Those who knew the condition of the West Coast of the North Island before Sir William Pox began his labours, and who know its condition now, will admit the magni tude of the change which has been brought about, and will ndmit also that the man to whose exertions the altered 6tate of affairs is principally due, has deserved well of his country. So fully satisfied was the Government of the day that when Sir William Fox returned his commission, he was pressed to accept an honorarium for. his services. We believe the sum then named was £2000. But Sir William declined the offer, and. the matter dropped. Afterwards he unfortunately sustained heavy losses, which considerably altered the position, and removed his unwilling ness to accept a vote. Under those cir cumstances, the present Government determined to place the sum on the supplementary estimates. The fact that Buch a step was taken is a further tri bute to the' value of the work performed under the West Coast Commission ; for the present Native Minister is apolitical opponent of Sir William Fox, and'per haps it will not be oat of place to add that, during the earlier stages of the work,- Mr Ballance's paper, the Wan ganui Herald, showed itself not at all friendly to the commission. Mr Bal lance, however, has been wise enough to recognise the value of the completed work, and generous enough to acknow ledge it. If he had thought it a failure, it is certain that he would not have given his sanction to the appearance of the £2000 on the supplementary esti mates. This honorarium thus has a re commendation from two Ministries — Major Atkinson's nnd Mr Stout's, and from two Native Ministers — Mr Bryce and Mr Ballance. But on Saturday night the House showed a great ro luatance to let' the vote go through, and we are sorry tobbserve that the member for Kumara had tho execrable taste to designate the honorarium as " a com passionate allowance." So strong was the feeling, that tho Premier, see ing no probability of the item being passed in' the then temper of the committee, consented to report progress. Oh the whole it is a rather remarkable case. 