§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the ss. 452 "Courtfield," carrying 1,342 Chinese labourers for the Transvaal, was stopped at Singapore on 15th February owing to the Chinese refusing to proceed further, and that the Protector of Chinese of the Straits Settlements, accompanied by a police officer, boarded the ship at the request of the captain in order to pacify the coolies; and if he will state what was the cause of this occurrence.
§ MR. LYTTELTONI have received the following account of the occurrence from the Governor of the Straits Settlements by telegraph: "Captain of ship reported to Protector of Chinese that he believed that Chinese coolies were in a mutinous condition; he was advised to ask for police protection. European drill instructor and a few Sikhs taken on board during the night. Protector went on board next morning, and, on careful examination, found coolies very good tempered and quite content. Captain of ship and Agent reported further arrangements police protection unnecessary. Ship left next morning."