SIR FREDERIC SMITHsaid, he rose to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether there is any truth in the report that Captain Sir William Wiseman, R.N., who lately was Vice President of the Ordnance Select Committee, is about to be sent to a distant command? In putting this question he had no wish to cast any imputations upon this distinguished Officer, but merely regretted that his services would be no longer available in the position which he lately filled.
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, in reply, that Sir William Wiseman had been offered, and had accepted, the Commodore-ship of the Australian station. He quite agreed with the hon. and gallant Gentleman as to the great merits of this distinguished Officer, and it was not with any wish to shelve him that this appointment had been conferred upon him. But Captain Wiseman had not served his time afloat, and it was proper that so distinguished an Officer should receive such a command.