§ SIR CAMERON GULL (Devonshire, Barnstaple)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the fact that the Governor of St. Helena, who acts as Chief Justice of the island, has tried the same action of Barraclough v. the Bishop of St. Helena on four different occasions, with the following results: the first trial, verdict for the defendant; the second (granted by the Governor on the ground that he misdirected the jury in the first case) for the defendant; the third against the executors of the Bishop, who had died in the meantime (again granted on the ground of misdirection in the second trial), the jury could not agree and were dismissed; the fourth for the defendants; that the Governor then refused to accept the verdict, deprived the jury of their fees, and finally decided the case himself for the plaintiff; whether, under the laws of St. Helena, there is any limit to the number of times the same action, raising the same issues, may be tried by the same judge; and whether a strong representation, signed by three out of four members of the Council of St. Helena, has been sent to the Secretary of State on the subject of the Governor's administration of justice; and, if so, whether any sters have been or will be taken to inquire into the statements of the members of the Council.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.(1) I have received from unofficial sources information substantially to the effect of the statements in the hon. Baronet's first question, and I have called upon the Governor for a full report and explanations. (2) The law of St. Helena on the subject of civil actions is substantially the same as the law of England. (3) I have received such a representation; most of the statements contained in it were sufficiently answered by the Governor. When I receive his Report on the matter referred to in the 1144 first question, I shall consider what further action, if any, is required.