§ MR. ALDERMAN COTTONasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, With reference to the sudden and mysterious disappearance on the sea coast in October 1880, and within 200 miles of Sydney, of a party of five men, the leaders of whom were two officers of the New South Wales Government, viz. Mr. Lamont Young, an Associate of the Royal School of Mines and a Fellow of the Geological Society, and a German gentleman, Mr. Max Schneider; and, whether any circumstances have been discovered, tending to clear up this mysterious occurrence, by the New South Wales Police; and, if not, whether he would suggest to the Governor of New South Wales to have the present offered reward of £200 largely increased, with a view to elucidate the matter, as it is firmly believed by many that the party were murdered?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYSir, the New South Wales police have used the utmost diligence in trying to account for the mysterious disappearance of these men; but hitherto they have failed to obtain any clue beyond what was given by the discovery of the empty boat. As to the question of the offered reward, the matter rests with the New South Wales Government, who have already informed the father of Mr. Young that there does not appear to be any good reason for supposing that an increased reward would now lead to any fresh discovery. The hon. Member says it is firmly believed by many that the party was murdered; but I may remind the hon. Member that it is firmly believed by many others that the party was drowned.
§ MR. ALDERMAN COTTONsaid, that the friends of Mr. Young believed that 1270 these unfortunate gentlemen were murdered, and that an increase of reward would lead to discovery. He hoped the Government would take the matter into consideration.