§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that about the end of February the Rev. G. A..Scholtz, a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, at Colesberg, was arrested on suspicion of being in sympathy with the Boors; and whether the reverend gentleman has been kept in gaol without trial since that time; if so, will he arrange for him to be either liberated or brought to trial at an early date.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)I have received the following telegram from Sir Alfred Milner in reply to an inquiry which I made—
18th April.—Referring to your telegram of 17th April (No. 1), Reverend Scholtz was admitted to Naauwport civil prison from Colesberg 13th March, and released on bail 2nd April. Preliminary examination held by magistrate was postponed for further evidence.