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the Government was not that if this Ordi- nance had not been passed he would have been entitled to the pension which is pro- posed. One of the reasons which had actuated the Government in proposing this increase to the pension of Sir Francis Pig- gott was the following: It is the usual custom in the public service to grant an officer three months' be leave on full salary prior to his retirement. This has the effect of increasing his period of ser- vice by three months and in many cases it has the effect of increasing the number of years for
pension by one year, thereby enabling in many cases a considerable addition to be made to the pension which is calculated upon the basis of a certain salary. In the case of Sir Francis Piggott, it has not been possible to grant him leave
but on full pay, and if the three months to which I have referred had been given in his case it would have had the effect of increasing his pension by the sum which
for the Government is now asking, namely,
Λ £55 11s. 2d. That weighed with the Coun- Gov cil, and the further fact that this case will not be taken as a precedent has led the Government to recommend the grant of this extra sum.
I will now
put the amendment of the Hon. Mencher? HIS EXCELLENCY In favour of this vote?
to the volê Hon. Mr. HEWETT-I would like to ask a poll on this question.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-On a point of order, this is not an amendment which is moved by my hon. friend, but a direct negative.
HIS EXCELLENCY-It is an amendment to the motion.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT-I was informed last week that it would be in order if I brought the matter forward in the particular way in which I have done.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL--I submit it is an amendment, It is an amendment pro- per to the original motion.
Hon. Mr. OSBORNE-With your Excel- lency's permission, I would like to remark that when I came into the room I had a perfectly open mind on this subject, and I seconded the motion purely as a matter of form. Having heard the arguments on both sides, I shall not vote in favour of the amendment.
The vote was then taken, the Hon. Mr. Hewett alone supporting the amendment, which was thus defeated by 11 votes to 1.
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