The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-08 00:00:00

CHURCH RATES.

Sir J. TRELAWNY said he would postpone the thi]
reading of the Church Rates Bill until the sth of June.
AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS' EARNINGS
,___

(IRELAND).
Lord DUNKELLIN moved for a return of the average
rate of weekly earnings of agricultural labourers in Ireland
for the last six months previous to the Ist day of January,
1861, to be furnished from each county in so far as the same
can be readily ascertained.—Ordered.
THE SLAVE TRADE.
On the motion of Lord A. CHURCHILL the following
returns were ordered :—Return of the names of her Ma
jesty's ships employed in the suppression of the slave trade,
distinguishing the stations, from the year 1855 to the
year 1859 inclusive, and specifying the class of each
vessel, the number of her guns, the amount of horse power
(if steamer), and the number of her officers and men. And
statement showing the number of deaths, and the number
invalided, of officers, men, and boys belonging to the several
ships employed in the suppression of the slave trade,
distinguishing the stations, in each of the years from
1855 to 1859 inclusive. Return of slave vessels captured
by her Majesty's vessels of war during the years 1855, 1856,
1857, 1858, and 1859, stating-1. Name, tonnage, number
of crew, and under what flag (if any) ; 2. by what vessel
captured, and where ; 3. number of negroes on board, and
how disposed of; 4. total amount of prize money paid to
captors in each of the above mentioned years.
COUNTY VOTERS.

Sir E. COLEBROOKE gave notice that on an earl,
day ho would move for leave to bring in a bill to amen,
the state of the franchise with respect to county voters.
_ FORTIFICATIONS AT PLYMOUTH.

In reply to Mr. WYLD,
Mr. BARING said it was discovered that some defective
piles were used in certain portions of the works at Ply-
mouth, but measures had been adopted to remedy this
occurrence.
POOR LAW MEDICAL OFFICERS.
In reply to Mr. BEECROFT,
Mr. VILLIERS said he was not aware that medical
officers attached to unions were not remunerated for their
professional services.
SIR BALDWIN WALKER.
Sir J. PAKINGTON said that he had received a com-
munication to the effect that the Board of Admiralty
had been telegraphed to by the port-admiral to send the
Himalaya instead of the Avon after the Narcissus. The
right hon. baronet read the letter in question.
Lord C. PAGET said that he thought the best course he
could pursue was to read the telegrams that had passed on
alibippi. mt ti, lnyri Lk. t.,1,6,...a5ub,
whieh confirmed the statements he had previonsly made in
reference to this matter, said that the Himalaya was under
repairs at the time. In consequence of the frequent mis-
takes in respect to this subject, he repeated that no
ship lying at Devonport would have been able to overtake
the Narcissus, and all the Avon was despatched to effect
was to cut her off.
Sir J. ELPHINSTONE said that this was a very im-
portant matter, and the most satisfactory explanations
should have been given in reference to it. He believed
that Sir Baldwin Walker had been forced to leave in wea-
ther when no person would wish to go to sea.
Lord C. PAGET denied the accuracy of the statements
of the hon. baronet.
Sir G. GREY said that the hon. baronet was out of
order in making a speech when there was no motion before
the house.
Sir J. ELPIIINSTONE, so as to'put himself in order,
moved the adjournment of the house. He repeated that
ho believed Sir Baldwin Walker was forced to go
to sea, and that the object of such coercion was to prevent
his giving evidence before the committee on the Board of
Admiralty, and without such evidence he believed the
efforts of that committee would be utterly useless. After
the expression of opinion by the house last Friday he con-
sidered the Government should have adopted the most
energetic meacure to intercept Sir I3aldwin Walker.
Mr. LINDSAY vindicated the conduct of the Admiralty
in respect to this subject. The evidence of Sir Baldwin
Walker was considered to have been unnecessary up to a
certain time, but after the house had expressed a decided
opinion in reference to the matter they had adopted all the
means in their power in order to cut him off. He considered
that no just imputation rested on the conduct of the noble
lord (Lord C. Paget). (Hear, hear.)
Mr. HENLEY said he hoped his gallant friend (Admi-
ral Duncombe) would postpone the nomination of the com-
mittee on the Board of Admiralty which stood on the paper
until Monday or Tuesday. He (Mr. Henley) was of
opinion that the evidence of Sir Baldwin Walker was
necessary to lead to any practical result, and time
ought to have been given to him (Mr. Henley) and other
members who were put down to on that committee, to de-
cide whether they would wish to sit on such committee,
the labour of which would be considerable, and which might
be of no benefit whatever.
Admiral DUNCOMBE said ho had no objection to
comply with the wish of his right hon. friend, and post-
pone the nomination of the committee in question. He
could not but think this question about Sir Baldwin Walker
had been made a stalking-horse. He entertained the same
opinion he had previously expressed, namely, that Sir
B. Walker's evidence was unnecessary, as he had stated
everything that was required in respect to the department
with which he was acquainted, on the occasion of his exami-
nation before the Dock Commission.
Lord C. PAGET denied in the most positive terms that
the Admiralty had given any orders to force Sir Baldwin
Walker to sea, or that they had any intention of doing
so. They did all in their power to secure his return
and no vessel lying at Dover would have been able to over.
take the Narcissus.

Sir J. PAKINGTON made some observations, and
charged the noble lord (1,,,rd J. Russell) with having
broken his promise in respect to this matter.
Mr. BENTINCK said that he was present at the dis-
cussions which had taken place on this subject, and his
name being amongst those who were to be nominated to
serve on the select committee on the Admiralty, he had
paid much attention to the matter. He considered that the
charge on the noble lord (Lord C. Paget) was most unjust
and unfounded.

After some further conversation the subject dropped.
(LEFT SITTING.)

LONDON GAZETTE-(TRIS EVENING

FOREIGN-OFFICE, MARCH 8.
It is hereby notified, that the Right Honourable Lord
John Russell, her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, has received from his Excellency the
Marquis d'Azeglio, the Sardinian Minister in London, an
•flicial communication, dated the 7th March instant, stat-
ing that the Sardinian Admiral Persano had, on and from
the sth of March instant, established the Blockade of the
Citadel of Messina and of the neighbouring Forts, with a
number of ships of war sufficient to render blockade effec-
tive

The Sardinian Minister further states that he is officially
informed by the Sardinian Government, that the commer-
cial port of the city of Messina is not comprised in this
blockade, and that such port cwasequently remains free from
blockade and open to trade.
DOWNING-STREET, MARCH 6.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint the Right
Honourable Sir John Young, Bart., K.C.8., G.C.XG to
be Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over. the
colony of New South Wales.

DOWNING-STREET, MARCH 7.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint Ed ward Douglas,
Esq., to be Assistant-Colonial Secretary in the Despatch
Branch of the Office of the Colonial Secretary for the
Island of Mauritius.

INDIA-OFFICE, FEB. 8.
The Queen has been pleased, by letters patent passed
under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom, to appoint
Colley Harman Scotland, Esq.. barrister-at-law, to be
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Madras.
INDIA OFFICE, MARCH 7.
The Queen has been pleased to appoint the Right llon.
Edward Henry. Stanley, commonly called Lord Stanley, to
be one of her Majesty's Commissioners to enquire into, and
report upon, the measures which it may be expedient to
take for maintaining and improving the health of all ranks
of her Majesty's Army serving in India.
The Queen has also been pleased to appoint Colonel
Henry Marion Durand, C. 8., to be a member of the said
Commission, in the room of Major-General Sir Robert John
Hussey Vivian, K.C.B. ; and James Brown Gibson, Esq.,
M.D., C. 8., to be a member of the said Commission, in
the room of Thomas Alexander, Eeq., C.B.
BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, MARCH 8.
The Right Hon. the Lords of the Committee of Privy
Council for Trade have received, from the Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a thapatoll fgora‘bser