§ MR. WHALLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Cetywayo, the late King of the Zulus, is still confined as a State prisoner in the Cape Colony; and, if that be so, how long Government intend to confine him, and what course they intend to pursue towards him?
MR. GRANT DUFFSir, Cetywayo was by the latest telegraphic accounts—those of May 19—still in the charge of the military authorities at Cape Town, in the building described in the despatch of the l5th of September, 1879, which will be found at page 267 of the Correspondence presented to Parliament in February last. The Government are expecting a full Report with regard to him in answer to a telegram which was sent on the l5th of this month by the Secretary of State, in which he directed that Cetywayo should be allowed all the liberty which could be given to him conveniently, and that he should be allowed to see his friends. There is a Bill at the present time before the Cape Parliament for the purpose of authorizing his being detained by the civil, and not as he now is by the military authorities, at the Cape; and it is hoped that the result of that Bill may be very materially to improve his position. When the discussion on that Bill is finished there will be a further Report on the subject. I may add that the Secretary of State is anxious that Cetywayo should have all possible liberty and consideration compatible with his detention within the limits of the Cape Colony.