DR. CAMERONasked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is true that the trial of the accused Skye Crofters has been fixed to take place at Inverness on Wednesday, the 10th instant; whether it is a fact, as alleged by the agent for the accused, that, in consequence of the steamboat arrangements between Skye and Inverness, the selection of that day will involve on witnesses from Skye the necessity of a five days' absence from home, whereas the selection of a day earlier or later would enable them to save two days of that time; and, whether, if this be so, he will order such alteration in the date of the trial as will enable evidence for the accused to be secured without such heavy and avoidable expense?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR), in reply, said, he was glad to say that he had that day received a communication from the Sheriff of Inverness-shire stating that the day of trial had been changed from Wednesday, the 10th instant, to Thursday, the 11th, so 228 that the inconvenience referred to would be avoided, the witnesses being able to come to Inverness on Wednesday and return on Thursday.