The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-26 00:00:00

THE ARMSTRONG GUNS.

Major GAVIN asked the Under Secretary of State for
War, to place on the table of the house a copy of the
report made by the officer commanding the Artillery, as to
the efficiency of the Armstrong guns, in the recent opera-
tions in China.

Mr. BARING said the report in question was very satis-
factory, but as it referred rxerely to details it was not con-
sidered advisable to make it a Parliamentary document.
He took that opportunity of stating that the report of the
Board of Ordnance was very much in favour of the effi-
ciency of these gunr.
THE SLAVE TRADE.

Mr. BUXTON asked the Secretary of Stale for Foreign
Affairs whether he was aware that the slave trade papers
for each year only contain those up to March in the year
preceding, and whether in future all the documexts that
had come to hand up to the date of publication might not
be included ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said that these papers were pre-
sented at a late period of the session, but on the present
occasion they would (as we understood the noble lord, who
was almost inaudible) be presented in a fortnight.
APPOINTMENTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Mr. HENNESSY asked the First Lord of the Treasury,
whether the Government were taking any steps to carry
out the recommendations of the select committee of last
session on the mode of nominating and examining candi-
dates for junior appointments in the Civil Service ?
Lord PALMERSTON said he believed the recommen-
dation of the commission was that there should be a com-
petitive examination for the appointments in question.
No steps, however, had yet been taken in reference to this
subject, but he would communicate with the civil service
commission on the matter.
CONVICTS—DISTURBANCES AT CHATHAM.
Mr. CHILDERS moved an address for returns of the
number of convicts (out of the 850 implicated in the recent
disturbances at Chatham) who were removed direct from
the Hulks to Chatham Prison, with the dates of removal.
And the initials, crime, sentence, anl date of conviction of
each of the 850 convicts so implicated ; the general prison
character, and class of, and the amount of gratuity credited
to each to the Ist day of February, 1861 ; distinguishing
also whether he was concerned in the Portland mutiny.—
Ordered.

ARMY (CAVALRY OFFICERS).
Mr. GRIFFITH moved that this house to-morrow
resolve itself into a committee, to consider of an humble
address to be presented to her Majesty, praying that she
would be graciously pleased to give directions that the
stoppage from the pay of the cavalry and artillery
officers for forage be discontinued. The hon. member con-
tended that under the present system much hardship was
inflicted on cavalry officers, and urged that there should be
an increase in their pay.
Captain JARVIS seconded the motion.
Mr. BARING said this subject was attended with much
difficulty, and the alterations suggested by honour-
able members would cost the country £20,000 a year.
Before the house should take the initiative in a matter
involving an increase in public expenditure, it should be
clearly shown that such was necessary. It had not been
shown that such was the case, and therefore he trusted the
house would not agree to the present motion.
Colonel DICKSON and Colonel DUNNE supported the
motion.
Mr. F. PEEL defended the Treasury in reference to
the conduct they had pursued respecting cavalry officers,
who he contended, had not any grievance to complain ofi
as regarded the question of forage.
After some further discussion the house divided, and the
numbers were—
or the motion
Against it
Majority
The motion was accordingly lost.
(LEFT SITTING.)

A "CABMAN'S HOME."—Manchester now rejoices
in the institution of a " Cabman's Home," where the cab-
man, for a small quarterly payment, may enjoy the advan-
tages of a reading-room, a kitchen for cookery, a smoke-
room, a wash-room, kc. Two hundred members have
joined the " Home,"