Kennedy to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
I have the honor to acknowledge the recei[p]t of Your letter
dated
31t May; transmitting the copy of a despatch from
Governor
Seymour, enclosing a letter from
Chief Justice Needham, preferring a
claim for compensation for conducting a commission of enquiry into
the loss of the mail steamer "
Labouchere," together with
Colonial
Secretary Youngs remarks thereon.
In reply I have to state, that I ordered a judicial enquiry
which appeared to me to be very necessary in this case;
and I thought
the Chief Justice was the most fitting, as he was the most competent
person, to hold it.
The enquiry was ably conducted, and the "Report" of the
Commission was transmitted by me to the Secy of State for the
Colonies about the middle of May 1866.
The facts of the case as stated by
Mr Young are substantially
correct.
Chief Justice Needham made no application to me for
compensation, but had he done so, I should (having referred to the
important interests at stake) have given it favorable consideration.
I believe that this case scarcely came within the sphere of the
ordinary duties of a Chief Justice, and that special compensation in
like cases is not unusual.
I have the honor to be
Sir Your very obedient
Servant
A.E. Kennedy
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
See your minute on 4402.
Mr Needham's brother Commissioners were
allowed their expenses—15$ in one case, the other 7 1/2$—for 3
days in each case.
I do not think
Capt: Kennedy strengthens the Chief Justice's
application, nor do I see why he
shd be differently remunerated
from his brother Com
rs.
I should decline giving remuneration, and three day's travelling
expenses is a matter which I should not raise with reference to a
Chief Justice.
I do not see any sufficient reason in
Govr Kennedys letter
for giving special remuneration in this case.
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