CO129-281 - Governor Sir Robinson & Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [1-3] — Page 303

COPY.

297

ENCLOSURE 5

6020

MAR SO

Minute by the Attorney General.

Hon. Col. Secretary.

ime:

715

3

Had the evidence against Stanton justified

criminal proceedings in a Court of law he would have been prosecuted. He was an able and experienced man and was not likely to have received bribes through the hands of any but

those upon whom he could implicitly trust not to admit that

they had handed the money to him. Having had to test the

accuracy of Sham In's statements and List in many ways, and

after an exhaustive examination of that List in Witchell's

case,in which I was Counsel for the Crown with Mr. Francis

Q. C., I am convinced that those whose names are there as per-

sons receiving bribes did receive them. Considering the posi-

tion and opportunities of Stanton, and the locality,I have it,

in my own mind, the slightest doubt that he knew quite well

all about the gambling house and did not report it because

it was made worth his while not to do so. I have not Wit-

chell's confession among these papers but I think he spoke

of a grand Chinese dinner given by the gambling house peo-

ple at which various members of the Force were present. Can

it be supposed Stanton did not know of this and surmise the

reason of such a feast.

Th

12.2.98

(Sd. )W, Meign Goodman.