POOR REUBEN WAITE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2766, 3 August 1885, Page 2

POOR REUBEN WAITE.

We regret to learn from the Westport Times of Friday last that poor old Reuben Waite has been obliged to go into the Hospital at Nelson. The Goldfields Committee made a singular bungle in reference to the petition of this old West Coast pioneer, Reuben W T aite. Last year a large number of West Coast residents forwarded a petition to the House stating that Reuben Waite was the pioneer of the West Coast goldfields, and asking that some consideration might be shown to him in his old age. The first signature to the petition was " Ptk. Newman, County Chairman," and the Goldfields Committee, after due deliberation, recommended the Government to give Newman, instead of Waite, some consideiation. This is the report as taken from the appendices of the Journals of the House:—"Patrick Newman claims to be the pioneer of the West Coast goldfields, and be»s for some consideration to be shown to him in his old age. The' other petitioners are in support of his claim. The Goldfields and Mines Committee have the honor to report that Patrick Newman is one of the pioneers of the West Coast goldfields, and has undoubted claims on the colony, and his petition is therefore referred to the Government for favorable consideration." This year Waite himself petitioned Parliament to grant him some consideration in his old age, stating tbat the petition of last session was favorably reported upon, but that no effect, had been given to the report. Tlie Goldfields Commi'.u-:e having had the latter petition "before ihem, have perpetuated ''the blnnd, r of lust year, for they report as follows :—" The

committee did not see its way to take farther action in the matter, and -refers the former report to the consideration of the Government." It is an excellent commentary (the Times remarks) on the great care exercised in considering petitions, that a person who h™ never asked for or possessed any claim tor compensation should have it thrust upon him, while the poor old claimant who is really entitled to consideration ia left destitute. [We presume '< Newman" should read "B.ennan.'j