§ MR. THOMAS ELLIS (Merionethshire)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what British troops are now serving in Zululand, and whether the peace and order of the country have been so recovered as to allow of the early withdrawal of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons and Royal Scots; and whether he can state the total expense incurred by the employment of British troops in Zululand since the disturbances which took place after the restoration of Usibepu?
§ BARON H. DE WORMS(1.) The British garrison in Zululand consists of about 1,000 men, and the Local Authorities advise that the force cannot be reduced until a decision has been come to with regard to the sentence passed on Dinuzulu and the other Chiefs. (2.) I am informed by the Secretary of State for 1125 War that the total military expense caused by the disturbances amounted to £52,000 from April to October, 1888. The extra cost of 600 troops above their cost at another station from 1st December, 1887 (the date of the restoration of Usibepu) to 31st October, 1888, was £7,333. Since October, 1888, the extra cost of 1,000 troops to 31st March, 1889, was £6,842.
§ MR. T. ELLISWhen will the hon. Gentleman be able to lay on the Table the Report of the trial of the Chiefs?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSA portion of the Report has been received, and has been laid on the Table; but the full Report is not yet complete.
§ MR. T. ELLISA promise was given that the whole should be laid on the Table early in August, and I find from a reply given to a question in another place that the Report was received some days ago.
§ BARON H. DE WORMSA portion only was received and presented to the House some time ago. We are awaiting the concluding portion.
§ MR. T. ELLISMay we hope that it will be laid on the Table before the Prorogation?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSI cannot give a promise to that effect. That part of the evidence which has been received is very voluminous, and it will have to be printed.
§ MR. THOMAS ELLISIs it a fact that, on the 24th August, 1888, the Resident Magistrate of the Etshowe District of Zululand sentenced Nratu, alias Umsidusi, to 50 lashes, which were inflicted in 10 instalments? I wish also to ask whether, on the 20th of November, 1887, three men, by name Sikwata, Mahlatini, and Ngunya, were sentenced to 25 lashes each, and were immediately flogged, without previous reference to the Chief Magistrate; and, whether, in January, 1888, Mgongosa, Umlunsuza, and others were flogged at the Ndwande Magistracy without trial and without reference to the Chief Magistrate?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSThe Secretary of State has not received information as to these cases, but he has called for a Return, which will include any that may have taken place in 1888, and will call for particulars as to that which is stated to have occurred in 1887.
§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)I understood the right hon. Gentleman to say, some time ago, in answer to a question by me in reference to one of these cases, that the Secretary of State would cause inquiry to be made.
§ BARON H. DE WORMSInquiry was made, but no answer has yet been received.