By had, for I repeated the attempt by invoking the good offices of a gentleman who was cognizant of all the facts, in good terms both with Sir John Smale and Mr. Gibbons, and messages from him were conveyed.
For three weeks, [the matter was] withdrawn, and was on tom me to Mr. Gibbons by this gentleman on the 15th of October.
5. As Mr. Gibbons, in effect, admitted the accuracy of the newspaper report of his proceedings on the 21st of October, and as I was not satisfied with his explanation, I felt it necessary to bring him before the Executive Council on a charge of deliberate insubordination.
6. From the enclosed minutes of Council and the various documents connected with the charge and Mr. Gibbons' explanation in defence, Your Lordship will see that the instructions relating to cases of suspension were carefully complied with and that Mr. Gibbons had every facility afforded to him in making his defence. When his written defence was considered by the Council, he was asked if he had anything further to add or if he wished to appear before the Council to make an oral statement in addition to his written defence; and he was also asked if there was any other document he desired to consult. Having before them his
7.