* THE EARL OF JERSEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (having given private notice of the question) whether the case of the Costa Rica packet was being proceeded with? As the matter was still under consideration, it would not, perhaps, he prudent to enter into the details connected with it; but, as the case had created considerable excitement among the traders of New South Wales and elsewhere in that portion of the Empire, he would be glad if the noble Earl could give some public intimation that the matter was being actively pushed forward. He would only say that Captain Carpenter, who was charged with an act of piracy, was taken prisoner on his arrival in port, put into prison, and very cruelly treated by the Dutch Authorities, although the Dutch Procurator General had stated, in a letter 10 months before, that he had advised the officer of justice at that place that it would be very difficult to prove the charge against him. The interests of Captain Carpenter, the crew, and the 854 owners of the ship were, of course, quite safe in the noble Earl's hands; but an assurance that the matter was being actively pushed on would give public satisfaction.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Earl of ROSEBERY)There are two points with regard to this question—one is the case of the captain of the Costa Rica packet, and the other that of her owners. In regard to the former, Her Majesty's Government have been advised that Captain Carpenter is entitled to compensation on the ground that there was not sufficient evidence to warrant the action taken by the Netherlands Government against him. As to the case of the owners, we have lately been supplied with fresh points of evidence by the Government of New South Wales; and those points are now under the consideration of the Government in connection with the Law Officers of the Crown.