CO129-348 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [7-10] — Page 13

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and though my legal advisers do not share this view it

appears to be the unanimous opinion (in which I concur

that his moral claims are irresistible. I have in these

circumstances with the advice of my Council instructed Mr

C. Clementi to endeavour to ascertain what claim the

Opium Farmer will make. It has not however hitherto been

possible to commence these negotiations since the Farmer

is absent from the Colony, but I am taking steps to as-

-certain whom he will authorise to act on his behalf.

8.

Your Lordship will therefore

perceive that it is not yet in my power to inform you

precisely as to the extent of such valid claims for com-

-pensation as may be put forward directly and indirectly

as a consequence of the refusal to formally confirm the

licences of these 10 Divans. In these circumstances I

would most strongly urge Your Lordship that no steps

should be taken with regard to them until Mr. Hutchison's

report on the remaining Prepared Opium and Dross Opium

Divans has been received, and I am in a position to

estimate the total amount of the claims for compensation

which may be brought against the Government by Divan-

-keepers. By that time I hope also to be able to estimate

the amount of any claims which may be due to the Farmer.

Mr.