§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS - BEACHasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Commission appointed under the Transvaal Convention to settle locations for the natives within that State has yet commenced its work; and, if so, what progress has been made; whether, according to a scheme sanctioned by Lord Kimberley early in July, the Governments of the Cape Colony, Transvaal, and Orange Free State, united with Her Majesty's Government in sending a force of mounted police in putting down the aggression of lawless Boer and other adventurers upon the friendly chiefs Mankoroam and Montsioa, which appeared likely to result in the establishment of a new Republic to the west of the Transvaal; whether the request of the Transvaal Government, that their boundary, as fixed by the Convention, might be extended so as to include this territory, has been or will be complied with; and, whether peace has since been restored there, and what is the present position of the chiefs in question?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe Commission to settle the Native locations begun its sittings on the 2nd of October, at Middleburg; but they have not made much progress yet, and I expect the events on the North-East Frontier will probably delay them. The scheme alluded to has fallen through, owing to the fact of the Transvaal Government refusing to participate in it as well as 949 the Orange Free State, the latter refusing on the ground that it was not Constitutional to have to act in that manner outside their borders. With reference to the request of the Transvaal Government that their territory might be extended, that request has been distinctly refused by the Secretary of State. Peace has been restored there for a time; but I am afraid, from the last accounts, it is likely only to be temporary. In a few days Papers will be laid on the Table which will give all the information sought for on the subject.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHCan the hon. Gentleman give any information with reference to the events on the North-East Border of the Transvaal?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYWe have received no information.
MR. GORSTasked whether there was reason to believe that the Transvaal Government had taken any steps to prevent lawless incursions upon the Native Chiefs outside the Transvaal territory?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThat is a difficult Question to answer; but the hon. Member will see all that has taken place in the Papers to be furnished.