private purposes. Although, however, the Council entertained no moral doubt regarding Mr Gunthorpe's guilt, they considered it inexpedient to institute a criminal prosecution against him, as, in the opinion of the Chief Justice, who was one of the Council, there was not, in consequence of Mr. Newman's death, sufficient legal evidence to ensure a conviction.
As regards the withdrawal of the contents from the chest, the circumstances appear to have been as follows: Mr Newman performed certain duties under the Merchant Shipping Act in reference to the effects of deceased seamen and the relief of distressed seamen, the particulars of which the Colonial Government had lately had no knowledge. To avoid the delay caused by the Colonial system of audit, Mr Newman was, in October 1859, at the suggestion of...