TELEGRAPH, SHORTLAND TO TAURANGA.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 17, 26 October 1871, Page 3

TELEGRAPH, SHORTLAND TO TAURANGA.

Mr Gillies, in moving for copies of any contracts entered into with Mr Dixon, Mr McKenzie, or any other persons for the extension of the telegraph between Shorthand and Tauranga, together witli all tenders and correspondence in reference thereto —said he would explain to the hon. the Commissioner of Telegraphs the reason he had for making the motion. It was stated that the Government had entered into a contract with Mr McKenzie to carry out the telegraph line from Shortland to Tauranga'. Mr McKenzie was prepared to carry out the contract, and would have done so without difficulty by the employment of Mr James Mackay, junior ; but in consequence of some jealousy of the Defence Minister of that gentleman, who had formerly been an officer of the Government, the contract fell through in some way or other, and he believed that Mr McKenzie, claimed damages for breaking the contract.- The Governmentliad negotiated with Mr Dixon for the purpose of getting the telegraph carried through, instead of adhering to tiie contract with Mr McKenzie, who would have been able to complete it. He asked the question in order to give the Government an opportunity of setting themselves right in the matter. He would remark that he did not make the statement as giving his own opinion, but as a matter current!}' reported. 1 Mr D. McLean had no objection whatever to the papers being laid upon the table, hut he wished to say that the honorable member for Auckland City West misapprehended the case altogether. The Government had entered into a contract with Mr. Dixon to carry the telegraph line through by Ohinemuri before any arrangement was made with Mr McKenzie, but he could not do so, and the Government immediately afterwards entered into a contract with Mr McKenzie to extend the line from Tauranga to Kati-Kati. He had not even completed the original contract that was given to him, and it was very doubtful whether he would be able to do so. The papers and correspondence could be laid upon the table at any time, and he wonkl assure the honorable member for Auckland City West that it was not from any feeling of jealously, but from the incornpetcncy of Mr. McKenzie to fulfil tho contract already in hand, that this part of the line was not complete, and hence it was not presumable that he could carry out a new contract. -He had given a very great amount of trouble to the Government at different times in getting tho telegraph line extended from Taupo to Tauranga. The Government Agent in Auckland had been instructed to avail himself of any means and assistance to get the telegraph wire extended, and he was not in any way restricted, but had full authority to take any action he might think desirable, either to make a contract with Mr. Dixon or Mr. McKenzie, to carry out the work. He was glad the honorable member had given him an opportunity of making a statemeut in reference to the report.— Hansard. .