CO129-387 - Individuals - 1911 — Page 209

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which was paid in full by the sureties. Had my recommendation

been carried out, and the security increased, no loss would have

been incurred by the Government, as the sum proposed by me would

have more than covered the whole loss.

18. Had I felt myself to have been in the wrong, or

morally responsible for the defalcations, I would cheerfully and

immediately have volunteered to pay the whole sum missing. But

conscious as I am of having loyally devoted myself to the service

of the Colony, and put my whole heart and energy into my work, în

the face of most adverse circumstances, ill-health, and consistent

opposition from those to whom I should look for support and assis-

-tance, (I must here especially except Sir Frederic Lugard, from

whom I have always received the utmost consideration), I protest

that I cannot be held either legally or morally responsible.

19. I submit that I did not receive the support and encou

-ragement from the executive more especially from Sir Henry May

which I, as the head of a most important Government Department, had

a right to expect, but, on the contrary, have met with opposition

to my every endeavour, slights, and snubs at every step; I have been

kept in the dark as to matters vital to my Department, and have

been handicapped by having inefficient, incapable, and disloyal

subordinates forced upon me; with the result that these defalca-

-tions have been rendered possible, in spite of all my care. I

would therefore urge that the responsibility for repayment of the

missing sum should not rest upon me.

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