ADMIRAL HOBART PASHA

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 1762, 23 June 1877, Page 4

ADMIRAL HOBART PASHA

A Parliamentary paper just issued contains the " correspondence respecting the removal from her Majesty's Navy of Captain Hobart and his subsequent reinstatement." The correspondence opens m 1867, when Lord Stanley — then, as now, Foreign Secretary — is informed by the Greek Minister <l that an officer, supposed to be named Hobart, m her Majesty's service, has taken service m the Turkish Navy, to direct the Crotan blockade," and Lord Stanley asks the Lords of the Admiralty for information. On March 19, 18G8, the Admiralty, acting at the instance of the Foreign Office, state that they have that day removed Captain Hobart's nane from the Navy List. In 1874 Admiral Hobart Pasha addresses a letter to Lord Derby, admitting that he committed a breach of naval discipline by accepting service under the Turkish Government without leave, but adding : — " During seven years that have elapsed since that time I have endeavored to maintain the character of an Englishman for zeal, activity, and sagacity, and I have been fortunate enough to obtain a reputation of which I hope I may be justly proud. I prevented, by my conduct during a very critical period at the end of the Cretan revolution (while I was m command of a large Turkish fleet) much bloodshed, and many people think, a European war. I have organised the Turkish Navy m a way which'has led to high encomiums as to its state from all the commanders-iii-chief of tho English fleets who have lately visited Constantinople. I have established naval schools, training and gunnery ships (and here I have been ably assisted by English naval officers). While doing all this towards strengthening the navy of our ally, I naturally have made many enemies All that

they can find to say (and it is bitter enough), is — ' He has been dismissed the English service,' without, of course, explaining the cause. This is most painful to me, and is very detrimental to my already difficult position." He therefore asks that his offence may be overlooked, and that he may be relieved from " the ban of disgrace." This letter is dated October 16, 1874. On the 3rd of November Lord Derby conveys to the Lords of the Admiralty his opinion that " the reinstatement of Admiral Hobart Pasha m the British Navy would be of material advantage m supporting him m the position which he occupies at the Porte, and might properly be accorded as a matter cf Imperial policy, without affording a precedent detrimental to the discipline of the service." In compliance with this letter, my Lords submit to the Queen m Council that " the Hon. Augustus Hobart be reinstated m his former position as a captain m the Royal Navy and placed on the retired list," and an Order m Council of November 28, 1874, carries out this recommendation, but not allowing any claim to arrears of half-pay. The correspondence closes with a letter dated January 25, 1875, m which the Secretary to the Admiralty informs Captain Hobart that " by the terms of your retirement you will be entitled to rise by seniority to the rank of retired Admiral," and that directions have been given for you to be allowed to draw your retired pay while holding your present appointment from the date of your reinstatement m the Royal Navy."