THE MOORHOUSE SERVICES RECOGNITION BILL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 154, 29 June 1880, Page 4

THE MOORHOUSE SERVICES RECOGNITION BILL.

When this bill was brought before the Lower House by Sir George Grey, it was debated with the utmost seriousness, and members applied themselves diligently to conferring what* they generally considered and what the mover particularly , believed to be, an honor oxceeding anything else that the House or country could bestow. .The Lords, however, appear to have treated the affair as farcical in the extreme, and at once deprived Mr Moorhouse ef the chance of a railway free pass like unto these struck for and used by the original directors of the Wellington Tramways Company. When Colonel Whitmore moved the second reading oi the bill, and Colonel Brett seconded it, Captain-Fraser likened the affair to a trumpery farce, such as might be expected in a mimio parliament at a lunatio asylum, and said the reward would be unworthy of the donors and aoceptor. Besides, said he, the lines might have to be sold to pay our debts. A ticket given for ever was worth 'billipas ,of money. He held that a \ grant of 5000 acreß of land would be somewhat better than a paltry „'ieatlier medal such aB was proposed. ..Mr .Mantell pointed .out another difficulty jwbieh might be the outcome of what he termed " this ridiculous way of trying to sho?? respect." It was thiß: A future possessor might, get hia pocket picket in a train, and be arrested for travelling without paying bis fare. Supposing,, too, .went on Mr Man.tell, railways wer.e not in vogue, would tbey give Mr Moorhouse a free pass ./or Cobb's coaches; pr, if we adopted. the Japanese meihod of travelling in wheelbarrows,/would they give Mr Moorhouse and his descendants an everlasting free barrow ? Mr Moorhouse might be called upon even to pay for the rnenjal, aa the bill omitted all mention Jof who was lo pay for it. With a view of having a better mode .of recognition, be moved that the bill be thrown out. Mr Scotland suggested that the Canterbury people should : give something themselves, and wante;l to know why the late Government had not given something. Mr P. Buckley thought it was a case of "save me from my friends," and looked upon the bill as a practical joke. It referred to the eldeet heir. He cohfesßetl he had never heard of a youngest iheir before. The bill was an insult to Mr Moorhouse. Dr Pollen bad too high an appreciation of Mr Moorhouse to think oi passing such a measure. He objected to introducing' the testimonial system into Parliament, 1 as ehpugn )i'ad been seen of it - in " ! regard' to ship-cap-tains and pursers of coasting bpatß, who got a testimonial for attending sea-sick ladies. As for giving a railway ticket, they might as well give ""a ticket for soup. Mr Chamberlain "saiil he had

heard Mr Moorhouse say it would be f?' v,n g<- him „a, state pauper's ticket. OThisL'' Colonial iWhitinbre denied, ? as- >•- eerting tbat-the hon. .gentleman mast baVe made a mistaLke. Sir D. Bell characterised; the proposed recognition as " tr;u.mpery,„,mean, and shabby." After sonie.f urther'discussion, the bill wasthrowia out by 19 to 9. —Post. " " Y'---'Y J.- YJ'i- 'A'HI'.JJ.'.. 1-