HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.— Thursday.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 340, 18 July 1874, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.— Thursday.

The Hon Mjf Richardson, in reply to Mr J. E. Brown,, said, s pwing to the scai'city of engineers and other difficulties, the government had not been able to ascertain the best course for a railway to connect the West Coast of the Middle Island with the northern part x>f the province of Canterbury, but they intended to do so as soon as ever the services of competent persons were available, and which would probably occur this year. In reply, to Mr Eeader Wood the Hon Mr Richai-dson^sajtl that a , similar difficulty had prevented ttie^g^ing'ojf the unfinished portion of the Xuclclanft-aitfd 4 Waikato Railway. ,Mr Murray asked for a return of the cost of goods obtained by the General Government from Europe, • * ■ * The Hoh Mr Richardson said the motion was too vague. He hoped the hon member would put his wish in a more specific form. " Mr Murray asked if the penalties for npn-fulfil-ment of the Webb Californian contract had been recovered."" The Pi;efnier ; No, Application had been made for them," but Webb refused to pay, and the person who took,pYey the liabilities of the firm had, said he was mot r aftbl«C • He' could not positively gay what step wouM r n"exfc betaken towards recovery. He would ascertain from Mr Thomas "Russell wiiat course would be most advisable to pursue with any reasonable probability- of being successful. ' Mr fcMNtSll asked whether the Government had considerable views of the deputation upon the 'construotifai*. of a railway from the Thames to the Waikato-? The s Hon Mr Vogel said the Government hacT considered the subject, but adhered to the opinion expressed to the deputation, and would not discuss the 'matter further. «... 'The Hon the Premier brought in a message from the Governor recommending the House to make .provision for an additional pension to Sir William Martin, to the amount of £166 13s 4d. Mr Murray opposed the motion. Mr Sheehan thought the Government had done a very .wise thing. Sir William Martin had rendered many valuable services to the country. In [committee the Hon the Premier explained that the object was to make up the original pension to .£5OO a year as retiring allowance, in recognition of his labours on behalf of the colony since his retiremont. Sir Cracrpft Wilson said Sir William Martin had retired many years ago, and until he heard better reasons adduced for this addition, he would oppose the motion.. ' The Hon Mr Vogel said the pension which Sir William Martin retired on was very small, and considering his services to the Government since his retirement in native and other important matters,, the Government thought it would be only a graceful act to recognise his numerous services by increasing his retiring allowance. Mr Reader WoQd warmly supported the motion, as a most becoming net on the pirt of the Government to the first Chief Justice of New Zealand, and who had performed an immense deal of work at comparatively small remuneration— les , than o\ev paid to any other Judge,

Mi* Luckie said to refuse this appropriation would be an act of injustice. Major Atkinson suggested that the appropriation should be kept distinct from Sir William Martin's former pension, and made a special bill as a reward for his eminent public services and scholarly attainments. For his own part, he believed the action taken by Sir William Martin had cost the colony hundreds of thousands of pounds. He would divide the house upon this motion. Mr Carleton supported the motion on the ground of the very small salary Sir William Martin had received. The Hon Mr Vogel said though he did not believe in all the theories of Sir William Martin, and though the value.. of his services might be a matter of opinion, still no .one could deny that he had worked hard for the colony. . Mr Buckland hoped the House would be divided. Sir William Martin's so-called services had really been injurious to the colony. His influence had always been inimical ; in fact, he believed that he, of all men in New Zealand, had done most to retard the progress of the- country. The Hon Mr Vogel said sooner than call for a division he would' withdraw the motion. It-was- agreed, that the committee have leave to sit againv ' .