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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, I-02

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1917. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 20th Day of July, 1917. Ordered, " That a Solect Committeo be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all petitions from M to Z that may bo referred to it by the Petitions Classification Committee, to classify and prepare abstracts of such petitions in such form and mannor as shall appear to it host suited to convey to this House all requisito information respecting their contents, and report the same from time to time to this Houso, and to have power to report its opinions and observations thereon to this Houso ; also to have power to call for persons and papers ; three to be a quorum : Ihe Committee to consist of Mr. Bollard, Mr. Craigie, Mr. Dickie, Mr. J. McC. Dickson, Mr. J. S. Dickson, Mr. McCallum, Mr. Poole, Mr. G. H. Smith, Mr. Statham, and tho movor." —(Hon. Mr. HanaS.) Tuesday, the 28th Day of August, 1917. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally doalt with during the session of 1916 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during tho said session." —(Right Hon. Mr. Massey.)

INDEX.

No. Petitioner. Page. No. Petitioner. 1 fagc. I 44 215 328 362 415 4 254/16 411 412 66 95 228 2 377 97 Final Report McDonald, Jamos McGregor, D., and another Mclnroe, E. J., and another McKnight, G., and 2 others McParland, J., and 7 othors Maling, Helen I. Mandich, Elias Meiklo, John J. Meikle, John J. Mowhinney, Olivor Mowhinney, Oliver Minchington, F. W. .. Moore, Dorothy A. Murphy, H. B. Myers, John S. 7 2 4 5 5 6 I 2 6 6 3 3 4 2 5 2 186 470 293 Pointon, ()., and 6 others Poison, D. M. Pridham, E. P. 5 6 4 210 398 207 Richardson, Ellen Roberts, Thomas E. .. Rutherford, Walter .. 4 (i 3 309 107 247/16 86 216 255/16 195 278 Sanford Limited Shanaghan, James Sheeran, E. W. Shirley, Thomas E. Short, Ernest Skelton, Hall Smith, David T., and 16 others.. Smith, Henry H. Special Report (re Chairman) Stephenson, C. W. Sutherland, J., and anothor Swann, John 5 2 2 2 5 4 3 4 7 (i 3 li 141 New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers' Association (Incorporated) Newlyn, John H, Noakes, Oliver 2 465 111 426 295 7 106 62 3 3 430 449 389 Taylor, John S. Tonkin, Walter Trotter, N. G., and 127 others (and 4 similar petitions) 5 6 li 130 O'Neill, J. P., and 60 others 3 431 61 104/16 45 Poake, Herbert Peat, J., and another Pitt, W. T.i .. Plummer, Albert 5 3 1 2 253 464 370 246 Watson, Ruby E. Wilson, E. A., and 53 others Wilson, John Worthington, H. L. .. 5 6 4 3

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REPORTS. No. 254 (1916).—Petition of Elias Mandich, of Auckland. Prating that he may enjoy all the privileges of a British subject and bo free to go from place to place in New Zealand. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist August, 1917.

No. 141. — Petition of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited). Praying for refund of portion of annual license fee alleged to have been overpaid. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th August, 1917.

No. 107.—Petition of James Shanaghan, of Auckland. Praying for relief for his son, whose health is alleged to have failed while he was on active service. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for immediate and most favourable consideration. 15th August, 1917.

No. 97.—Petition of John Scott Myers, of Marshlands, Christchurch. Praying for inquiry into and compensation for alleged wrongs he has suffered. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should bt referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with the suggestion that the petitioner be allowed facilities for a retrial. 15th August; 1917.

No. 86.—Petition of Thomas E. Shirley, of Napier. Praying for compensation for military services rendered during the Maori War. I am directed to report that in the opinion of tho Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th August, 1917.

No. 45.—Petition of Albert Plummer, of Auckland. Praying for compensation, for loss incurred in connection with Government contract for supplies to Maori prisoners in 1.868. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th August, 191.7.

No. 247 (1916).—Petition of E. W. Sheeran, of Huntly. Praying for an inquiry into a certain land transaction at Huntly. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with the suggestion that the papers should be laid before the New Zealand Law Society for inquiry and report. loth August, 1917.

No. 2. —Petition of Dorothy A. Moore, of Devonport. Praying for a compassionate allowance for the loss of her husband while on active service. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that the inquest should be reopened for the purpose of calling material evidence that was not called at the original inquiry. 29th August, 1917.

No. 44. —Petition of James McDonald, of Ngarua. Praying that he be granted the military pension in recognition of his services. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should bo referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that the matter should be referred to a Magistrate for inquiry, as contemplated by Cabinet, 29th August, 1917,

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Nos. 61 and 111.—Petitions of John Peat, of Dunedin, and John Sutherland, of Mosgicl. Praying for a refund of stamp duty alleged to have been overpaid. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee these petitions should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th August, 1917.

No. 106.—Petition of John Heath Newlyn, of Christchurch. Praying for an inquiry into his claim to the Maori War Medal. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th August, 1917.

No. 130. —Petition of J. P. O'Neill and 60 Others, of Lower Kokatahi. Praying for amendment of the Counties and Road Boards Acts. 1 am directed to report that, as the question raised is one of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th August, 1917.

No. 62. —Petition of Oliver Noakes, of -Auckland. Praying for compensation for alleged wrongful imprisonment. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 30th August, 1917. '

No. G6. —Petition of Oliver Mewhinney, of Wellington. Praying that the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1908, be amended. I am directed to report that, the petition raising a question of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th August, 1917.

No. 95.—Petition of Oliver Mewhinney, of Wellington. Praying for compensation in respect of certain litigation expenses and alleged wrongful imprisonment. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 30th August, 1917.

No. 207. —Petition of Walter Rutherford, of Auckland. Praying for a compassionate allowance for injuries sustained while on active service in the Maori War. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and that the Pension. Act should be amended by permitting holders of the Maori War pension to also hold the old-age pension. 30th August, 1917.

No. 246.—Petition of Hamilton Labatt Worthington, of Petone. Praying that the Imperial authorities be asked to obtain a certain partial release from the provisions of the Paris Sanitary Convention, 1912. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, the Committee believing that in the interests of the public health the steps mentioned in the prayer of the petition should be taken with all due expedition. 30th August,. 1917.

No. 195.—Petition of David T. Smith and 16 Others, of Christchurch. Praying that the provision in the Military Service Act, 1916, for the exemption of religious objectors be made similar to that laid down in section 65 of the Defence Amendment Act, 1912. I am directed to report that, the petition raising a question of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 6th September, 1917.

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No. 278. —Petition of Henry H. Smith, of Wellington. Praying that he be paid the rate of pay due to a Quartermaster-Sergeant in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces until his discharge. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for further consideration and inquiry. 6th September, 1917.

No. 228.—Petition of Frank W. Minchington, of Southbrook. Praying for compensation for his wife's services while she resided at Te Oranga Home. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No. 293. —Petition of Ernest P. Pridham, of Wanganui. Phaying for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his discharge from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. ' I am directed to rejiort that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No. 370. —Petition of John Wilson, of Auckland. Praying that a special Compensation Court be set up as under the Public Works Act, 1908, to investigate his claim to further compensation for certain land taken from him by the Railway Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Railways Committee. 26th September, 1917.

No. 215.—Petition of Duncan McGregor and Another, of Wanganui. Praying that they be granted alleged arrears of military pension. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, having regard to the delays of the Defence Department in inquiring into and granting the pensions of petitioners, the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable "consideration, with the view of granting compensation for such delays. 26th September, 1917.

No. 4.—Petition of Helen Irene Maling, of London. Praying for some relief on account of her late husband's services to the Dominion. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No, 210.—Petition of Ellen Richardson, of Dunedin. Praying for a compassionate allowance for death of her husband while in the employ of the Education Department. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.

No. 104 (1916). —Petition of William Tutepuaki Pitt, of Wellington. Praying that a Commission of inquiry be set up to inquire and report on the termination of his appointment in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. 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 setting-up of a Commission of inquiry to inquire into and report upon the procedure adopted in connection with the return of petitioner to New- Zealand. 26th September, 1917.

No. 255 (1916). —Petition of Hall Skelton, of Auckland, Solicitor. Praying that the amount of bail estreated in the case of one Fairchild be refunded the bondsmen. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th September, 1917.

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No. 186. —Petition of George Pointon and 6 Others, of Wellington. Praying for an inquiry into the liquidation of the Empire Loan Company. I am directed to report that, the petitioners not having exhausted their legal remedies, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd October, 1917.

No. 362.—Petition of G. McKnight and 2 Others, of Auckland. Praying for an inquiry into certain allegations against the administration of the State Advances Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th October, 1917.

No. 309.—Petition of Sanford Limited, of Auckland. Praying for inquiry into the action of the Auckland City by-law which deals with the inspection of fish and the fees for such inspection. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a suggestion that the inspection of fish should be under the control of the Government, and the fees collected by it, where there are municipal fish-markets. sth October, 1917.

No. 216. —Petition of Ernest Short, of Feilding. Praying for inquiry into the action of the Defence Department in calling up his sons under section 35 of the Military Service Act. I am directed to report that, having inquired into the circumstances, the Committee are of opinion—(l) that the Short family should not have been dealt with under section 35 of the Military Service Act, as W. G. Short had enlisted in August, 1914; (2) that the notice under that section was issued by mistake owing to the incomplete state of the official files; (3) that in the opinion of the Committee, under the circumstances, no stigma rests upon the Short family. sth October, 1917.

No. 253.—Petition of Ruby E. Watson, of Hamilton. Praying for relief in respect of the treatment of her son by the Defence Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth October, 1917.

No. 328.—Petition of Ernest J. Mclnroe and Another, of Greymouth. Praying for compensation for extra work alleged to have been done in connection with the bridge at Holman's Crossing. I am directed to report that, the parties having come to a settlement of the matters in dispute, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th October, 1917.

No. 377.—Petition of Harry B. Murphy, of Melbourne, Victoria. Praying for such an amendment of the law as would relieve petitioner from having to serve under the Military Service Act, 1916, as a resident of New Zealand. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, the Committee being of opinion that petitioner was not domiciled in New Zealand, but was kept here under an arrangement with the Agricultural Department. 10th October, 1917.

No. 431.—Petition of Herbert Peake, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for loss of health while an officer of the Lands and Deeds Registry Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, under the special circumstances, the petition should be referred to the Government for immediate and most favourable consideration. 10th October, 1917.

No. 430. —Petition of John S. Taylor, of Wanganui. Praying for a rehearing of a certain case. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 10th October, 1917.

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No. 415. —Petition of J. McPahland and 7 Others, of Wellington. Praying that licensed victuallers owning the freehold of their premises be considered in the compensation provisions of the Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill, 1917. 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. 12th October, 1917.

No. 398.—Petition of Thomas E. Roberts, of Wellington. Praying for refund of contributions paid to tho Public Service Superannuation Fund as the result of mi alleged omission on the part of the Justice Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 12th October, 1917.

No. 449.—Petition of Walter Tonkin, of Nelson. Praying for an inquiry into the circumstances attending his dismissal from the Police Force. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 12th October, 1917.

No. 389.—Petition of N. G. Trotter and 127 Others, of Riverton, and 4 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying that provision be made for completing the Orepuki — Round Hill Road. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Minister of Public Works for considcratioif. 12th October, 191.7. Schedule. No. 390. —James Couling and 127 others. I No. 447. —H. McLiskey and 22 others. No. 391.—C. C. Nicholas and 84 others. No. 448.— T. Powell aiid 30 others.

No. 411. —Petition of John J. Meikle, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for injuries alleged to have been sustained by him. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1917.

No. 412. —Petition of John J. Meikle, of Auckland. Praying for an inquiry into the conduct of certain persons before the Meikle Royal Commission. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1917/

No. 470.—Petition of D. M. Polson, of Wellington. Praying that his son, A. J. N. Poison, may be discharged from camp and released from further military service as being medically unfit. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1917.

No. 465.—Petition of C. W. Stephenson, of Wellington. Praying for relief consequent on his- compulsory retirement from the Post and Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1917.

No. 426. —Petition of John Swarm, of Aotea. Praying for an inquiry into the circumstances attending his discharge from the Samoan Relief Force. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1917.

No. 464.—Petition of E. A. Wilson and 53 Others, of Waikiekie. Praying for the conscription or internment of all alien enemy labour. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd October, 1917.

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No. 295.—Petition of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers' Association (Incorporated), of Wellington. Praying for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the transfer of C. E. Scott, which is alleged to have been done in an arbitrary manner. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee —(1) All serious allegations made against C. E. Scott-have been disproved; (2) communications from one Government Department to another should be sent through the Heads of each Department; (3) the unqualified right of transferring officers must remain with the Head of each Department; (4) no further inquiry is necessary. 26th October, 1917.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee desires to place on record its hearty appreciation of the efficient and courteous manner in which the Chairman (Mr. Dickie) has directed the business of the Committee during this session of Parliament, and further desires that this resolution shall be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and reported to the House. 27th October, 1917.

Final Report. I am directed to report that the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, consisting of ten members, has during this session held twenty meetings, the average attendance at each meeting being just under seven. The following table shows the disposal of the business that came before the Committee :— Number of petitions referred to the Committee ... ... ... 54 Number of petitions dealt with ... ... ... ... ... 52 Number of reports presented to the House '. .. ... ... ... 52 Number referred for immediate and most favourable consideration .'.. 1 Number referred for immediate and very favourable consideration ... 1 Number referred for favourable consideration ... ... ... 23 Number referred for further consideration and inquiry ... ... 1 Number referred for consideration ... ... ... ... ... 7 Number given "No recommendation" ... .... ... ... 18 Number referred to another Committee ... ... ... ... 1 Number held over by request ... ... ... ... ... 2 27th October, 1917.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (G5O copies), £_.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington. —1917.

Price 6d.]