The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-11 00:00:00

Vbitton

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock,

LAND-TAY.-(THIS DAY)

A meeting of the Commissioners of Land-tax acting
for the Holborn division of the county of Middlesex
was held this day at the Tax-office, Red Lion-square,
when a numerous board assembled.

An applicatton from Mr. Moseley, solicitor to Mr.
Mayes in his appeal against his land-tax assessment, in
St. Andrew's, Holborn, for a re-hearing by the Commis-
sioners, was read.

- A long discussion took place as to the powers of the
Commissioners to grant a re-hearing, but at length a
resolution was moved by Mr. Coppock, and carried
unanimously, that the application could not be grantel.
4r. COPPOCK then brought forward a motion for call-
ing a general meeting of the Commissioners of Land-
tax with a view of considering the assessment for the
county as at present existing, and of modifying or cor-
recting the same. After showing the powers which the
Act of Parliament vested in the Commissioners, their
power of remedying the evils, which were alleged to
exist, and urging upon the Commissioners not to allow
their refusal to act to be construed into a denial of justice,
or to compel an application to the Court of Exchequer
to put them in motion, Mr. Coppock referred t') the
proceedings of the deputation which went on Wednesday
fast to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject.
He showed, by reference to the Acts, and to the re-
ported oases, that the Court of Exchequer could com-
pel a due assessment of the tax, and that if the Court
had the power to do this by the commissioners, it would
be far more gracious for the commissioners to do it
themselves. The inequality of the rate was admitted—
why not apply the remedy given by the Asti? Mr.
Coppock then moved the following resolution, which
was carried with only ons dissentient:—

" That this Board- recommends that a general meet-
ing of Rae Commissioners of Land-tax, acting in and
for the County of Middlesex, be held on or before the
thirtieth day of April next for the purpose of ascer-
taining and setting down in writing the several pro-
portions which ought to be charged upon every hundred
lathe, wapentake, rape,- ward, or other division within
the said county, for and towards the raising and making
up the whole amount of land-tax charged upon the
said County of Middlesex, by the Act of the 38th
George 111. c. 5."
A. committee of five was then appointed to carry out
the object in view.

NORTHERN COUNTIES UNION
RAILWAY COMPANY.—(THIS DAY.)
The half-yearly ordinary meeting of the proprietors
of this company was held this day a; the London
Tavern ; Major Beresford in the chair.
The SECRETARY read the following report :
" The directors have to report that since the last half-
yearly meeting, and in accordance with the unanimous
desire of that meeting, they have greatly reduced the
liabilities of the company on satisfactory terms. The
directors continue of opinion that it is inexpedient,
undei existing circumstances, to proceed with works on
the line. Since the last half-yearly meeting the sum of
3.123/. 15s. 4d. has been received on account of arrears
Of call. The directors regret that they have been driven
to adept legal proceedings against some of the default-
ers, and in justice to the other proprietors, it is their in-
tention to follow out this course except in cases
only where there are strong grounds for believ-
ing that such steps would be entirely useless. The
directors have recently sold out the Three -and-a-
Quarter per Cent. Stock belonging to the Com-
pany at a profit of 2411. 4.4. Bd. Tho proceeds, viz.,
13,6401. 10s. 2d., have been lent on Government securi-
ties at call. The strictest economy comensurwe with the
proper attention duo to the company's affairs has been
and will continue to be exercised. The directors recom-
mend the cmfirmation by this meeting of the forfeiture
cf seventy shares on which the call is in arrear, and of
which due notice has been given. The meeting will have
to elect four directors in the room ef William Beresford,
Esq., M.P., John Castel Hopkins, Esq., Thomas Sa:-
keld, Esq , and Joseph Underwood, Esq., who retire by
rotation, and who, being duly qualified, offer themselves
for re-election. George Broom, Esq., one cf the audi-
tors, also retires by rotation, and is eligible for rc-elec-
tion."

The balance-sheet appended to the report, showed a
balance of 30,225/. 193. 7d. in favour of the company up
to the 2ath of January last.
The CHAIRMAN said he had only to make a few ob-
servations in moving the adoption of the report. It
had been the object of the directors, since the last
meeting, to economise the expenses, and to put the af-
fairs of the company on a satisfactory basis ; and he had
the pleasure of stating that they had entered into an
agreement which would entirely absolve the proprietors
from their liabilities, in respect of the Teeby branch.
Their negotiations for getting the Wath branch off their
hands had not been satisfactory. With regard to the pro-
gress of the works hosaid it had been his own individual
opinion, as well as that of the other directors, that it
would be madness:to proceed with the undertaking. They
endeavoured to get rid of the works, but having failed to
do so, they considered any further outlay of money as
unprofitable, and therefore injudicious. Consequently
they came to a resolution not to make any further
calls. Everything had been done to collect the
arrears of calls which were due, and since last meeting
there had been received on this account 3,000/., which
showed that they had not been inactive. Those who
chose to hold back after the great lenity and kindness
which had been shown to them must take the conse-
quences of the law, for the directors had thought it right
to commence actions against them. It had been thought
expedient to sell out the Three-and-a- Quarter per
Cent. stock. On former occasions, when they were
obliged tee dispose of their stock, they did so at a great
disadvantage; but there had been a trifling profit on this
ls't transaction, for it was a curious incident that the
stock at the time of the sale was within a trifle of
the highest sum it had ever reached. The
benne° belonging to the company was now in-
vested in Exchequer-bill securities. By the removal
of the offices a saving of 160/. had been effected in the
annual expenses, and the directors had endeavoured in
every other way to lessen the expenditure. Four
directors offered themselves for re-election, but they
had no remunerative or lucrative appointment in view,
and they were simply desirous of continuing on the
board until their affairs were brought t 3 a termination.
He would only say for himself, that if they would re-
lieve him from the onus of his effica they would confer
upon him a strong persoca,l favour. But being one of
the original persons who, to a certain degree, a as guilty
of Lecoming a shareholder and a director—for they
were all under delusions at the time—he could not think
of first bringing the proprietors into a scrape, and then
leaving them to do their best, and, therefore, he was
ready to give his best !ervices so long as the company
required them.—(Cheers.)
Mr. BATLEY seconded the motion.
In reply to several questions,
The CIIAIRMAN stated that the sum of 2,640/. 43.
in the accounts for taw and Parliamentary expenses,
was for work done two years and a hair' ego, and
that not a shilling cf that sum had been expended since
then; 10,000/. had been invested at 6 per cent, upon de-
bentures in the Eastern Union Railway, which he cur,
sidered perfectly safe. They could get back the money
whenever they liked. Mr. Lloyd, a barrister, had ad-
vised the directors ti at the investment at 6 per
cent. was perfe.it y legal, and that they could seize
the property cf the railway in stviefaction of their claim.
The interest upon the dehentures had been paid up to
the,'ast mcmont.
Ifie report was then received and adopted.
e retiring directors were then proposed for re

HOUSE OF LORDS.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat upon the
Woolsack at Five o'clock.
The County Cess (Ireland) Bill was read a first time.
The Earl cf STRADBROKE presented a petition in
favour of the equalization of local taxation.
STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH AUSTRALIA.
Earl TALBOT asked what soaps had been taken to
secure steam communication with Australia?
Earl GREY said several tenders bad Lee made for
establishing steam communication with Australia, both
by way of Panama and by other router, but that nothing
had )et been definitively determined on.
ENCUMBERED ESTATES (IRELAND).
The Earl cf GLENGALL gave notice of a motion
for this day week, fir certain returns connected with
the wurking of the Encumbered Estates (Ireland) Act.
GREECE.
Lord STANLEY hal seen that the papers relating to
Greece had been published in the French papers, and also
that the mediation of France had been accepted. If the me-
diation had been accepted (which he considered preferable
to its rejection), he thought it would have been better that
it had been accepted by the Minister of Great Britain in
Greece. Lie was sorry to find that the accounts from
France confirmed the statement that Mr. Wyse had
stated that the affsir must be settled whether just or
unjust. He asked if the mediation of France
had been accepted, and whether it extended
to the important question as to the right of
Greece, or the lonian Islands, as to the possession of
certain islands, and if no attempt would be male ti
take further possession of these islands until the medi-
ation should be concluded.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE assured the Noble
Lord that there would be no delay in the production of
the papers. The Government of this coontry had ac-
quiesced in the offer mace by the Government of France
to interpose its good offices in ;the settlement of the dif-
ferences between this country and Greece. It was not
an abitration, but an acceptance of the good offices of
France in the same manner as France some time ago
hid accepted the offer of the good offices of this country
in a dispute with the United States, which had been at-
tended with the happiest effects.—(Hear, hear.) He
considered that the British Minister in Greece was per-
fectly authorised in refusing to accept the good offices
Gof the French Minister, as he was not authorised by his
overnment. The claim of the territory was not included
in the offer of the good offices of France, because that
was not included in the ultimatum of Mr. Wyse and Sir
W. Parker.
Lord STANLEY asked if any measures would be
adopted to take forcible possession of the territories in
dispute ?
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had no reason to
Lelieve that any such measures would to adopted.
In answer to a question from Lord I3ROUGHAII,
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that the posses-
sion cf. the island in dispute was not included in the
categorical demand of Mr. Wyse.
The Earl of ABERDEEN expressed his satisfaction
at that acceptance of the reed:atoll of France, as it
would extricate our Minhtsr from a situation highly
embarrassing. But he could nct but observe, that the
mediation of France bad been :waisted in the settlement
of ela'ins which had been said to be indisputable.
whereas it hal been refused in relation to the claims
which were admitted to be doubtful, the territorial
claims. If the intentions of the Government to enforce
their claims hal been communicated to France, he could
not but behove that the mediation will be offered. They
had now taught Greece to consider France as their pro-
tector from British violence, and hal held up Repub-
lican France as the supporter of moderation, wi.h a
13,inapaits at the head of it. He thought it would
have been better to accept the mediation before the
violence had been committed than afterwards. With
regard to the territorial claims he found that the Greek
Minister made no distinction between the pecuniary and
the territorial demands, although he took it for granted
that the distinction had now been made. He aernitted
that the territorial claim was one which admitted of
much de,cusion, hut if we had a right to two,
we had a right to twenty. At the same time
it would be satisfactory if the Noble Marquis could say
tire was no chance of the forcible execution of thus

election.

Mr. RICHARDSON of Leeds, moved as an amend-
ment that Mr. Baker, of Thirsk, be substi-
stuted in the place cf Mr. Underwood. He
said he. represented a large number of shareholders
in the north, who wished for a further return cf money,
and who thought their strain might be put in a much
better position. Mr. Baker was the gentleman through
whose influence the works were mainly stopped, and
being a person cf greet respectability, who
was intimately acquainted with the interests and
feeling of the people of the district through which the
line passed, as well as the shareholders who
resided there, he thought that no better person could be
selected al a director.
Mr. Jacxsoer seconded the amendment.
Mr. SANDS thought Mr. Richardson had shown that
it would be to the interest of the shareholders generally
as well as the company to elect Mr. Baker.
Mr. BATEET said, if they passed the amendment, they
would not to paying Mr. Underwood a props; compli-
men,, after all his exertions on behalf of the company,
especially when it was known that his services
were given gratuitously. It is clear that a direc-
tor residing at Thirsk could not eay as much
attention to the business of the company as
a London director, and besides, Mr. Underwood held
340 shares, while Mr. Baker was only the proprietor
of 40.
Mr. J. THO3IPSON said there were only three London
aerators of the board who gave their attendance when-
ever required; but if Mr. Underwood was taken away,
they would be unable to form a quorum to transact the
most ordinary buisiness without bringing a director
from the country at great expense.
After a short discussion the amendment was nega-
tived by a large majority, and the retiring directors were
re-elec ed.
The meeting then resolved itself into an extraordinary
meeting, in compliance with the following requisition:—
" We, the undersigned shareholders in the Northern
Counties Union Railway Company, holding the aggregate 20,000/. and upwards of the 'capital
of the said company, and not being less than
fifteen in number, do hereby require you, the ra'd
directors, to call an extraordinary meeting ( f the
said company, in order to consider and determine upon
the propriety of a proposition to bo subrn ttsd to the s:(id
extraordinary meeting, in pursuance of the resolution
passed at the last extraordinary general meeting of the
shareholders of the said cum' a iy, to the effect that you,
the said director?, be required forthwith to reduce the
last call made upon the shareholders of the said company
by such amount as may be then and Viere egrced upon,
and to return the amount per share so agreed to be re-
duced to the respective shareholders in the said
company."
The CHAIRMAN then called upon the gentlemen who
represented the so shareholders to state whet course the y
wished to pnrsue.
RietAinicidorsraincyr he diicussion which had
tak(ArPkes didele 'wend to press any resoluten
upon the-mettin,',<\- --• /-
In rep!), to Mr.: OACILSI N,
The ClidtiamAX said a' directors had an idea of
ZnkiLg an *application tel;Parifarnent for a Bill to dis-
solve. tne company, but their intentions I been altered
by'whttt ba4 lately. tr4rEpired in I"4,rhament. Jr ap-
f
gm at

claim, because it would appear that it was within the
compass of Sir W. Parker's instructions to take posses-
sion of these islands.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE should have sup-
posed, had toe Noble Earl been less conversant with
diplomatic proceedings than he was, that he was ignorant
of the difference between good offices and arbitration. The
acceptance of good offices did not bind us to abide the
decision of France as the acceptance of mediation would
have bound us. Had the offer been male by France in
the spirit in which the Noble Earl had suggested it was
made, there would have been a difficulty in accept-
ing, it was made in a friendly spirit, unaccom-
panied by the tone of complaint in which the
Noble Earl had indulged, and, theref)re, it had been
accepted in the same friendly spirit in which it had been
offered.

The EARL or ABERDEEN admitted that the claim to
these Islands was a doubtful question, but he said that
it was most unjustifiable to insist upon the cession of
the Islands within twenty-fuur hours after the claim
was made. He denied that he had ever made the demand
for the Islands during the time that he was in
in office. Sir E. Lyons had made the de-
mand, but it had being imitating his predecessor.
He would advise the Noble Marquis to beware of his
instructions from the Foreign-office. It was time ho had
a familiar of the office at his elbow ; but there were
more things in that office than was " dreamt of in his
philosophy." He felt very uneasy as to the instructions
that might be sent out with regard to these islands. The
enactment was to establish that influence in Greece.

Lord EDDISBURY would appeal to their Lordships
whether the Noble Earl did not distinctly state, in the
former discussion, that he had consulted a map appended
to a treaty which he had signed, and which, ho said,
convinced him that the lonian Islands had no claim to
those islands, and yet now the Noble Earl admitted that
the right to the possession of those islands oas a case
that would admit of great dispute.—(Hear, hear.)
He hoped that when the Noble Earl had further infor-
mation he would still further modify his opinions. He
regretted to find that on every occasion the Noble
Earl took up the cause of those who were, he
would not say, the enemies of Britain, but who
would encroach upon the rights of British subjects.
The encroachers upon their rights were always small
states, because great states would hesitate before they
provoked this country. The questions at issue with
Greece had nothing to do with the protestation of that
country, but he would not provoke a premature discus-
sion, as the rapers would soon be before the House.
The Earl of ABERDEEN had not seen the map
since the year IMO, but from his copy it appeared that
the Isle of Syra was given to the Greek kingdom. He
admitted that the island was so given without any pre-
vious inquiry or examination, but as a reasonable dis-
tribution of the territory. He thought, however, now,
that the question admitted of fair discussion, because
he admitted that at the time he had no knowledge of
the circumstances.

Lord EDDISBITRY thought the demand ha I Leon
freequently made as against Li-recce, and that the claim
was not a new one.

Lord COLCHESTER, as having commanded a ship-
of- war in the Mediterranean fur many years, could bear
testimony to the fact that those Islands had always been
considered as belonging to the lonian Islands.
Lord BROUGHAM said that the Greek Minister,
Londas, had applied for good offices not only to the
French Ambassador, but to the Russian Ambassador, and
the latter had sent to St. Petersburgh from instructions
Could any one doubt but that thu answer would be to give
him full power, and having accepted the mediation of
France we could not refuse the mediation of Russia.
Viscount CANNING considered that if there was
any intention in the mind of the persons who drew out
the map alluded to, to deal with the Island of Syre, it
was intended to give it to Greece.
The subject then dropped.
Messengers from the Commons brought up a message
requesting to be furnished with copies of certain reports.

ECCLESIASTICAL COMSIISSION BILL,
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved the secoud
reading of this Bill, and was
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at a fcw minutes before
Four o'clock.

COLCHESTER ELECTION.
Lord JOHN MANNERS took his seat and the oaths
for the borough of Colchester. The Noble Lord was
cheered on his approaching the table of the House. He
W 33 introduced. by Sir John Tyrell, and Major Beres-
ford.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following private Bills were read a second time,
and ordered to be committed:—Aberdeen Railway—
Birkenhead Improvement—Buckinghamshire Railways
—Cambridgeshire Regulation and Improvement Mar-
kets and Fairs—Carlisle Gas-light and Coke Com-
pany—Clerical, Medical, and General Life Assur-
ance Society—Cronford and Newhaven Turnpike-road
—Dublin and Drogheda Railway—East Fife Railway—
Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Bathgate, &c., Amalga-
mation—Godstone and Highgate Turnpike-road—Kent
Waterworks—Liverpool Cattle Market—New Notth-
road Railway Passengers' Assurance Company—Roch-
dal• and Bury Turnpike-roads—Swansea Dock Com-
pany—Surrey and Sussex Roads.
RAILWAY COMPANY DISSOLUTION OR
ABANDONMENT BILLS.
Mr. LABOUCIIERE moved that no Bill to authorise
the dissolution of a railway company, nor any Bill to au-
thorise the abandonment of the whole or part of a rail-
way, and which does not relate to other objects, be read
a second time until after Easter.
Agreed to without any discussion.
TYNE NAVIGATION BILL.
On the motion that this Bill beread a second time,
Mr. IL GREY moved an amendment that it be read a
second time this day three mouths.
Mr. ORD supported the second reading of the Bill.
Mr. SPOONER would consent to the reading cf the
Bill, if the Hon. Member would allow the next Bill (the
Tyne Conservancy Bill) to be read without opposition.
The allegation against the Corporation of New-
castle was, that they had appropriated some portion
of the tolls of the Tyne to the improvement of the
town of Newcastle. The charge had been brought be fore
the House last session, and a Committee had decided
that the charge was well-founded. A Bill had been
framed which had been lost in the House by want of
time to pass it through. If. the Ron. Gentleman would
give an assurance that he would not oppose the next Bill
he would consent to the Bill being read.
BROTHERTON thought that both Bills should
be inquired into as fully as possible.
Mr. HUME hoped the House would pass the Bill, as
it involved a public question of considerable importance,
and Lai been fully inquired into.
The Earl of ARUNDEL trusted, as one of the Com-
mittee, that the Bill would be allowed to be read a se-
cond time. The House was not in a position to judge of
the merits of the Bill, and the whole question had been
discussed at considerable length by the Committee, who
had endeavoured to act fairly in the matter.
Mr. HEADLAM said the Bill was to give power to
the Corporation of Newcastle to take certain property
on the banks cf the river Tyne, in order to carry out
certain improvements. They claimed this property as a
right, but some opposition having been offered to their
right, owing to their not having done certain acts in re-
spect of the river, they thought it advisable to bring in
this Bill, though they still considered that they were
entitled to the property.
The amendment was withdrawn, and the Bill, having
been read a second time, was ordered to be committed.
TYNE CONSERVANCY BILL.
On the motion for the second reading of this Bill,
Mr. ORD moved, as an amendment, that it be read a
second time this day three months.
Mr. HUME said the amendment was most prepos-
terous, and he hoped the House would show by its vote
that it considered it so.
Mr. CARDWELL raid the Bill proposed to interfere
with a grant which had existed for centuries, and which
had repeatedly been confirmed by Acts of Parliament.
The right of. the grant had never been questioned till
now, and if those who enjoyed it had abused their trust
the appeal must be to another tribunal, and not to this
House.
Mr. H. SPOONER supported the second reading. It
would take more ingenuity than the Hon. Member for
Liverpool possessed to convince him that spending any
portion cf the river funds in favouring the streets of
Newcastle was an equitable appropriation of the funds.
Mr. ROEBUCK said that the House knew but little
about the Bill, and therefore were totally incapable of
understanding its merits.—(Hear, hear.) Fur his own
Fart he was sure that he knew nothing about it, and was
quite unable to vote upon it, and therefore the best thing
that could be done would be to consent t) its being rest
to a Select Committee. Certainly there was an unusu-
ally full assembly of Members for such an occasion
and at such a time of day. He was certain that he
could not imagine what brought them down. He did
altoge tier think that it was the Tyne Navigation Bill—
(Laughter and cheers)—and he thought that they had
better get more information before they decided.
After a few words from Mr. GREENALL,
Mr. STEWART said that in disposing of this ques-
tion, they were adjudging that neither this House nor its
Committees were fit tribunals for adjudica►ion on cases
of property, a principle which h© must abjure, and he
should, therefore, oppose the Bill.
Mr. lIEADLAM said that the Bill alleged that the
grant was invalid, and that the Corporation had misused
the tslle. He defied them to prove this, and the Hon.
Member for Tynemouth knew very well that he could
support this in a court of law, and had tried to push the
Bill through the House, and through a Ccmmi toe which
knew nothing about it.
Mr. OGLE thought the House was not a tribunal
which could decide a question of this kind.
Tho Earl of ARUNDEL was cf opinion that the Bill
ought to go Lark to the Committee, and said it would be
a greater injustice to throw it out than it would have
been to have thrown out the former Bill.
The House tl en divided, when there appca7ed—
For the second reading .................. 131
Against it .................................. 63
Majority ........................ —6B
The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered is
be committed.

THE LAND TAX.
Mr. WODELIOUSE gave notice that on an early day
ho would ask the Chancellor ( f the Exchequer a ques-
tion reiwive to the present system of assessing and col-
lecting tf e land tax.
Mr. SCOTT gave notice that he should to-morrow
move for copies of the correspondence which had passed
respecting the emigration to Australian colonies, and
also respecting the depOt at D4Cord, and whether the
stores at that depot were furnished by contract or by
tinder. Also similar returns with respect especially to
the emigration of New South Wales.

THE BLOCKADES.
In roply to a question,
Sir G. GREY stated that the correspoaenco with

MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 11, 1850.

Mr. STUART thoought that the re-appointmeLt of the
Committee was made under the most rxtrardinary cir-
cumstances at the present moment. The ap-
pointment of the Committee without facility being
given to the prodnetion of witnesses would in
his opinion be a perfect fArce.—(Hoar, hear.) As
they now stood the witnesses in favour of the charge
could not be brought forward, while those who were to
rebut it would be easily abtained.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

TATTERSALL'S-THIS EVENING
Six O'CLOCK.

LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
12 to 1 agst Sir John
12 to 1 agst Rat-trap
16 to 1 agst Chandler
30 to 1 agst Victim
50 to 1 agst Laurel gelding
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES.
8 to 1 agst Osterley
20 to 1 agst Grist'
20 to 1 agst Belus
25 to 1 agst Damask
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.
5 to 1 agst Ch,!Prful
20 to 1 agst Ada Mary
25 to 1 agst Quiver
30 to 1 agst Era

CHESTER CUP.
13 to 1 agst Glauca
17 to 1 agst Miss Ann
20 to 1 apt Fugleman
25 to 1 agst Roland
25 to 1 agst Whim colt
25 to 1 agst Cossack
25 to 1 agst Ellordale
33 to 1 apt Chantrey
35 to 1 agst Lady Evelyn
35 to 1 agst John Cosner—talen
50 to 1 agst Lodola filly
66 to 1 agst Loup-garou
DERBY.
7 to 1 agst Ghillie Odium
10 to 1 agst Bolingbroke
10 to 1 agst Knight of Avenel
16 to 1 agst The La'ion
16 to 1 agst Voltigeur
17 to 1 agst the Nigger
30 to 1 agst Mayors
40 to 1 agst Harding°
40 to 1 agst Deicoon
500 to 10 agst Garforthj

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
Sir F. Baring, Bart., the First Lord of the Admiralty,
has consented to preside at the anniversary festival of
the Royal Naval School, on the 4th of May next.
Rear-Admiral Deans Dundas, C.D., will receive officers
desirous of interviews on Tuesday, the 19th inst.
Captain the Right Hon. Lord John Hay, C.B. (1818),
late a member of the Board of Admiralty, has now been
officially appointed superintendent of the Royal Dock-
yard, Devonport, and second in command at that port;
his broad pendant to be hoisted in the Agincourt,
depot-ship of the ordinary. Lord John Hay's career in
the service is well known. He is brother of the Mar-
quis of Tweeddale, entered the navy Decenater, 1804,
and has served afloat 23 years. As a midshipman,
and when belonging to the Seahorse, 42 guns and 218
men, " he bore an ample part in many gallant opera-
tions against the enemy. Among other services,
he was employed in the boats and lost his left arm at
the cutting out of some vessels in Hieres Bay, and on
the night of July 5, 1808, contributed to the capture,
after a memorably furious engagement and a loss to the
Seahorse (30 of whose crew were abreast) of five men
killed and ten wounded of the Turkish man-of-war Ba-
dere Zaffir, mounting 52 guns, with a complement of 543
men, of whom 170 were slain and 200 wounded ; another
ship of 26 guns, 230 men, also engaged with the Sea-
horse at the same time, having been put to flight." He
was promoted in 1812, and, as a lieutenant, served in
the West Indies in the Pique, 36, and Venerable, 72 ;
was again promoted in June, 1814, and commanded the
10-gun brigs Bustard and Opossum until 1818, in
which year he was posted. As captain he has served
many years afloat ; first in command of the Castor,
36, for more than four years from 1832 ; then again
in that ship from March, 1837, and succes-
sively in the PEcenix, steam-sloop, and North Star,
26, on the north coast of Spain, where during the
civil war his Lordship had the command of the British
squadron afloat and a battalion of marines ashore; and
for the important services he rendered on that coast, and
especially at the siege of Bilboa, received in 1837 the
grand cross of the order of Charles HI., and the com-
panionship of the Bath. His Lordship next, from
August, 1841, to October, 1843, commanded that fine
50 gun frigate the Warspite; and in this ship conveyed
the late Lord Ashburton to America, to settle the differ-
ences between the two powers. In 1846 Lord John Hay
(who previously to 1841 had declined the appointment
of superintendent of Chatham dockyard in favour of
his seniors, then offered to him by Lord Minto) was
appointed acting superintendent of Woolwich dockyard,
and subsequently chairman of the committee of refer-
ence on naval architecture, the admirable report of which
was so condemnatory of the bastard system of ship-
building that had been fostered by Sir James Graham,
that it has hitherto been kept strictly secret and confi-
dential. His Lordship has devoted a great portion of
his leisure time to scientific pursuits. In 1833 (as stated
by O'Byrne) he received a large silver medal from the
Society for the Encouragement of Ai ts, &c., for his in-
vention of a telescope-holder for the use of a person with
only one band.

Lord John Hay, we believe, will proceed to Devon-
port to-morrow, and immediately relieve Sir John Louis.
His Lordship has selected a new secretary, who is Pay-
master and Parser W. Dyer (1839), formerly secretary
to Rear-Admiral Sir Gordon Bremer, K.C.B. when
Commodore Superintendent at Woolwich, and pre-
viously secretary to the Hon. 'Theeline Percy, C. 8.,
when Commander-in-Chief at the Cape. We presume
that his Lordship has accepted his new office with the
understanding that he retains his appointment after he
succeeds to his flag rank. He is in the 57th year of
his age.