from Michael Angelo Zoccola, for equalisation of Excise Duty throughout the Union.

from Edward Baker, South African Railways.

from Henry McCabe, retired from convict service.

from A. Day, principal of Coast High School for Girls, Durban.

from M. H. Alves, for continuance of pension.

from Edouard Maas, a former teacher.

from John William Howcroft, Telegraph Department.

Finance Accounts, Appropriation and other Accounts of the Union, 51st May, 1910, to 51st March, 1911 ; provisional agreement between George Frederick Arthur Pigot Moodie and the Government relative to purchase of “Westbrooke” and “Klein Schuur” Estates.

said that it was his sad duty to announce that since the House had adjourned the previous day, the mournful tidings had been received of the death of Major-General Sir Henry Scobell, who had for a long time been Commanding Officer, and also had acted as Governor of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. He thought he was voicing the sentiments of that House when he said that they all deeply regretted his demise, and in him they had lost a good friend to South Africa and a good man, and he would move as an unopposed motion: “That this House desires to record its deep sense of the great loss sustained through the death of Major-General Sir Henry Scobell, K.C.V.O., C.B., late General Officer commanding His Majesty’s troops in the Cape Province, and for some time acting as Governor of the late Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, and, as a mark of respect for the deceased, resolves to adjourn.

said that, in the unavoidable absence of the right hon. member for Albany (Sir Starr Jameson), he desired, on behalf of that side of the House, to second most sincerely the vote of condolence and sympathy which had been moved by the Right Hon. the Prime Minister. Those of them in the late Cape Colony especially who had known the late General Scobell were aware that for many years he had, as the right hon. gentleman had said been General Officer Commanding and Acting Governor, whose name was known rather as a gallant soldier, who had won the respect and love of a large section of the people in this country, and with the deepest sympathy, he desired to second the motion which had been moved by the right hon. gentleman. He was perfectly certain that they were not expressing the opinion of that House only, but the opinion of the whole country, when they regretted exceedingly the sad bereavement which had occurred and their sympathy went out to every member of the family.

said he would like to add a few remarks to what had already been said. He felt the loss keenly, for the reason that he (Mr. Merriman) was the Prime Minister of the Cape during the time Sir Henry Scobell was Acting Governor and, of course, he occupied that position at a most difficult time. He succeeded a man well versed in all the affairs of Colonial Government as a military man, and he (Mr. Merriman) could only say that no man could have discharged the duties of Governor with more tact and knowledge than General Scobell. He not only had a great grasp of affairs, but, unlike many newcomers, thoroughly knew the constitutional position. He acted as representative of His Majesty, and was a personal friend of every one of his Ministers. He possessed, in a remarkable degree, that indefinable quality which is known as—he did not know the Dutch equivalent—good form. He always did the right thing at the right time, and he did not believe that any man had been a better constitutional Governor than General Scobell proved himself during the time he discharged the duties of that office. Of his military qualities he (Mr. Merriman) could not speak ; it would not become him to do so. He could only say that he was, as an adviser on military matters, one of the most honest and truthful of men, and was of the very greatest assistance to his Ministers in that respect. All those who served under him, as well as the rest of the community, who only knew him outside as a charming personality, would deplore his loss. They who had known him believed him to have many years of usefulness before him. Few of them who saw him in the prime of life, taking his share last year in manly sport at Newlands, could have believed that in so short a space of time they would have to follow him to the grave. It was only another instance, if one wanted one, of the inscrutable dispensations of Providence. His loss would be deeply deplored not only by those who knew him from outside. They knew him as a friend, they deeply regretted his decease, and they extended their sympathy to those connected with him. (Hear, hear.)

The motion was agreed to, members rising in their places.