G. Wool-
lstt and B. Rowe, silk manufacturers, Holborn-hill—J. and
.'I. Mallorie, wine merchants, Leeds—B. W. and 11. C. Pope,
confectioners, Bristol.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS.

J. Allan, jun., merchant, Kilwinning, March 3 and 24, at
three, at the King's Arms Inn, Irvine.
Alexander Neish, manufacturer, Dundee, March 4 and
April 1, at one, at the chambers of Mr. Thomson, Dundee.
Inglis and Knox, merchants, Glasgow, March 4 and April 1,
at one, at the chambers of Mr. W. Steele.' jun., Glasgow.
Robert Frame, omnibus proprietor. Glasgow, March 5
and 2G, at two, at the chambers of Mr. W. Steele, jun.,
Glasgow. _ _

Ml:ilcohn Macleod, merchant, Glasgow, March 5 and 26, at
twelve, at the chambers of Mr. W. Steele, jun., Glasgow.
James Cargill. Guthrie, coal merchant, Dundee, March 6
and April 3, at one, at the Royal Hotel Dundee.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
SECONDARIES' COURT. Feb. 26.
(Before Mr. Secondary PorrElt.)
CREARN V. Wlllllll.
The plaintiff in this action is a boot and shoemaker, in St.
John's, New Brunswick, and the defendant is an officer of
her Majesty's Customs, in England. The action was brought
to recover the sum of M. Is. sd. for goods sold.
The defendant pleaded infancy, and that the articles were
not necessaries.

at is theof
dwe
fiet
nn
The case was somwhat unusual, as it had been necessary
to send out a commissionalo to St. John's, for the examina-
tion
Mr. PIIINN, who appeare
celsastitts, although thed
appearpto support it.
tll:a
t•ah•aes
pcilaeiaartliyit;a
ssthaatmed plea,the
case, and read the evidence taken under the commission,
from which it appeared, that at the time the debt was con-
tracted (1842) defendant. held an appointment in the Com-
missariat department at St. John's, which enabled him to
mix in the first society, and that consequently the charges,
although high, were justifiable, as the prices there were
much higher than in England. It was also deposed that he
had given a bill of exchange, which was dishonoured, for the
whole amount, and ha I frequently admitted the debt.
No evidence being adduced as to the infancy,
Mr. Pultor said that part of the account had been paid,
and they now claimed only a balance of 51. 19s. 3d.
SCOONES v. TIIE EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY.
(Before Mr. Secondary JAMES and a Special Jury.)
the railway
rutinto,
whilst
This was an inquiry to assess the damages to the plaintiff,
for injuries sustained by an accident which occurred on the
Eastern Counties Railway, on the 18th of July last.
The defendants allowed judgment to go by default.
obre
Mr. Sergeant Shee and ..Ir. Hawkins appeared for the
plaintiff;
Company,
stationary at the Bow station, by which several persons were
seriously injured, and the plaintiff is so probably for life.
The
accident and Mr. I r
a. r Sergeantose h ythNeV i ikrailin f
The railway company bad offered a compensation of 2001.,
which was refused, it being alleged that the plaintiff had been
rendered incapable of carrying on his business as a farin,r
and cattle dealer, and a carcase butcher, at Ahlgate, and hide
merchant, in Lesdenhall-market.

There are about 40 witnesses to be examined, and the evi-
derce to show the lons in trade was proceeding with at the
date the report left, Mr. Sergeant. Wilkins' stating, that es the
defendants l)A Adtoi,t,,d that tine accident occurred through
the negligence, carer ssues,, or misconduct of their servants,
it was ainie::wary to hear evidence as to the cau4e of the ac•
cident.

Several witnesses were called to show that, in consequence
of the accident, plaintiff had 10. t all his customers, as he
could not attend to the business, and had beet, obliged to give
up his shop.
the medical and other evidence, it appeared that plain-
tiff's knee was so much injured that, although no bone was
broken, he was confined to his bed for a month,and had been
put to treat expense at Margate, and was still compelled to
go on crutches. The medical men, however, entertained
hopes that he would recover the use of the limb in the course
of afew mouths.

The Railway Company paid the surgeon's expenses up to
November last, but plaintiff was still under the surgeon's
hand.

Sergeant WILKINS addressed the jury at great length, and
contended that the company, by offering 2001., had offered a
liberal compensation.
The SECONIMIZY summed up, and said that, in such a case,
besides the loss in trade, the plaintiff was entitled to ample,
but not extravagant, damages for the pain and inconvenience
he had suffered.

The jury gave a verdict for 7501. The damages were Lid
at 2,0001.

WESTMINSTER SESSIONS.

The Westminster session was holden esterdaymorning at
ten o'clock inithe Guildhall, Broad Sanctuary, when the chair-
man, 24 grand jurymen, the petty jury panel, and from 20
to 30 officials of the court, policemen and gaolers were in
attendance.

The assembling of all these was to try two cases—one of
petty larceny, in which the bill was thrown out by the grand
jury, and the other a case of assault in which the defendant
traversed to the next session.

The Court, after sitting about five minutes, adjourned.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
CLEIa'KENIVELL.

John George, a pauper, inmate of St. James's Workhouse.
Clerkenwell, was charged with stealing 801., the property of
the guardians of the poor of St. James's parish, Clerkenwell.
Mr. Arnold, the master of the workhouse, stated that on
the 17th instant he gave the prisoner a cheque upon the
bank of England for 801., for the purpose of getting it cashed,
as he was usually employed in a confidential manner. From
the time he gave the prisoner the cheque in the workhouse
he never saw him until he was in the custody of the police.
A cletk at the Bank of England identified the prisoner as
having presented the cheque. When asked how ho wished
to be paid? he said, " All in gold."
Police-constable 195 G deposed to having taken the pri-
soner into custody at Acton, in Middlesex, and upon inform-
ing him of the nature of the charge, he merely replied coolly
that he had lost. the money, and could not help it. No
money or property whatever were found upon him, but if
time were allowed, the constable thought heshouldbe enabled
to trace at least a portion of it.
The prisoner, who repeated his assertion of having lost
the money, was remanded for a week.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON THE

HULL AND SELBY HADA. AY.

We regret to say that one of the most dreadful accidents
thut has ever happened on this line occurred on Sunday
evening last. The mail train left the Hull station at 6 rm.,
for London, being drawn by two engines, the " Kingston "
and "York," and having eight passenger carriages and five
waggons laden with fish attached. The train had proses ded
to within about a mile and a half of Hessle, the first station,
where from some unexplained cause the second engine, the
" York," sprang off the rails, and dashed into the passenger
carriages attashed to the " Kingston," forcing seven of them
off the rail with terrific violence, and smashing them to atoms.
The greater number of passengers were of course thrown out;
one, Mr. James Brown, of Hessle, tin plate worker, was
killed on the spot; another, of the name of James Waring,
of Dewsbury, was so dreadfully injured that he died at the
Coburg Hotel, at Hessle. whither he was taken on the follow-
ing evening. and eight others are now lying at various
inns in Hessle, suffering from the fearful injuries they
have sustained. One of the carriages fortunately es-
caped the catastrophe which betel the others, but it is
impossible adequately to describe the fear and conster-
nation which the passengers experienced at wit-
nessing the awful wreck around them. Such of the other
passengers as escaped, or were only slightly injured, were
conveyed back to hull by an engine with a carriage, which
was dispatched for the purpose, and the mail was forwarded
to London, by a special train from Hull, a few In.urs after-
wards. On Tuesday last an inquest on the two bodies was
holden at the Granby Inn, in Hessle, before Mr. Conyers,
one of tha county coroners, and a respectable jury, when
the evidence was fully gone into, but very little light
was thrown upon the origin of the accident. Our re-
porter, however, visited the actual spot where it hap-
pened ; and although the line had been repaired, and
everything possible had been done to remove all trace
of the disaster, it appeared extremely probable, from his
inspection, that some of the sleepers had given way
from the hesvy pressure upon them, thereby displacing
the rails from their original position, and, consequently,
causing the engine to swerve from the line. As a proof
that this was the probable cause of the accident, we may
mention that several of the sleepers in the immediate
vicinity where the accident happened had been raised, and
were found to be broker.. The engineer (Sharp), Mr. John
Spicer, of Hessle, and several other witnesses, underwent a
long examinatien, but nothing was elicited from their testi-
mony calculated to throw any further light upon the subject.
The jury were, therefore, necessitated to return a verdict of
accidental death, but expressed themselves perfectly satisfied
that no blame attached to any particular party.
The following are the names of some of the persons who
received injuries from this unfortunate casualty, so far as we
have been enabled to ascertain :—John Brown, Ilessle, dead;
George Waring, dead ; Mi. Wood, from %Vales, now lying at
the Coburg, with a broken arm ; Mrs. Batty, from Leeds,
lying at the same place, suffering severely from internal in-
juries; Miss Emma Martin, of Barton, confined to the house
with a sprained ancle. It is only due •to the company to
state that the sufferers received the most prompt and kind
attention after the accident, and we have reason to believe
that the funeral expenses of the deceased individuals were
defrayed by the directors.
From inquiries which we have made, we understand that
this is only the second severe accident which has taken place
since the line was opened.