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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1921 Session I-II, I-01

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Session 11. 1921. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. WRIGHT, 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 7th Day of October, 1921. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten 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 to have power to report its opinions and observations thereon to this House ; also to have power to call for persons and papers ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Bartram, Mr. Bitchener, Mr. Brown, Mr. Burnett, Mr. Harris, Mr. McNicol, Mr. Mitchell, Dr. Thaeker, Mr. Wright, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Parr.) Tuesday, the 11th Day oe October, 1921. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1920 and the short session of 1921 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said sessions."—(Right Hon. Mr. Massey.)

INDEX.

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No. Petitioner, &c. Page. I No. Petitioner, &e. Page. 62 219 287 Anderson, Bergit Caroline Armstrong, Arthur Atkinson, Ernest 2 4 4, 5 252 353 303 Glasgow, Robert Goode, John Milton Griffith, Thomas 4 6 5 235 134 144 363/19 126 234 133 336 208 Bacon, L. J., and 50 others Baker, C. W., and 1,191 others Barker, J. W., and 25 others Bicknell, J. T. Bloomfield, Charles A., and 20,852 others Board, B., and 63 others Broughton, G. H., and 1,085 others Browne, Helen Mitchell Butler, Norah 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 6 4 177 191 145 352 267 Hall, L. J., and 2 others Harrison, F., and 729 others .. Harrod, J., and 25 others Henson, Jane Husband, Thomas R. 4 3 2 6 6 108 78 Johnston, H. R., and 593 others Johnston, William A. 2 3,5,6 203 309 277 124 166 176 146 Campbell, James Chapman, Ernest Alfred Chrystal, W. L. Claridge, H. A. H. .. Clendon, E. J., and 196 others Cochran, Thomas, and 228 others Corbett, P., and 189 others .. 4 5 5 3 3 2 2 7 194 77 265 Large, J. T. Luff, H. C. Lusk, Hugh B., and 7,499 others Lysaght, Brian C, and 6 others 2 4 2 5 204 221 344 223 17 Dannevirke Borough Council Donaldson, J. T. Douglas, Alexander, and 73 others Dovey, Kate Dunham, Emily 3 5 6 5 4 125 118 117 122 148 192 113 165 Mackenzie, F. W. .. Mason, H., and 127 others Massey, J., and 31 others Matheson, D. H., and 1,073 others Murphy, P., and 1,721 others Mcintosh, W., and 65 others McKelvie, James, and 2,018 others McMahon, John F., and 40 others 3 2 2 2 2 4 2 3 220 128 Final report Forrest, William Fullerton, R. 6 3 2 119 147 Richard, A. L., and 54 others Rountree, L., and 132 others 2 2 102 172 Gee, Jos., and 524 others Gillespie, John 143 Twohill, James, and 390 others 2 2 4 1.58 Wilson, Thomas, and 1,362 others 2

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RE POETS.

No. 117, Petition of J.'Massey and. 31 Others; No. 118, Petition of H. Mason and 127 Others; No. 119, Petition of A. L. Richard and 54 Others. Praying that the recommendation of the Racing Commission, that the Otahuhu Trotting Club should have its license cancelled, be confirmed. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of these several petitions being now under consideration by Parliament, these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th October, 1921.

No. 126.—Petition of Charles A. Bloomfield and 20,852 Others. Praying that legislation may be passed this session providing for assistance to blind people. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th October, 1921.

No. 143. —Petition of James Twohill and 390 Others ; also 4 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying that a totalizator license be granted to the Thames Trotting Club. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of these several petitions being now under consideration by Parliament, these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 28th October, 1921.

Schedule. No. 144.— J. W. Barker and 25 others. | No. 146.—-P. Corbett and 189 others. No. 145. —J. Harrod and 25 others. | No. 147.—L. Rountree and 132 others.

No. 77. —Petition of Hugh B. Lusk and 7,499 Others : also 8 similar Petitions (as per Schedule attached). Praying that there be no restriction or cancellation of the issue of totalizator permits to various clubs. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of these several petitions being now under consideration by Parliament, these petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd November, 1921.

Schedule. No. 102.—Jos. Gee and 524 others. No. 133.— G. H. Broughton and 1,085 others. No. 108.— H. R. Johnston and 593 others. No. 134.-—C. W. Baker and 1,191 others. No. 113.—James McKelvie and 2,018 others. No. 148.—P. Murphy and 1,721 others. No. 122.— D. H. Matheson and 1,073 others. No. 158.—Thomas Wilson and 1,362 others.

No. 176. —Petition of Thomas Cochran and 228 Others, of Clifden. Praying that the totalizator license of the Clifden Racing Club be not cancelled. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition is now under consideration of Parliament, the Committee is of opinion the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd November, 1921.

No. 128. —Petition of R. Fullerton, of Wellington. Praying for a compassionate allowance for loss of sight. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the suggestion of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, " that the Hon. the Speaker should be asked to recommend the petitioner for an allowance of £34 6s. 2d. per annum under the scheme of allowances to messengers who are no longer fit for duty," be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 3rd November, 1921.

No. 7.—Petition of J. T. Large, of Auckland. Praying for grant of pension-moneys stopped on account of his absence from New Zealand. I am directed to report that, as section 10 of the Finance Act, 1920, was not made retrospective, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd November, 1921.

No. 62. —Petition of Bergit Caroline Anderson, of St. Albans. Praying for compassionate allowance for services rendered by her late husband in the Post and Telegraph Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd November, 1921. ■

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No. 165, Petition of John F. McMahon and 40 Others ; and No. 166, Petition of E. J. Clendon and 196 Others. Praying that a totalizator license be granted to the Thames Trotting Club. 1 am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of these petitions is now under consideration of Parliament, the Committee is of opinion that they should be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd November, 1921.

No. 191. —Petition of F. Harrison and 729 Others, of Auckland. Praying that the recommendation of the Racing Commission's Report re the Otahuhu Trotting Club be not given effect to. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition has already been dealt with by Parliament, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th November, 1921.

No. 363 (1919).—Petition of J. T. Bicknell, of Featherston. Praying for deviation of Rimutaka railway-line. I am directed o report that in the opinion of the Committee a matter of policy is involved, and therefore they have no recommendation to make. 24th November, 1921.

No. 125. —Petition of F. W. Mackenzie, of Wellington. Praying for inquiry into and relief from a certain judgment of the Supreme Court. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th November, 1921.

No. 124- -Petition of H. A. H. Claridge, of Wellington. Praying for inquiry into and relief from a certain judgment of the Supreme Court. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that, in accordance with the request of the petitioner, leave be given for this petition to be withdrawn. 24th November, 1921.

No., 78.—Petition of William A. .Johnston, of Wellington. Praying for recompense for alleged wrongful prosecution, and expenses incurred thereby. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th November, 1921. (Referred back for further, consideration.)

No. 234, Petition of B. Board and 63 Others ; and No. 235, Petition of L. J. Bacon and 50 Others, of Waitomo County. Praying that they may be given an opportunity of being heard and giving evidence before legislation is passed affecting the subdivision of Waitomo County, as proposed by report of Royal Commission. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that, in view of several petitions on the above subject having been presented this session and referred direct to the Local Bills Committee, these petitions should be referred to that Committee for consideration, and report. 7th December, 1921.

No. 220.—Petition of William Forrest, of Auckland. Praying for return of plant, or compensation with respect to termination of the Okahukura Tunnel contract. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th December, 1921.

No. 204. —Petition of Dannevirke Borough Council. Praying that the Government relieve the Dannevirke Borough Council from the liability placed upon it for the cost of maintenance of the Dannevirke-Weber Road. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, recommending that the Dannevirke Borough Council be relieved from the payment of £968 Bs., retrospective assessment imposed on it by the finding of the Dannevirke-Herbertville Road Commission. 7th December, 1921.

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No. 252. —Petition of Robert Glasgow, of Taupaki (Auckland). Praying for refund of stamp duty on certain documents, or that the petitioner be allowed to have the question as to whether the assessment was right in law decided by the Supreme Court. 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 recommendation that the sum of £98 be refunded. 7th December, 1921.

No. 208.—Petition of Norah Butler, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for the death of her husband, the result of injuries received while in the execution of his duty as a police constable. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th December, 1921.

No. 192.—Petition of W. Mclntosh and 65 Others, of Timaru. Praying that legislation may be passed this session providing for assistance to blind people. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th December, 1921.

No. 177.—Petition of L. J. Hall and 2 Others, of Otago. Praying for the return of certain fees alleged to have been paid to the Supreme Court. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th December, 1921.

No. 194.—Petition of H. C. Luff, of Wellington. Praying for redress for being discharged from the Public Service. I am directed to reportfthat the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th December, 1921.

No. 219.—Petition of Arthur Armstrong, of Petone. Praying that effect be given to the Public Petitions A to L Committee's report of the 11th August, 1920, on petition No. 372/1919. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that effect be given to the .report of the 11th August, 1920, upon petition No. 372/1919, which is as follows : "lam directed to report that the Committee recognizes the hardship of the petitioner's case, and recommends it to the Government for immediate and sympathetic consideration, with a view to reimbursing him his monetary loss." 19th December, 1921.

No. 287. —Petition of Ernest Atkinson, of Otago. Praying for compassionate allowance of £500 for loss through injuries sustained while in the Public Service as Crown Lands Ranger. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th December, 1921. (Referred back to Committee.)

No. 203. —Petition of James Campbell, of Auckland. Praying for the rehearing of a case against the Union Steamship Company (Limited), for compensation for injuries received while in their employ. I am directed to report|[that a statutory declaration placed before the Committee seems to indicate, that material evidence was not presented at the original hearing, and the Committee recommends that the case be reopened. This decision of the Committee is strengthened by the present physical condition of the petitioner, as disclosed by recent medical certificates. The Committee therefore is of opinion that this petition should be referred|to the Government for favourable consideration. 19th December, 1921.

No. 17.—Petition of Emily Dunham, of Christchurch. Praying for the rehearing of a case in which she was convicted by a Magistrate. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 19th December, 1921.

No. 172. —Petition of John Gillespie, of Palmerston North. Praying for compensation for moneys expended by him in defence of a Supreme Court action. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st December, 1921.

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No. 221. —Petition of John Thomas Donaldson, of Caversham. Praying that he be granted a fresh trial, or such other relief as may be just. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 11th January, 1922. (Referred back to the Committee for further consideration.)

No. 277.—Petition of William Livingstone Chrystal, of Christchurch. Praying that his superannuation allowance may be increased to the sum of £180, and that such increase shall date from the day of his discharge—viz., 30th September, 1908. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred by the Government to the Public Service Superannuation Board for consideration under the provisions of section 29 of the Public Service Classification and Superannuation Amendment Act, 1909. 11th January, 1922.

No. 223.—Petition of Kate Dovey, of Remuera. Praying for pension or compensation for services rendered to the Defence Department by her husband, the late Captain E. C. Dovey. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Defence Committee. 11th January, 1922.

No. 309. —Petition of Ernest A. Chapman, of Coalgate. Praying for compensation for loss of health, the result of injuries sustained while in the execution of his duty as a police constable. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee material evidence supporting the plea of the petitioner that he is suffering from the result of injuries received whilst in execution of his duty was not presented at the informal inquiry held by the Public Service Superannuation Board in October, 1920. The Committee therefore recommends the petition to the Government for favourable consideration. The Committee further recommends that the petition be referred to the War Pensions Board for consideration under section 14 of the Finance Act, 1919. 12th January, 1922.

No. 287.—Petition of Ernest Atkinson, of Dunedin (Second Report). Praying for an allowance of £500 as compensation for loss through an accident sustained while in the Public Service as Crown Lands Ranger. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th January, 1922.

No. 303.—Petition of Thomas Griffith, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation for injuries received to his eyesight when in the execution of his duty as police sergeant. I am directed to report that, although the Committee has no recommendation to make, it is of opinion that the petitioner has not exhausted his legal remedies, and should apply to the War Pensions Board under section 14 of the Finance Act, 1919, and, failing redress, should again petition Parliament. 24th January, 1922.

No. 78. —Petition of William A. Johnston, of Wellington. (Second Report.) Praying for recompense for alleged wrongful prosecution, and expenses incurred thereby. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th January, 1922. (Referred back to the Committee for further consideration.)

No. 221. —Petition of J. T. Donaldson, of Caversham. (Second Report.) Praying that he be granted a fresh trial, or such other relief as may be just. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th January, 1922.

No. 265.—Petition of Brian C. Lysaght and 6 Others, of Hawera County. Praying for the construction of a tunnel, and repairs to a swing-bridge over the Patea River. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Minister of Public Works. 25th January, 1922.

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No. 344. —Petition of Alexander Douglas and 73 Others, of Oamaru. Praying for compassionate allowance to Henry James Montgomery, who was compulsorily retired from the Police Force on account of blindness. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th January, 1922.

No. 267. —Petition of Thomas R. Husband, of Turakina. Praying for compensation in connection with the sale of a section of land at Glencairn, Turakina, and the action of the Public Trustee therewith. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th January, 1922.

No. 352. —Petition of Jane Henson, of Hawera. Praying for remission of fine imposed by the Commissioner of Taxes for late payment of land-tax. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th January, 1922.

No. 336.—Petition of Helen Mitchell Browne, of Kaitoke. Praying for compensation or relief in respect of the financial loss inflicted on her by the passing of the Wellington City Milk-supply Act, 1919. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th January, 1922. (Referred back to the Committee for further consideration.)

No. 353.—Petition of John Milton Goode, of Wellington. Praying that he may be remunerated for improving the methods of keeping certain accounts while in the employ of the Labour Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist February, 1922.

No. 336. —Petition of Helen Mitchell Browne, of Kaitoke. (Second Report.) Praying for compensation or relief in respect of the financial loss inflicted on her by the passing of the Wellington City Milk-supply Act, 1919. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner has sustained hardship as a result of the Wellington City Council having created' a monopoly of the sale of milk and cream in the City of Wellington. It therefore finds— (1) That the hardship sustained by the petitioner is entirely a matter for consideration by the Wellington City Council; (2) on the claim for compensation by the Government the Committee has no recommendation to make. Ist February, 1922.

No. 78.—Petition of William A. Johnston, of Wellington. (Third Report.) Praying for recompense for alleged wrongful prosecution and expenses incurred thereby. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist February, 1922.

Final Report. I am directed to report that the Committee, consisting of ten members, held fourteen meetings during the session, with an average attendance at each meeting of 7 members. Fifty-five petitions were referred to the Committee for consideration, and were dealt with as under :— Referred to the Government for immediate and sympathetic consideration . . 1 Referred to the Government for favourable consideration .. .. . . 10 Referred to the Government for consideration . . .. . • •■ 24 Referred to the Minister of Public Works . . .. • • ■ ■ .. 1 Referred to other Committees .. .. ■ • • • • • .. 3 Number on which the Committee had no recommendation to make . . . . 14 Number withdrawn .. .. • • • • • • ; ■ . . 1 Number held over until next session .. .. • • ■'■'■ .•_•/! Total .. ■ • • • - ■ .. 55 Bth February, 1922.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (450 copies), £8.

By Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 922.

Price 6d.]