PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. OKEY, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1914 Session I, I-02

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1914. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. OKEY, Chairman.)

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the lions* nf Representatives. Friday, the 10th Day op July, 1914. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all petitions from M to Z that may be referred to it by the Potitions Classification Committee, to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and manner as shall appear to it best suited to convey to this House all requisite information respecting their contents, and to report the same from time to time to this House, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereon to this House ; also to have |>ower to call for persons and papers : three to lie a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. R. I. Bollard, Mr. Clark, Mr. Craigie, Mr. Davey. Mr. Dickie. Mr. McCombs, Mr. Okey, Mr. Scott, Mr. Wilson, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. R. H. Rhodes.) Ordered, "That all petitions not finally dealt with during session [913 stand referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session."—(Right Hon. Mr. Masnky.) Thursday. THE 3rd Day of September, 1(114. Ordered, "That the petition of U. A. Funke and Others lie referred direct t<> the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." —(Mr. Harris.) ' Thursday, the 10th Day ok September, 1914. Ordered, "That the petition of 1.. (I. Kingston and Others he referred direct to the Public Petitions M to X Committee." —(Mr. Harris.) TIK.SDAY, THE I ."iTll D.\Y OK SW'TK.M HKK. 1914. Ordered, "That the petition of William P, llns< and Others lie referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." —(Mr. Harris.) Wednesday, the 16th Day of September, 1914. Ordered, "That the petition of C. Christiansen and Others be referred direct lo the Public Petitions M In X Committee." —(Mr. Harris.) Wednesday, the 30th Day of September, I 1114. Ordered, "That the petition of Catherine M. Reid be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee."— (Mr. MoCallum.) Tuesday, the 6th Day of October, 1914. Ordered, "That the petition of Elizabeth O'Malley be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." —(Mr. Davey.) Tuesday, the 13th Day of October, 1914. Ordered, "That the petition of John W. H. McLeod 1* referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." — (Mr. Clark for Mr. Buick.)

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Thursday, the 15th Day of October, 1914. Ordered, "That the report of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee on the petition of A. M. Myers and Others be referred back to the -aid Committee for further consideration." (Mr. Dickson.) TIHKSDAY. TDK 22\1l I >A V OK OCTOBER, 1914. Drill nil. " That the petition of John Scott Myers Ik- referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee."— (Hon. Mr. Bruno.) Friday, the 23rd Day of October, 1914. Drill ml. "That the petition of W. B. .Morton (Chairman of the One-Tree Hill Road Hoard) he referred direct to the Pol.li, Petitions Mto Z Committee."—(Right Hon. Mr. .\l\ssiki Monday, the 26th Dan ok October, 1914, Ordered. "That the petition of Mary Ryan be referred direct to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee." —(Mr Hi n k.i

INDEX.

No. Petitioner. Page. No. Petitioner. I Page t 4.5 313 Christiansen, ('., and 39 others Chairman and Members of the I'iako County Council Corbett, H. M., and II others Edwards, D. I!., ami 634 others Ellis, P. !•'.. anil 20(1 others .. Fairbaim, E. V., ami [,888 others Final Report Fonk. .lames I'... ami 2.774 others Funks, (I. A., and 2(i others . . Grace, I)., ami 1,030 others .. (luincss. E. II.. ami 1.1 7!l others Johnston, _., ami i ,ii(i(i others Johnstone, 11., ami 33 others Jowett, Alfred, ami 2,909 others Kelly, .lames, ami 54 others .. Kingston, I.. H.. ami 2?! others Mahoney. .Mary .Martin, Thomas E. .. .Martin. Beatrice Mayor ami Councillors of the Borough of Te Aroha McCauloy. John McDonald, Angelina . . McHugh, William .McKcn/.ic. H. A. W.. ami I I others MacLeod, John VV. II. Millais, Henry William Miller, John Paton Miller. \V.. and 1.70(1 others Millett. Martin Leslie. . Morison, J. I)., and !)2 others.. Morton, W. B. (Chairman One-Tree Hill Road Board) Million. .1. \\\. and ."ill others Myers. John Scott (two reports) Myers. A. St., and :! others (two reports) (i 5 j 487 Northoroft, H. W.. and 7 others 339 O'Brien, .lames 411") 0'Conor, Jeremiah 485 O'Malley, Elizabeth .. 58.5 Onyon, Charles 220 Parker. Charles 444 Peerless. W. H.. and 24!) others 27 Phinimer. Albert 471 llcid. Catherine M. 44.'! Ross, William P., and 128 others 282 Ross, Lucy Cecelia 391 Rothenberg, W. L., and 1,999 others 620 Ryan. Mary 4 Sankev. Daniel 331 Smith," Helen 92 Smith, George Special Report (Chairman) 221 Stewart, Alexander L. 421 Stormont, A., and 200 others .. :!5:{ Stuart, .lames 25!l Taylor, Hugh 369 Taylor, Robert, and 8 others .. 609 Taylor. John S. .. .. 53 Tester. Thomas Clement (First Report) .. 41S Tester, Thomas dement (Second Report) 25 Thomson, .lames William 428 Thorhiirn. John 2() Towler, Elizabeth 213 Urquhart, I)., and .'(7 others 405 Ward. Isaac, and 300 others 419 Wallace. P., and 1.099 others .. 422 Wilcnck. Louisa, and 570 others 29 Wilson, George Giles .. 30 Willson. J., and 3 others 1(14 Williams. William H. 3(17 Wbrthington, Hamilton I„. 6 5 7 7 7 4 fi 4 7 4 3 4 7 3 5 3 8 4 5 4 5 4 7 4 7 :! 7 4 :t (i 5 5 .") :i ii 5 320 425 129 ton 396 404 423 397 424 395 403 120 430 l>7 4.54 155 29li 5 5 5 5 8 5 • 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 :i c. (i 6 235 5 l()8 366 5S7 7 37 13 386 9 321 li|4 3 4 7 (i 7 3 (i 4 li 6 8 373 608 2li7 4 8 (i & 8

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BEPORTS. Xn. 30. Petition of J. Wn.i.sox and •'! Others, of Baxter's Siding. Praying to have private bridge taken over by the Government and maintained aa a public bridge. I am directed to report thai in the opinion of the Committee, the matter involved being one of policy, this petition should be referred to the Government. sth August, 1914. No. 25.—Petition of James William Thomson, of Okarito, Smith Westland. Praying thai the salary of the Harbourmaster at Okarito lie paid as provided for in the Appropriation Act, 1913. T am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. sth August, 1911.

No. I. Petition of Daniel Sankey, of Wellington. Praying for a certain stun of money, being the difference between the amount paid for bis section at Island Bay by the Public Works Department and the Government valuation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. sth August, 1914. No. 7. Petition of Henry William Millais, of Wellington. Praying for remuneration for special services rendered to the Government between the years 1892 and 1895 whilst a member of the Public Service. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. stl August, 1911.

No. 67. Petition of Mary Mahoney, of Lower Hutt. Pravixg for a compassionate allowance for loss of her husband, who was killed at the Upper Hutt tiro. 29th .March, 191 I. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to ,he Government for favourable consideration. sth August. 1911.

No. 213. Petition of I). Drqtjhart and 37 Others, of Upper Clutha Valley. Protesting against the reduction from 60 per cent, to 55 per cent, in the number of votes required to carry national prohibition. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 13th August, 1914. No. 235. Petition of JOHN McCAULEY, of Wellington. PRAYING that he be given an opportunity Of bringing evidence before a Committee of your honourable House. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 13th August, 1914. No. 92.—Petition of George Smith, of Onehunga. Praying for compensation for injuries sustained whilst a member of the Armed Constabulary. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 2nd September, 1914. No. 252. Petition of Lucy Cecilia Ross, of Auckland. PRATING that a pension due to her deceased mother's estate be paid to her. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2nd September 191 1.

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No. 53. Petition of Thomas Clement Tester, of Wellington. (First Report.) Praying for inquiry into the circumstances of his appointment and resignation from the Prisons service. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 2nd September, 1914.

No. 27. —-Petition of Albert Plummer, of Auckland. Praying for a compassionate allowance for loss sustained on a Government contract. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 2nd September, 1914.

No. 220. —Petition of Charles Parker, of Christchurch. Praying that his superannuation allowance be increased. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 2nd September, 1914. No. s.—Petition of Angelina McDonald, of Wanganui. Praying for relief on account of her late husband's services in the Police Force. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2nd September, 1914.

No. 373, Petition of J. W. Mullon and 50 Others ; No. 404, Petition of G. A. Funke and 26 Others ; No. 430, Petition of L. H. Kingston and 23 Others; and No. 443, Petition of William F. Ross and 128 Others: all of Silverdale, Waitemata. Praying that a trial survey of a railway route from the northern shore of the Waitemata Harbour to a suitable junction on the North Auckland Main Trunk line be authorized this session. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, the matter involved being one of policy, these petitions should be referred to the Government. Kith September, 1914. No. 26. —Petition of Klizabeth Towler, of Tainui North, Dunedin. Praying for compensation on account of her late husband's services in the Defence Force. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th September, 1914. No. 353.—Petition of James Stuart, of Invercargill. Praying for an inquiry into his claims and for compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 16th September, 1914. No. 221.—Petition of Alexander L. Stewart, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for injuries received whilst in the Government employ. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the (Government for favourable consideration. 16th September, 1914.

No. 386, Petition of W. Miller and 1,709 Others, of Wellington ; and No. 391, Petition of W. L. Rothenberg and 1,999 Others, of Wellington. Praying for the postponement of the general election. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to these petitions. 16th September, 1914.

No. 369. —Petition of Robert Taylor and 8 Others, of Hokonui. Praying for an extra grant of £2(>o to complete formation and construction of Taylor's Gorge I am directed to report that the Committee Ins no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. Kith September, 1914.

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No. 296, Petition of the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Te Aroha ; No. 313, Petition of the Chairman and Members of the Piako County Council ; No. 320, Petition of H. _. Corbett and 11 Others, of Paeroa ; and No. 321, Petition of J. D. Morison and 92 Others, of Te Aroha. Praying for the construction of a railway between Pokeno and Paeroa, and that a sum of money be voted by Parliament this session to commence the construction of the said railway. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, the matter involved being one of policy, they have no recommendation to make with regard to these petitions. 16th September, 1914. No. 259. —Petition of Hugh Taylor, of lnangahua Junction. Praying for compensation for land taken by the Public Works Department for railway purposes at lnangahua Junction. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for further inquiry. 17th September, 1914.

No. 29.—Petition of George Giles Wilson, of Hamilton, Waikato. Praying for compassionate allowance for injuries sustained. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 23rd September, 1914.

No. 367. —Petition of Hamilton L. Worthington, of Wellington. Praying that the Government will enforce an Order in Council dated the 3rd April, 1913, relating to certain precautions against the introduction of bubonic plague in New Zealand. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 23rd September, 1914. No. 331. —Petition of Helen Smith, of New Plymouth. Praying for compassionate allowance for loss of her husband, who was murdered. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; and that, in view of the facts placed before this Committee in connection with this petition, the Committee strongly recommends that the law be amended in the direction of providing that in future any person or persons similarly placed can claim compensation against the murderer's estate. 23rd September, 1914. No. 339.—Petition of James O'Brien, of Ngahere. Praying for compensation for damage done through the Public Works Department building an embankment which prevents the drainage of his land. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for further inquiry. 23rd September, 1914.

No. 420, Petition of James Kelly and 54 Others; No. 444, Petition of W. H. Peerless and 249 Others; No. 425, Petition of D. R. Edwards and 534 Others; No. 424, Petition of M. Johnston and 1,000 Others; No. 423, Petition of D. Grace and 1,030 Others; No. 422, Petition of Louisa Wilcock and 570 Others ; No. 421, Petition of A. Stormont and 200 Others ; No. 419, Petition of P. Wallace and 1,099 Others; No. 406, Petition of E. V. Fairbairn and 1,888 Others; No. 403, Petition of Alfred Jowett and 2,999 Others ; No. 397, Petition of E. R. Guiness and 1,179 Others ; and No. 429, Petition of P. F. Ellis and 209 Others : all of Wellington. Praying that the general elections be postponed. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to these petitions. Bth October, 1914. No. 395, Petition of H. Johnstone and 33 Others, of Hauraki Plains ; and No. 396, Petition of James G. Fook and 2,774 Others, of the Borough of Waihi. Praying for the construction of a railway between Pokeno and Paeroa, and that a sum of money be voted by Parliament this session to commence the construction of the said railway. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, the matter involved being one of policy, they have no recommendation to make with regard to these petitions. Bth October, 1914.

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No. 137 of 1913.—Petition of John Patox Miller-, of Auckland. PRAYING for a rehearing of the proceedings upon which he was declared an habitual inebriate. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for further inquiry. Bth October, 1914. No. 145. Petition of C. CHRISTIANSEN and 39 Others, of Silverdale. Waitemata. Praying that a trial survey of a railway route from the northern shore of the Waitemata Harbour to a suitable junction on the North Auckland Main Trunk line be authorized this session. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, the matter involved being one of policy, this petition should be referred to the Government. Bth October, 1914.

No. 9.—Petition of Martin Leslie Millett, of Apiti, Feuding. PRAYING for relief on account of injuries received whilst it member of the New Zealand Permanent Defence Staff. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th October, 1914.

No. 287. -Petition of H. W. Northcroft and 7 Others, of Wellington. Praying that the name of Harry ( harles Wrigg be removed from the roll of holders of the New Zealand Cross. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 15th October, 1914. '

No. 464.—Petition of William H. Williams, of Tauranga. Praying that bis superannuation allowance may be increased. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. loth October, 1914. No. 267.- Petition of A. M. MYERS and 3 Others, Trustees of Cornwall Park. Auckland. (First Report.) Praying that the Government will pass legislation exempting from liability for local rates the said Cornwall Park and all lands similarly held for the use and enjoyment of the public. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. loth October. 1914.

No. 366. Petition of H. A. W. MoKenzie and II Others, of Wellington. Praying for the remission of portion of death duties on estate of the late Thomas Wflmor McKenzie. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. loth October, 1914. >" No. 454, Petition of Thomas E. Martin, and No. 455, Petition of Beatrice Martin, of Aratika, Westland. Praying that the ordinary land-tax be increased by 2d. in the pound ; that the Customs taxes on the necessaries of life be reduced by the amount of the revenue so raised: and that a referendum be taken on the issue. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to these petitions. 15th October, 1914.

No. 405.—Petition of Isaac Ward and 300 Others, of Maraetai. PRAYING that the road neat the Maraetai Explosives Magazine be not closed or deviated, and that a sufficient sum be placed on the estimates to complete the said road for wheel traffic. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 21st October, 1914.

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No. 128- Petition of John Thorburn. of "Wellington. Praying that his superannuation allowance be increased. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st October, 1914.

No. 471.—Petition of Catherine M. Reid, of Blenheim. Prayinc that she be granted a compassionate allowance on account of the services rendered by her late husband whilst in the New Zealand Defence Forces. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 2lst October, 1914.

No. 468.—Petition of William McHugh, of Auckland. Praying that be be granted compensation on account of alleged wrongful imprisonment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st October, 1914. No. 585.--Petition of Charles Onyon, of Wellington. Praying that he be granted payment at current rates I'm work done as shorthand reporter to the Westport Harbour Board Commission. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 21st October, 191 1. No. 587. —Petition of John W. H. McLeod. of Wellington. Praying that he be granted a compassionate allowance for injuries received whilst in the Police Force. I. am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 2lst October, 1914. No. 185. -Petition of Elizabeth O'Malley, of Christchuroh. Praying that she be granted a compassionate allowance on account of her late husband's services in the Police Force I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government, for favourable consideration. 22nd October, 191 I. No. 118, -Petition of Thomas CLEMENT TESTER, of Wellington. (Second Report;) Praying for inquiry into the circumstances of his appointment to the Prison service, and for the removal of certain references from his official file. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th October. 1914.

No. 620.- Petition of Mary Ryan, of Stratford. Prayinc for a compassionate allowance on account of the services of her late husband whilst a member of the Police Force. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th October, 1914.

No. 609.—Petition of John S. Taylor, of Wanganui. PRAYING that he be granted compensation for an alleged miscarriage of justice. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that a retrial be granted in accordance with the petitioner's request. 29th October, 1914. No. 465.—Petition of Jeremiah O'Conor, of Karamea. Praying that be be granted an inquiry and compensation on account of damage done to his land by the construction of harbour-works at Karamea. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th October, 11114.

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No. 605. —Petition of John Scott Myers, of Christchurch. (First Report.) Praying that he be granted a rehearing of a Court case on behalf of his daughter. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th October, 1914.

No. 605. —Petition of John Scott Myers, of Christchurch. (Second Report.) Praying that he be granted a rehearing of a Court case on behalf of his daughter. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the order of the House passed yesterday —that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration-—be rescinded, and that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 30th October, 1914. No. 267.—A. M. Myers and 3 Others, Trustees of Cornwall Park,-Auckland. (Second Report.) Praying that the Government will pass legislation exempting from liability for local rates the said ( 'ciin\v:ill Park and all lands similarly held for the use and enjoyment of the public. 1 am directed to report that while this Committee cannot see its way to recommend the prayer of the petitioners—viz., that the rates be remitted—to the favourable consideration of the Government, it is of opinion that, as all the local bodies contiguous to Cornwall Park participate in the benefits conferred by the gift, means should be provided by which they should contribute to the rates. 30th October, 1914.

No. 614.—Petition of H. B. Morton (Chairman One-Tree Hill Road Board), of Auckland. Objecting to the proposed exemption of Cornwall Park from the payment of rates. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the (Jovernment for favourable consideration. 30th October, 1914.

Special Report (re Chairman). The Committee desires to record its hearty appreciation of the great care and attention devoted by the Chairman, Mr. Okey, to the business of the Committee, and of the able and courteous manner in which his duties have been carried out this session of Parliament; and that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee and reported to the House.

Final Report. The Public Petitions M to Z Committee has held sixteen meetings during the session of 1914, and the business dealt with was as follows :— Number of petitions referred to the Committee .. .. .. 73 Number of petitions dealt with .. .. .. .. .. 68 Number of reports presented to the House .. .. .. 49 Number of specific recommendations therein .. .. .. .. 3 Number referred for favourable consideration .. .. .. 15 Number referred for consideration .. .. .. 10 Number referred for inquiry .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Number referred to other Committees .. .. .. . . 1 Number of petitions held over .. .. .. .. ... 3 Number of petitions held over (not having been returned from the Department to which they were referred for report) .. .. .. .. 1 Number with no recommendation .. .. 18 30th October, 1914.

Approximate Cost of Paper. — Preparation, not given; printing (fioli copies), Jt4 Ids.

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Price tid.