The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-14 00:00:00

THE ROBING-ROOM.

Lord REDESDALE gave notice that on Monday week
he should move for a select committee to ascertain when
the Robing-room would be ready for the occupation of their
their lordships.
EXPERIMENTS WITH THE ARMSTRONG GUN.
The Earl of HARDWICKE, seeing the noble duke the
First Lord of the Admiralty in his place, wished to call
attention to the statement made by him some evenings
ago, viz., that shot from the Armstrong guns had
penetrated eight inches of iron. Now it was
very important to know what were the parti-
culars of those plates. He was told that the plates
were composed of iron welded together, and set on end
ways, in which case it was a very unfair trial, as the
welding could never be perfect. Ho was also told that the
4f inch plate of wrought iron had never been 'penetrated.
It was very important that the truth should be known, in
order that the impression might not go forth that English
manufacturers could not make good iron plates.
The Duke of SOMERSET was perfectly aware of the
great differences in iron plates. The :plates in question
were certainly composed of iron bara, but they were not
welded. They were dovetailed together, and fastened in
the strongest manner. Ho believed that the same results
would have followed had the plates been prepared in other
way. With respect to the trials that had been made, and
would be made, the utmost care would be observed, and
that the services of the most scientific persons had been
secured.

ADMIRAL ELLIOTT.
The Duke of SOMERSET said with respect to the
statement that had been made in that house last night, he
regretted that such a circumstance should have occurred
during his absence. He was informed that the noble lord
had made remarks affecting him and Admiral Elliott. He
could only say he had nothing to retract, and therefore he
adhered to his statement. Foreign offic,..trs often applied for
permission to inspect English dockyvds, and such permis-
sionwas always granted. In a few days after one of these
visits he saw an article in the Moniteur, or some other
continental newspaper, warningthe French that our pro-
gress was dangerous, he niwit say it would be very em-
barassing to the friendly relations between the two
countries.

The Earl of HARDWICKE was sorry to hear the sub-
ject revived again. His only object was to defend the cha-
racter of a brother eincer. 'With respect to the adminis-
tration of the naval affairs of England, it behoved the noble
duke to be energetic in his competition with the French
Government. They had twenty-six of these iron plated
ships in preparation England had but six or seven, and
it was necessary that we should have as great a force as
that country. It was true the speech of the noble duke
the other evening was the speech of a statesmau, but it was
that of a slow statesman. He thought he ought to go on
a little faster if he really wished to beat his powerful com-
petitor.
Lord BROUGHAM bore his testimony to the fact that:the
speech of the noble duke contained nothing injurious to the
honour of Admiral Elliot. He renewed the warnings he
had previously given of keeping the nation well armed.
The Earl of SHREWSBURY said Admiral Elliot in
what he had done, had done nothing more than any other
private individual would have done who went out without
any Government directions.

The Duke of SOMERSET could only repeat his regret
at what Admiral Elliott had done. It was a very different
thing to relate the result of his visit to a private friend
and to tell it to an ex-First Lord of the Admiralty, with
the view of it being stated on authority in the House of
Commons. The bad effect of the course was to be seen at
once on the other side of the water. In the discussion in the
Corps Legislatif the reflection was already apparent. The
noble lord seemed now to be urging him to buildnothing but
iron ships. A short time ago he was urgently demanding
wooden ships of the Admiralty, yet the Admiralty was
accused of vacillation. He must leave the noble earl to de •
cide on which side the vacillation existed. (Laughter.)
The subject then dropped.
PUBLIC OFFICES EXTENSION BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
GREENWICH HOSPITAL BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
BOROUGH OF DUBLIN B ILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
BURFORD'S CHARITIES BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
READING CHARITIES BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
TEMPLE BALSALL HOSPITAL BILL.
This bill w'ia read a second time.
GUILDFORD HOSPITAL BILL.
This bill was read a.second time.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(TAIS EVENING.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Lords' amendments to the Banbridge Extension.
Railway Bill were considered and agreed to. The Bur-
ton-upon-Trent Water Bill and Llanidloes and Newtown
Railway Bill were read a second time.
The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Cleveland Railway, Cork and Macroom Direct Railway,
East Suffolk Railway, Kilkenny Junction Railway, Much
Wenlock, &c., Railway, Sittingbourne and Sheerness
Railway, and West Midland and Severn Valley Railway
Companies.
THE GALWAY SUBSIDY.
Several petitions were presented from different parts of
Ireland in favour of the restoration of the Galway packet
subsidy.

- THE NATIONAL GALLERY.
Lord VT. LENNOX gave notice that on going into com-
mittee on the civil service estimates he would draw atten-
tion to the recent alterations in the National Gallery at
Trafalgar-square.

BRITISH SUBJECTS BORN IN INDIA.
Colonel SYKES give notice that on Tuesday next he
would present a petition from British subjects born in
India, complaining of grievances
THE GREAT EASTERN.
Admiral DUNCOMBE asked the Secretary to the Ad-
miralty, if the Admiralty had taken up the Great Eastern
for the conveyance of troops to Canada; if so, at what rate
per ton; how many soldiers are to embark in her; and if
their being sent in that ship was with the concurrence of
the Secretary of State for War?
Lord C. PAGET said that the Government had made a
contract with the owners of the Great Eastern for the con-
veyance of a certain number of troops and horses to
Quebec. The number consisted of 89 officers, 2,007 men,
and 222 horses, and the rate of payment was £lB per head
for officers, £2O for horses, and £5 10s. for privates.

CONVICT PRISONS IN IRELAND.

In answer to Mr. MAGUIRE,

Mr. CARD WELL said that, from the improved state of
convict prisons in Ireland, it was not intended to fill up the
vacancy in the Board of Directors of Convict Prisons.

POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANKS.
Sir A. AGNE W asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Government
to extend the accommodation contemplated under the Post-
office Savings Banks Act to all parts of the United King-
dom; and whether the Postmaster-General was prepared
to receive applications from private parties interested in the
establishment of savings banks in particular localities.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
the bill would extend to the three parts of the United
Kingdom. The object of the Postmaster-General was to
grant post-office accommodation in those places where it
was most required. The Postmaster-General would make
selections of those districts, in order to give a fair trial to
the system previous to its general adoption, and he would
look more particularly to the more wealthy and populous
places. lie trusted gentlemen of local knowledge and in-
fluence would give the Postmaster-General all the assist-
ance in their power by furnishing him with information.
DOVER HARBOUR.
Mr. DEEDES asked the President of the Board of
Trade if it was his intention in the Harbours Bill to adhere
to the constitution of the board now governing Dover Har-
bour, as provided for in the bill ?
Mr. M. GIBSON said the bill on this subject would be
proceeded mith on the day sitting on Tuesday next.
THE HIGHWAYS BILL.
In reply to questions,
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that if it was considered by hon.
members that proceeding with this bill on a day sitting on
Friday would not be fulfilling the promise made for appro-
priating a day for it, he would not press that arrangement,
and he would substitute the London Corporation Coal Bill
for consideration that day.
THE GALWAY SUBSIDY.

In reply to Col. FRENCH,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
it was not usual for Government to apply to the law offieers
of the Crown in regard to contracts, except when there was
some point involved. The Postmaster-General considered
that no such point had arisen in reference to the Galway
Packet ('ompany, and therefore did not apply to the law
officers for advice.
THE APPROPRIATION OF THE VACANT
SEATS.

In reply to Mr. DUNCOMBE,
t
Sir G. LEWIS said that the bill for the appropriation of
vacant seats would be proceeded with. and Government
would then state what course they intended to purk-ue.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE then gave notice that he would
move that write be issued for members to serve in Parlia-
ment for Gloucester and Wakefield.
u
with thee member
termination
condemned
THE GALWAY SUBSIDY.
On the motion for going into committee of supply,
Mr. GREGORY moved for a select committee to inquire
theinto
pt hoes
tctui rase frs.tGane
uceesraconnectede
lion,
n. m Postal
contract
question, and a breich
'with the
Galway Steamship Company.
nthtis
company The
wasvery r
eg stronglyarded i tuh
Ie
rwe
liat
uh
dd raasvo,' a
national
aotfi theo na l
Galway subsidy whic
tion,
money
showed that
had been subscribed for shares i
of faith on the part of the Governrand
i
how popular it was in Ireland, all
imperial point of view, were testified its advantages in an
in its favour, which had emanated to by the addresses
Cham-
bers of Commerce in this cou n t from different
which Itiat n,erehrs had p ry, He defended the course
pursued in referrence to, the matter
and dWaiod that they wereing, actuated by any political feel-

[LEFT 53,3F-A,XING.]

ASCOT RACES.—(This Day.)

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
SWEEPSTAKES OF 50 SOVS.

Brown Duchess
Walloon
£5O PLATE.

Cheesecake .. ___.
1
Vixen
IST CLASS WOKINGHAM STAKES.
Gibraltar
Moorhen
Camerino

Ten ran.
SECOND CLASS WOKINGHAM.

Nutbush
Southport
Confidence
Nine ran.
Daleibella
QUEEN'S PLATE.
1
Mooreock ....•.
British Prince.....

Four ran.
£5O PLATE.

Juliet ..........................................
Rosalind
2
EXTRA WOKING-11AM STAKES.
the Sage .......
Sister to St. Albans ...............
Four ran.