RAILWAYS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. BUICK, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, I-06

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1915. NEW ZEALAND.

RAILWAYS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. BUICK, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, a,nd ordered to be printed.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the Ist Day of July, 1915. Ordered, " That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to examine and report upon questions [dating to railways; with power to call for persons and papers; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Buick, Mr. J. S. Dickson, Mr. W. H. Field, Mr. Hine, Mr. Myers, Mr. Sidey, Mr. Sykes, Mr. Veitch, Mr. Witty, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Herries.)

INDEX.

No. Petitioner. Page. No. Petitioner. Page. 107 Aloxander, E. O, and 1869 others 2 27 27 Moderate, James Moderate, James (second report) 3 3 24 Collard, John 3, 4 2 Executive Council of the New Zealand Locomotive Engine - drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association 2 Rongonui Torehina and 2 others 129 330 Snodgrass, A., and 7 others 3 Final report 4 137 26 231 Thomason, H. R. Tow, Anne Tunbridge, A. E. 3 2 3 251 251 Glass, Isabella M. Glass, Isabella M. (second report) 3 4 Special report (re Chairman) Special report (re Clerk) 4 4 23 Hudson, John G. 2 194 97 97 McGahan, Mary McQuilken, Maggie J. McQuilken, Maggie J. (second report) 2 2 3 252 626/14 Waikato River Board.. Weir, Gavin 3 4

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KEPOBTB. No. 24.—Petition of John Collard, of Wanganui Peayjng for compassionate allowance to relieve his present distressed condition. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th July, 1915.

No. 107.—Petition of E. C. Alexander and 1,869 Others, of Auckland. Phaying that the work of construction on the proposed railway along the foreshore of the Waitemata Harbour be stopped, and that the proposals in connection with the railway be reconsidered. I am directed to report that, as a question of policy is involved, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th August, 1915.

No. 26.—Petition of Anne Tow, of Seddon. Praying for compassionate allowance on account of the death of her husband whilst in the employ of the Railway Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd September, 1915.

No. 23. —Petition of John G. Hudson, of Wanganui. Phaying for compensation for loss caused by the Railway Department's non-adoption of an invention of a railway-crossing alarm. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 3rd September, 1915.

No. 194.—Petition of Mary McGahan, of Tuakau. Prating for compensation for alleged vindictive treatment of her late husband by the Railway Department. 1 am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to makte with regard to this petition. 3rd September, 1915.

No. 4. —Petition of Rongonui Terehina and 2 Others, of Raetihi. Phaying for compensation for loss of their mother in connection with the construction of the Ohakune—Raetihi Railway. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred back to the Classification Committee in order that it may be forwarded immediately to the proper Committee. 3rd September, 1915.

No. 129.—Petition of Executive Council of the New Zealand Locomotive Engine-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association. Praying that an independent Board be set up to examine the evidence adduced at the inquiry held by the Railway Department re Driver T. Carter, or, failing this, that his case be heard by the Railway Appeal Board. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 10th September, 1915.

No. 97.—Petition of Maggie J. McQuilken, of Otanc, Hawke's Bay. Praying for compensation for loss sustained by fire alleged to have been caused by a spark from a locomotive. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. " 10th September, 1915.

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No. 27.—Petition of James Moderate, of Gust. Praying for compensation for loss of dwelling by tire, alleged to have been caused by spark from a railway-engine. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 10th September, 1915.

No. 251. —Petition of Isabella M. Glass, of Mercer. Praying for compensation for loss by fire alleged to have been caused by a spark from a railwayengine. I am directed to report that, on account of the conflicting evidence adduced, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th September, 1915.

No. 252.—Petition of Waikato River Board. Praying that the Railway Department may give them a, substantial subsidy for work done in preventing the Waikato River from overflowing the permanent-way between Mercer and Huntly. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th September. 1915.

No. 137. —Petition of H. R. Thomason, of Wai-iti, near Nelson. Praying that he be granted light employment in the Railway Department because of injuries sustained whilst in the employ of the Department. 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, 1915.

No. 27. —Petition of James Moderate, of Cust, near Christchurch. (Second Report.) Praying for compensation for loss of dwelling by fire, alleged to have been caused by a spark from a railway-engine. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 23rd September, 1915.

No. 97.—Petition of Maggie J. McQuilken, of Otane, Hawke's Bay. (Second Report.) Praying for compensation for loss sustained by fire alleged to have been caused by a spark from a locomotive. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 23rd September, 1915.

No. 231.—Petition of A. E. Tunbridge, of Wanganui. Praying that the recommendation of the Appeal Board in connection with his dismissal from the Railway service be given effect to. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 23rd September, 1915.

No. 330. —Petition of A. Snodgrass and 7 Others, of Wellington. Praying that they be granted the same benefits as are given to the permanent employees of the Government Railway service. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that all regular casuals paid at a daily rate, and who were ineligible for permanent staff when they first joined the Railway service, and who have been continuously employed for a period of ten years and over should be granted the privileges under Regulations Nos. 98 and 114, and that effect be given thereto at an early date, and recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration. sth October, 1915.

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No. 626 (1914). —Petition of Gavin Weir, of Upper Orewa, Silverdale. Praying for an inquiry into the matter of his dismissal from the management of the State sawmills of Kakahi. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 7th October, 1915.

No. 251. —Petition of Isabella M. Glass, of Mercer. (Second Report.) Praying for compensation for loss by fire alleged to have been caused by a spark from a railwayengine. I am directed to report that, owing to there being insufficient evidence to show the origin of the fire that damaged the property, the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to the petition. 7th October, 1915.

Special Report. I am directed to report that the Committee places on record its high appreciation of the services of the Chairman, Mr. David Buick, and its recognition of the able and impartial manner in which he conducted the business of the Committee. 7th October, 1915.

Special Report. I am directed to report that a vote of thanks was passed to the Clerk, Mr. J. L. Higgie, for the able manner in which he has carried out his duties during the session, and the Committee recommends that the Government appoint him permanently, and also that he be found employment during the recess. 7th October, 1915.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Railways Committee held its final meeting on the 6th October, 1915. During the session the Committee met on 12 occasions, the average attendance being 7. The ■Committee had before it for consideration 16 petitions, which were dealt with as follows :— Referred to the Government for consideration ... ... ... ... 2 Referred to the Government for favourable consideration ... ... 3 The Committee had no recommendation to make upon ... ... ... 10 One petition is held over for consideration next session. The number of reports brought down by the Committee and presented to the House was 21. 7th October, 1915.

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