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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, I-02

L— 2

1915. 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 House of Representatives. Thursday, the Ist Day of July, 1915. 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 Petitions 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 Houso ; also to have power to call for porsons and papers ; throe to be a quorum : tho Committee to consist of Mr. Bollard, Mr. Coates, Sir. Craigie, Mr. Dickie, Mr. J. MoC. Dickson, Mr. Isitt, Mr. Okey, Mr. Parr, Mr. Poole, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. R. H. Rhodes.) Wednesday, the 7th Day or July, 1915. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1914 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session." —(Right Hon. Mr. Massey.) Friday, the 20th Day of August, 1915. Ordered, " That the name of the Hon. Mr. Hanan bo substituted for that of tho Hon. Mr. R. H. Rhodes on the Public Petitions M to Z Committee."—(Right Hon. Mr. Massey.) Wednesday, the Ist Day ok September, 1915. Ordered, " That tho reports of the Public Petitions M to Z Committee on tho petitions of A. L. Yule, A. J. Edwards, A. S. Brewis, and D. Moronoy be referred back to that Committee for further consideration."—(Mr. Webb.) Tuesday, the sth Day oe October, 1915. Ordered, " That the petition of J. S. Myers bo roferred back to tho Public Petitions M to Z Committee for further consideration." —(Hon. Mr. Buddo.)

INDEX.

No. Petitionor. 1 Page. No. Petltfoner. Page. 361 Ahngren, G. A., and 2 others 5 86 80 575/14 225 225 Moroney, Denis (First Report) Morcney Denis (Second Report) Myers, John S. Myers, John S. (First Report) Myers, John S. (Second Report) 3 4 2 6 6 152 71 71 Barnes, R. G., and 6 others Brewis, A. Seymour (First Report) Brewis, A. Seymour (Second Report) 5 3 4 360 305 Campbell, W. C, and 3 others Cooper, D. R., and 2 others 5 5 373 N orris, Thomas, and 10 others 5 72 72 Edwards, Arthur James (First Report) . . Edwards, Arthur James (Second Report) 3 4 75 292 628/14 O'Brien, James O'Neill, M. .. Onyon, Charles 2 5 2 Final Report 7 391 603/14 136 & 241 170 Parkinson, George, and 5 others Petone Borough Council 7 3 293 197 347 Goldring, C. R., and 8 others Gourdie, J., and 3 others Greenland, E., and 6 others 5 5 5 Pinfold, E., and others, and 75 similar petitions 5 122 230 322 Hawke's Bay County Council Hope, A. V., and 4 others Hunter, W., and 5 others 4 5 5 254 134 Roil, Francis. . Rosser, A., and 214 others 6 4 366 Jepson, J., and 6 others 5 1.49 403 3 Smith, F. A., and 7 others Smith, James, and 4 others Smith, W. M., and 2 others Special Report (re Chairman) Stevens, J., and 5 others 5 5 2 7 5 362 Keith, T. O, and 7 others 5 365 603/14 136 & 241 130 28 321 579/14 629/14 298 10 270 270 91 226 Lawrence, T., and 4 others 5 317 I Lower Hutt Borough Council .. McHugh, William McKinnon, John A. . . McLaughlin, T., and 4599 others McLennan, James E. .. McNamara, Thomas Maloney, Peter Martin, William Moyer, R. R. Moffitt, Annie Monaghan, W. J., and 5 others. . 3 3 3 6 4 4 6 2 3 2 3 133 346 345 626/14 121 316 140 Taylor, J. S... Thompson, A., and 0 others Victoria University Collego Council Weir, Gavin Williams, Henry Wilson, J. E., and 388 others Worthington, H. L. . . 6 5 6 4 2 6 3 70 70 Yule, Arthur Leslie (First Report) yule, Arthur Leslie (Second Report) 2 4

1.—2

2

BEPOBTS. No. 10. —Petition of William Martin, of Papatowai. Praying that he be allowed to participate in the full benefits of superannuation or other relief. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government tor favourable consideration. 28th July, 1915.

No. 3. —Petition of W. M. Smith and 2 Others. Praying for a refund of the sum of £66 13s. 4d., being duty paid on a certain sum of £1,000, or such other relief as may be deemed meet. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should bp referred to the Government for consideration. 28th July, 1915.

No. 75.—Petition of James O'Brien, of Ngahere. Praying for compensation for damage to his property alleged to have been caused by the construction of certain public works. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration and further inquiry. 26th August, 1915.

No. 91.—Petition of Annie Mofpitt, of Waiuku. Praying grant of an increased pension to her husband, or a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th August, 1915.

No. 121. —Petition of Henry Williams, of New Ptymouth. Praying for payment of certain instalments of pension withheld from him owing to his temporary absence from the Dominion. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th August, 1915.

No. 575 (1914).—Petition of John Scott Myers, of Marshland, Christchurch. Praying to be heard at the bar of the House in respect of certain imprisonments alleged to have been suffered by him. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of this petition having been covered by a later petition (No. 605/14) reported on by the Committee last session, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 26th August, 1915.

No. 628 (1914).—Petition of Charles Onyon, of Wellington. Praying for payment of certain moneys alleged to be due to him from the Department of Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourists. I am directed to report that, the petitioner not having exhausted his legal remedies, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 26th August, 1915.

No. 70.—Petition of Arthur Leslie Yule, of Hamilton. Praying to be paid the value of certain goods lent by him to the New Zealand Government and not returned. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee 'he petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist September, 1915.

1.—2

3

No. 72. —Petition of Arthur James Edwards, of Ohaupo. Praying to be paid the value of certain goods lent by him to the New Zealand Government and not returned. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist September, 1915.

No. 71.—Petition of A. Seymour Brewis, of Hamilton. Praying to be paid tho value of certain goods lent by him to the New Zealand Government and not returned. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist September, 1915.

No. 86.—Petition of Denis Mohoney, of Karamu. Praying for compensation for loss of property while loaned to the New Zealand Farmers' Union during the strike of 191.3. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist September, 1915.

No. 140. —Petition of 11. L. Worthington, of Petone. Praying for the enforcement of a certain Order in Council, or for other relief. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, it being the strong opinion of the Committee that, if clause 16 of the Paris Sanitary Convention empowers it, it is the duty of the Government, in the interests of public health, to insist upon the provisions in the Order in. Council being carried out in New Zealand. 15th September, 1915.

No. 28. —Petition of John Alexander McKinnon, of Christchurch. Praying that he be granted a compassionate allowance in respect of certain hardships and losses alleged to have been suffered by him. I am directed to report that in the opinio!) of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 21st September, 1915.

No. 130.—Petition of William McHugh, of Onehunga. Praying that compensation may be paid to him for alleged unlawful arrest under a warrant. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration and further inquiry. 21st September, 1915.

No. 270. —Petition of Roy Richard Meyer, of Hamilton East. Praying to be paid the value of certain goods lent by him to the New Zealand Government and not returned. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, but that careful inquiry should be made as to the equity and reasonableness of such claim. 21st September, 1915. Debate on the question, " That the report do lie upon the table, and, together with the petition, be referred to the Government for favourable consideration and careful inquiry," interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

Nos. 603 (1914), 136, and 241.—Petitions of the Petone Borough Council and the Lower Hutt Borough Council. Praying for postponement of the passing of the Hutt Road Bill. I am directed to report that, the Bill to which these petitions relate having passed its third reading in the House, this Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th September, 1915.

No. 226.—Petition of W. J. Monaghan and 5 Others, of Karori. Praying to be granted the Maori War Medal. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government. 24th September, 1915.

1.—2

4

No. 122.—Petition of the Hawke's Bay Countt Council. Praying for a certain amendment of the Port Ahuriri—Westshore Road and Railway Act, 1914. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the prayer of the petition be acceded to, with the express additional proviso that the petitioners shall be bound to cite before the Commission for contribution purposes any local authority (in addition to the Napier Borough Counoil) which the Napier Borough Council shall require or nominate. 24th September, 1915.

No. 579 (1914). —Petition of James Edward McLennan, of Auckland. Praying that he be granted reinstatement in the Police Force. I ant directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th September, 1915.

No. 629 (1914). —Petition of Thomas McNamara, of Kirikopuni. Praying for compensation for injuries received while acting as a mounted special constable during the strike of 1913. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th September, 1915.

No. 134.—Petition of.A. Rossbr and 214 Others, of Auckland. Prating to be paid certain expenses in connection with a police prosecution of one William A. Johnston. 1 am directed to report that, a later petition (No. 323) on the same facts being now before another Committee, this Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th September, 1915.

No. 86.—Petition of D. Moroney, of Karamu. (Second Report.) Prating for compensation for loss of property while loaned to the New Zealand Farmers' Union during the strike of 1913. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, but that careful inquiry should be made as to the equity and reasonableness of such claim.

24th September, 1915. No. 72. —Petition of A. J. Edwards, of Ohaupo, (Second Report.) Prating for compensation for loss of property while loaned to the New Zealand Farmers' Union during the strike of 1913. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, but that careful inquiry should be made as to the equity and reasonableness of such claim. 24tli September, 1.915.

No. 71. —Petition of A. S. Brewis, of Hamilton. (Second Report.) Praying for compensation for loss of property while loaned to the New Zealand Farmers' Union during the strike of 1913. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, but that careful inquiry should be made as to the equity and reasonableness of such claim. 24th September, 1915.

No. 70. —Petition of Arthur Leslie Yule, of Hamilton. (Second Report.) Praying to be paid the value of certain goods lent by him to the New Zealand Government and not returned. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, but that careful inquiry should be made as to the equity and reasonableness of such claim. 24th September, 1.915. Debate on the question, " That the report do lie upon the table, and, together with the petition, be referred to the Government for favourable consideration and careful inquiry," interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

No. 626 (1914).—Petition of Gavin Weir, of Upper Orewa, Silverdale. Praying that the right of appeal against his dismissal from the Public Service be granted him under the provisions of the Government Railways Act, 1908. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee tin; petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th September, 1915.

5

1.—2

No. 292.—Petition of M. O'Neill, of Te Wera. Praying for compensation for land taken by the Public Works Department, and for other damages. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration and further inquiry. 30th September, 1915. Debate on the question, "That the report do lie upon the table, and, together with the petition, bo referred to the Government for consideration and further inquiry," interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

No. 149.—Petition of F. A. Smith and Others, and 16 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying for relief against alleged unfair competition by the National Provident Fund. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration, with a view to co-ordinating the work of the friendly societies and the National Provident Fund, both of which perform valuable services for the State, by granting such assistance to the friendly societies as will enable them to embrace a greater extent of the Dominion's social insurance functions; and that, to ensure this, a conference of the friendly societies with the Government be held at an early date, and that the evidence taken before the Committee be printed and circulated. (Vide Appendix 1.-2 a.) 4th October, 1915. Schedule. No. 152.— R. G. Barnes and 6 others. No. 347. —E. Greenland and 6 others. No. 197.— J. Gourdie and 3 others. No. 3(10.—W. C. Campbell and 3 others. No. 230.—A. V. Hope and 4 others. No. 361,—(J. A. Ahngren and 2 others No. 293.—C. R. Goldring and 8 others. No. 362 T. C. Keith and 7 others. No. 305. —D. R. Coopsr and 2 others. No. 365. —T. Lawrence and 4 others. No. 317.— J. Stevens and 5 others. No. 366.—J, Jepson and (i others. No. 322. —W. Hunter and 5 others. No. 373.— T. Norris and 10 others. No. 346.—A. Thompson, and 6 others. No. 403. —J. Smith and 4 others.

No. 170.—Petition of E. PINFOLD and Others, and 75 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying that legislation be passed providing that hotel-bars be closed at 6 p.m. daily till the close of the present war. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee this being a matter of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make, but considers the question of such importance at the present juncture that it is of opinion the Government should give the whole matter its early consideration. 4th October, 1915. Schedule, No. 160.— N. Battle and 146 others. No. 211.—A. A. Bensley anil 495 others. No. 161.— J. 11. Gow and 36 others. No. 212.— H. Money and 730 others. No. 171.— H. L. Pudney and 369 others. No. 213.—,1. Dickie and 1,586 others. No. 172.—Mary Logan and 99 others. No. 214.— J. W. Johnstone and 428 others. No. 173.—Harold Turner and 369 others. No. 215.—Edward Hill and 202 others. No. 174.—William Lee and 129 others. No. 216.—A. 15. Rowlands and 257 others. No. 175.—Arthur Little and 396 others. No. 217.— J. Turner and 132 others. No. 176.— J. Gilmour and 32 others. No. 218.— R. Robertson and 402 others. No. 177.—Sarah A. Moody and 102 others. No. 219.—.1. Aitoheson and 55 others. No. 178.— G. Hcrvey and' 369 others. No. 220.- ('. It. Thwaites and. 599 others. No. 179.—James Kirk and 809 others. No. 221.—Emily Akroyd anil 733 others. No. 180.—John Griffiths and 192 others. No. 222.— W. T. Todd and 95 others. No. 181.— T. Stinson and 2,507 others. No. 223.— E. A. Hammond and 90 others. No. 182.—8. F. Rothwell and 484 others. No. 242.— W. H. Tucker and 455 others. No. 183.—Joseph White and 1,41.7 others. No. 243.—George R. Davie and 401 others. No. 184.—Herbert Cole and 136 others. No. 244.—D. Blyth and 596 others. No. 185.— R. M. Lumsdcn and 307 others. No. 245.— J. T. Hinton and 1,698 others. No. 186.— H. 11. Miller and 738 others. No. 246.—L. K. Tarrant and 264 others. No. 187.—John Miller and 42 others. No. 248. —John Anderson and 788 others. No. 188.— W. Penrose and 1,621 others. No. 249.— E. X, Cameron and 527 others. No. 189.—Alfred W. North and 427 others. No. 261.— E. Kirkwood and 162 others. No. 190.—P. A. Haslam and 174 others. . No. 262.— F. M. Beattie and 127 others. No. 191. —A. Hardham and 1,667 others. No. 263.— R. 0. Douglas and 600 others. No. 192. —Eliza Painton and 156 others. No. 264.— R. Cooper and 90 others. No. 193.— J. E. Stephens and 888 others. No. 265.—M. Clark and 85 others. No. 198.—James Gibb and 571 others. No. 275.—M. Bramley and 108 others. No. 199.—L. Harrison and 204 others. No. 284.— J. Ward and 23 others. No. 200.— E. A. Batt and 1,209 others. No. 285.—Kate Newton and 30 others. No. 201.—Louisa Upton and 575 others. No. 286. —N. R. Mclsaac and 122 others. No. 202. —J. Cruickshank and 1,102 others. No. 291.—C. R. Swinbanks and 57 others. No. 203.—George Budd and 414 others. No. 295.— J. H. Andrew and 33 others. No. 204.— F. J. Gane and 550 others. No. 296.— J. Woodley and 0 others. No. 205. —W. Buttorick and 434 others. No. 303.—5. E. Lowis and 55 others. No. 206.— R. I). Sutherland and 1,000 others. No. 318.— E. F. Armstrong and 72 others. No. 207.— H. Nimmo and 712 others. No. 319.—5. W. Littlejohn and 99 others. No. 208.—A. E. Smith and 125 others. No. 333.—5. Mitchell and 18 others. No. 209. ■—R. M. Maunder and .1,869 others. No. 355.—5. Hickman and 37 others. No. 210. —The Bishop of Nelson and 670 others. Debate on the question, " That the report do lie upon the table," interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.

1.—2

6

No. 225.—Petition of John Scott Myers, of Marshland, Christchurch. Praying that the honourable House will cause searching investigation to be made into the facts set out in his petition, and that the Crown do compensate him by the payment of the sum of £20,000 for the wrongs and injuries the Crown by its servants has inflicted on him. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth October, 1915.

No. 321. —Petition of Thomas McLaughlin, of Auckland, and 4,599 Others. Praying the honourable House to consider State regulation of prices during the progress of the war; and that all future awards of the Arbitration Court shall provide for a sliding scale of wages in accordance with the rise in the prices of necessaries. I am directed that in the opinion of the Committee, as the Government is about to introduce a Hill dealing with the question, the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth October, 1915.

No. 133. —Petition of John S. Taylor, of Wanganui. I'uaying for the rehearing of a certain case in respect of which he underwent a term of imprisonment. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth October, 1915.

No. 316.—Petition of J. E. Wilson and 388 Others. Prating that more active steps should be taken to remove German and other alien enemies from responsible positions, and to more stringently and completely control the German element in New Zealand. 1 am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee the matter involved being one of policy, it has no recommendation to make. sth October, 1915.

No. 254. —Petition of Francis Roil, of Sydenham. Praying for compensation for loss sustained by him through the default of certain trustees and the failure of the Court to adequately protect his interest when the matter was before the Judge at Christchurch on the 12th June, 1874, and when a considerable portion of the estate was still in existence. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth October, 1915.

No. 345. —Petition of Victoria University College Council. Praying that no legislation be passed which will have the effect of interfering with the free exercise by the petitioner of its functions under the Victoria College Act, 1905, and the Acts amending the same. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee the question raised by this petition being one of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth October, 1915.

No. 298. —Petition of Peter Maloney, of Cobden. Praying for a proper public inquiry into certain charges against him which led to his dismissal from the Police Force. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view to the Minister in charge of the Police Department directing an inquiry to be held under section 16 of the Police Act, 1913, petitioner to have reasonable notice and to be allowed the assistance of his legal adviser sth October, 1915.

No. 225.—Petition of John Scott Myers, of Marshland, Christchurch. (Second Report.) Praying that the honourable House will cause searching investigation to be made into the facts set out in his petition, and that the Crown do compensate him by the payment of the sum of £20,000 for the wrongs and injuries the Crown by its servants has inflicted on him. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration and inquiry. 7th October, 1915.

7

1.—2

No. 391. —Petition of George Parkinson and 5 Others. Praying that the House may be pleased to recommend a certain petition for the remission of sentence on one Alice Parkinson for the Government's favourable consideration. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th October, 1915.

Special Report. I have the honour to report the Public Petitions M to Z 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 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 and reported to the House. 7th October, 1915.

Final Report. I am directed to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, has during the session held seventeen meetings, the average attendance being 75. The following table shows the disposal of the business which came before the Committee : — Number of petitions referred to the Committee ... ... ... 135 Number of petitions dealt with ... ... ... ... ... 126 Number of reports presented to the House ... ... ... ... 41 Number referred for favourable consideration ... ... ... 13 Number referred for consideration ... ... ... ... ... 23 Number of petitions with no recommendation ... ... ... 89 Number of petitions referred for inquiry ... ... ... ... 1 Number of petitions held over by request ... ... ... ... 2 Number of petitions held over, not having been returned from the Department to which they were referred ... ... ... ... 7 7th October, 1915.

Approximate, Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing ((150 copies), £4 7s. 6d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ls.

Price 6d.]