§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the House information concerning 1317W the charge of murder through flogging made against a Section Chief and another person in Sierra Leone; whether, in view of this incident and the recent case of maltreatment by the application of pepper, he will take immediate steps to institute an inquiry into the incidence of tax collection and the irregular behaviour of officials; and whether he will ask for a special report from the Governor?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe incident referred to occurred in the Bonthe District, where it is alleged that a native who was flogged in connection with the house tax collection died within twenty-four hours. Two persons, one a Section Chief, have been committed for trial before the Circuit Court on a charge of murder. The Governor has promised another report when the trial is ended, and pending the receipt of such information as may be contained in it, I should prefer to make no further statement.