REPORTS OF RAILWAYS COMMITTEE. (Mr. R. McKENZIE, CHAIRMAN.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1900 Session I, I-06

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1900. NEW ZEALAND.'

REPORTS OF RAILWAYS COMMITTEE. (Mr. R. McKENZIE, CHAIRMAN.)

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

Q . . i • v.... . ... , I ;; ;; order op reference. 0 ~ ~ Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. • Tuesday, the 3rd Day of July, 1900. Ordered, " Thftt a Committee, consisting of ten members, be appointed .to examine into and report upon questions relating to the Railways ; with power to oall for persons and papers ; five to be a quorum: the Committee to consist of Mr. Flatman, Mr. Lawry, Mr. Massey, Mr. Morrison, Mr. .MoGuire, Mr. R. McKenzie, Mr. G. W. Russell, Mr; Tanner, Mr. J. W. Thomson, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Wabd.)

INDEX.

No. Petitioner. Page. No. Petitioner. Page. 334 281 457 458 Adams, T., and Others .. Alexander, G., and Others .. Anderson, E., and Others Aspden, A. .. .. • • 5 5 6 6 186 485 312 398 Edgeoumbe, G., and Others Edwards, H., and Others Elb, W. A., and Others '..'■. Ehtrican, L., and Others 5 6 5 6 461 394 97 370 356 459 460 408 388 484 103 504 371 198 164 Baddeley,' Rose, and Others Bagnall, C, and Others Ballantine, John, and Others Baxter, Annie, and Others ' .. Beal, William, and Others Blake, John, and Others Bond, S., and Others Bowden, E. T., and Others Boylan, John, and Others Brodereon, J. .. Brown, Henry.. Brown, H., and Others Brown, Michael, and Others BuoJdand, W. F., and Others .. Byrne; W. R., and Others 6 6 3 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 4 7 5 5 5 465 Foster, F., and others .. .. 6 413 277 188 545 351 335 350 466 163 414 189 303 372 314 415 190 313 242 560 310 467 Gibson, W., and Others Goard, R., and Others Graham, J., and OthersGraham, John, and Others Grant, George, and Others Greenslade, H. J., and Others .. Gyde, Joseph, and Others Haire, E. H., and Others Hancox, W. H., and Others Harrison, Tobias, and Others Henderson, E. M., and Others .. Henderson, Jeannie, and Others Heron, Robert, and Others Hewitt, Thos., and Others Hildreth, Phcebe, and Others .. Hotham, David, and Others Howie, S. N., and Others Huckstep, H., and Others Hughes, E. R., and Others Hume, Ada, and Others Hutohinson, C. S., and Others 6 5 5 7 5 5 5 6 5 6 5 5 i 5 5 6 5 5 5 6 5 6 ■ 151 361 339 411 355 227 464 205 409 300 410 462 299 463 375 80 Campbell,.Hugh, and Others ... Carlton, W., and Others Carton, C, and Others Chapman, Emily, and Others .. Chapman, Jessie, and Others Cbappell, George, and Others .. Clark, J. S., and Others Coe, William, and Others Cohen, R. and Others Cole, G. H., and Others , .. Coldicutt, Ella, and Others . Collison, H., and Others Coombe, Simon, and Others Cooper, J. B., and Others Cossen, M. J., and Others Craig, James, and Others Dalzeil, M. A., and Others Davey, E., and Others .. Dempsey, Euphemia Diver, T., and Others Dunn, David 5 5 5 6 5 5 6 5 6 5 6 6 5 6 5 3 506 Ireland, J. R., and Others 7 418 206 417 309 279 416 Jagger, T., and Others .. Jeflereon, J. M., and Others Jenner, 0. J., and Others ,. Johnson, Johanna, and Others .. Johnston, M-, and Others - Judd, John, and Others .. 6 5 6 5 5 6 505 369 73 412 285 7 5 2 6 7 569 204 48 185 Kerr, Elizabeth .. .. King, L. Knight, David Kirkham, G. S., and Others 7 5 4 5 125 16 3 . 2. 407 225 275 Laseran, E. W., and Others Latter, F. (Rev.), and Others .. Ledingham, A., and Others 6 5 5 Earley, Harry.. V. Early, E. A. ..

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INDEX— continued.

EEPOETS.

No. 14.—Petition of William Eobeet Tuenbull, of Invercargill. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance of £300. He received injuries in a railway accident between Dunedin and Invercargill. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend the petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 3rd August, 1900.

No. 16.—Petition of E. A. Eably, of Wellington (late of Lyttelton). Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance. He broke a blood-vessel whilst on duty, which rendered him unfit for further work. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend the petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 3rd August, 1900.

No. 73. —Petition of Edphemia Dempsey, of Lyttelton. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance, her husband having been killed on the railway whilst On duty. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The Committee is of opinion that the circumstances of this case, in conjunction with others of a similar nature, show the urgent need of the department paying a larger premium than at present in the case of casual hands, in order that the amount of the policy in the case of fatal accidents might be not less than £100. 3rd August, 1900.

No. Petitioner. Page. No. Petitioner. Page. 337 373 Long, A. D., and Others Long, Andrew, and Others 5 5 5 Quinn, Annie 3 302 507 289 304 128 420 469 333 352 *500 276 419 470 468 278 90 254 265 404 627 Maoky, J. 0., and Others Madigan, J., and Others MacDonald, H. A., and Others .. Martin, Maria.. Matheson, A., and Others Mennie, Agnes, and Others Merryweather, Jno., and Others Miller, A., and Others Mills, C, and Others .. Morpeth, C. D. Mueller, M., and Others Murcott, Charles, and Others .. MoCallum, Jane, and Others McCarthy, G., and Others McCornish, Annie, and Others .. McGill, Walter, and Others McLaughlan, H., and Others MoMillan, Donald, and Others .. McWilliams, Archibald A. (No. 1) McWilliams, Archibald A. (No. 2) 5 7 5 6 3 6 6 5 5 4 5 6 6 6 5 6 5 5 7 7 195 280 249 203 311 56 Rainger, Jane, and Others Ralph, R. R., and Others Reynolds, Alfred Roberts, F., and Others Rowland, Mary, and Others Russell, Albert H., and Others .. 5 5 7 5 5 6 378 191 421 423 288 149 422 471 226 473 472 338 374 424 Sainsbury, T. C, and Others Sandford, C. C, and Others Saunders, W., and Others Soott, John H., and Others Sergeant, Ann, and Others Serle, W., and Others Simon, T., and Others Sinclair, John, and Others Slevin, J. E., and Others Smith, L. S., and Others Speakman, G., and Others Sparling, A. H., and Others Staff, C, and Others .. Swain, P. H., and Others 6 5 6 6 5 5 6 6 5 6 6 5 5 6 290 353 *513 508 212 99 99 99 600 301 187 Nathan, A., and Others Needham, Elsie, and Others Neilson, James, and Others Newton, E. S., and Others Nioholson, Geo. C, and Others .. Norgate, William (No. 1) Norgate, William (No. 2) Norgate, William (No. 3) Norris, E.J... Notton, Robert, and Others Nye, W. D., and Others 5 5 6 7 5 3 4 7 7 5 5 474 354 150 475 14 Taylor, W., and Others Thompson, Isaac, and Others .. Thwaites, J. C, and Others Tribe, Clara, and Others Turn bull, William Robert 6 5 5 6 2 184 Usher, T. G., and Others 5 386 162 Ohatson, John, and Others O'Shea, P. J., and Others 6 5 76 332 425 490 426 74 •137 291 243 107 477 476 15 478 266 Wallace, James Webb, Alfred, and Others Webber, M., and Others Wharfe, William, and Others .. Whitehead, H., and Others Whiteley, T. 0. P., and Others (No. 1) Whiteley, T. C. P., and Others (No. 2) Williams, Warwick, and Others.. Willoughby, Fanny, and Others Wilson, Jane, and Others Wishart, G. 0. H., and Others .. Woodward, E., and Others Wright, Arthur Blundell Wright, F. L., and Others Wright, J. H., and Others 3 5 6 6 6 4 5 5 5 3 6 6 4 6 5 556 336 33 231 196 197 509 Parata, Mate, and Others Park, James, and Others Patterson, Mary Patterson, Thomas Piokford, Allan W., and Others .. Pickford, F., and Others Power, J., and Others 7 5 3 4 5 5 7 * 1899.

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No. 33.—Petition of Maby Patteeson, of Christchurch. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance, her husband having been killed whilst performing his duties as shunter on the railway. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd August, 1900.

No. 107.—Petition of Jane Wilson, of Lyttelton. Petitionee prays for further compensation owing to the death of her husband, who served on the railway for about twenty-four years. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd August, 1900.

No. s.—Petition of Annie Qtjinn, of Auckland. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance, her husband having been injured whilst on duty, from the effects of which he eventually died. I am directed to report that the Committee sees no reason to alter the report of the Committee on the petition in 1897, viz. : " The Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd August, 1900.

No. 99.—William Noegate, of Lyttelton (No. 1), Petitionee, who was injured while working on a railway-truck on the wharf at Lyttelton, prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 125.—Haeey Eaely, of Palmerston South, Otago. Petitionee, who alleges that he received a severe rupture whilst working on the railway, and was thereby rendered unfit for further work, prays for a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 80.—Petition of James Cbaig, of Hilderthorpe, near Oamaru. Petitionee prays for a refund of £8 10s. which he paid for a season ticket for his child under protest. He claims exemption under the regulations issued for free school tickets. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 128.—Petition of A. Matheson and 102 Others, of Mokoreta, Wyndham, and Glenham. Petitionees pray that a survey may be made of a proposed line of railway from Wyndham or Glenham to Mokoreta. I am directed to report that, as the subject of this, petition is a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 97. —Petition of John Ballantine and 502 Others, of Hokonui Hills, between Gore and Winton. Petitionees pray that the Forest Hill Eailway may be extended beyond Hedgehope to Gore, a distance of fifteen miles. I am directed to report that, as the subject of this petition is a question of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th August, 1900.

No. 76. —Petition of James Wallace, of Papatoitoi, Auckland. Petitionee prays for compensation, owing to his property having been damaged by fire, alleged to have been caused by sparks from railway engines. I am directed to report that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration, and that Mr. Poynton's recommendation be given effect to. [Mr. Poynton's recommendation attached hereto.] 17th August, 1900.

Copy of Mr. J. W. Poynton's Report on Mr. Wallace's Claim. This claimant has suffered considerably from fires, which I have no doubt were started by sparks from locomotives. His family are in a continual state of suspense owing to the number of such fires. In the case of one particular fire, he was negligent—that is, in allowing dead pines to lie along the boundary of his land near the railway-line. The damage by that particular fire he estimates at £10.

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In all other cases he appears to ha,ve taken every possible precaution to prevent damage. Omitting this amount, the damage suffered would .be from £30 to £40. The department'is not to blame for the numerous fires on this property, as the appliances are kept in good order, and the fires do not spread from debris beside the line, but start upon Mr. Wallace's grass. There appears to be an increased velocity of the prevailing wind at a particular place on his farm, owing to the configuration of the land, and this wind blowing across the line carries the sparks into his luxuriant rye-grass, which is very dry during the summer months. Although Mr. Wallace has no legal claim against the department; he has suffered so often and has undergone such suspense that some compensation might be given to him, if not to be a precedent in other cases. J. W. Poynton, S.M.

No. 74.—Petition of T. C. P. Whiteley and Others, of Otahuhu, near Auckland (No. 1). Petitionees pray that the new workmen's tickets be made available by any train from Otahuhu reaching Auckland before 9 a.m. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. , , . 28th August, 1900.

No. 500 (1899).—Petition of C. D. Moepeth, of Custom-House Quay, Wellington. Petitionee, who is general secretary to the New Zealand Officers' Institute, prays on behalf of the members that the Government Eailway Department Classification Act, and the amendments thereof, be amended so that the salaries of chief Eailway officers shall be more on an equality with those of the Eailway officers holding similiar positions in the Australian Colonies, and that Stationmasters and clerical staff shall be as efficiently remunerated as Postmasters and clerical staff of the Post and Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that, as a matter of policy, this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th August, 1900.

No. 231. —Petition of Thomas Patteeson, of Invercargill. Petitionee prays that the sum of £50, balance of a sum of £100 recommended by the Public Petitions M to Z Committee in 1891 to be given him as a compassionate allowance, be now paid. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the report of the Committee of last year be given full effect to, viz.: —■ " That the Government be urged to give full effect to the recommendation of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee dated Ist July, 1891, which was as follows : ' That, in the opinion of the Committee, the accident to Thomas Patterson was caused partly through the belt of trees obscuring the view of an approaching train, and from the very high wind blowing at the time preventing him from hearing the whistle, and that the Eailway Commissioners be recommended to take steps to render this crossing less dangerous, and that the Government be recommended to place the sum of £100 upon the supplementary estimates as a slight compensation to Patterson for the severe injuries and loss sustained by him through the accident.' " 28th August, 1900.

Nos. 15 and 103.—Petitions of Aethue Blundell Weight, of Auckland, and Heney Bbown, of Manuera, Auckland. Petitionees pray for compensation for damage and loss to property which they allege was caused by sparks from railway locomotives. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that these two petitions be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that a Stipendiary Magistrate do inquire into the statements contained therein, and cause evidence to be taken in connection with the same. 28th August, 1900.

No. 48.—Petition of David Knight, of Hawera. Petitionee prays for compensation on account of loss and damage sustained at a level crossing near Hawera on the 11th February, 1898. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that a compassionate allowance of £50 be allowed the petitioner. 28th August, 1900.

No. 99.—Petition of William Noegate, of Lyttelton (No. 2). Petitionee, who was injured whilst working on a railway truck on the wharf at Lyttelton, prays for compensation. I am directed that this Committee does not see any reason for altering its former decision, | viz.: " That this Committee has no recommendation to make." 28th August, 1900.

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No. 150.—Petition of T. C. Thwaites and 999 Others, of Auckland District [and 69 similar petitions, as per Schedule.] No. 149. W. Serle and 999 Others. No. 280 : . R. R. Ralph and 199 Others. No. 151. Hugh Campbell and 199 Others. No. 281. G. Alexander and 99 Others. No. 162. P. J. O'Shea and 299 Others. No. 288. Ann Sergeant and 199 Others. No. 164. W. R. Byrne and 219 Others. No. 291. Warwick Williams and 100 Others. No. 163. W. H. Hancox and 379 Others. No. 299. Simon Coombe and 266 Others. No. 184. T. G. Usher and 198 Others. No. 301. Robert Notton and 899 Others. No. 185. G. S. Kirkham and 6,059 Others. No. 302. J. C. Maoky and 142 Others. No. 186. G. Edgecumbe and 199 Others. No. 303. Jeannie Henderson and 159 Others. No. 187. W. D. Nye and 99 Others. No. 309. Johanna Johnson and 19 Others. No. 188. J. Graham and 599 Others. No. 310. Ada Hume and 219 Others. No. 189. E. M. Henderson and 299 Others. No. 311. Mary Rowland and 19 Others. No. 190. David Hotham and 159 Others. No. 313. S. N. Howie and 19 Others. No. 191. C. C. Sandford and 999 Others. No. 314. Thomas Hewitt and 19 Others. No. 195. Jane Rainger and 99 Others. No. 332. Alfred Webb and 20 Others. No. 196. Allan W. Piokford and 1,219 Others. No. 333. A. Miller and 19 Others. No. 197. F. Pickford and 99 Others. No. 334. T. Adams and 104 Others. No. 198. W. F. Buckland and 98 Others. No. 335. H. J. Greenslade and 219 Others. No. 203. F. Roberts and 2,439 Others. No. 336. James Park and 419 Others. No. 204. L. King and 279 Others. No. 337. A. D. Long and 546 Others. No. 205. William Coe and 399 Others. No. 338. A. H. Sparling and 384 Others. No. 206. J. M. Jefferson and 999 Others. No. 339. C. Carton and 131 Others. No. 212. George C. Nicholson and 147 Others. No. 351. George Grant and 819 Others. No. 225. Rev. F. Latter and 999 Others. No. 352. O. Mills and 19 Others. No. 226. J. E. Slevin and 79 Others. No. 353. Elsie Needham and 19 Others. No. 227. George Chappell and 299 Others. No. 354. Isaac Thompson and 18 Others. No. 242. H. Huckstep and 439 Others. No. 355. Jessie Chapman and 40 Others. No. 243. Fanny Willoughby and 239 Others. No. 356. William Beal and 499 Others. No. 254. H. McLaughlin and 999 Others. No. 369. B. Davey and 119 Others. No. 265. Donald McMillan and 79 Others. No. 370. Annie Baxter and 99 Others. No. 266. J. H. Wright and 99 Others. No. 371. Michael Brown and 167 Others. No. 275. A. Ledingham and 159 Others. No. 372. Robert Heron and 699 Others. No. 276. M. Mueller and 102 Others. No. 373. Andrew Long and 99 Others. No. 277. R. Goard and 1,019 Others. No. 374. C. Staff and 99 Others. No. 278. Annie McCornish and 19 Others. No. 375. M. J. Cossen and 1,060 Others. No. 279. M. Johnston and 264 Others. Petitionees pray for the speedy completion of the North Island Main Trunk Eailway. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 30th August, 1900.

No. 137 (1899). —Petition of T. C. P. Whiteley and Others, of Otahuhu and adjacent Eoad Districts (No. 2). Petitionees pray that the Otahuhu Eailway-station may be removed, without unnecessary delay, to some convenient point on the Survey deviation between Eailway Street and Otahuhu Station Eoad. I am directed to report that this Committee recommends that a branch-line be constructed between Otahuhu Eailway-station and the township. 21st September, 1900.

No. 350.—Petition of Joseph Gyde, of Auckland. Petitionee prays that provision may be made for the maintenance and support of George Norman Gyde, his son, an infant, who was injured by a railway turntable on the Eailway Wharf at Auckland. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that, although the petitioner has no legal claim, as the accident occurred on the public Eailway Wharf, the lad being of very tender years, and his parents not in good circumstances, the department should provide him with a mechanical leg, and that, later in life, if qualified, suitable clerical employment should be given him. 21st September, 1900. ___

Nos. 289, 290, 300, and 312.—Petitions of H. A. Mac Donald and others, A. Nathan and Others, G. H. Cole and Others, and W. A. Elb and Others, of the Provincial District of Wellington. Petitionees pray for the speedy completion of the North Island Main Trunk Eailway. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 21st September, 1900.

No. 361.—Petition of W. Caelton and Others, of Catlin's and surrounding districts. Petitionees pray that the Catlin's Eiver Eailway extension may be pushed on to completion, and that another section may be authorised and surveyed to the Tahakopa Valley. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 21st September, 1900. ! ,•_■ "

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Nos. 56 and 90.—Petitions of Albeet H. Eussell and Others, and Waltee McGill and Others, of Waihi and Karangahake. Petitionees pray that a deviation may be made of the Paeroa-Waihi Bailway-line through the Township of Karangahake, and an additional station placed there. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 21st September, 1900.

No. 304.—Petition of Maeia Maetin, widow of Peter Martin, late of Greymouth, Platelayer, who was killed by a railway-engine on 12th May last. Petitionee, having been left without means of support for herself and eight children, of whom none are above school-age, prays for assistance. I am directed to report that, as Martin met his death in endeavouring to save Government property, and has left a large family unprovided for, the Committee recommends that his widow be paid a further sum of £50, payable either in monthly instalments or in a lump sum, at the discretion of the Public Trustee. 25th September, 1900.

Nos. 378, 386, and 490.— T. C. Sainsbuey and 76 Others, John Ohatson and 13 Others, and William Whaepe and 49 Others, of Kaipara Flats, North Albertland. Petitionees pray for the extension of the Helensville Eailway northwards. I am directed to report that the Committee resolved that these petitions be referred to Government for consideration. 25th September, 1900.

No. 513 (1899). —James Neilson, and 10 Others, of Fern Hill, near Green Island. Petitionees pray for remission of 4-J-d. per ton extra haulage-rate now charged on Branch Eailway from Fern Hill Coalmine to the Main Trunk line at Abbotsford. I am directed to report that the Committee recommeuds that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 25th September, 1900.

No. 388.—Petition of John Boylan and 99 Others, of Auckland [and 45 other similar petitions, as per Schedule.] No. 394. C. Bagnall and 699 Others, of Ponsonby. No. 458. A. Aspden and 19 Others, of Mauku. No. 398. L. Entrioan and 99 Others, of Auckland. No. 459. John Blake and 19 Others, of Drury. No. 407. E. W. Laceron and 99 Others, of Parnell. No. 460. S. Bond and 19 Others, of Te Awamutu. No. 408. E. T. Bowden and 19 Others, of Auckland. No. 461. Rose Baddeley and 99 Others, of Mount Eden. No. 409. R. Cohen and 19 Others, of Auokland. No. 462. H. Collison and 19 Others, of Te Awamutu. No. 410. Ella Coldioutt, and 19 Others, of Auokland. No. 463. T. B. Cooper and 19 Others, of Te Awamutu. No. 411. Emily Chapman, and 19 Others, of Grafton. No. 464. J. S. Clark and 19 Others, of Te Awamutu. No. 412. T. Diver and 19 Others, of Arch Hill. No. 465. F. Foster and 19 Others, of Waihi. No. 413. W. Gibson and 19 Others, of Mount Roskill. No. 466. E. Haire and 144 Others, of Birkdale. No. 414. Tobias Harrison and 19 Others, of Ellerslie. No. 467. G. S. Hutchinson and 19 Others, of Newstead. No. 415. Pbcebe Hildreth and 22 Others, of Auokland. No. 468. G. MoCarthy and 19 Others, of Kyber Pass. No. 416. John Judd and 19 Others, of Auokland. No. 469. John Merryweather and 19 Others, of Te No. 417. 0. J. Jenner and 19 Others, of Auckland. Awamutu. No. 418. T. Jagger and 19 Others, of Remuera. No. 470. Jane McCallum and 19 Others, of Puni. No. 419. Charles Murcott and 19 Others, of Auckland. No. 471. John Sinclair and 479 Others, of Auckland. No. 420. Agnes Minnie and 19 Others, of Grafton Road. No. 472. G. Speakman and 19 Others, of Mangere. No. 421. W. Saunders and 19 Others, of Auckland. - No. 473. L. S. Smith and 99 Others, of Parnell. No. 422. T. Simon and 19 Others, of Auckland. No. 474. W. Taylor and 19 Others, of Te Awamutu. No. 423. John H. Soott and 18 Others, of Auckland. No. 475. Clara Tribe and 19 Others, of Kirikiriroa. No. 424. P. H. Swain and 17 Others, of Auokland. No. 476. E. Woodward and 599 Others, of Onehunga. No. 425. M. Webber and 19 Others, of Mount Eden. ■ No. 477. G. C. H. Wishart and 19 Others, of Hamilton. No. 426. H. Whitehead and 19 Others, of Mount Eden. No. 478. F. L. Wright and 19 Others, of Drury. No. 457. E. Anderson and 79 Others, of Mangere. No. 485. H. Edwards and 99 Others, of Auckland. Petitionees pray that railway communication between Auckland and Wellington be completed without further delay. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that these petitions be referred to he Government for consideration. 25th September, 1900.

No. 560.—Petition of E. E. Hughes and Others, of Westport. Petitionees, who represent the shareholders of the Westport-Cardiff Coal Company, having been forced into liquidation, and had their lease determined by the Government, pray for relief. I am directed to report that, as the company has lost its capital and also the profits on workng invested in the mine, the Committee recommends the prayer of the petitioners to the favourable consideration of the Government. 9th October, 1900.

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No. 99. —Petition of William Noegate, of Lyttelton (No. 3). Petitionee prays for compensation for injuries received by him when working on a railway-truck at Lyttelton, on 23rd December, 1899. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th October, 1900.

No. 249.—Petition of Alfbed Eeynolds, of Christchurch. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance for the loss of his eye, caused by a spark from a railway-engine. I am directed to report that the Committee consider that, as the petitioner was compelled to have his eye taken out owing to the accident, they recommend that he be paid £100 as a compassionate allowance. 13th October, 1900.

Nos. 404 and 627. —Petitions of Aechibald A. McWilliam, of Hampden. Petitionee prays for relief in consequence of the loss of his three horses, valued at £90, which were killed on the railway-line. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th October, 1900.

No. 484.—Petition of J. Bbodeeson, of Mauriceville. Petitionee prays for a right of free and permanent access through the railway reserves to his section. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th October, 1900.

Nos. 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, and 509.—Petitions of H. Beown and 59 Others, M. A. Dalzell and 319 Others, J. E. leeland and 19 Others, J. Madigan and 19 Others, E. S. Newton and 19 Others, and J. Poweb and 19 Others. Petitionees pray for the completion of the railway between the Auckland Provincial District and the southern parts of the North Island. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 13th October, 1900.

No. 556.—Petition of Paeata Mate and 113 Others, of Kaipara District, Auckland. Petitionees pray that the Helensville-Makarau line of railway be speedily constructed through Maungaturoto. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th October, 1900.

No. 545.—Petition of John Geaham and 77 Others, of Taieri. Petitionees pray for the construction of a loop-line of railway from Dunedin, vid Brighton and Taieri Mouth, to Milton. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th October, 1900.

No. 569.—Petition of Elizabeth Keee, of Petone, widow. Petitionee prays for a compassionate allowance in consequence of the loss of her husband, the result of an accident whilst working in the Petone Eailway Workshops. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th October, 1900.

No. 285.—Petition of David Dunn, of Oamaru. Petitionee prays for further compensation for loss sustained by Government having taken his land for railway purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th October, 1900.

No. 600.—Petition of E. J. Noeeis, of Lyttelton. Petitionee prays for compensation for loss of office. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that a compassionate allowance of £25 be granted to the petitioner. 13th October, 1900.

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