THE JAMAICA OUTBREAK.

Timaru Herald, Volume IV, Issue 102, 27 April 1866, Page 5

THE JAMAICA OUTBREAK.

The royal commissioners, Mr. Russell Curney and Mr. John B. Manic, arrived on the 20th Jaunary, m the Atrato, and on the 23rd the ltoyal Commission was formally opened at Spanish Town. After the reading oi the commissions, Sir Henry Storks said : — "The "inquiry would be an open one, and that if any evidence should be given tending to incriminate any individual, tliat person would be allowed to tender evidence m reply. As it appeared from tlie commission which had been read that the commissioners were directed to conform to such instructions as might be given by the Secretary of State, it was only necessary to add that the one instruction that they have received was that the inquiry should be " full, searching, ami impartial." Mr. Come, advocate, and Mr. J. Home Payne, appeared "on behalf of Mrs. (Jeorge William Gordon, and numerous other parties, who alleged themselves to be sufferers by the measures used for the suppression of the disturbances." Mr. Philippo appeared "on behalf of Dr. Underbill, and Baptist ministers of Jamaica, who arc said m Governor Eyre's despatch to the Colonial Secretary te be implicated m the recetit disturbances." HisexcelleucytheGovernor after consultation with the other commissioners, said : — " If evidence is offered tending to implicate those for whom you appear, you will have an opportunity of attending to their interests." Besides the tribunal acting under the royal warrant, a special commission is sitting for the trial of prisoners for offences connected with the late outbreak. There are 125 persons to be tried. When the mail left, this court and the royal commission were about to begin their actual labours.