CHIEF REINSTATED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 650, 30 September 1933, Page 5

CHIEF REINSTATED

I (British Offlcial Wireless)

THE KING PARDQNS TSHEKEDI FOR FLOGGING McINTOSH DIPLOMATIC DISCIPLINE

Rugty, Sept. 28. In accordance with the advice of the Secretary for Dominion Affairs (Mr. J. H. Thomas) the King has been graciously pleased to terminate the period during which the ehief,. Tshekedi is suspended from the exercise of his functions as acting chief of the Babangwato tribe in Bechuanaland. Tshekedi will be reinstated as acting chief at Serowe by the High Gommissioner as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. | The decision follows the full con- | sideration of the case in which Tshekedi was suspended after an inquiry had shown that he had exceeded his powers in flogging the white man, Phineas Mclntosh, and that in claiming that he had a right to do so he was attempting to put himself above | the law. ° Dominions Office View A Dominions -Office communique states: "The High Commissioner has received from Tshekedi a communication, in which he stated: T had not

taken the step regarding Mclntosh with the intention of raising the issue on a point of jurisdiction affecting my court, but I had been compelled in the interests and just administration and the -good of my people to order the punishment of Mclntosh. I hereby abandon any right to deal with a case in which a European is concerned, and - I undertake not to deal with any European case in future in order to remove any misapprehension. I did not, and will not, claim to be immune from the law of the Protectorate as now in force, or as my be hereafter in force. No one could regret more than I do what has occurred, and I desire to assure the High Commissioner that I would at all times work in harmony and loyal co-operation with the administration'."

Official Reports The High Commissioner ordered a. separate enquiry as to whether there had been a failure of the administration to deal adequately with the offences committed by Mclntosh and other Europeans in Serowe. From this inquiry it appears that during 1930-32 there was one conviction for assault against Mclntosh, and three -against McNamee were obtained in 1932. Complaints by Tshekedi and others as to the association of Mclntosh and McNamee with native women were temporarily dropped owing to the acting chiefs failure to respond to requests to collectevidence, and, in the absenee of evidence ju'stifying action under Proclamation VIII of 1929, in March, 1933, on a complaint from a European resident, the magistrate severely ivprimanded Mclntosh in the presence of witnesses. No complaint was made to restrain the magistrate after this incident. On no occasion did Tshekedi refer to the conduct of these or any other Europeans, nor did he make any complaint as to inaction or inadequate action by the administration. Nevertheless in view of the statements in the latter part of Tshedeki's communication the High Commissioner has recommended to the Secretary for Dominion Affairs that His Majesty should be advised to terminate forthwith the period during wlh!:ch Tshekedi is suspended.