PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1195, 21 July 1874, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS.

BELEASE OF SULLrVAW. Among papers already laid on the table of the House is a copy of a lengthy despatch dated February 25th, wherein the Governor enters fully into the circumstances of the release of Sullivan. A fter reciting the incidents of Sullivan's crimes and the excitement caused by hi 3 release, the Governor goes on to stato as the chuf reason for his release as follows :

" Upon Sullivan's addressing a fresh petition to myself, I made myself acquainted with the facts, and referred the petition to Executive Council, who recommended his pardon, vvhieh I granted, with an entire approval of their advice. I may mention the chief grounds for that opinion. All those who have received or listened to Sullivan's confessions, were impressed with the belief that they were full and unreserved. They were confirmed in every particular, as far as could.be ascertained. They resulted in the destruction of a most dangerous gang, and the suppression of similar crimes. It did not appear that Sullivan actually killed any one, for his companions distrusted his resolution, and employed him t» keep watch while they seized and despatched their victims. There was reason to believe that they had used their knowledge of his previous history, he having been ft convict in Tasmania, to entrap him into joining their gang, and that he was an unintentional accomplice in the first murder that subsequently took place, being, possibly thereafter retained by fear of discovery. Finally, there was much reason to fear that future promises of pardon would fail to induce confessions, if the spirit of the promise made to this man were permanently disregarded. " The pardon being granted, it became known to the Government that Sullivan if discharged in the Colony, would be ezpesod to great danger from the friends of the criminals whom he had betrayed ; he entreated protection and assistance in leaving the Colony, and. he continued for several months to reside in Dunedin Gaol, voluntarily performing hard labor, a3 formerly, with a view to disarm suspicion. He was of course, free to proceed to any other country, and desired to go to South America; but it was found impossible to procure for him a conveyance direct thither, and at last it was decided to send him by way of San Francisco. That attempt has been frustrated ; but I bog to assure your Lordship that there has been no condition attached to his pardon, of his proceeding to any particula? country ; that the Government interfere with his movements solely from a needful regard to his personal safety; and . I may further state, that I am informed that the man is a skilful tradesman, who, wherever he may go, is likely to seek and follow gladly industrial occupation, for his own maintenance." On the same subject his Excellency writes on April Bth : " I have the honor to inform you that the convict Joseph Thomas Sullivan, the particulars of whose case were stated in my despatch No. 10, of SOth Feb. last, having received a pardon conditionally on his leaving and not returning to New Zealand, embarked for Loudon on the 31st ultimo, as a passenger on board of the ship Hindostan. He has taken the name of Clark. " The prison authorities and the police, to whom this man is well known, consider that it is very unlikely that he will engage in any kind of crime, but that, arriving in London unknown to any of the criminal class, ho will either endeavor to find industrial employment, or carry cut his present desire of proceeding to the Western States of North America, where he would have gone from New Zealand but for his discovery when about to embark. " The man has been furnished with money for his temporary subsistence or further journey."