The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-24 00:00:00

and for his part he protested against it, and he hoped the
committee would oppose the Government in the vote.
(Hear, hear.)
Sir F. SMITH could not see any connection whatever
between the eilargement of Chatham Dockyard and the
building of iron ships. He knew not why they should not
build an iron ship in Chatham Dockyard as well as in any
other yard. They had, in his opinion, two as eligible yards
for iron ship-building in Chatham and Portsmouth as could
be found anywhere ; and, with regard to Chatham, the
experiment should be tried, were it for no other purpose
than that of testing the comparative cost of building such
vessels. He hoped, therefore, his hon. friend would not
press his amendment for the reduction of the vote.

Mr. BRIGHT was of opinion that if his hon. friend who
spoke last were member for any other place than Chatham
he would think and speak differently upon this matter.
The hon. and gallant member said, build this one ship at
Chatham as a test of the cost; but the fact was that the
cost of one ship was no test whatever. The arguments of
his hon. and gallant friend were the most flimsy that could
be, and he hoped the committee would not be influenced by
it to give assent to the vote. It was like the Keyham Dock,
which, after they had expended about a million of money
upon, was discovered to be a mistake; and the house, on
making that discovery, came to the resolution not to expend
one shilling more upon it. (Hear.) Of this Chatham.
Dockyard matter, the committee knew nothing, and could
not say whether it had been projected by the hon. and gal-
lant member, by the right hon. baronet the member for
Droitwich (Sir John Pakington), or by her Majesty's Go-
vernment. What the house ought to do was to appoint a
committee of its own members to inquire into the matter,
and on that committee he should like to see his hon. and
gallant friend the member for Chatham. He (Mr. Bright)
protested against the proposed plan, and he should like very
much to move that the chairman report progress.
Lord C. PAGET said the fact was that this vote had
no reference whatever to the proposed enlargement of
the dockyard at Chatham. He was bound to say that
this matter had been regarded by her Majesty's Go-
vernment as one of great interest, and Chatham Dockyard
had been chosen with a view of seeing whether the experi-
ment could be carried out.
In reply to Mr. Alderman SALOMONS,
Lord C. PAGET said that the keel of the Achilles had
not been laid, but considerable expense had been gone to in.
preparing iron work.

Admiral SEYMOUR approved of iron ships being built
in the Chatham dockyard, and expressed a hope that it
would be used for the purpose of repairing these ships of

war.

After a few words from Sir F. SMITH the committee
divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment .. 31
Against it
Majority —3s
Mr. LINDSAY wished to make an appeal to the noble
lord, and it was this, that the noble lord would agree to
delay the votes of £140,000 for two troop ships, and £60,000
for machinery, for a fortnight.
Lord PALMERSTON said he would agree to postpone
the votes until Monday next.
Mr. CONINGHAM could not agree to this arrange-
ment, and would move that the Chairman report progress.
Lord PALMERSTON assented to the motion.
The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and the house re-
sumed.
BOUNDARIES OF BURGHS EXTENSION (SCOT-
LAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL.
This bill was read a second time, and ordered to be com•
mitted.

HOLYHEAD ROAD BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
LANDED PPOPERTY IMPROVEMENT, &o.
(IRELAND) BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
The house then adjourned at 25 minutes before one
o'clock.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

BIRMINGHAM-MAY 23.

At to-day's market there was a short supply of wheat
from the farmers, and the few sales made of both English
and fine foreign were at prices fully as dear. Other sorts
quite unsaleable. Barley more inquired for. Oats, beans,
and peas only taken in retail, at late rates.

MANCHESTER—MAY 23.
English wheat in small supply, at about late rates, with
a meagre attendance and business most trifling.

PLYMOUTH-MAY 21.

The market again dull, with a small attendance, and no
advance upon the currencies of last week—English white
wheat, 60s to 665; red, 48s to 56s per qr; French do., 63s
to 64s ; American, 61s to 63s ; Spanish, 69s to 71s ; Rus-
sian, 60s to 625. Barley in good supply, at 36s to 43s per
qr for malting ; grinding, 32s to 36s ; oats, 24s to 28s ; and
beans, —s to —s ; flour, 47s to 50s.