THE EARL OF CARNARVONMy Lords, I wish to ask the noble Earl the Secretary of State for the Colonies a Question of which I have given him private Notice. I wish to know whether he can give us any information as to the serious disturbances which have taken place in Zululand? So far as I can understand, Cetewayo's brother has attacked one of the small Kings recently set up, and among whom Zululand was divided. A serious disturbance of this kind is, of course, of grave importance to South Africa and to this country. I 3 do not want to make any further comment at present, as the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this question must come under your Lordships' notice on another occasion, if, unhappily, the troubles should go further. It will be convenient if the noble Earl can put us in possession of any information he may have received on this subject.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYMy Lords, the most convenient course for me to take in answering the Question of the noble Earl will be to state the telegraphic despatches we have received from Sir Henry Bulwer. On the 7th instant Sir Henry Bulwer telegraphed that Mr. Osborne reported that Oham and Umyamana were arming, that he feared a collision between them, and that he thought the movement proceeded from the ex-King's party. Sir Henry Bulwer had instructed Mr. Osborne to mediate, and endeavour to avert a collision. On the 17th Sir Henry Bulwer telegraphed that Mr. Osborne's Reports were still unsatisfactory, though not hopeless. Mr. Osborne was of opinion that the movement was directed by the Cetewayo party against the two Chiefs, with the view, if successful, of setting up Dabuko, the ex-King's brother, as King or Regent. And on the 20th he telegraphed that he had received a Report from Mr. Osborne, dated the 13th instant, which was more hopeful, but that the position of affairs was still serious. There appears to have been no actual outbreak and no fighting between the Chiefs.