REPORTS OF RAILWAYS COMMITTEE. (Mr. W.W. TANNER, CHAIRMAN.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1896 Session I, I-11

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1896. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS OF RAILWAYS COMMITTEE. (Mr. W.W. TANNER, CHAIRMAN.)

Presented to the House of , and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OP REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the 25th Day op June, 1896. Ordered, "That Standing Order No. 211 be suspended, and that a Committee, consisting of sixteen members, be appointed to examine into and report upon questions relating to the railways, with power to call for persons and papers; five to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Crowther, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Earnshaw, Mr. Flatman, Mr. Graham, Hon. Mr. Larnach, Mr. Lawry, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Massey, Hon. Mr. Mitchelson, Mr. Morrison, Mr. •G. W. Russell, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Wilson, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Cadman.)

Wednesday, the Bth Day of July, 1896. Ordered, " That the petition of W. Hall ba referred to the Railways Committee."—(Mr. Joyce.) Friday, the 17th Day op July, 1896. Ordered, " That the petition of the Westport-Cardiff Coal Company (Limited) be referred to the Railways Committee." —(Mr. McGowan.)

INDEX.

k>. 3ions, ;c. 'age. fo. dons, :c. 'age. A. Me. 11 Airey, Anthony 14 125 McCaiman, D. .. McKinnon, D. .. B. 346 Begg, Hugh C. Chesney, Andrew, and Others Collie, Peter 495 N. New Plymouth Harbour Board and New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce 72 25 O. Dalrymple, J. T., and Others 48 Olliver, William ill 492 P. Powell, James, and Others E. Ellen, W. N., ana Others 493 420 341 462 5 S. Salton, A., and Others .. Scott, W., and Others .. Simpson, B. K., and Others Smith, G. S., and Others Stewart, John 186 447 477 472 G. Gardner, John, and Others Gardner, John, and Others Greymouth-Point Elizabeth Bailway and Coal Company (Limited) H. 478 T. Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association 64 106 412 112 321 184 Hall, William Hargreaves, W. H., and Another .. Helder, P. S., and Others Hemphill, J. Hodgson, Cecil Hooper, C., and Others .. 442 395 Tonge, P. W., and Others Townley, S., and Others .. 194 441 V. Vaile, Samuel Varney, J., and Others .. I. Inglis, John, and Others .. 380 526 106 308 392 313 W. Walker, James, and Others Walter, Thomas Westport- Card iff Coal Company (Limited).. Whiterod, William Wood, W. N., and Others Worthington, Henry, and Another .41 L. Linnell, G. L., and Others .47 M. Martin, J. D., and Others ■HIT 1 TT L J j"i J. 1 .85

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No. 25.—Petition of Petee Collie. Petitioner prays for payment from Eailway Department for work performed on Sundays, from June, 1888, until March, 1896. The Eailways Committee have the honour to report that this is a matter that should have come before the Eailway Appeal Board. The Committee have no recommendation to make. 3rd July, 1896.

No. 11.—Petition of Anthony Aieey. Petitionee states he was employed by the Eailway Department for twenty-one years ; that in September, 1895, he was discharged without receiving any compensation or allowance. He prays for the appointment of a Eoyal Commission to inquire into the matter, or for relief. The Eailways Committee have the honour to report that, in view of the circumstances leading to petitioner's retirement from the service, and that he has not availed himself of the opportunity of appeal to the Eailway Appeal Board, they have no recommendation to make. 3rd July, 1896.

No. 48. —Petition of William Ollivee. Petitionee states that he was an engine-driver on .the New Zealand railways; that he is now eighty-three years of age and unfit for work. He prays for a compassionate allowance. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th July, 1896.

No. 14.—Petition of D. McCalman. Petitionee states he was in the service of the Eailway Department for eighteen years and six months in various capacities. In January, 1896, he resigned, but two days afterwards withdrew his resignation. He prays for re-employment. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee are of opinion that the petition should be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that the petitioner be found some employment that he is capable of doing when there is a vacancy, provided that he returns the money that has been paid to him as compensation. 16th July, 1896.

No. 72.—Petition of Andeew Chesney and Others. Petitionees pray that the Catlin's Eiver Eailway be extended to the Catlin's Eiver Bridge. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 14th July, 1896.

No. s.—Petition of John Stewart. Petitionee prays for some compensation on account of his long service in the Eailway Department, and also for injury sustained whilst in discharge of his duties. I have the honour to report that the Committee are of the opinion that the Government should be strongly recommended to grant a further and final sum of £50 to the petitioner as a compassionate allowance. 14th July, 1896.

No. 194.—Petition of Samuel Vailb. Petitionee prays that he may, without further delay, be placed in a position to apply his stage system of railway administration to some suitable section of the New Zealand railways. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee have no recommendation to make. 6th August, 1896.

No. 141.—Petition of John Inglis and Others. Petitionees pray for an extension of the railway from Heriot Station to Moa Flat, Otago. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 6th August, 1896.

Nos. 112, 147, 184, 185, and 186.—Petitions of Jambs Hemphill, G. L. Linnell and Others, Chaeles Hoopbb and Others, J. D. Mabtin and Others, and W. N. Ellen and Others. Petitionees pray for the further extension of the North of Auckland Eailway. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government. 6th August, 1896.

No. 313.—Petition of Heney Wokthington and Another. Petitionees pray for the construction of the North of Auckland Eailway from its present terminus to "Whangarei. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 26th August, 1896.

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No. 321.—Petition of Cecil Hodgson. Petitionee prays for compensation and refund of moneys paid under contract with the Eailway Department relating to the penny time-table. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. Ist September, 1896.

No. 64. —Petition of William Hall. Petitionee states that on the 4th day of February, 1896, sparks emitted from a railway-engine kindled a fire on his property at Penrose and caused destruction to the extent of £125. He prays for relief. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, there has not been sufficient evidence adduced to show that the fire was caused by the locomotive at Penrose Junction, but that in all probability the fire did arise from a spark, and therefore recommend the petitioner's claim to the Government. It is also of opinion that the Eailway Department should, during the summer months, take further steps to minimise the risk from fire on the Auckland Section. Ist September, 1896.

No. 125.—Petition of D. McKinnon. Petitionee states that his racing mare was seriously injured in transit from Wellington to Hawera whilst in the railway-trucks. He prays for compensation. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee have no recommendation to make. 26th August, 1896.

No. 346.—Petition of Hugh Begg. Petitionee prays that provision may be made for the construction of a railway from Waicola Siding, through Scott'a or Eaymond's Gap, to the Government estate at Merrivale. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd September, 1896.

No. 308.—Petition of William Whiteeod. Petitionee prays for compensation for loss of office, and for payment for working overtime during his employment on the New Zealand railways. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, this petition should be referred to the Minister for Eailways to investigate the claim made by the petitioner for overtime,, and deal with it in an equitable manner. 3rd September, 1896.

Nos. 211 and 341. —Petitions of J. T. Dalbymple and Others, and E. K. Simpson and Others" Petitionees pray that the necessary steps be taken for the colony to acquire the WellingtonManawatu Company's railway-line. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee are of opinion that, as the petitions refer to a question of public policy, they should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd September, 1896.

Nos. 412, 443, and 462.—Petitions of P. S. Heldee and Others, Hectoe Moeeison and Others, G. S. Smith and Others. Petitionees pray for an extension of railway through by Scott's or Eaymond's Gap to Merrivale, Otago. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee are of opinion these petitions should be referred to the Government. 16th September, 1896.

No. 420.—Petition of W. Scott and Others. Petitionees pray that the Orepuki Eailway be extended to the Lower Ferry, Waiau Eiver, Otago. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee are of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government. 16th September, 1896.

No. 380.—Petition of James Walkee and Others. Petitionees pray that the necessary steps be taken to acquire the Wellington-Manawatu Company's railway-line for the colony. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee, having already dealt with the question involved in this petition, have no further recommendation to make. 16th September, 1896.

No. 472. —Petition of the Geeymouth-Point Elizabeth Railway and Coal Company (Limited). Pbtitionebs pray that the terms proposed to be imposed by the Government in respect of haulage and terminal charges may be revised and made to correspond with those imposed upon other companies under similar circumstances. I have the honour to report that the Bailways Committee have no recommendation to make. 6th October, 1896.

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Nos. 492 and 493. —Petitions of James Powell and Others, and A. Salton and Others. Petitioners pray for railway-extension from Waicola Station, through Scott's or Eaymond's Gap, into the Waiau Valley. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee recommend that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th October, 1896.

Nos. 395, 441, 442, and 447. —Petitions of S. Townley and Others, J. Varney and Others, F. W. Tonge and Others, and John Gardner and Others. Petitioners pray for the construction of a light railway from Paeroa to Waihi. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee recommend that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th October, 1896.

No. 106. —Petition of W. H. Hargreaves and Another (the Westport-Cardiff Coal Company, Limited). Petitioners pray that the deficiency clauses of " The Westport-Ngakawau Eailway Extension Act, 1890," be repealed, and that they may be relieved from liability for payment of accrued arrears thereunder. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee recommend that if the Westport - Cardiff Coal Company (Limited) and the Mokihinui Coal Company (Limited) respectively undertake in writing, to the satisfaction of the Government, to faithfully perform the following conditions— viz., (1) That within the next nine months they will increase their share-capital and plant and enlarge their running operations to such extent as the Government and Westport Harbour Board deem satisfactory; and also (2) that they will pay up their respective arrears under section 6of " The Westport-Ngakawau Eailway Extension Act, 1890," and section 8 of the amending Act of 1894, by monthly instalments, the amount of which and date of first instalment to be agreed upon— then the Government should undertake that, so long as the aforesaid conditions are faithfully performed, no proceedings shall be taken to enforce payment of the moneys payable under those sections. Legislation to be introduced if required to give effect to this recommendation. 6th October, 1896.

No. 526.—Petition of Thomas Walter. Petitioner prays for compensation for damage done to his estate, Hamilton, Waikato, by fire, which he alleges was caused by sparks from a locomotive on the railway. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Eailways Committee, there is no evidence to prove that the fire originated through any act or omission on the part of the Eailway Department; they have therefore no recommendation to make. 7th October, "1896.

No. 392.—Petition of J. N. Wood and Others. Petitioners pray that the Waikaia-Eiversdale Eailway be completed. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government. 7th October, 1896.

No. 495.—Petition of the New Plymouth Harbour Board and New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. Petitioners pray for a reduction in the haulage rates between the Breakwater Wharf at Moturoa and New Plymouth. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee consider the Eailway Department has offered a reasonable concession with regard to freight, and have no further recommendation to make. 13th October, 1896.

No. 477. —Petition of John Gardner and Others. Petitioners pray that the Mount Eex Wharf, at the junction of the Kaukapakapa and Kaipara Rivers, be thrown open for traffic. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government. 13th October, 1896.

No. 478. —Petition of Timaeu Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Petitioners pray that a railway-siding, including loop-line, cattle-yards, and passenger-platform, be constructed, free of expense to the association, at the Washdyke, about two miles north of Timaru. I have the honour to report that the Eailways Committee recommend the prayer of the petitioners to the favourable consideration of the Government. 13th October, 1896. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,225 copies), £2 Hβ.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB96. Price 3d.]