CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 179

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defence.

4.

In the meantime I am going on with my reply which I

hope to place in His Excellency's hands on or atout the 25th

instant.

5.

In my defence I have right to state it in a way that I

find necessary for the purpose of olacing myself in a proper

position and His Excellency will have to consider when it is read

that it is not intended in any way to be offensive,

3. I am compelled to take a stand for my own protection,

considering the manner the Commission has been conducted. The

Ordinance (27 of 1888) enabling His Excellency to appoint such

a Commission I have read and considered and that Ordinance has

not been framed for the purpose of stopping any one from defending

himself to the fullest extent when such wrong and grave charges

are made against one. It must be remembered that we are acting at

the present date in liberal times: not the arbitrary times of two

and a half centuries ago when a Commission had the power of life

and death. As one perfectly familiar with the State Trials I

think I am ouite justified in quoting them.

7.

I intend that this matter shall be enquired into to the

fullest extent and thoroughly sifted, and, if necessary, to be

taken to the highest tribunal. It is on these grounds that I am

now carefully preparing av defence as I cannot but expect it will

have to go to a higher tribunal. With all due respect my meaning

is not to be intended to be disrespectful as it is by anxious

desire to show every regard to the position in which I have been

placed,

(30.)

I have to..

J.W.Norton Kyshe.

Registrar.

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