THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4228, 8 October 1874, Page 3

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Cape of Good Hope papers to the 25th of June have been received in the Colonies. The following are the leading items of news : Sir C. Brand, for twenty years Speaker of the House of Assembly, has retired, and been succeeded by Mr. D. Tennant. The reports of the surveys for the new lines of railways have been laid before Parliament. The works will be proceeded with as early as possible. Satisfactory news about the contract for the submarine telegraph cable to unite the Colony with Aden has been received. The difficulties are overcome. The financial state of the Diamond-fields Governments is more satisfactory than was anticipated. There is an estimated surplus on the current year. Large finds are reported from the gold-fields, but caution is required with reference to them. The Bill for imprisoning the Chief Langalabalele on Robben Island has passed the House of Assembly. In reference to the measure, the Cape Are/its says : —" In the debate it was proved from official and other records that the judges who presided at the trial of this man in Natal —including the Lieutenant-Governor, who sat as supreme chief of the Natives—had prejudged the case, and had publicly uttered strong opinions on the prisoner's guilt. One of the judges was examined as a witness, and the prisoner was denied the proper assistance of counsel in such a way that an English barrister declined the brief. The trial was proved to be illegal, partial, and unjust, and not a word was said in its defence either by the Government or private members. The Bill, nevertheless, was accepted for reasons of policy. A strong hope is expressed by many people in the Colony that this trial may be inquired into by the Secretary for the Colonies, as its proceedings are admitted to have been a disgrace to the British name." .