The Globe. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1875. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 434, 3 November 1875, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1875. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

(Per Press Agency.') Wellington, November 2, His Excellency’s decision in Colonel McDonnel’s case has been communicated. The evidence taken before the Court of Enquiry is very voluminous. The three principal witnesses were Sir G. Grey, Messrs Sheehan and Brissenden, The latter brought no proof to show that the letter sent to him by Colonel McDonnel was one of those said to have been missed from the club. On the contrary it was proved to have been deliverec to Colonel McDonnel at his lodgings by some person unknown. Mr Sheehan, who had spoken to Colonel McDonnel on two or three occasions during the three days Mr Brissenden’s letter was in Colonel McDonnel’s possession, advised him on the third day to send the letter at once to Mr Brissenden, Sir G. Grey (to whom Colonel McDonnel sent a few minutes after he had received the letter) read the whole or a portion of it, and 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 Mr Brissendeu’s letter by Colonel McDonnel, and when asked by the Court for his reason for recommending Colonel McDonnel to take legal advice rather than return the letter addressed to Mr Brissenden at once to its owner, he said he thought something very wrong had been done by somebody, and that delay would give time for enquiry. The finding of the Court is to this effect, that after receiving the letter at his lodging, Colonel McDonnel read a portion of it before be ascertained it was addressed to Mr Brissenden, but that on seeing it was so addressed, he was guilty of highly improper conduct in not sending it at once to Mr Brissenden with a note of apology and explanatiqp. The Court at the same time considered that the great anxiety of mind under which Colonel McDonnel was labouring about that time on account pf 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 Mr Brissenden’s letter, taking a copy and shewing it to others, such conduct being reprehensible and unjustifiable. The Court concluded by referring to Colonel McDonnel’s high testimonials, distinguished service and character. The Governor entirely concurs in the opinion of the Court, but as there is no evidence in any way connecting Colonel McDonnel 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 service, to cancel bis commission. His Excellency must, however, express his strong reprobation of his conduct, and adjudge him to be reprimanded by the Defence Minister. The finance committee of the Harbor Board suggest that the members should get two guineas each sitting. As there are nine members, this would amount to £453 12s per annum. All the Board’s debentures have been placed at par. Dunedin, November 2.

Sir P. Dillon Bell has expressed his intention of again standing for Mataura, unless on arriving home he should find that domestic affairs may render it necessary for him to proceed to England. A disputed claim for compensation was brought before the Supreme Court yesterday. It is claim of £32,250 preferred by Mr David Proudfoot, as compensation for the damage alleged to be sustained by him, the plaintiff, on account of the Moeraki railway passing through his quarry on the Port Chalmers railway line. The claim is brought before the Supreme Court in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act, 1874, and his Honor Judge Williams is conducting the case along with two assessors, IMIS DAT’S TELEGRAMS. Dunedin, November 3, Mr Stout addressed his constituents on Friday, and it is Just possible that the Opposition, through him, will sound the keynote of their programme. A caucus of the leading Oppositionists has been held, and a definite course of action arranged, but it has not yet transpired. Sir G. Grey’s lecture on “The Australasian Colonies, including New Zealand,” was a great success last evening. The hall was crowded. Bishop Neville was on the platform, together with Messrs Sheehan, Bunny, Sir John Richardson, Bradshaw, and some other leading citizens. There will be a handsome sum for All Saints Church fund, Wellington, November 3. Mr E. T. Gillon is about to resign the editorship of the Evening Post. He will, it is understood, contest the election for Wellington country district with the sitting member, Mr Brandon. New Plymouth, November 3. At a meeting of the Harbour Board the proposition of Government re a central prison was discussed. The proposition was that the Board give up a fourth of its land fund, and in return the Government would made the first portion of the harbour in three years, and place the central prison at Sugar Loaves. The prisoners to work on the foundation of the harbour. The Board has postponed further consideration until the - engineers have been here and reported,