CO129-347 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [4-6] — Page 371

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and since he concurred apparently in the wisdom of the

decision I concluded that the only matter at issue was the

money loss, and that if that loss were met he would be

satisfied. This view was also taken by the Colonial

Secretary who had read all the correspondence, and might

still be inferred from paragraph 19 of Sir F. Piggott's

Memorandum. In regard to that paragraph I have already

explained that I considered that Your Lordship's legal

advisers and not myself or a Lord Justice of England, were

the proper persons to decide the point of law involved. In

regard to paragraph 20, as I have explained Mr. Ho Tung has

made two of his wives co-equal. It is impossible therefore

to be sure when he speaks of his wife which wife or

whether one wife or both is meant.

9.

The Chief Justice maintains that

the whole matter resolves itself into the fact that the

Council desired "to increase the seclusion of the Govern-

-or's residence", and so to do by a side wind what they

should have done in a more legitimate way, viz.:- by

purchasing the property (paragraph 22). Neither at this nor

at any other time has the question of purchasing the

"Eyrie" been considered by the Execuitve Council. Sir F.

Piggott appears anxious to drive the Government into the

purchase