AUCKLAND'S EX-CORONER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 172, 20 July 1916, Page 7

AUCKLAND'S EX-CORONER.

HOUSE RECOMMENDS ANNUAL ALLOWANCE. (By Telegraph.— l-arllainentary Importer.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Petitions Committee, reporting on the petition of Thomas Gresham, former coroner at Auckland, for further compensation in connection with the loss of his appointment some years ago, owing jto a change in the judicial system of I 'dealing with inquests, Tccoinmended today that the petitioner's prayer be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that he 'be granted an annual allowance.

The Hon. A. L. Hcrdman, in speaking to the report of the committee, said it had been stated that he had promised to reconnnend the Government to make petitioner an annual payment. Hie own distinct recollection after several years was that he had stated to the committee that he would recommend the Government to make petitioner some payment in the nature of compensation. He himself had no power to commit tile Government, to wliich the matter was referred, and the I conclusion was reached that the grant! of a lump sum would be better than an ' annual payment. Petitioner accordingly j received £200, and signed an acquittance ' although he believed a verbal protest I wae made, and a subsequent written intimation that he would probably petition Parliament again for another grant. Mr. Poole said that he did not doubt the Attorney-General made representations to the Government and got petitioner a lump sum, but petitioner afterwards consulted a lawyer in Auckland, on whose advice Mr. Grceham sent in j the protest, and also made a verbal pro-! test to the postal clerk from whom he received the cheque. The petitioner was 73 years of age, and had put in 35 years of service as coroner. Seeing that a favourable recommendation had come from the committee he considered the Government could afford to recognise the claim and grant him something towards helping him in the declining years of his life. Mr. Buick expressed the opinion that Governmente should never give a lump emn, but an annual subsidy, which could only fee spent as it was received. Dr. Thacker pointed out that it was in the records of the committee that three members of the committee had declared that Me. Herdman had definitely promised to recommend an annual payment. The Hen. G. W. Rnseell skid that no such statements were made, and he contended that the acceptance' of £200 by Mr. Greaham disposed of any further claim against the Government. After further discussion the committee's report was Adopted.