over time the decisions of finniss became so criticised that the south australian government recalled the party with the intention of holding an inquiry into his conduct. in december 1865 the barque "ellen lewis" left the northern territory carrying finniss and most of the witnesses, including litchfield, to arrive back at adelaide in february 1866. litchfield then appeared as a witness favourable to finniss at the northern territory commission hearings that took place during march–april 1866.