714

that I had no

recollection

of

his making such excuse;

and lastly

I did

not

have unlimited confidence

in Alves, who nevertheless

I knew to be an old & valued

servant of

the Government of

unblemished reputation and

tried integrity

I have now

I think gone

over the whole of

the

ground traversed by the Commission in their report to

for as

it affects

myself. And I have the honour

27

20.

to

submit that the lines upon

which the enquiry

has been

conceived & carried out, and

the loose & fragmentary

character of the

evidence

afford

no proper basis upon

which either to formulate charges of neglect

or

to deduce

from them

pecuniary

responsibility. In respects the findings of

the Commission are

actually opposed

to the evidence and where

they

are not to

the evidence

is too inconclusive to justify

their endorsement. In the

present stage of the proceedings

therefore I disclaim

blame

for what has occurred I desire further enquiry

before judgment is given.

I have the honour to request

that

this letter

be

published concurrently with the Commission's

report and I desire to thank His

Excellency the Governor for the

opportunity which he has given me of meeting their charges.

I have the honour to be

Your most obedient Servant

(signed) Hennessy Hewodehouse.

Page 720

Page 721

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