cHAP. vi] GOVERNOR AS IMPERIAL OFFICER 295 
tion of the resolution arrived at by the Imperial Govern- 
ment. New Zealand, with less assumption of superior virtue, 
contented itself with asking for information, and said that 
it felt sure that no interference was intended with the powers 
of a self-governing Colony, but that owing to meagre and 
conflicting accounts it wished to be relieved of anxiety. 
The facts were briefly telegraphed out with an assurance 
that there was no intention of interference, but that in view of 
the presence of British troops the Imperial Government were 
entitled and in duty bound to obtain full and precise informa- 
tion as. to these sentences. A discussion in Parliament also 
took place on April 2, but it cannot be said to have added 
much light to the case, the disputants all apparently not 
realizing the exact points at issue. An effort was made to 
induce the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to grant 
leave to appeal in respect of these sentences, but it was 
declined for the reasons given in the judgements of the Court 
on April 2, on which day the natives were executed. 
The following is the judgement of the Judicial Committee : 
Their Lordships thought it right to sit at the earliest 
moment to hear an application which they were informed 
concerned a matter of life or death. Having heard it, their 
Lordships are unable to advise His Majesty to grant this 
Petition. It isnot an appeal from a Court, but in substance 
from an act of the Executive. Evidently the responsible 
Government of the Colony consider that a serious situation 
exists, for Martial Law has been proclaimed. The Courts 
of Justice in the Colony have not been asked to interpose; 
and, apart from questions as to jurisdiction, any interposition 
of a judicial character directed with most imperfect know- 
ledge both of the danger that has threatened or may threaten 
Natal, and of the facts which came before the tribunal of 
war, would be inconsistent with their Lordships’ duties. 
Their Lordships will therefore humbly advise His Majesty 
to dismiss the Petition. 
The case was a very unsatisfactory one: the Governor had 
evidently not supplied adequate information for the Secretary 
of State to be able to decide whether the case was one for 
Imperial intervention or not. It could simply not be said 
on the evidence which was then before the Secretary of State