§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now prepared to state the nature of the differences which arose between the British North Borneo Company and Mat Salleh, and which resulted in an expedition, composed of 150 of the company's police, being sent against him.
§ MR. BRODRICKMat Salleh incited the natives of the Tambunan and Tegaa districts, in the territory of the North Borneo Company, to inter-tribal feuds, and the Tambunans petitioned the company to build a station in their district, and to place a European officer there to protect them. While the station was being built Mat Salleh visited a chief in Brunei territory, and purchased gunpowder with the avowed object of creating disturbance in the company's territory. The company continued to send friendly messages to him, but he adopted a hostile attitude, and two of the company's messengers were murdered by his followers. Negotiations were broken off, and the company having received proof that Mat Salleh had instigated the murders, and was inciting the natives to rebellion, sent the expedition against him.
§ [No answer was given.]