§ MR. CHANNINGI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that notice has been given in the Bloemfontein Post that fifteen 318 farms, comprising about 50,905 acres, were to be sold by public auction on 13th March; whether these farms have been ordered to be sold to provide for the cost of maintenance of the families of burghers who have remained in the field; and whether any opportunity has been given to the owners of these farms to pay the charges assessed upon them, and notice given to them of the time at which these farms were to be sold. I may add that the Question is based on a statement in a paper called South Africa.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.A notice of the kind stated was published in the Government Gazette of the Orange River Colony on 31st January under the provisions of the High Commissioner's Proclamation No. 10 of 1901, to provide for the recovery of the costs of maintenance of the families of burghers in the field who had not surrendered before 15th September by the sale of the farms referred to, unless the claims of the Government should have been paid before the date of sale. I am not aware whether any steps beyond publication have been taken to give notice to owners.