HC Deb 07 June 1847 vol 93 cc181-2
VISCOUNT MAHON

said, that it appeared from the papers before the House on secondary punishments and transportation, that Norfolk Island was to be abandoned as a penal settlement. He wished to learn from the Under Secretary for the Colonies what it was intended, in that ease, to do with Norfolk Island? Was it still to be retained as a British possession, and, if so, in what manner?

MR. HAWES

could only inform the noble Lord that when the present Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land left this country, he took with him a discretionary power to break up the establishment at Norfolk Island. Of course no tidings of what had been done had yet been received from the Lieutenant Governor, so that it was out of his power to say more than that the matter was left to the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor.

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