Star.
London, England, 1822-03-30 00:00:00

that the soldier was allowed the difference of three'
halfpence to himself. He had made several reduc-
tions in the different items:
For Candles last year it was 5t51,000
This vcat - 35,000
The Pay hf the Commissariat war last rear - 59,000
This year - 49,000
The Illalf-pay of the Establishment W:111 last year 43,368
This year - - . 45,824
He would account for the excess in the half-pay this
Tear, by the reduction of the Commissariat branch at
tkiinburgh, who were consequently plhced on the
half-pay list. A small addition to it had also been
wade, in consequence of a few Commissariat Officers
having been promoted at the Coronation. He wished
to explain, that since the year 1816, there were but
two promotions in that service, with the exception of
a few Clerks who had been sent to Sierra Leone. At
'the Coronation a promotion took place both in the
Army and tl.o Navy, and it was felt that a step should
tie given to some in the Commissariat; they were not
litany in number. There were—to the highest'class,
four ; to the second, six ; to the third, four ; and to
the last, sixteen. The last class did not add to the
expense, as the first Clerks had equal pay during the
war with that class in peace. The Estimate for la-
bor_ was :educed from £BOOO to £4OOO. The num-
ber of men employed, from 127 to 59. The aggre-
gate Estimate for the several branches was 357,7581.
from which was to be deducted 15,0001. for stores in
det'or. and for other items 8118/. making a sum of
'211,118/. which would reduce the vote to 334,640/.—
He did not consider further explanation necessary.
lie had endeavoured to make good any promises
which he held out last year. It was intended to con-
nect the Storekeeper's Department with that of the
Ordnance. He hoped that some advantages might
be derived from that transfer; but he was bound, in
justice to Mr. Hill, the Storekeeper, to say, that with
respect-to economy and good management, the busi-
ness of the service could not be better executed than
under his care. In all the efficient duties of office that
Gentleman might have equals, but certainly not supe-
iiprs. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving for
a sum not exceeding 334,6401. for the Commissariat,
Barrack, and Miscellaneous Estimates.

Mr. HUNIE said that the Committee must be
pleased with the manner in which the present Esti-
mates were brought forward. He, for one, was dis-
posed to give every credit to the Honourable Secre-
tary, for the very effectual manner in which he had
met the expectations of the house, and conformed to
the wishes of the country, by the reduction apparent
that evening. The total Estimates last year were
401,000/. a considerable saving was effected this year.
He felt convinced that if there was one of his Ma-
jesty's servants-really sincere in his professions of re-
trenchment, the Honourable Secretary was that per-
son. He would therefore not give opposition to the
Estimates on each of the different items. In a few
cases there was not sufficient explanation given ; the
items should be more simplified: he alluded to the
;rote of 35,0001. for coals and candles, to that for
75,0001. for materials for barrack buildings, to that
foi 7,0001. fur clothing convicts in New South Wales,
and also to that for provi ioning foreign garrisons.
He complained that there were twenty-two Commis-
sion:l s in Nova Scotia, and sixty-one in Canada,•
which, with the number of clerk.; in each place, made
ninety-five persons. He contended that this was an
excessive establishment. The Honourable Member
next adverted to the retired allowance of Mr. Herries,
who had recited on his half-pay, and was now filling
the situation of Auditor of the Civil List. The allow-
ance to him amounted in all to 2,7001. a year.
Mr. A RBUTIINOT stated that the branch of old
stores was intended to be transferred to the Ordnance
Department immediately. He expected, too, that
the warehouses would be got rid of in a short time,
and that the Master would make use only of his own
stores. With respect to the Commissariat Officers,
he should remind the Honourable Member, that the
reason of the number of Commissariat Officers in Ca-
nada was, that the troops there were dispersed over a
great track of country. As to Mr.llerries, his ser-
vices deserved the highest reward that the nature of
his office admitted of. It was necessary to state, that
his holding the office of Auditor of the Civil List for
the last year was not his fault : he was requested to
hold it for some longer period, on account of the va-
luable services he had reniered it. He was now a
member of the Commission of Inquiry into the Ex-1
cise in Ireland, for which he had no remuneration.
The Right Honourable Gentleman entered into the
particulars of Mr. Trotter's services, and contended
that he was entitled to the allowance lie received.

Mr. BENNET said, that admitting Mr. Herries to
be the most valuable officer that ever lived, still an
allowance to the amount of 2,700/. a-year was such
a piece of extravagance as to be an insult to the,
country-2,7001. allowance to a retired clerk ! One
would think that it was talking of a Principality or
the office of a Great Officer of State ; but a clerk to
receive 2,7001. was beyond all bounds. At least, if
this bountiful allowance was too sacred to be
touched, let Mr. Herries return to his situation, and
let not the country have the mortification of finding,
that in addition to this princely allowance to Mr.
Herries, they are now paying 1,5001. a-year to his
successor—(Hear).

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
that after the aristocratical taunt thrown out by the
Hon. Member against Mr. Herries, he thought it ne-
cessary to say there were few Members in that House
mere entitled to consideration, for intelligence, talent,
and private character, than the Gentleman alluded
to. He had first retired on the half-pay of his office,
and then received the Auditorship of the Civil List,
in which office he had rendered much valuable Wr-
y/ice to the Public.

Mr. BENNET said he had not uenied that Mr.'
ilerries was a very meritorious individual. He made
au) con:ments on the individual, but on the Right
Hon. Gentleman who had provided him with an al-
lowance, which, considering the nature of the office
and the circumstances of the country, was a scandal
to the Government.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—
" Then, if :11r. Herries be that meritorious individual,
I un ready to take the responsibility of having re-
commended such a person to the remuneration due
to his tervices:'

Mr. 15ENNET said the Right Hon. Gentleman
might talk of responsibility. He wished to GOD he
knew what that responsibility was. For fifty years
such a thing was unknown in the Government. He
did In.t expect to see it again brought into ulster=