§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS - BEACHasked the Under Secretary of State for 992 the Colonies, Whether, in accordance with the Transvaal Convention, the British Resident has been the medium of communication between the Transvaal Government and the Native chief Montsioa, who was recently attacked by other Natives, aided by a Boer contingent; whether the provision of the Convention, under which such a dispute might be referred to the arbitration of the British Resident, was acted on; and, whether a Report of the Resident's proceedings in the matter has been called for and will be presented to Parliament?
§ MR. COURTNEYAs far as the information at present received by Her Majesty's Government and communicated to Parliament goes, the Transvaal Government has had no disagreement or dispute with these Natives, and therefore no communication to make to them through the Resident under Clause b of sub-section 3 of Article 18 of the Convention. No dispute has been referred to the Resident by Transvaal residents and Natives outside the Transvaal under Clause e of sub-section 3 of Article 18. A telegram recently sent to Sir Hercules Robinson explained to him that a Report upon the recent fighting was expected from the Resident; and a despatch will be sent by to-night's mail repeating the request for such a Report.