EX-RAILWAY OFFICIAL’S TROUBLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2176, 4 September 1907, Page 2

EX-RAILWAY OFFICIAL’S TROUBLES.

PETITION BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. APPLICATION FOR COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCE DECLINED. Special to Times. WELLINGTON, September 3. There are few people hi the present House of Representatives who remember Mr. William Conyers, formerly in the service of tho N.Z. Government. Of late years Mr. Conyers has fallen upon evil times, and in consequence of his incapacity for work has been petitioning Parliament for a compassionate allowance. The Railways Committee, having considered his petition, to-day reported that they had no recommendation to make. Mr. E. G. Allen said he was sorry the Committee had brought down such a report. Mr. Ccnyers had been brought out to the colony by the • Government, and he had fitted up the first railway locomotive in the colony. Ho had been a valuable servant.” Ho was now in Melbourne in a state of destitution. He had lost the sight of one eye, and the sight of the other was now also affected. In fact lie had been physically ruined as the result of an accident in connection with the opening of the railway from Dunedin to Invercargill. Ho was in charge of the train, and while looking out of one of the carriages struck his head against a water tank that was too close to the line. Mr. Allen moved that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Sir Wm. Steward seconded the amendment. Ho happened to be on the train at tho time of the accident. He spoke very highly of the services to the colony rendered by Mr. Conyers. Mr. Tlios. Mackenzie, though sympathising with Mr. Conyers, could not see that it was a case in which the Government should he called upon to make a contribution. Mr. Conyers had left the service voluntarily to engage in undertakings of his own, and afterwards he had left the colony altogether. Mr. Sidey did not object to the amendment. This was the third time the matter hlid been before the Committee, and each time it had made the san\e recommendation. The Department, though not admitting their liability to pay the full amount of £I7OO retiring allowance, had nevertheless paid that amount. ■ A division was called for on the amendment, which was lost by 30 votes to 27. The Premier was amomrst those who voted for the amendment.