THE RELEASE OF SULLIVAN THE INFORMER.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1379, 11 July 1874, Page 2

THE RELEASE OF SULLIVAN THE INFORMER.

Despatches .Jrom . his Excellency the Govern©)? to Earl Kimberley relative to the release and shipment of the convict Sullivan. On February 25th he referred to the excitement'caused in the colony by the release of Sullivan and the failure of the attempt to ship him to America, and remarks : "My : advisers think it possible that some complaint, founded upon allegation above mentioned,, may, reach her.' Majesty's- Government,' and desire that I should infown your Lordship of the facts of the ease." Tlie despatch then details the eirct^nstances under which th 9 Weeti Coast nju r( j W3 ww# win .

mitted, and adds that Sullivan had repeatedly petitioned for his release on the ou the strength of the promises held out to him. The Governor adds :—" Upon Sullivan's addressing a fresh petition to myself I made myself acquainted with the facta, and referred the petition to tho Executive Council, vho recommended his pardon, which I granted, with an entire approval of their advice. I may mention the chief grounds for that opinion. All those who 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 in the suppression of similar crimes. It did not appear that Sullivan actually killed any one, for his companions distrusted his resolution, and employed him to keep watch while tbey seized and despatched their victims. There was reason to believe that they had used their knowledge of liis previous history, he having been a 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 from the colony, would bo exposed to great danger from the friends of the criminals 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 labour as 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 beg to assure your Lordship that there has been no condition attached to his pardon, of his proceeding to any particular country : that the Gevernment 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. It is not surprising that in the account of this man's crimes, given by irresponsible j persons, great exaggerations should be made, 1 and he may be represented in America, as he | has been here, aB having been, in fact, the worst of the gang. His accomplices, whom bis evidence contributed largely to bring to justice, not nnnaturally endeavored to produce that effect, but, as I believe, without truth." On the same subject His Excellency writes on April Bth :—-I have the honor tojinform you that thelconvict Joseph Thomas Sullivan, the particulars of whose case wore stated in my Despatch No. ,10, of 20fch February last," having received a pardon conditionally on his leaving and not returning to New Zealand, embarked for London on the 31st ultimo as a passenger on board of the ship Hindostan. He has taken the name of Clark. The prison authorities and tho 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, he will either endeavour to find industrial employment or carry out 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 furthor journey."