CO129-181 - Governor Hennessy - 1878 [1-8] — Page 307

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opium confiscated from the "Gunga" and the fine imposed had been returned.

I regret, however, to inform

Your Excelleney

that

up

till

now

an

quite unable to advise

of the question.

days ago

It

was

any

J

settlement

currently reported some

that the two Crown lawyers,

who had been consulted by the

Spanish Authorities, had

given

their

opinion in favor of the steamer, but

I have since heard it rumoured that

مد

their decision was not quite unanimous as it was at first

· supposed to be.

hopeful

that

There is, however, one feature in the case, and that is,

>>

the Opium has not yet been sold by - publie auction and that consequently the

proceeds, along with the fine imposed, have not yet been distributed

-been distributed amongst

the various Government Officials, entitled to a share thereof, as is invariably done when confiscation has been finally

decided upon.

So

long

time has elapsed

since

a

the unfortunate affair occurred that I

cannot but think that a decision here

was

difficult - probably owing to difference of opinion amongst the head

authorities consulted- and that the case

may possibly

have been transmitted

to Madrid, with the request that- instructions should be telegraphed out.