The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-29 00:00:00

PURCHASE OF COAL BY THE

ADMIRALTY.

(From the Times' City Article.)
The following letter relates to the plan pursued
by the Admiralty for the purchase of coal. It is
known to represent the feeling of a number of re-
spectable firms :
" London, Oct. 28.

Sir,—We observe that in your Money Article of to-day
you say, with reference to the shipment of coal to China,
that no tenders have as yet been called for by the English
Government.'
" Further than this, we have reason to believe that there
is no intention on the part of the Admiralty to invite com-
petition for the supply of the fuel requirements in those
waters, for the simple reason that it has been the custom to
employ an individual favoured by the Storekeeper-General,
as agent in these shipments, to the exclusion of those who
make this trade their particular study.
" During the late war in China this course led to con-
siderable diseussiin, and was with soul© little difficulty
brought under the notice of Mr. Corry, the then secretary
of the Admiralty (letters addressed to him not having
reached him until copies were placed in his hands by a
member of Parliament), and it was hoped that such an un-
fair arrangement would not have been again repeated. It is
now, however, reported that the orders are being given and
executed by instalments through the same channel, so that
unless public opinion can be brought to bear upon the autho-
rities the business will be most unjustly done, privately and
covertly, the element of healthy competition being entirely
excluded. If the Government require such an amount of
tonnage as to render the announcement of their actual wants
undesirable, and should the matter be considered too im-
portant to trust entirely to the firm sending in the lowest
tender, let the Admiralty send a notice to all the well-
known shippers, that offers of single cargoes or otherwise
will be considered, and the business given to those who can
control the tonnage without an injurious monoply.
Wa are, sir, your obedient servants,
" COAL SHlrrEas."

Sir E. Balwer Lytton has returned to England,
and we are happy to state that the right hon. baronet is in
the enjoyment of perfectly recovered health.
The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury have left
Broadlands for their seat, St. Giles, Dorset.

The Countess of Kenmare has left Farrance's
Hotel, Belgravia, for the Bristol Hotel, Brighton.
The Countess of Caledon has left Farrance's Hotel,
Belgravia, for her mansion in Carlton-house-terrace.
Viscount Palmerston arrived in Town on Thurs-
day evening, from his seat, Broadlands, Hants. His lord-
ship returned to Broadlands, yesterday afternoon, where her
ladyship is entertaining a select circle.
Baron and Baroness de la Ronciere le Noyry have
left the Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn-street, for Paris.
Sir R. Peel has arrived in town. Lady Emily
Peel is expected in town to day, from Drayton Manor,
Staffordshire. _ _

The Right Hon. W. F. and Mrs. Cowper are
staying at Blenheim House on a visit to the Duke and
Duchess of Marlborough, and will shortly leave for Broad-
lands on a visit to Viscount and 'Viscountess Palmerston.
Sir George and Lady Grey have arrived at
Howchin's Hotel from a tour of visits.
The Right Hon. T. Milner Gilson has arrived in
London from his seat in Suffolk.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has returned
to town from Hawarden Castle, Chester. _ _ .

Sir Peter and Lady Fairbairn have arrived at
lowchin's Hotel from their seat, Woodsley House, Leeds.

Captain Lambert Turner and Mrs. Turner have
left Howchin's Hotel for Brighton.

We have to announce the demise, somewhat
suddenly, of Mr. A. K. Oom, of the Foreign-office, who
died on Thursday night, at Tunbridge Wells, from bron-
chitis. Mr. Oom had been attached to the Foreign-office,
having been appointed a clerk in the mixed British and
Spanish Commission in October, 1823, and became one of
the senior clerks of the Foreign Department in December,
1845.
GLOUCESTER ELECTION COMMISSION.—This in-
quiry proceeded on Wednesday and Thursday. Tho evi-
dence
was of a similar character to that with which the com-
mission has been occupied for so many days. On Wednes-
day Mr. Tef.aton, solicitor, who was concerned for the
Conservatives, denied the truth of a statement which had
been made that lie had bribed the father of one of his
clerks, named Dee, to vote for Sir R. Carden. Mr. Richd.
Helps, Mayor of Gloucester, and late agent for Mr. Hope,
gave an account of the expenses of various elections in
which he had been engaged. On Thursday the evidence
was of the same description. Many electors who had re-
ceived bribes were then examined. Between 30 and 40
' witnesses, many of whom had been bribed by the Conserva•
tives, were examined. Yesterday morn than 30 witnesses
were examined, all of whom admitted that they had re-
ceived bribes. When their evidence was concluded, Mr.
Commissioner Vaughan announced that so far as the exa-
minations in Gloucester were concerned, the inquiry was
closed. There were some few points still in dispute, and
it would be necessary to hold one meeting iu London to
examine witnesses further as to those matters, of which due
notice would be given. lle thanked the inhabitants of

Gloucester for the forbearance they had shown during what
was frequently a very painful inquiry, and also the agents
on each side for the assistance they had afforded, and the
authori'ies for the accommodation provided. Mr. D. N.
Walker, on the part of the Liberals, and Mr. Lovegrove,
for the Conservatives, acknowledged the impartiality and
ability with which the inquiry had been conducted, and the
proceedings terminated.
►SALMON FRY FOR AUSTRALIA.—The Tweed
Commissioners have agreed to grant permission to take from
the Yarrow and Ettrick a quantity of this year's salmon fry
to send out to Australia for artiEcial propagation.