- 1. That meetings with illegal objects have been held and are being held by certain persons in Durban, without any attempt on the part of the Government to inhibit them.
- 2. That Dr. MacKenzie, one of the Medical Board, has been one of the most energetic instigators of the objects of these meetings.
- 3. That it had been stated at some of those meetings that the Government was in sympathy with the objects of the meetings.
- 4. That the Minister of Defence had stated to the Committee of the organization, practically, that the Government would take no steps to hinder the rioters in attaining their illegal objects.
- 5. That we claimed the protection of the Government for passengers and property against the lawless acts of persons, whoever they may be.
- 6. To the “Declaration” of the rioters, set out in our letter of the 9th instant.
- 7. To railway employees of the Government taking part with the rioters.
- 8. To the leadership of the riot being under Captain Sparks and others of Her Majesty’s commissioned officers taking subordinate positions under him.
- 9. To our request that we should receive an assurance of the Government that Government servants will be prohibited from taking any part in the demonstration.
- 10. To our proposal to postpone the disembarkation for a reasonable time to suit the convenience of the Government, provided the loss sustained by us in so doing, that is to say £150 per diem, is borne by the Government.
We now beg for a reply to each of these allegations and questions, and to request that you will inform us what steps, if any, have been taken to protect the disembarkation of the steamers.
The steamers have now been at the outer anchorage for 24 days, at a cost of £150 per diem to us; and this being so, we trust you will see the reasonableness of your giving us a full answer by noon tomorrow. And we think it right to inform you that, failing a definite reply giving us an assurance that we shall be paid £150 per diem from Sunday last and that you are taking steps to suppress the rioters, so as to enable us to disembark the steamers, preparations will be at once commenced to steam into the harbour, relying on the protection which, we respectfully submit, Government is bound to give us.
In order that there may be no mistake in the minds of the Government as to the objects of the rioters, we beg to enclose the copy of a notice signed by Captain Sparks, and served yesterday by his deputies, Captain Wylie and others, on the Captain of the Courland, s.s. (This letter appears elsewhere.[34] )
The effect of this notice signed by Captain Sparks has been to make many passengers afraid of their lives in the event of landing at this port.
We, likewise, beg to enclose a copy of a memorandum written by Captain Wylie and served upon the Captains of each of the steamers for their
