We regret deeply to note that it has been found
necessary to bring Commander F. W. B. Maxwell-Heron, of H.M.S. '
to a court-martial, on charges of peculation of stores; false contracts, fraudulent accounts, and oppression in disrating T. Hidden, ship's corporal, for making an effort to defend the stores by representations to Commander Heron made in the course of 'duty. It seems incredible, prim dfaete, that such charges should be true, and we trust, for the honour of the Navy, that the Com- mander may clear himself, although, if he does, a conspiracy nearly as discreditable will be revealed. The Admiralty shows great courage in insisting on searching into such a scandal; and we trust Lord Northbrook will not forget to consider whether, in an age like ours, it can be wise to leave commanding officers in the Navy in their present pecuniary position. It is a hard one.
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