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Leader (1850-1860), 11th February 1854, Edition 1 of 1, Page 125, Untitled Article

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      Government had always claimed , and in 1846 tbe late Sir Robert Peel claimed , the power of promoting any officer in the service to _ any rank which it might think advisable . It ought not to be in the power of ~ miy admiral to make snch promotion ; bnt her Majesty ' s Government ought to reserve to its * lf such a power under an order in council . No snch order in council could be passed-without the First Lord of thejAdmiralty bringing the merits of the individual proposod to be promoted before the Cabinet ; and the promotion in that case became a public measure of the highest importance , which would have to be defended in Parliament ; and they might rest perfectly satisfied that it would not be adopted except under circumstances where the public would see tlat it was plainly demanded . Law Consolidation . —Lord Lyndhcrst , after a brief but comprehensive view of the subject , aeked the noble and learned lord . on the woolsack what conrse he intended to

      pursue respecting the reports on the revision of the statutes ^ His own opinion was , that the most practical course would be to expunge from the statute book all the mass of Biatntes which had become obsolete , and to consolidate the remainder under distinct heads , -with such amendments as might be deemed necessary . The Lord Chajscel . ix > r described what had been done on this subject by Mr . Bellenden Ker and other gentlemen whom he had appointed for tho purpose of investigating the subject . These gentlemen had prepared reports , from which it appeared that out of between 16 , 000 and 17 , 000 statutes there were only about 250 O which were now living law . The commissioners were now proceeding with the consolidation of these statutes in groups , under the direction of Mr . Ker , very

      mucL upon the principle recommended by his noble and learned friend . The matter , however , was in the natnre of tea . experiment at present . At the end of the year , however , he should look at the consolidated bills -which these gentlemen would have prepared ; . &nd if he found them such as he could consistently submit to the House as fit to become the law of the land , he should lay them before their Lordships . At the same time he firmly anticipated that such would be the result of tb # experiment . If it -were , further consolidation would be easy and rapid . Lord Campbell expressed his satisfaction at hearing that everything which was practicable on this important subject was about to be undertaken .

      GhorBRNMKNT Defeated . —On Thursday , Ministers sustained their first defeat . Mr . Thomas Chambers moved ibr & committee to inquire into some alleged breaches of trealy by the Portuguese Government . A British firm had been ruined by persistent litigation in courts to which they were Hot amenable . Lord John Russell , opposed the motion , en the ground that committees on such subjects would take the affair out of the hands of Government . The House did not take that view , and by 126 to 74 carried the motion . Leadkr of the House . —Mr . Caylett moved for a

      committee to inquire into the duties of the member of the Government ( Lord John Russell ) leading the House , and to consider the propriety of making that post a paid office . He treated it as an anomal y that the Leader of the House should pot be a Cabinet Minister . No one knew who was responsible for the advice given to the Crown . After a pause , Mr . Stirling seconded the motion , but it was opposed by Sir C . Wood aud Lord J . Russel . 1 , and- finally negatived without a division . Navy Estimates . —Sir J . Graham brought up the navy estimates for the year 1854-65 .

      Lord J . Russell ,: " I may state , for the convenience of the House , that oa Friday next it is proposed to take the navy estimates . " Haiiavay Accidents . —At tho suggestion of Lord Moxteaglk , Lofd Stanley of Aldkrley promised to lay upon , the table of the House of Lords a return of the railway accidents up to the present time ; and to report such transactions in future from time to time . Lord Campbkll said that new legislation is required for the protection of the

      people of this country . JnoBLio Business . —On the motion of Sir John Pakingto h , a select committee has been appointed to consider whether , by any alteration of the forms and proceedings of the House , the despatch of public business can be more effectually promoted . The committee nominated are-Sir John Pakington , Lord John Russell Mr . Disraeli , Mr . GoTilburn , Mr . Evelyn Denison , Mr . Sotheror , Mr . Greene , Mr . John Ball . Mr . Wilson Patten , Mr . Brotherton , Sir George Grey , Mr . Walpole , Lori Stanley , fiJr . Hume , and Mr . Bright . .

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      PREPARATIONS EOR WAR . TROOPS FOR FOREIGN SERVICE . Ora Dublin correspondent says that military recruiting on a grand scale is to be commenced forthwith in Ireland , for the first time since the conclusion of Napoleon ' s wars . According to an ancient cuatom , which has been in tho present instance adhered to , the Quartermaster-General has applied to the Lord Mayor of Dublin for permission to the recruiting parties to carry out their duties within his precincts—a form which was , of course , at once complied with ; and we may expect to see the city traversed daily by parties with fifes and drums ami gay fluttering ribbons . The following list of the regiments under orders fur Constantinople ( qy . ) with the dates at which they are directed to hold themselves in readiness to embark , appears in the Dublin Mail of Monday night : — JjMKing ' g Own ) 22 nd March 7 th ( Royal Fusiliers ) 25 th , I 6 th " 14 th w 17 t v * > . I 7 tn 4 tlt 21 st ( Royal North British Fusi- " Uers ) 15 th

      27 th ( Inniskilling-8 ) ioth 28 th 17 th „ 35 th isth „ 38 th 28 th „ 39 th 2 nd „ 42 nd ( Royal Highlanders ) 30 th „ 50 th ( Queen ' s Own ) 18 th „ 62 nd 5 th ,, 63 rd 7 th „ 79 th ( Cameron Highlanders ) 29 th „ 82 nd 16 th . „ 88 th ( Conaaught Rangers ) 27 th „ 89 th . 1 st „ 90 th ( Perthshire Light Infantry ) 9 th „ 93 rd ( Sutherland Highlanders ) ... 2 lst „ 95 th 24 th „ The following regiments will be . all remaining in the United Kingdom to do home duty : —The 34 th , 20 th , 97 th , 46 th , 33 rd , 77 th , 91 st , 12 th , 19 th , 23 rd , and the Rifl-e Brigade . _ , It i s intended early in the ensuing month that a camp , consisting of 30 , 000 English militia , shall be formed either at Chobham , or such other place as the general in command of the army shall deem fit .

      W& * Bhlck *» ^ f * 7 . ******** learner * which loft SontWpton on Saturday with the . India and China maiL A naval surpeon also went out in the Indus for tie h « Stal connected with the Black Sea fleet . The surireouiuid b&tm wiU ba taken as far as Malt * by the J ^^ ESfiET will be taken on to Constantinople . The British hospital fe at Therapia . ¦ *

      Up to the end of last week 800 out of 1500 volunteers for the Coast Guard had been enrolled by Captain Craigie . Great activity prevails in recruiting for the army , to-augment the regiments to 1000 rank and file . A large number of recruiting parties have been recently sent to the manufacturing towns , also to Ireland and Scotland , to raise recruits , besides beating up at the head-quarters . Many fine young l ads have offered themselves , and there is no doubt but the required number wilj soon be acquired . ,

      THE NORTH SEA . FLEET . A fleet , under the orders of Sir Charles Napier , second in command , Admiral Chads , is to assemble in the Downs by the 6 th of March . Seamea are joining in considerable numbers , roused by the prospect of war , adventures , licking tho " Kooshans , " and prize money . We have good authority for stating that the Government are making arrangements for supplying the intended Baltic fleet with coal at Great Grimsby . —Manchester Examiner .

      An order was promul gated at Portsmouth on Wednesday afternoon , of which the following is a copy : — u AH Greenwich pensioners under GO years of age , no matter how employed or engaged , are directed to attend at the Pension-office between thfa day and Saturday next , for tho purpose of receiving a printed form to attend on Tuesday , the 14 th insfc , for inspection by officers from the Admiralty to ascertain their fitness for service . If this notice is not attended to they will be subject to loss of pension . " Feb . 8 , 1854 . " l

      The Lords of the Admiralty have at length become aware of the importance of manning the ships now fitting out as speedily as possible , and have accordingly- issued a proclamation , commanding the services of one-ha if of the whole force of the Coast Guard , 3000 , to be drafted into ships to aid in manning them . This is a most important measure . The Coast Guard are well disciplined thorough practical sailors and from the daily nature of their employment , tb « most inured to the service of men-of-war ' s men .

      Captain Austen and Lieutenant d'Arando have been busily engaged in inspecting the Ripon and the Manilla—two ships belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Company—previous to reporting to the Admiralty as to their capabilities for transporti ng troops to Malta or elsewhere , if required . Each of these vessels can take from 800 or 1000 troops easily , and double the number if needed . Other steamers are also available , and need only a few guns to render them fit for service .

      A report having appeared in a London morning paper , to the effect that the Cunard steamers , or some of them , had been engaged to convey troops to Turkey , we have made inquiries at the offices of the company , where we learned that there is no authority for such a report . Contracts were taken on behalf of the Crown , on Thursday , by Captain-Superintendent Courteaay , at the Royal Clarence Victualling Establishment , Gosfor 1500 uarters

      port , q of wheat , at an average of 88 s . 6 d . per quarter . The Clarence-yard is in most active operation , the officers and men being at work from six in the morning until ten at night . 100 fine bullocks are being slaughtered here weekly , 30 of which are salted—* . e ., the finest parts of the beasts , foi provisions for the navy . Biscuit-making , hammock bedding-making , and storing provisions of every description for the fleet , are going on with unprecedented speed .

      It is said that four railway truck-loads of shells were sent off one day last week from the Carron Iron-worke , by the Caledonian Railway , for tlie Czar . —North British Daily Mail . A Greenwich paper states that " a Government officer had rerently been round tho manufactories in tho neighbourhood of Greenwich , and that one of the effects of his visit hud boon t ' . io placing of tho Ordnance murk upon some machinery on the premises of one of our most eminent linns . The irmoliinery in question , it was said , whs intended for the Kussiun Government . " A large number of packages and medicul stores iverc tent

      Untitled Article

      THE POSITION AND PAY OF THE BBITlSH SEAMAN . We have received a copy of a Ttseful little tract just issued by Messrs . Bradbury and Evans , entitled Advice to the Mariners of Enqland , and enterprising Youths inclined for the Sea Service , by a Seaman ' s Friend , which deserves to be popular . It sets forth so clearly the advantages to be derived from service in the Royal navy since the new regulations respecting pay , provisions , and prize money , that in publishing a considerable extract from it we shall Tbe doing real service to those who wish to choose an occupation which will secure a permanent provision for them : —

      " A general impression prevails that , wages being much greater in the merchant service than in the Royal navy , seamen naturally prefer the former ; and it is alsompposed that remote advantages in the shape of pension , && ,. do not influence the mass of seamen , who look more to present gains . _ But , in trutli , there is no great disparity of wages , for , with the exception of that inconsiderable portion of our mariners who are settled down and adhere to one employment in the coasting trade , the wages actually earned in the Royal navy are greater than in any other sea service . It has been proved by a careful investigation , when estimating the income to be derived from a monthly levy upon wages for tie support of tae Merchant Seamen ' s Fxm& , that ~ the average employment of the merchant seaman in

      foreierigoing ships , being that branch in which the greatest portion are eagaged , is nine months in the year ; for the otner three months , during which he is waiting for a settlement , or for a new engagement , or spending his money , he earns no tfages , and is , moreover , thrown upon his own resources for food and . lodging ; ana , taking the average of wagesl at tho present inordinate rate to be 60 s . per month , the merchant seaman earns 272 . in the year , supposing that lie has incurred no fines during the voyage tor misconduct , and made no sacrifice iu cashing' his advanced note . The seaman in the Royal navy is subject to no such deductions ; for e" \ en when sick , or on leave of absence , his pay , and also hid time for pension , go on accruing during ihe whblo term of his engagement . In the rating of able seaman , he

      earns in the year 28 / . 17 s . lid , while superior conduct will insure him good conduct pay , as hereafter shown , and improving capacity trill assuredly advance him to higher ratings , when he will earn considerably more . Having pointed out this delusion respecting the dispdrity of wages , which is the only reason that can be ~ assigned why tho Queen ' s service ( wlere the berthing , victualling , comfort , and treatment of the crew are admitted to be infinitely better ) is not more generally preferred to the merchant service , I append a taSle showing tho wages of working petty officers and seamen in the Royal navy , so that the seaman may contrast them with those obtainable in trading ships , and also become acquainted with the advantages held forth by the new as compared with the old regulations : —¦

      A Table of the Kate of Wages nt the Botaii Navy per Month and per Year , under the Olj > asd New Regulations . bt 3 w begt / htiowj . rrr . rt *« . ti ,. nid Continuous- * u g fclSl Service , or Entry gf Entries . for 10 Years . | J * - TT ~ i ~ ir ~ riB ' £ s . d . £ a . d . £ s . d . £ s . d . £ s . d . Chief pettyofficers 3 2 0 86 10 0 3 9 0 411 8 4 11 3 First - class working petty officers 2 14 0 3118 9 3 2 0 30 10 0 4 11 3 Second-class working petty olQcers t 9 1 28 17 11 2 16 10 33 9 2 4 11 3 Leading seamen 2 6 C ' 27 7 6 2 14 3 3118 9 4 11 3 Able seamen .... 2 1 4 24 6 8 2 9 1 28 17 11 4 11 3 Ordinary seamen 113 7 19 15 B 118 9 22 16 8 3 0 10 Second-clays or- I dlnary seamen L 8 5 16 14 7 1 11 0 18 B 0 1 10 6 Boys ( 1 st class ) , and naval an- , _ ., _ prentices 0 18 110 1211 0 18 l 10 12 11 No diff . Boys of tho so- 'I _ _ . _ ,, _ cand-olass 0 15 C 9 2 C 0 15 0 ] 0 2 6 No diff .

      " Seamen Runners , who aro men trained in . the Excellent , receive 2 il . per day in tho iirat class , and Id . per duy in the second class , in addition to ull tho other pay of their ratings . Mechanics and artificers huvo higher rates of pay than the first and second class pet ty officers , ani have also from 2 J . to 8 d . por day additional for tools . Petty officers of all classes wear distinctive badges on the left arm . and are entitled , on their ship paying off , to gratuities \ ary \ ng from \ l . 18 a . 4 d . to 7 £ , depending on the rating and the thine the ship has heen in commission . Badges for good conduct not only distinguish tho most efficient and best conducted , but jrive them substantial advantages in the shape of pay . Thus , with one badge or gold stripe on the arm , an able seamnn would bo entitled to 2 s . 7 d . , with two" badges , to 6 s . 2 d . ; and with threo Ladges , to 7 a . 9 d . per month , or 4 / . 1 ts . 8 d . per year , which , in . addition to tho wages of a continuous-

      Untitled Article

      February 11 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 12 g " : " - ¦ — — - " ^ —^ _ ^ _ _ i . .-i . i . i M i i

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 11, 1854, page 125, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2025/page/5/