PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. BROWN, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1919 Session I, I-01

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1919. NEW ZEAL A N D.

PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. BROWN, Chairman.)

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

ORDERS OK REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of fJi.e House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 3ed Dai ok Septbmbeh, 1919. Ordered, "That Standing Order No. 21!) be suspended, and that a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of eleven members, to consider all petitions from A to L 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 have power to report its opinions and observations thereon to this Horrse ; also to have power' to call for - persons arid papers; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Brown, Mi - . P. Fraser, Mr. Harris, Mr-. Parr, Mr. Payne, Mr. T. W. Rhodes, the Hon. Mr. Russell, Mr-. C. 11. Smith, Dr. Thaoker, Mr. Wright, and the mover." —(Right Hon. Mr. M.ASBKY, for Minister in Charge, Hon. Mr. Hine.) Thursday, the 25th Day of September, 1!)1!). Ordered, "That all petitions not finally dealt with during the sessions of 1918 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said sessions."--(Right Hon. Mr. Mass icy.) Wednesday, the 15th Day ok October, 1919. Ordered, "That- the report of the Public Petitions A to L Committee on the petition of M. A. Harding be referred back to that Committee in order that the report may be amended in accordance with the resolution passed by the Committee." -(Mr. T. W. Rhodes.)

INDEX.

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No, Petitioner. Page. :157 Aoheson, E. J. 56 ! Aoheson, R. J. 28(1 Alexander, VV. .1. 122/Sess. 11/18 Bailey, Philip 64 Sess. 11/18 Bambory, L. M. |(i Black, Ivan I III ' Bloomfield, ('."A. 120 Bloomfield, ('.A. 116/Sess. [1/18 Brierly, VV. H., and 9 others .. 13/Sess. 1/18 Buchanan, V. C. 65/Sess. 11/18 Burke, I. M. P. lib Sess. 11/18 Burke, M.. E. 47 Cholmondeley-Smith, C, R. 45 i Clarke, W. IL, and 21 others .. 46 ! Clarke, W. II. 1 13/Sess. 11/18 1 Clarke, W. II. 295 Clemens, C. H. 242 Coleman, Elizabeth A. 12/Sess. II IS Conrick, Patrick 474/17 Cossman, H. A, M. SS/Sess. IP IS Ourlett, Must in , | /is Dalziell, F. 0. 17 Docherty, II. V. M. . . 187/17 D'Oridant, VV. A. 6 -1 2 2 3 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 5 5 2 3 3 2 5 3

No. Petitioner. Page. 269 9 306 308 7 2 Sess. [1/18 18 7(1 262 262 3 Driscoll Dustins Limited Karl, William, jun. Final Report Fleming and Co. Forrester, li. Forsyth, Lilian Fraser, Marian Gordon, W. F. Harding, M. A. (first report) .. Harding, M,. A. (second report) Reathoote County Council ami 5 other petitions Hill, Elsie M. Hoyle. Robert Hunter. T. A. lngley, Joseph Jamison, John, sen. Johnston, W. A. Jones, Leonard Leyhind-O'Brien Company (Limited) Lundon, Patrick Walton. B. B. 5 5 (i (i '6 4 4 4 6 4 5 108 292 122 279 485 17 246 22 104, IS I 277 2 6 6 4 2 4 4 2 3 3

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REPORTS. No. 47.—Petitiion of ('. It. Cihu.mondei/et-Smjth, of Oneroa. Pβ wing that he may receive the military medals for service in the Maori War. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 24th September, I ill 9.

No. 45,—Petition of W. 11. Clarke and 21 Others, of Auckland. I'liAYlNi; that they receive the full military pension together with the old-age pension. I am directed to report thai in the opinion of the Committee the Gfovernmehi should be requested to legislate so thai military pensioners should be allowed to receive the additional benefit of the old-age pension. 24th September, L 919.

No. lof 1918.—Petition of 1 ,, . G. Dalziell, of Wellington. T'ItAYiNU that legislation be enacted so that the natural resources of the Dominion could lie t horoughly developed. I am directed to report thai the Committee is of the opinion this petition should l>e referred to the Industries Committee. 24th September, 1919.

No. 108.—Petition of Elsie Maky Hill, of Christohuroh. PRATING thai the payment of £100 gift duly on the sum of tIJ.OOO. personally supplemented by the Hon. W. F. Wigrain to an equal sum. for which a trusi was formed for her benefit and the benefit of her children, be refunded. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion (his petition should be recommended to the Government for favourable consideration, and that the prayer of the petitioner be granted. 24th September, 1919.

No. 12 of Session 11. 1918. Petition of Patrick Conbiok, of Porirua. Prating that he be compensated for alleged wrongful arresl in connection with his being called up for military service, and that he be refunded his travelling-expenses. I am directed to report thai the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 6th October, 1919.

No. IST) of 1917.--Pet ition of JOHN JAMISON, son., of Dunedin. Prating that an inquiry be made into certain correspondence with the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 6ta October, 1919.

No. 104 of Session 11, 1918.— Petition of Letland-O'Brihn Company (Limited), of Auckland. I'liAYiNf! for compensation for loss sustained through the seizure of their vessel by the escaped German prisoners. I am directed to report that the Committee is strongly of opinion that the Government should grant reasonable compensation to the petitioners. 6th October, 1919.

No. 280. —Petition of W. .T. Alexander, of Auckland. I'nAYiNn for compensation for losses sustained by the refusal by the Administrator for permission io land at Samoa. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. loth October, 1919. No. 122 of Session 11. 1918.—Petition of Philip Batlny, of Dannevirke. Prating that he may be granted adequate compensation for injuries received during an alleged illegal assault committed by a, returned soldier named Sergeant White. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should bo referred to the Government for consideration. 15th October, 1919.

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Nos. 64, 65, and 66 of Session IT, 1918. —Petitions of M. L. Bambrebt, T. M. P. Burke, and M. E. BtfBKE, all of Ravensbourne. I , raying for compassionate allowance for injuries sustained through the alleged negligence of the Defence authorities in allowing one Onslow Mayhew to retain the use of firearms. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the Defence Department is in no way to blame, but, in view of 1 lie distressing circumstances, it recommends the several petitions to the favourable consideration of I he Government. 15th October, 1919.

No. 11C of Session 11, 1918.—Petition of W. H. BrieRLY and 9 Others, of Auckland. I'uAYiNf! that the Mount Eden Quarry Reserve should not be leased to any public or private body Tor purposes of quarrying or stone-crushing. I am directed to report flial this petition should lie referred to the Government for inquiry, the Committee being of opinion that a renewal of the lease to the Auckland City Council should not be granted. 15th October, 1919. '

No. 13 of Session T, 1918.—Petition of V. C. Buchanan, of Christchurch, Prating that an inquiry be held into the circumstances surrounding his being called up for service in !he New Zealand Expeditionary Force. I a,in directed to report that in ihe opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to Ihe Government for favourable consideration. 15th October, 1919.

No. 113 of Session 11. 1918.—Petition of W. H. GIiARKB, of Auckland. PwAYING that he may be heard at ihe bar of the House in reference lo his scheme of land-settlement for soldiers. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition to the Government for consideration. 15th October, 191!).

No. 46.—Petition of W. H. CLARKE, of Auckland. L'raying for a compassionate allowance on account of deductions from his old-age pension. I am directed lo report that Ihe Committee is of opinion thai (lie request of the petitioner for one month's pension should be referred lo the Government for favourable consideration. 15th October, I 111 9.

No. 474 of 1917— Petition of 11. A. M. Cossman and 7,000 Others, of Wanganui. Phayino that all enemy aliens lie interned. T am directed to report thai the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th October, 1919.

No. 88 of Session 11. L918.—-Petition of Huston Cublbtt, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation for , alleged wrongful detention in a mental hospital. 1 am directed to report that Ihe Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th October, 1919.

No. 487 of 1917.—Petition of W. A. D'Okidant, of Oainaru. Praying that he may be granted compensation for the loss of his fishing-launch by the foreclosure of a mortgage. I am directed to report thai the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th October, 1919.

No. I.—Petition of PATRICK Li noon, of Wellington. PRAYING that he be granted tin , amount of money to which he claims he is entitled for overtime worked in the Internal Affairs Department. T am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th October, 1919.

No. 277.—Pet il ion of IS. H. Wai/ion and Others, of North Otago. Praying for assistance to the surviving victims of the CemmeH's Crossing tragedy. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee Ihe Defence Department is in no wav to blame, but, in view of the distressing circumstances, it recommends this petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 15th October, 1919.

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No. 262.—Petition of Mart A. Harditto, of Palmerston North. (First Report.) Prating for a reduction of the ileal li duties on a deceased relative's estate. T am directed to report that, in view of the existing legislation, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th October, 1919.

No. 56. —Petition of I!. .1. Ahhhkon, of Wairarapa. I'itAYTNfi for a compassionate allowance or increase of his superannuation so as to provide a living for his wife. I am directed to report that, owing to the vrvy special circumstances that have arisen since the petition was presented, the Committee have no recommendation to make, but would strongly urge upon the Government that the charge for Mr. Acheson's maintenance in the mental hospital he remitted. 20th October, 1919.

No. 119. — Petition of 0. A. BLOOMFIELD, of Southland. Prating for a gift of grass-seed to enable him to grass an area of burnt bush land, which he is unable to do without such help, being totally blind. T am directed to report thai upon this petition the Committee has no recommendation to make, but would urge upon the Government the greal need for introducing legislation making provision for the sustenance of blind people. 20th October, 1919.

No. 120.—Petition of C. A. Br.oowFiKT.n, of Southland. Prating for assistance to provide transport to New Zealand for , his nephew and his wife and child, to help him on his farm, he himself being totally blind. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the petition should be referred to the (iovernment for favourable consideration. 20th October, 1919.

Nos. 7 and 22.—Petitions of R. Fokkkstki, , and L. JONES, of Auckland. Pratjng for half civil pay while members of the New Zealand Army Postal Service. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th October, 1919.

No. 2.—Petition of Lilian M. Forstth, of Palmerston North. I'nATINO for compensation for services rendered by her late husband, who was employed as a Dairy Inspector and accidentally killed in the course of his duty. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th October, 1919.

No. 18. —Petition of Matuan Fraser, of Christchurch. Prating for further compassionate allowance on account of servioes rendered by her late husband while a member of the Police Force. 1 am directed lo report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should lie referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th October, 1919.

No. 279.—Petition of Joseph Inglbt, of New Plymouth. PnAYTNfI that he may be awarded the Maori Wai' Medal for services rendered during the Maori War. I am directed to report thai in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 20th October, 1919.

No. 246. — Petition of W. A. JOHNSTON, of Wellington. Prating for compensation for loss of wages and a refund of legal expenses incurred through alleged wrongful arrest. 1 am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the (iovernment for favourable consideration, 20th October, 1919,

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No. 242. —Petition of Elizabmh A. Colbman, of Christchurch. Prating for a compassionate allowance on account of the services rendered by her late husband while he was a member of the New Zealand Defence borer. I am directed to reporl that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 21st October, 1919.

No. 17. — Petition of Henrietta V. M. Doohirtt., of Christchurch. I'hayini; for a compassionate allowance on account of the loss of her husband, who was a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the petitioner should apply for the war pension under the provisions of section 16, subsection (I) (b), of the War Pensions Amendment Act, 1917; and, further, that the Committee directs I lie attention of the Government to clause 13 of the departmental report on this petition. 21st October, 1919.

No. 9. — Petition of Dusti.xs Limitkii. of Wanganui. Praying for compensation for loss sustained in connection with the purchase of canteen premises at Trentham. I an) directed to report thai the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st October, 1919.

No. 262. —Petition of Maky A. Habding, of Palmerston North. (Second Report.) PRATING for reduction of the death duties on a deceased relative's estate. I am directed to report- that, on account of existing legislation, the Committee has no recommendation to make on the prayer of the petition, hut recommends that legislation should be introduced making a reduction on death duties where the successors die within a year of each other, thus following on the lines of the Death Duties Act, 1914, and Finance Act, 1914, of the Imperial Parliament. 21st October, 1919.

No. 3.—Petition of Hbathoqtb County CotworL, of Armagh Street. Christohuroh, and 5 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Prating for the repeal of clause 9 of the Selwyn County Subdivision Act, 1910. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee an amendment of the Act is necessary in order that each county shall receive ils full subsidy. The Committee recommends the petitions for the consideration of the Government. 21st October, 1919. SCHEDULE. No. lilt, flelwyn County Council. No. 282. Springs County Council No. 247.—EUesmore County Council. No. 283. —Papaioa, County Council. No. 281.--Halswell County Council.

No. 16. —Petition of Ivan Black, of Auckland. PRAYING lor redress for alleged wrongful prosecution. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should bt referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 22nd October, 1919.

No. 295.—Petition of C. H. Clemens, of Wellington. Praying for inquiry into the methods used by the Defence Department for the transportation of his son, an invalided soldier who subsequently died. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration and inquiry. The Committee desires to express its sympathy with the petitioner in the loss of his son, and places on record the high sense of duty actuating him in presenting the petition, its purpose being to make a recurrence of his unfortunate case impossible. 22nd October, 1919.

No. 269.—Petition of T. M. Dhiscoij., of Wellington. Praying for an inquiry into his claim for military pension. I am directed to report that (lie Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for immediate and favourable consideration, and that the pension granted be such as will, together with the salary he is receiving, enable the petitioner to properly provide for a home. 27th October, 1919.

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No. 306. —Petition of William Eakij, jun., of Waikari. Prating far refund of penalty for late payment of land-tax. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 27th October, 1919.

No. 118.—Petition of T. A. Hunter and 306 Others, of Wellington. Praying that inequitable discrimination in the matter of relief under the Military Service Act be not exercised. J am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. •27th October, 191!).

No. 308.—Petition of Fleming and Co., of Gore. Praying for a refund of duty on automatic packeting-machine. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that, owing to the special oir.oumsUinees. the petition should be referred to the Favourable consideration of the Government to refund the excess duty upon the firm entering into a, bond to pay the full duty in the event of the machinery being used other than in the preparation of foodstuffs, or disposed of. -111. November, 1919.

No. 357.—Petition of Emily J. Acheson, of Masterton. Prating that a sum of money be granted her by way of compassionate allowance to enable her to pay off certain liabilities. 1 am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration 4th November, 1919.

No. 70.—Petition of W. F. Gobdon, of New Plymouth. I'ltAYiNOi for compensation for loss of half-pay while on leave from the Survey Department. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion the petition should be referred bo the Government for favourable consideration. 4th November, 1919.

No. 292.—Petition of Robert Hotle, of Arapohue. Prating for a survey of route for branch railway to connect Dargaville and Northern Wairoa with the Main Trunk line via Mititai, Raupo, and Ruawai. f am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry. 4th November, 1919.'

Final Report. I am directed to report — The Committee during the session held 10 meetings. The Committee dealt with 54 petitions. The number of petitions recommended for immediate and favourable consideration was 1. The number recommended for favourable consideration was 23. The number recommended for consideration was 13. The number referred to other Committees was 1. The number on which the Committee had no recommendation to make was 8. The number held over until next session was 2. The number referred for inquiry was 2. The number withdrawn was 1. The number not dealt with was 3. 4th November, 1919.

Approximate Cost, of Paper. — I'r -; ■ -e.tlon, not given ; printing ((150 copies), £5.

By Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l9.

Price (id. I