Lords Sitting of 18 May 1876

MINUTES.
Public Bills—Second Reading—Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (Aldborough, &c.)* (78); Provisional Orders (Ireland) Confirmation* (67); Poolbeg Lighthouse* (79).
Committee—Report—Chelsea Hospital Accounts* (81).
Third Reading—Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland)* (74), and passed.

TURKEY—OUTRAGE AT SALONICA.

  QUESTION.
  Earl DE LA WAREasked, If Her Majesty's Government have any objection to communicate such information as they may have received respecting the outrage at Salonica; and, whether

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  it is correct that British ships of war, as well as those of other countries, have been despatched to Salonica and Besika Bay?
  THE EARL OF DERBYin answer to the first part of my noble Friend's Question, I have to say that I have received official communications on the subject of the unfortunate occurrence of the murder of the two Consuls at Salonica; but these communications have reached me by telegraph, and they are necessarily brief. The information they contain is in substance identical with that which has appeared in the newspapers. I am therefore not in a position to throw light on the details of the occurrence. I am, however, happy to be able to state that the Turkish Government has shown a very proper feeling in the matter, and that nothing has been left undone by it to secure the punishment of the offenders and afford reparation to the relatives of the sufferers. In answer to the second part of my noble Friends Question, I have to say that it is a fact that in consequence of communications received from our Ambassador at Constantinople Her Majesty's Government have thought it desirable that the Admiral commanding in the Mediterranean should bring up the vessels under his command to Besika Bay. One ship has been despatched to Salonica; and, in addition, orders have been given for a gunboat to go up to Constantinople. I may mention that undoubtedly there has been a great deal of excitement among the Mahommedan population at Constantinople, and considerable apprehension among the Christian population; but the latest accounts state that the agitation has been much allayed, and I hope, therefore, there is no further danger.

ARMY—KNIGHTSBRIDGE BARRACKS.

  QUESTION.
  VISCOUNT POWERSCOURT, having recapitulated the statements and suggestions contained in a letter written by him, and recently published in The Times newspaper, asked Her Majesty's Government, Whether they intend to adhere to the plan of Knightsbridge Barracks now on view in the Tea Room of the House of Commons, and whether tenders have been accepted for the works?
  EARL CADOGANin reply, said, that it was not intended to make any material alterations in the plans referred to by the noble Viscount. No tenders had been accepted, because none would be asked for until the Vote had passed. He might, he thought, be allowed to say that the authorities at the War Office were as anxious as the noble Viscount to make the newly-constructed barracks completely efficient in a sanitary as well as a military point of view. The old officers' quarters were to be renovated and an entirely new wing built, which would contain a mess-room, billiard-room, &c., and officers' quarters over them. The important point was the question of money. It was the opinion of the architect that if this new wing were added the old quarters might be made as good as could be desired; but if the course suggested by the noble Viscount were pursued, and they were entirely to pull down the old officers' quarters and the old riding school, and rebuild them on the sites pointed out by his noble Friend, an extra cost would be caused of at least £15,000, and such an expenditure the Secretary of State did not feel inclined to incur. The noble Viscount was very right in objecting to the married men being compelled to live in the disreputable slums in the neighbourhood; and admirable provision had been made for the married men in the new barracks, so that room would be found for all except 20. If the present officers' quarters were pulled down and a new building erected further west, we should be erecting a structure in front of houses which at present had an unintercepted view of the Park; and this might create a difficulty and arouse opposition from the inhabitants of those houses. The owners of house property in that neighbourhood had already shown themselves somewhat difficult to deal with. As to the sanitary condition of the barracks, the Inspector General of the Medical Department had reported that it was satisfactory.
  LORD SANDHURSTdrew attention to a letter written by Sir Henry Cole, pointing out the advantages of a site about 100 yards to the north of the present barracks, and added that for his own part he had no wish to raise any opposition to the Government in this matter, and merely desired that it should

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  be settled in a manner pleasing not only to the inhabitants of Knightsbridge, but to everybody interested in the question, which was one not solely of local importance, but affecting London in an art sense to a considerable degree.
  THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONremarked that as there were only one or two Bills, of no great importance, and unlikely to lead to discussion, down for to-morrow night, it might be convenient to their Lordships that the House should adjourn to-morrow afternoon, after the appeals had been heard at 4 o'clock, until Monday.
  House adjourned at a quarter before Six o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.