§ MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what was the last occasion on which one of His Majesty's ships was despatched from the Cape to Tristan da Cunha, with mails and parcels for the islanders.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe last occasion was in January, 1904, when H.M.S. "Odin" carried out this service from the Cape.
§ MR. ASHLEYasked whether it was not a fact that a petition had been presented to the Governor of Cape Colony by relatives of the islanders asking that a ship might be sent at an early opportunity to enable them to communicate with the islanders.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONsaid he was not able to answer that Question.