§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to a Despatch addressed to the Commodore on the Australian station by Mr. Consul Layard, dated Noumea, May 14th, 1877, in which the latter states that he recommended, in the case of the alleged murder at Tanna, that the murderer should be required from the tribe and hung at the yardarm of a British vessel of war; and, under what instructions from the Foreign Office a British Consul is empowered to advise the execution of natives in the Pacific?
§ MR. BOURKESir, the attention of the Government has been called to the despatch in question. No instructions have been issued from the Foreign Office empowering British Consuls to advise the execution of Natives in the Pacific. We do not understand the passage alluded to by the hon. Baronet to mean that Mr. Consul Layard gave advice to Lieutenant Caffin as to executing a convicted murderer. Mr. Consul Layard certainly did express an opinion to that effect in the despatch alluded to, which was addressed to the Commodore on the Australian Station and not to the Lieutenant, who carried out the orders of the Commodore. Whether the advice was given or not, there is no ground for thinking that if the advice was given it was erroneous in point of law.