§ MR. CONYBEAREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government has yet received any Report respecting the charges of misconduct against the Chief Justice and other Judges of British Guiana preferred by the late Mr. de Souza, or has made the inquiries promised in reply to questions put to him on or about the 17th November, 1888; whether two editors of newspapers in British Guiana were committed to prison for commenting on the de Souza case, after all proceedings connected therewith were terminated; whether they were fined, and to what amount, before they could obtain their release; and whether, having regard to the decision of the Privy Council in the de Souza case, he will consider the propriety of remitting such fines?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethIn November, 1888, it was stated, in answer to questions in this House, that Mr. de Souza had notified his intention to prefer charges of misconduct against the Judges of British Guiana, and that on the receipt of such charges, if they were not accompanied by a full Report, Her Majesty's Government would call for such further Report as might be necessary. Mr. de Souza did not prefer any charges, and there was, therefore, 470 no occasion for Her Majesty's Government to call for a further Report. Mr. de Souza obtained permission to appeal to Her Majesty in Council against the sentence imposed upon him for contempt of Court by the Supreme Court of British Guiana, but he died before the appeal could be prosecuted. In November, 1888, two editors of newspapers in British Guiana were sentenced to pay fines of £50 and,£20, and in default of payment to be imprisoned until the fines were paid, for contempt of Court in publishing articles containing scandalous and libellous statements tending to obstruct and prejudice the administration of justice. The articles related to-the de Souza case, and were published after the proceedings in that case had terminated. One of the editors paid the fine without going to prison, and the other after being in prison for one day. The only decision of the Privy Council in the de Souza case was that Mr. de Souza should have special leave to appeal against the orders of the Colonial Court. Her Majesty's Government do not propose to direct the re-payment of the fines.
§ MR. CONYBEAREDo I understand from the answer of the right hon. Gentleman that Mr. de Souza died before the appeal could be prosecuted?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSYes, Sir; that is so.