The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-01 00:00:00

THE INDIAN NAVY.

Sir G. BOWYER asked the Secretary of State for India
if any decision had been arrived at with regard to the
future of the Indian navy ; and, if so, when it would be
made known ? Has the report of the civil finance
commission (recommending a wholesale reduction of
the Indian navy on economical grounds) been
received by Government; and if it was their intention to
adopt the report; if a reduction or abolition of the service
was contemplated, what course was it the intention of
Government to pursue with regard to the officers ?
Sir C. WOOD said that no decision had been arrived at
on this subject. It was quite correct that there had been
recommendations from the commission in question to the
effect that there should be a reduction in the Indian navy,
and the subject was under consideration of Government.
THE FRESCOES OF THE HOUSES OF
PARLIAMENT.

Mr. C. BENTINCK asked the First Commissioner of
Works, whether he had been informed that the frescoes in
the Houses of Parliament are showing symptoms of decay ;
and, if so, whether he would institute proper inquiries to
ascertain the cause of such decay.
Mr. COWPETt said that the frescoes in the corridors of
the House of Commons were in a perfect condition, but in
some others of the frescoes there were appearances of dis-
coloration. There was no necessity for instituting an en-
quiry into the matter, for the discoloration could not have
been produced by the dampness of the walls, considering the
space intervening between them and the frescoes. The
cause of this discoloration was,. that the artists who exe-
cuted these frescoes were not, at the time, conversant with
the preparation of colours fur these frescoes, but any inju-
ries that had taken place could easily bo repaired.

CHURCH ESTATES WITHIN TILE DIOCESE OF

WORCESTER.

Mr. G. HARDY asked the hon. member for Kilmarnock
why lessees of Church Estates within the diocese of Wor-
cet,ter, who had made contracts for the enfranchisement of
their leaseholds prior to the late avoidance of that see, and
held the money ready for that purpose, were delayed in
the completion of those contracts or
wast of the
usual order in Council ; wheher the delay in
issuing such order arises from any conflict of opinion upon
the meaning of the existing law; and, if so, whether any
legislature measure was contemplated to relieve, as soon

as possible, such lessees from the same.
Mr. BOUVERIE explained that legal difficulties had
arisen which prevented the Ecclesiastical Commission
dealing with this property as they had done with other
church estates.

PROPOSED NATIVE COUNCIL IN NEW ZEA-

LAND.

Mr. ADDERLEYasked the tinder Secretary of State

for the Colonies whether the bill passed by the New Zea-
land LegiskAure for constituting a native council differing,
in its relation to the colonial government, from the bill of
last session, bad received her Majesty's assent and confir-
mation?

Mr. C. FORTESCUE said that the question had
been left in the hands of Sir George Grey up
to the present time. He did not think it would be
advisable to discuss the subject until it had been considered
and reported upon by Sir George Grey.
THE VACANT SEATS.
Sir G. C. LEWIS announced that it was his intention
to introduce a bill text Thursday for the appropriation of
the four vacant Parliamentary seats.
THE GALWAY CONTRACT AND THE PAPER
DUTY. -
On the motion for going into committee of supply,
Mr. ESMONDE called the attention of the house to a
m atter personal to himself and other Irish members. He
alluded to the statement made by Lord John Russell last
evening as to the Irish members baying been influenced
in their opposition to the financial scheme of the Govern-
ment by the circumstance of the withdrawal of the Galway
Contract, which, on the part of himself and other Irish
members, he denied in the most unqualified manner. He
sal.' also that the statements which Lord Palmerston re-