§ MR. HOWORTH (Salford)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the report is well founded that trade has been stopped at the port of Opobo in West Africa, the country blockaded and fined 300 puncheons of oil and £1,000, together with canoes and guns; and whether the Agenni Creek has been shut against the natives for three months, and British intercourse with them prevented; if so, whether these proceedings have been carried out with the sanction and approval of Her Majesty's Government?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONOwing to the representations of Her Majesty's Consul that impediments to navigation had been 1041 placed in the river leading to Opobo, which it was impossible to get removed by peaceful means, and that certain chiefs were interfering with the freedom of trade, instructions were sent to Her Majesty's Commissioner to the West Coast of Africa and the Admiral Commanding in Chief to inquire into the state of affairs. They reported in favour of forcing the chief? of Opobo to remove the obstruction, to pay penalties, hand over their war canoes, and security for good behaviour to the amount of £1,000, to be enforced by blockade if necessary. The suggestion was approved, and the result of the blockade has been so far successful that the Consul telegraphed on the 21st inst. that there were hopes of raising it on the 23rd inst. We are waiting further details. We have not heard specially of the closing of Agenni (or Ogoni) Creek.