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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session II, I-09

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Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

ORDERS OP REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the 28th Day of October, 1897. Ordered, " That the petitions of Ann Quinn, John MeMenamin, and Richard Worthington be referred to the Railways Committee."—(Mr. Meredith.)

Friday, the 29th Day of October. 1897. Ordered, "That the petition of Edwin Mitchelson and others be referred to the Railways Committee."-(Mr. Meredith.)

Wednesday, the 3rd Day of November, 1897. Ordered, " That the Westport-Ngakawau Railway Extension Act Amendment Bill be referred to the Railways Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Cadman.)

Fbiday, the 19th Day of Novembeb, 1897. Ordered " That Standing Order No. 211 be suspended, and that a Committee, consisting of seventeen members, be appointed to examine into and report upon questions relating to railways, with power to call for persons and papers ; five to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Carson,. Mr. Crowther Mr. Duncan, Mr. Batman, Mr. Graham, Hon Mr Larnach, Mr. Holland, Mr. Lawry, Mr. Massey, Mr. McLean, Mr. Morrison, Mr. O'Meara, Mr. Tanner, Mr. J. W. Thomson, Mr. Wright, Mr. Taylor, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Cadman.)

INDEX.

Page. No. Petitioners, &c. Page. io. Petitioners, &c. 59 A. Ayrey, Anthony.. B. Baillee, Henry, and Otheis Brisbane, Daniel, and Others Brown, James, and Others 2 3 3 2 159 203 M. McDougall, Richard, and Others McLean, Murdoch, and Neil, re Makarau Tunnel (vide also I.—10a.) MoMenamin, John Mitchelson, Edwin, and Others 2 3 87 .14 .80 76 92 2 3 212 o. 2 c. Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin .. 2 Oliver, William .68 131 P. Parnell, William, and Others 3 .34 .58 D. Donnelly, H. L., and Others Dunedin Chamber of Commerce .. 3 2 67 Q. Quinn, Ann .. J .. 2 E. Evans, Albert, and Others 3 123 R. Ross, G., and Others 3 55 P. Frew, R. G., and Others.. .. ■ 3 193 215 s. Saies, W. H., and Others Scott, John 2 2 121 G. Gourley, Hugh, and Others 2 222 T. Thompson, W. F., and Others 2 147 170 91 K. Kempthorne, Thomas Kearse, Charles, and Others 2 3 146 w. 2 2 L. Lawrence, Charles, and Others .. 2 251 Wash, Thomas Westport - Ngakawau Railway Extension Act Amendment Bill Whyte, D., and Others 3 221

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The Westpoet-Ngahawau Eailway Extension Act Amendment Bill. The Eailways Committee, to whom the above-mentioned Bill was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same. The Committee recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed as printed 2nd December, 1897.

No. 215.—Petition of John Scott, Sydenham. Petitionee states he was a platelayer on the Government railways; that owing to an accident in 1885 he was placed on light Government work up to 1895, when he was finally discharged He prays for compensation, or further employment on light work. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that, owing to the petitioner having received an injury while in the Government employ, his petition should be referred to Government tor consideration. 3rd December, 1897.

No. 212.—Petition of William Oliver, Lyttelton. Petitioner states that he was an engine-driver on the Government railways; that he was discharged _on the grounds of old age; that he is now eighty-four years of age. He prays for a compassionate allowance. * J I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this petition. r 3rd December, 1897.

No. 59.—Petition of Anthony Ayrey, Christchurch. Petitioner states he was a railway servant from 1866 to 1895, when he was discharged He prays for a compassionate allowance. 6 c I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this petition. " 3rd December, 1897.

No. 146.—Petition of Thomas Walsh, Waitara. Petitionee states he was a railway servant for nineteen years ; that owing to an accident he had to retire from the service. He prays for compensation. etition m direCt6d t0 rep ° rt tliat the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this 3rd December, 1897.

No. 76.—Petition of John McMenamin, Wellington. Petitioner states that in the year 1888 he was badly injured by a fall of earth when working on the Government railways ; that m 1891 he was given £200 compensation. He prays for a further grant as he is totally incapacitated from doing any work. mrcner I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the Government pay to the petitioner a further sum of £100 in final settlement of all claims 3rd December, 1897.

No. 67.—Petition of Ann Quinn, Auckland. Petitionee states she is the widow of Patrick Quinn, who died from the effects of an iniurv received in his eyes when working on the Government railways. She prays for a compassionate allowance _ 1 am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this petition. xa 3rd December, 1897.

Nos. 193 and 222 —Petitions of W. H. Saies and Others, Totara North, Bay of Islands ■ and W. h. Thompson and Others, Victoria Valley, Bay of Islands. Petitionees pray that the Whangarei-Kawakawa Eailway may be completed. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that these two petitions be referred to Government for consideration. 7th December, 1897.

Nos 147, 170, 180, 158, 159, and 221.—Hugh Goubley and Others, Vincent- Thomas W Kempthoene, Dunedm; James Beown and Others, Alexandra; Dunedin' Chambee op Oommeece, Dunedin; Bichabd McDougall and Others, Vincent; and Chaeles Lawebnce and Others, Vincent. 11 Petitionees pray that the construction of the Otago Central Bailway may be carried on mor P vigorously than hitherto. ™ 1B I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that these petitions be referred fo Government for consideration, 7th December, 1897.

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No. 114.—Petition of Daniel Beisbane and Others, Karaka. Petitionees pray that a goods-shed and conveniences may be erected at Bunciman Station. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th December, 1897.

No. 123.—Petition of G. Eoss and Others, Whangarei. Petitionees pray that the Whangarei Eailway may be extended to Grahamstown, with a view to providing better wharf-accommodation in deeper water. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th December, 1897.

Nos. 131, 134, and 251.—Petitions of William Paenell and Others, Napier: H. L. Donnelly and Others, Cricklewood; and D. Whyte and Others, Napier. Petitionees pray that a line of railway may be constructed between Napier and Gisborne. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that these three petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th December, 1897.

No. 121.—Petition of B. G. Feew and Others, Te Tua, Orepuki. Petitionees pray that the railway may be extended from Orepuki to the Wairau Eiver. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th December, 1897.

No. 55.—Petition of Albeet Evans and Others, Otago Peninsula. Petitionees pray that a railway may be constructed from Dunedin through the Otago Peninsula. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to Government for consideration. 7th December, 1897.

Nos. 87 and 91.—Petitions of Heney Baillee and Others, Boxburgh, Otago; and Chaeles Keaese and Others, Dunrobin, Otago. Petitionees pray that the railway be extended from Heriot to Eoxburgh. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th December, 1897.

No. 203.—Petition of Muedoch McLean and Neil McLean. Petitionees state that they were the contractors for the Makarau Tunnel on the Helensville Northwards line of railway; that they have been heavy losers by the collapse of the said tunnel, which latter they assert was caused by the removal of certain supports by order of the Government Inspector of Works. I am directed to report that the Committee, having considered the petition, and having taken expert evidence upon the several matters referred to in the said petition, have agreed as follows ; That the said petitioners met with unforeseen and serious difficulties in the execution of their contract; that, notwithstanding the difficulties encountered, they completed their work at a loss of at least £7,000; that your Committee, having carefully weighed the evidence, recommend that the sum of £5,000 be paid to the petitioners, in full of all demands, as an equitable settlement between them and the colony. 20th December, 1897. (For Evidence and Appendices, vide 1.—10 a.)

No. 92.—Petition of Edwin Mitohelson and Others. Petitionees state that they are the representatives of the original shareholders of the Kaihu Valley Eailway Company: that the said company in the year 1882 contracted with the New Zealand Government to construct said railway : that after the company had completed 16* miles of the railway difficulties arose with the Government as to the selection of certain lands, and the company were compelled to forfeit the railway to the mortgagor. I am directed to report that the Committee, not having sufficient time to inquire adequately into the circumstances of the petition, recommend that it be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th December, 1897.

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