WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2132, 3 November 1875, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Tuesday. His Excellency's decision in Colonel McDonnell's case has been communicated. The evidence taken- before the Court of Enquiry is very voluminous. The three principal witnesses were Sir G. Grrey, Mr Sheehan, and Mr Brissenden. The latter brought no proof to show that the letter sent to him by Colonel McDonnell was one of those said to have been missed from the Club. On the contrary, it was proved to have been delivered to Colonel McDonnell at his lodgings by some person unknown. Mr Sheehan, who had spoken to Colonel McDonnell on two or three occasions during the three days Mr Brissenden's letter was in McDonnell's possession, advised him on the third day to send the letter at once to Brissenden. Sir G. Grey (to whom McDonnell went a few minutes after he had received the hotter) read the whole or a portion of it, then recommended him to take legal advice, and suggested his speaking to Mr Sheehan. From the evidence, Sir G. Grey appears to have been the only person who recommended the retention of Brissenden's letter by McDonnell, and when asked by the Court for his reasons for recommending McDonnell to take legal advice rather than return the letter addressed to Brissenden at once to its owner, said he thought something very wrong had been done by somebody and the delay would give time for enquiry. The finding k of the Court is to this effect:—That after receiving the letter at his lodgings McDonnell read a portion of it before he ascertained it was addressed to Brissenden, but that on seeing it was so addressed he was guilty of highly improper conduct in not sending it at once to Brissenden with a note of apology and explanation. The Court at the same time considered that the great anxiety of mind under which McDonnell was labouring about that time, on account of imputations as to his veracity before the Tairua Committee, together with the injudicious advice he had received, were the causes of his so improperly retaining Brissenden's letter, taking a copy, and showing it to others, such conduct being reprehensible and

unjustifiable. The Court concluded by referring to McDonnell's high testimonials of distinguished service and character. Tho Governor entirely concurs in tho opinion of the Court, but as there is no evidence in any way connecting McDonnell with the abstraction of the letter, and taking into consideration his anxiety of mind at the time; moreover, ; believing, his conduct was/ greatly guided by the advice he. unfortunately received from others, the Governor is unwilling for the above reasons, and in consequence of his previous distinguished services, to cancel his commission. His Excellency must, however, express strong reprobation of his .conduct,.and adjudge him to be reprimanded by -the defence Minister. ... „.,,.,w w^^™^,-. ,„ This day..

E. T. Gillon is about to resign the editorship of the Evening Post. He will, it is understood, contest the election for Wellington country districts with the sitting member," Mr Brandon.