End of the Session.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 21, Issue 90, 6 December 1910, Page 5

End of the Session.

MEIKLE GETS £2500. Wellington, Nov. 4. In the House on Saturday, after some discussion, the proposed compensation to J. J. Meikle " in full and final payment" for wrongful imprisonment was reduced from £SOOO to £2500. At the item of £ISOO for expenses of the Prime Minister attending the Ininerial Conference and the Coronalion. Sir J. G. Ward said he had received no official invitation, but a confidential communication bad been forwarded, the nature of which he could not divulge. The AttorneyGeneral would accompany him on his trip Home. Dr. Findlay's services would be required in connection with two important cases, namely, the Te Akau case, involviug £50,000, ind the Webster claim, upon which it had been decided to set up a tribunal to decide upon the issues raised. The amount involved so far as New Zealand was concerned was half a million. The tribunal would sit either in England or America at an early date. In addition to attending to these legal cases Dr Pindlay was also invited to attend the Imperial Conference and take part in the proceedings. Beplying to Mr T. Taylor, the Premier stid there was a clause in the Appiopriation Bill postponing the next Parliament session till the 81st July, 1911. He had desired to extend the life of the present sesion till the second week in Februrary, wi.h a view of allowing the Leader of the Opposition and other members to go Home and attend the Coronation. Mr Massey explained that for private reasons he found it impossible for him to visit England, but he wished it to be understood that his decision was not due to any desire to be discourteous to the Imperial authorities. Mr Anderson moved to reduce the total vote for miscellaneous services by £5, as a protest against the vote of £2500 being passed for Meikle. The amendment was lost on the voices. The usual speeches of felicitation, addressed to the Speaker and the Chairman of Committees by Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Massey, and their replies, concluded the final sitting of the session.