POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY NIGHT.
The Navy formed the subject of discussion in both Houses of Parlia- ment last night ; the Estimates being the occasion in the Commons. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr. HUME came forward with one of his economical speeches, in which, while giving Government credit for intending a reduction, he urged further diminu- tion of the expenditure ; referring to several symptoms that the country is unable to bear its burdens. Mr. WILLIAM WimaNs followed up the attack ; asking for explanations of a considerable increase since 1818 in the pensions, superannuation, and the like allowances in the Navy and Civil departments. Sir ROBERT PEEL said that the increase in the Civil pe sions was caused by reductions of the estab- lishments, especially by the Duke of "Wellington in 1830, and subse- quently by Lord Grey's and Lord Melbourne's Governments. With respect to Naval pensions, Greenwich Hospital had been deprived of large funds applicable to such purposes, and the House was called upon to make good the deficiency. The allowance to widows and orphans bad been increased at the recommendation of a Parliamentary Com- mittee: Parliamentary Committees were not always favourable to re - ductions in expenditure. Sir Robert, in denying some of Mr. Hume's positions, said, that the revenue from tea and tobacco duties had not fallen off; and the deficiency in the coffee-duty revenue was not owing to diminished consumption, but to reduction of duty. To shape ex- penditure entirely to the extent of yearly income, would be imprac- ticable in conducting the affairs of a great country like this ; but the Estimates showed a decrease in the Naval, Military, and Ordinance departments, of 832,0001. ; and further reductions would follow : after the ratification of the treaty, the force in China would be reduced ; in Syria, last year, 54 vessels of war were maintained, this year they would be reduced to 40, and ultimately he hoped to 25; and in conse- quence of the friendly progress of negotiations with France, he expected that France would pursue the same course. Mr. F. T. BARING next preferred a charge against Government ; moving for papers relative to the dismissal of Mr. Hoskins from acting as Deputy Judge-Advocate at Portsmouth : and a sharp conver- sation took place between Mr. Baring, Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT, Lord PALMERSTON, Sir ROBERT PEEL, and others. The facts are these. Mr. Hoskins, a Whig, had for eleven years performed the duties, without any permanent appointment ; but the permanent office has been revived in favour of Mr. Greetham, a Conservative, the son of a former functionary, and himself the holder of three other offices ; Mr. Hoskins being abruptly discharge). On the Opposition side, it was contended that the shifting was a political " job," intended to " cow " the electors of Portsmouth : on the Ministerial side, that there were no political motives, but merely a desire to make the office as efficient as possible. Sir ROBERT PEEL further pleaded, that his Government had made as few changes as any Government, even where they might be deemed most entitled to do so, namely, in the diplomatic appointments. Mr. BAnnic withdrew his motion ; considering his purpose answered by the dis- cussion.
Mr. HERBERT then brought forward the Navy Estimates ; the most important point in his statement being, the appointment of a new offi- cer, a Deputy Accountant-General to the Admiralty ; a proceeding which the Opposition condemned as incurring needless cost. Some votes were taken, and the Committee was adjourned.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL presented the petition of the Bombay merchants for indemnification for the confiscated opium in China ; and the CHAN- CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER intimated that the settlement of those de- mands waited the ratification of the Chinese treaty.
In the House of Lords, the Earl of MINTO moved for returns respect- ing the present state of the Navy ; and he required explanations as to why there had been less shipbuilding last year than had been contem- plated, and why a reduced vote was to be taken for the present year? The Duke of WELLINGTON vainly tried to stop the conversation which followed, as detrimental to the public service ; but it extorted a state- ment from the Earl of HADDINGTON- He explained, that it had been ttought advisable rather to put ships al- ready built in good condition than to build new ones; and the repair of the " demonstration-ships" and expense of building steamers had obstructed the progress of the works. There was, however, a full average amount of work done : the quantity of timber consumed in 1840 was 13.707 loads ; in 1841, 15,500 loads; in 1842, 14,000 loads; and in 1843, it would be 14,290 loads ; and the number of shipwrights employed during the threeyears was as nearly as possible the same. And progress is making : in 1841-2, three line-of-battle ships were launched, and nine steamers; in 1842-3, four line-of-battle ships, and five steamers; and in 1843-4, nine line-of-battle ships are building, and six steamers. The Earl went into details respecting the building of other vessels, and of slips at the several dockyards. In 1840 the number of vessels afiaat was 86; in 1843 it would be 90.
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