C O P Y.
Hon. P. M. G.,
Enclosure 1.
RECR(926 JUL 09)
As directed I beg leave to offer the following explanation.
I received two keys from the Launch Officer on the 24th September to whom they were given to hand to me but with no instructions or information. There were two safes, one containing stamps (the second key of which was kept by the Compradors), the other containing Postal Orders and a small cash box with money but with nothing to show to what it related.
This safe also contained private papers of Mr. Johnston, which, on his death, I handed over to Major Jones, R.A.M.C., his brother-in-law, after satisfying myself that they were not official.
I subsequently learned that Shipmasters' gratuities were paid out of the monies in the cash box, but of what the total sum should have consisted I had no knowledge. I therefore took it for granted that it would be found correct.
I handed the keys over to you in the same manner on the 23rd November and no check was then made.
I understood also that from this money Mr Johnston had advanced certain monies to meet claims for compensation and that some vouchers were found in it, and that in another instance a repayment was recovered but that no voucher was to be found.
Knowing that I was only holding the office for at the most a few weeks I sincerely regret now that I followed the usual custom obtaining here of taking over without a complete check having been made by me or asking that the Local Auditor should be directed to make a thorough survey under the circumstances of the death of Mr. Johnston. It is usual elsewhere so far as I remember for the latter to be done by the Government where an Officer dies without application from the temporary holder of the post.
(Sgd.) E. Cornewall Lewis.
16.6.09.