The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-23 00:00:00

VESSELS BETWEEN DUBLIN AND HOLYHEAD,

• Colonel DUNNE asked the Secretary to the Admiralty
what had been done to give security to the large steam
vessels which run between Dublin and Holyhead during
the present violent gales, and whether a sufficient pier had
been built for their reception at the latter port ?
Lord C. PAGET said that last year they had constructed
itemporary pier at Holyhead, which he believed had proved
very useful. It was now proposed, however, to construct
a permanent pier for the use of the vessels plying between
Holyhead and Dublin.
THE RIFLE CORPS.

Mr. BUXTON asked the Under-Secretary of State for
War whether a large number of the Volunteer Rifle Corps
had not remonstrated against the recent minute by which.
rifles must be kept in a depot, instead of being entrusted to
the members of the corps; and whether it was the intention
of the Government to insist on the enforcement of that rule.
He said that it had been asserted that it would not be safe
to allow rifles to be in the possession of private individuals
in the event of any revolutionary movement breaking out.
Butte pointed to the fact that for years past there had not been
a single trial for sedition :or treason, and if any such
movement did take place, he believed tie Rifle Volunteers
would be found at the 'side of government and order.
Some objection had been taken that the arms would not be
properly cleaned if left with private individuals, but that
could not be practically maintained.
THE CASE OF DR. R. THOMPSON, M.D.

Col. SYKES asked the Under Secretary of State for
War, upon what ground Dr. R. Thompson, M.D., who had
satisfied the Army Medical Director General, Dr. Gibson,
that he possessed the prescribed qualifications of a degree
in medicine and a diploma in surgery to entitle him to be

examined as a candidate for a medical commission in h;
Majesty's service, and had been directed to attend on the
18th February to undergo a competitive examination, was,
on the morning of that day, in a personal interview, refused
permission by Dr. Gibson to appear before the board of exa-
miners.

Mr. BARING, in reply to the last question, explained
that a regulation had been made with respect to persons of
caste entering the medical profession, but an inquiry was
,being instituted into the case in question; and if any
grievance had been inflicted, it would be redressed. With
reference to the previous question, there had been
remonstrance relative to the arrangement as to
having the rifles of the volunteers corps deposited in ar-
mories, which was made for ,the intended convenience of
the volunteers themselves. However, it was found that
this was practically useless in many cases, and it had not
been enforced.

LOSS OF LIFE 'ON THE COASTS;
Mr. LIDDELL asked whether the Government had
prepared any measure for encouraging or assisting
the construction of har,bours of refuge on the coasts
of the Unied Kingdom ; and whether it was their
intention to bring the question before Parliament dur-
ing the present session,l in accordanoe with: a: statement
to that effect made by the' First Lord of the Treasury on
the 19th day .of June last? The honourable member
drew attention to the numerous shipwrecks that had taken
place at Hartlepool, Shields, and .elsewhere, and were ac-
companiet with `a great loss of life and property. He strongly
advocated the construction of Harbours of Refuge, which
he, contended would ultimately prove economical in Pre-
' venting a vast yearly lois of life and wealth.
Mr. SLANEY hoped that if Government took the ques-
tion of harbours of refuge into consideration, the unpro-
tected state of the Welsh coast would not be forgotten.
Mr. A. SMITH would be satisfied if the Government in-
timated its intention with respect to the parts of the coast
which had been alluded to by the:hon. member for North-
umberland. Ile could not help'calling the attention of the
Government to the expediency of employing the convict
labour of Portland in the construction of a harbour of re-
fuge on the north-eastern coast. 'He would take that op-
portunity of asking the 'noble lord the member for Hastings
(Lord H. Vane) whether it 'was his intention, as chairman
of the committee on miscellaneous expenditure last session,
to move for the re-appointment of that committee in com-
PHance with the recommendation in their report ?
Mr. BLAKE said that in the interests of humanity rather
than in those of his constituents, he' must press upon the
Gov‘e'rnm—ent the 'necessity of forming harbourEsnogflriesfuh
ship-geo
the coast of It eland. The greater portion of
ping going up and down Channel passed near Waterford,
hich as a hat bour of refuge would afford ample accommo-
dation for a large number of vessels. Many ships proceed-
ing from America to Liverpool were wrecked off the Water-
ford coast, and yet by the outlay of a sum not exceeding
£O,OOO great facilities might be given to afford shelter in
stormy weather at Waterford.

• Mr. CL.tY deprecated this, discussion sinking into the
advocdcy of any particular case. He had a strong opinion
hiniselt as" to where a 'barboUr of refuge should be made,
.but he would not intrude his opinion upon the house. The
subject had been very ably reported upon by a committee
and subsequently by a commission, and he suggested that
the house should pay due regard to the recommendation as
contained in the blue-book.

Lord PALMERSTON—I can assure the house that her
Majesty's. Government are fully sensible of the great
*Aatie:nal 'importance attaching to the matter which the
1
,I...34!leiem,berhas brought under our obsprN4ations (Haar,,