3 JANUARY 1846, Page 14

The morning papers officially announce the failure of the plan

for an extensive retirement of Naval Captains-

" We are authorized to state that the number of Captains of the Royal Navy who have volunteered to retire under the offer of the 1st of August last, having amounted to no more than 267, and whereas the number required to make the measure of retirement effectual was 300, the Lords Commissioners of the Admi- ralty. cannot accept of the list of retirement as it now stands; but the whole sub- ject is still under consideration." " Mr. Law," says the Morning Herald, " who was the private secretary of Earl of Ellenborough when Governor-General of India, will be his private secretary when his Lordship succeeds the Earl of Haddington at the Admiralty."

Last night's Gazette announces t appointment of Earl St. Germans to be Postmaster-General.

Several Colonial appointments are also notified: Mr. Martin West is to be Lieutenant-Governor for the district of Natal in South Africa; and a host of officers are appointed for the same place.

In the Queen Dowager's establishment, the following appointments are announced— The Honourable Mary Seymour, to be ono of the Maids of Honour; Lieutenant Robert Bedford, RN., Gentleman Usher in Residence; Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Francis Barnard, G.C.B. and G.C.H., (Colonel Commandant of the Rifle Brigade,) Clerk Marshal; Lieutenant-Colonel 'William Henry Cornwall, of the Coldstream Guards, Captain Arthur Joseph Taylor, of the Royal Horse Artillery, and Captain Edward Arthur Somerset, of the Rifle Brigade, to be Equerries.